Since he was selected in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, Tom Brady’s rookie cards initially drew minimal interest from collectors until his improbable Super Bowl run in 2001. It marked the beginning of a legendary career and rise to superstardom that would reshape NFL history.
The seven-time Super Bowl champion’s trading cards have been graded by PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) nearly 400,000 times, the most of any football player. Brady’s storied legacy and unrivaled work ethic have solidified his status as the greatest quarterback ever, driving intense demand and commanding premium prices for his collectibles.
A word of warning: Because of their high value, many of Brady’s most popular rookie cards have been widely counterfeited. To minimize risk, collectors should stick with graded examples of these cards that have been authenticated by reputable companies such as PSA, BGS, or SGC.
Top pick (full recommendations below)
2000 Upper Deck #254 rookie card
Brady’s 2000 Upper Deck rookie card offers the best value among his base rookie cards due to its low PSA-graded population (less than 2,500 in total) and reasonable pricing in PSA 9 condition (around $700). The card’s depiction of Brady in a Patriots practice gear (as opposed to his college uniform) and Upper Deck’s notable status in the hobby make it highly collectible.
Things to know before buying
The value of sports cards can fluctuate for various reasons such as condition, print runs, or graded population. Other factors that can cause prices to go up or down include player performance, market trends, and health of the wider economy. The secondary sales market for individual cards of a given sport generally hits its lowest point during the offseason (in other words, you can usually find better prices in the offseason than during the season). My recommendations are not an attempt to promote specific investment behavior or trading advice, but to guide and inform readers about popular and unique cards that are celebrated by the sports card community.
Ultimately, the best cards to collect are always the ones you will personally enjoy most, regardless of whether they go up or down in value. The recommendations here should serve as a starting point for cards to consider, but a big part of the fun in collecting is the hunt for the cards you like.
“Raw” cards vs. Graded cards
Cards can come out of the pack (their “raw” state) with a wide variety of imperfections that can impact their value. Card grading is a process in which an expert of the field determines the condition of a card based on a number of factors (including corner sharpness, image centering, print imperfections, and more) and assigns a numerical grade, usually on a scale of 1-10 (with the latter being close to perfect) and sealed in a protective case. There are a number of grading companies, each with their own unique grading scales, but PSA is by far the largest and most prominent in the industry. Cards graded a “PSA 10” can carry a significant value multiplier compared to raw cards or those graded by other companies.
It’s fine (and often cheaper) to buy cards raw, but if you want to ensure authenticity and/or a minimum condition level, and you’re not experienced at determining card condition for yourself, you may want to buy a graded card instead — particularly if you’re buying online and only able to see the card in photographs.
Best low-end (~$50-$350) Tom Brady cards
This is a category for collectors who are on a tighter budget or aren’t as concerned about the long-term monetary value of the cards they buy.
2000 Skybox Impact #27 rookie card
While Skybox sets are better known in basketball card collecting, the popularity of Brady’s rookie cards and the accessibility of his Skybox Impact rookie are why it’s his most graded card by PSA (over 9,000 examples). It’s astonishing to see that this card in PSA 10 condition was selling for less than $300 at the beginning of 2020. As of this writing, recent sales have eclipsed $1,000.
Although the current price of a PSA 10 is out of reach for the average collector, PSA 9s sell for around $200-$300 and raw examples ~$100. There are more affordable low-end rookie cards of Brady out there, but most of them have lackluster designs or feature him alongside another player.
Many of Brady’s rookie cards depict him in his college uniform rather than a Patriots jersey, since he was a late-round draft pick. Consequently, rookie cards that feature him in his NFL uniform or Patriots gear command a premium in both price and demand.
2000 Fleer Ultra #234 rookie card
Among Brady’s rookie cards featuring him in his Michigan jersey, his 2000 Fleer Ultra card is one of the most aesthetically appealing. The intense focus on Brady’s face as he prepares to throw a pass captures the fierce competitor he truly was. The Y2K-style font used on the card also provides a now retro-futuristic flair that perfectly complements Brady’s pose. PSA 9s are currently selling for ~$300, while raw copies range from $50 to $75, depending on condition.
Fleer’s introduction of Ultra in 1991 and rare medallion parallels in 1995 added a thrilling chase element to the set, which remains highly coveted by collectors. Brady’s Fleer Ultra Gold Medallion rookie card in PSA 10 condition is currently worth a few thousand dollars, while PSA 9s typically sell for slightly more than the PSA 9 base rookie card.
More expensive parallels of this card: Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion (/25)
Best value ($351-$1,000ish) Tom Brady cards
This is a category for collectors looking to pay a bit more for cards that have some degree of scarcity and have a better chance at retaining or increasing in value long-term.
2000 Upper Deck #254 rookie card
For collectors chasing value in a Brady rookie card, his 2000 Upper Deck offering stands out as an excellent choice because of its limited number of Mint graded copies and relatively affordable price.
The set offers one of 45 “Star Rookie” cards in every four packs, so collectors who opened a hobby box (24 packs) would receive only six rookie cards on average. The blue and gold foil borders give the card an attractive look, but this design is known for centering issues and is prone to chipping or edge wear. Some collectors may not love the image of Brady in sweatpants and a non-contact practice jersey, but at least he’s still wearing Patriots gear.
According to PSA, fewer than 2,500 examples of this card have been authenticated by the company, with less than 500 receiving a Mint 9 grade and around 180 earning a Gem Mint 10. With recent PSA 9 sales in the $700 range, it’s one of the better deals you will find for a Mint graded Brady rookie card.
More expensive parallels of this card: Exclusives Silver (/100), Exclusives Gold (/25)
2000 Fleer Metal #267 rookie card
Out of the dozens of different rookie cards produced of the five-time Super Bowl MVP, his 2000 Fleer Metal #267 card is one of only eight that captures him wearing his full Patriots uniform, making it highly desired among NFL collectors.
“Rare Metal Rookies” were inserted one in every two Metal packs and are technically considered short print rookie cards, similar to how Brady’s 2000 Upper Deck rookie card was printed in lower quantities than other common cards in the set. For that reason, the total PSA population for this card is roughly 1,500, with less than 200 achieving PSA 10 status.
The gleaming metallic design, combined with the image of Brady warming up and the rookie designation stamp beside him adds to its visual appeal. Raw examples of this card are selling for $200-$400 depending on condition, while PSA 9s are around $800. While this set’s base rookie cards don’t typically draw high interest on the secondary market, Metal cards generally have remained popular since their introduction in the 1990s and continue to be produced in different capacities today.
While the horizontal design may not appeal to all collectors, I think it’s undervalued compared to other Brady rookie cards that show him sporting a Patriots jersey.
More expensive parallels of this card: Emerald
2000 Bowman #236 rookie card
Although Bowman is best known for its role in baseball card history, its 2000 football set produced one of the most iconic rookie cards of modern times.
Topps began producing Bowman football cards in 1998 and branded them as the ‘Home of the Rookie Card’ by including them in each pack, with a chance to pull autographs as well. Unfortunately, Brady didn’t officially sign Bowman cards for the set’s release.
Despite Brady’s Bowman being graded more often than his premium Bowman Chrome rookie card, it has fewer than 500 PSA 10 copies, less than half the number of his Bowman Chrome PSA 10s (1,226). As a result, both cards in PSA 10 condition are similarly priced. Raw copies are selling for between $500 and $900 on eBay, while PSA 8s are around $1,000.
This set also offers a couple of rare Brady parallels that sell for more than $10,000 each, depending on the condition. Veteran collectors are familiar with the gold parallel limited to 99 copies, but his Bowman ‘Rookie of the Year’ card flies a bit more under the radar. These Bowman ROY cards were inserted one per 76 packs, with each rookie card limited to only 250 copies.
More expensive parallels of this card: Gold (/99), ROY Promotion (1:76 packs)
Best high-end ($1,000+) Tom Brady cards
This is a category for collectors looking to acquire the most desired Brady cards on the market.
2000 Bowman Chrome #236 rookie card
Experienced collectors instantly recognize Brady’s 2000 Bowman Chrome as his most popular and sought-after rookie card. Topps excluded the three-time NFL MVP from most of their 2000 products, including its flagship and Chrome sets, with Brady appearing only in Bowman and Bowman Chrome sets.
Interestingly, Brady’s Bowman Chrome rookie card isn’t significantly rarer than his standard Bowman. However, collectors tend to view the Chrome version as a more premium release, thanks in part to its higher-quality card stock and overall visual appeal (i.e. it’s shinier).
According to GemRate, a platform offering data and population reports on card grading trends, it ranks among the top five of Brady’s most graded rookie cards by PSA. It’s been submitted by collectors over 5,000 times, with raw and PSA 8 examples selling for around $1,500 and PSA 9s north of $3,000.
It’s considered his primary chromium rookie card and is regarded as one of his most iconic collectibles.
More expensive parallels of this card: Refractor
2000 Playoff Contenders #144 Rookie Ticket Autograph
The holy grail of Brady rookie cards is undeniably his 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph. Since 1998, Contenders has been renowned for its rookie ticket (featuring design elements that resemble a game ticket) autograph cards in football and basketball. The 2000 Contenders checklist features a total of 200 cards, including 100 base cards, with the remaining cards made up of rookie and veteran autographs.
One of the set’s biggest draws is that it’s the only 2000 release offering Brady autograph cards in his Patriots uniform. The other football products from 2000 that offer his autograph depict him in his University of Michigan jersey.
Another major selling point is that his signature is directly on the card. This may seem like no big deal to a novice collector, but “on-card autographs” are highly desired because many of the signatures in modern collecting come in the form of the player signing a sticker, which is then affixed to the card at a later date. There’s just something more personal and meaningful about a signature that was penned directly onto the card.
PSA’s population report shows there are ~500 graded by the company, with fewer than 40 achieving PSA 9 or PSA 10 grades. Brady’s Contenders Rookie Ticket Auto in various grades currently sells for over $10,000, while the rarer parallel, limited to just 100 copies, is considered his highest-selling card to date. According to Card Ladder’s sales history, a private sale of Brady’s Contenders Champion Ticket Autograph fetched $3.8 million in 2022.
More expensive parallels of this card: Championship Ticket (/100)
Other cool Tom Brady Cards
The GOAT’s 2018 Kaboom! is near the top of the list of his most valuable insert cards and depicts a fired-up Brady doing his famous first-down celebration.
Panini has been producing the sought-after insert since 2013, but they didn’t start making football Kaboom! cards until 2018 as part of a 50-card multi-sport set. The 2018 Kaboom! set was not a typical release and could only be obtained through Panini’s Rewards program. Upon release, a two-card 2018 Kaboom! pack would cost you 2,500 reward points.
Many collectors view this as a landmark release, as 2018 marked the debut of Gold parallels (limited to 10) and 1-of-1 Green parallels. Not only does it feature Brady’s first-ever Kaboom! card, but it also includes rookie Kaboom! cards of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. PSA has graded roughly 130 examples of TB12’s 2018 Kaboom!, with fewer than 50 earning a PSA 10.
I’d rank Brady’s 2018 Kaboom! as one of his top rare inserts due to its exclusive distribution and the fact that it couldn’t be obtained through traditional formats. Since this release, Panini has produced four additional Brady Kaboom! cards across various sets that feature him in a Buccaneers and Patriots uniforms.
More expensive parallels of this card: Gold (/10), Green (1/1)
2023 Bowman Draft #95BTB 1995 Bowman
During Brady’s high school days in San Mateo, Cal., he wasn’t just a football phenom — he was also a standout catcher on the baseball field, posting a .311 batting average with eight home runs. Despite being a top high school quarterback with a full scholarship to the University of Michigan, the Montreal Expos took a gamble and selected him in the 18th round of the 1995 MLB Draft. Ultimately, Brady chose the gridiron over the diamond.
But in 2023, Topps leaned into the “What if?” by imagining a world where he had pursued baseball by producing his first official Topps baseball cards in packs of 2023 Bowman Draft. In order to create the image of him in a baseball uniform, Topps used a headshot of a 17-year-old Brady that was layered onto the body of someone wearing an Expos uniform.
The set includes Brady base cards, limited parallels, and ultra-rare inscribed autograph variations — making them one of the more creative and sought-after novelty chase cards Topps has released in recent years.
More expensive parallels of this card: Refractor, Aqua Lava Refractor (/199), Blue Refractor (/150), Green Refractor (/99), Yellow Lava Refractor (/75), Gold Refractor (/50), Orange Refractor (/25), Red Refractor (/5), Superfractor (1/1)
2021 Donruss Optic #CH1 The Champ is Here
I couldn’t leave you without recommending one Brady card from the final chapter of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Panini introduced this championship-themed insert in 2017 Donruss basketball sets and added it to football sets the following year.
Brady’s 2021 The Champ is Here insert captures him in a celebratory pose following his Super Bowl LV victory and has a holographic, laser-like pattern that just looks cool.
It’s a sharp-looking card that symbolizes his seventh Super Bowl victory and is worth less than $100 in mint condition. Donruss also produced a non-chrome version the same year that is more common and sells for a few dollars.
More expensive parallels of this card: White Sparkle, Black Pandora (/25), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
Getting the best price
Prices for a certain trading card can vary wildly and fluctuate quickly, making it important to check recent sales of a given card to make sure you’re buying at a fair value. You can check recent sales of an item on eBay by selecting the “sold items” filter on search results. You can also run a search on 130point.com, which is a free site that provides sales data from a number of top online marketplaces. There are also several apps that provide more in-depth sales data, often charging subscription fees for full access.
To account for outliers and scams, it’s important to consider multiple previous sales, not just the single most recent. It’s also important to note the recency of those sales and any real-world factors that could affect changes in value.
Why you should trust us
As a second-generation collector, Tyler Holzhammer started collecting cards and attending the National Sports Collectors Convention at 10 years old. He’s evolved his passion as a collector into a career, previously providing sports card content and market analysis for companies like Sports Card Investor and Goldin Auctions. Tyler’s sports card collection is centered around players from his favorite teams, the Los Angeles Rams and the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Athletic maintains full editorial independence in all our coverage. When you click or make purchases through our links, we may earn a commission.
(Top photo: Anne-Marie Caruso/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images; Card images: eBay)