Perhaps the most popular current player in the hobby in any sport, Mahomes pull is unlike anything else. Base rookies of cheap cards ago for several hundred dollars. Autos go for thousands, minimum.
And why not? It’s impossible not to draw parallels to the monster that is Tom Brady, and he’s (dare I say it?) on track to be even better. No, he might not get the 7 super bowls, but with decent longevity, he’ll have every record. And as long as he’s got Travis Kelce, he’ll have one of the more reliable targets to keep converting every important play.
These cards, as stupid high as they are now, are still down from the craziness of 2021. These cards are like your 401(k). Buy them, keep them, and watch your nest egg grow.
10 Best Patrick Mahomes Rookie Cards to Add to Your Collection
1. 2017 Optic Base #177
PSA 10 Value: $1,025
We’ll start with a modestly priced one here…and yes, we’re grading on a curve here using the word “modestly.”
This is a base card, to state the obvious. It’s one of his more popular ones because collectors like the Optic Rated Rookies, but they’re still not rare cards.
2. 2017 Contenders Rookie of the Year Contenders #RY-3
PSA 10 Value: $950
We’ll stay in the “cheap” realm of Mahomes rookie cards. Contenders is always a name in football (more on that later), even though they’re not the most beautiful cards in the world.
But collectors sure love this insert rookie, with a nice action shot of the man himself.
Picking up this card is going to set you back around 4 figures!
3. 2017 Prizm Silver #269
PSA 10 Value: $3,350
In 2017, all rookies in Prizm were silvers, so we don’t get a regular base card here. So yes, you could argue that a base rookie Mahomes sells for $3k+.
However, we’re talking about Prizm here. And silvers. Collectors lose their mind over silver prizms as they are arguably the most widely sought after rookie card types.
4. 2017 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Passing Grades #5
PSA 10 Value: $95
$95 for a college uniform insert card is…insane. But it’s Mahomes, so that’s the world we’re living in.
However, it’s easy to admit that those Texas Tech jerseys pop, and there’s even some red to match his future Chief’s uni.
Either way, this proves that anything Mahomes from 2017 might as well be dipped in gold.
5. 2017 Panini Contenders Autograph #303
PSA 10 Value: $30,000
One of the premier rookie cards to own, Contenders cards are monsters in football.
Contenders cards usually don’t seem high quality, but the spot at the bottom for an auto is a nice touch. Perhaps the massive value comes from the knowledge that Tom Brady’s Contenders auto can pull in $1 million plus, giving all future Contenders products a bump in value.
6. 2017 Panini Origins Patch Auto #104
PSA 10 value: $9,500
While most of us don’t have the means to drive down to the hobby shop and pick up one of these, it’s still one of the pretty cards out there.
Origins always looks cool, and this specific card gives you the tri-color patch and the color-matching flares in the background. Too bad it’s a sticker auto, but I don’t think many would complain much about having this baby in their collection.
7. 2017 Panini Phoenix #104
PSA 10 Value: $460
Phoenix is one of those sets that doesn’t quite seem to carry the value that it should, falling behind others like Crown Royale and way behind Prizm.
However, you can do much worse than these beautiful glossy cards, with a clean shot of Mahomes in the pocket.
8. 2017 Panini Crown Royale #84
PSA 10 Value: $620
Another base rookie carrying significant value, but in this case, Crown Royale is a certainly among the higher end.
Here, you get a cool action shot of him pointing open a receiver before tossing the touchdown…or something. It certainly is a nice looking card, with the color-matching red crown behind the champ.
9. 2017 Score NFL Draft #2
PSA 10 Value: $155
This is a great example showing just how much hobby love Patrick Mahomes gets. Score is considered one of the lowest quality brands out there, and college uni cards are widely considered much less valuable than pro uni cards.
Looks like Mahomes is the outlier, turning even this base card into one with decent value.
10. 2017 Panini National Treasures RPA #1/1
Value: $4.3 million
Alright, so you’re definitely not adding this one to your collection, but it’s just too fun not to include—especially since it’s the most expensive football card ever sold!
Perhaps the best football player ever, with a one-of-one from the most premium brand out there… it’s no wonder this thing sold for so much.
