When he was at the peak of his powers, Albert Pujols’ baseball cards were some of the most sought-after collectibles in the sports card hobby, and his cards remain popular among collectors in the hobby today.
The 3-time NL MVP debuted in 2001, and his rookie cards soon followed in various baseball card products during that year – Collectors have lots of Pujols rookie cards to choose from, with varying levels of value and desirability.
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10 Top Albert Pujols Baseball Cards From His Rookie Year
1. 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Auto #340
The best and most valuable Albert Pujols rookie card is this 2001 Bowman Chrome Auto card, which is also one of the most desired baseball cards of its era.
There are a few obvious factors which contribute to its high value and desirability, namely the on-card signature and print run of 500 copies – It’s also made on a Refractor stock.
Although Bowman Chrome autographs were new to the baseball card hobby when this was released in 2001, they are a cornerstone of the hobby today, and the significant cards are worth big money.
The card was released as a redemption, so don’t expect to get lucky with any sealed packs or boxes that you come across.
Average price of a PSA 10: $200k-$210k
2. 2001 SP Authentic SP Chirography Gold Albert Pujols Auto #G-AP
Rarity, on-card signature, and hand serial-numbering – This one ticks all those boxes.
Just 5 copies of this SP Chirography Gold insert exist, from the 2001 SP Authentic set, so it’s no surprise they hold so much value.
In 2022, a BGS 9.5 graded copy sold for $39.6k.
Average price of a PSA 10: N/A
3. 2001 SP Authentic SP Limited Gold Albert Pujols #126
The 2001 SP Authentic Albert Pujols base card is one of the higher-numbered rookie cards, with 1,250 copies, but rarity and big value is found in this SP Limited Gold parallel, with only 50 numbered copies.
Coming from one of Upper Deck’s most popular baseball card products, it’s a sought-after Pujols card.
A rare PSA 10 copy sold for $69k in 2021.
Average price of a PSA 10: $45k-$50k
4. 2001 Topps Chrome Traded Albert Retrofractor Pujols #T247
The 2001 Topps Traded Albert Pujols rookie card has the added significance because of its link to the popular Topps Baseball brand.
The card has a few rare parallel versions, and this Retrofractor parallel is the most scarce, with 500 numbered copies.
In 2022, one sold for $38,407 in a PSA 10 – It’s easily one of Pujol’s most coveted rookie year cards.
Average price of a PSA 10: $35k-$40k
5. 2001 Donruss Studio Masterstrokes Artist's Proof Albert Pujols Patch Auto #MS-19
This unique insert features a game-used jersey patch, plus a game-used bat patch, accompanied by a stick signature.
It’s a nice card, which is also rare, with just 25 numbered copies.
There’s a regular Masterstrokes version, which is very similar, and has 200 numbered copies, but this Artist’s Proof card holds more value.
A BGS 9.5 graded copy sold for $20.4k in 2022.
Average price of a PSA 10: N/A
6. 2001 Topps Reserve Albert Pujols Auto #TRA3
Albert Pujol’s Rookie Autographs card from the 2001 Topps Reserve set is up next.
While the card isn’t serial-numbered, the on-card signature is the big appeal, and it’s one of the more valuable Pujols cards from 2001.
In 2021, a PSA 10 graded copy sold for $15.7k.
Average price of a PSA 10: $8k-$10k
7. 2001 Donruss Signature Proofs Albert Pujols Auto #151
The 2001 Donruss Signature Series Pujols base rookie card is the rarest of his autographed rookies, with just 330 copies produced, but this Proof parallel version is even rarer, with just 25 numbered copies.
The foil sticker for the autograph might not have the same appeal as the on-card signatures we see from other Pujols rookie year cards, but the scarcity makes up for it.
A BGS 9.5 graded copy sold for $11.1k in 2021.
Average price of a PSA 10: N/A
8. 2001 Fleer E-X Albert Pujols #131
One of the most valuable Pujols rookies, which doesn’t feature a signature or a relic patch, comes from the 2001 Fleer E-X set.
The card is serial-numbered to 499 copies, and finding one in top condition isn’t easy.
In 2022, a PSA 10 graded copy of this one sold for $10.5k.
Average price of a PSA 10: $5k-$6k
9. 2001 Ultimate Collection Albert Pujols #111
Upper Deck’s 2001 Ultimate Collection set included this high-end Albert Pujols rookie card option, which is his most valuable unsigned rookie.
Unlike some other big names in the set, Pujols’ card isn’t signed, but the premium brand and print run of 250 copies, give it high value.
The card is particularly hard to find in top grades, which adds a bigger premium to those copies.
Average price of a PSA 10: N/A (PSA 9: $2.4k-$2.6k)
10. 2001 SPx Albert Pujols Auto #206
The highest print run of the Albert Pujols autographed rookie cards, with 1,500 copies, is this 2001 SPx auto card, but it’s also one of his most valuable rookies.
The appealing on-card signature makes it a good alternative to the Bowman Chrome auto, at a much lower price.
The card won’t be found in sealed packs of 2001 SPx, because it was released as part of the 2001 Upper Deck rookie update, which expanded multiple sets from that year.
Average price of a PSA 10: $3.4k-$3.6k
When Was Albert Pujols Rookie Season?
Albert Pujols rookie season was the 2001 MLB season – He was selected as the 402nd overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1999 MLB Draft.
What Is The Most Valuable Albert Pujols Rookie Card?
The most valuable Albert Pujols rookie card is the 2001 Bowman Chrome Autograph card (#340).
Its popularity and value is helped by the hard-signed autograph that is featured on the card, as well as the limited print run of 500 and brand prestige of Bowman Chrome. The card is one of the most significant baseball cards from the 2000s.
Five and six-figure sums are normal for sales of this card, in the top grades.
*Average prices based on PSA’s previous public sales data and Market Movers data.
