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.
Pujols’ 2001 Bowman Chrome autograph card is by far his most expensive and sought-after rookie card; I’ve covered that, and the other top Albert Pujols base rookie cards – It doesn’t include any of his first-year inserts.
The 3-time NL MVP debuted in 2001, and his rookie cards soon followed in various baseball card products during that year – Collectors have 43 different base Pujols rookie cards to choose from, with varying levels of value and desirability.
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What Are The Best And Most Valuable Albert Pujols Rookie Cards?
1. 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Rookie Card 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 Ultimate Collection Albert Pujols Rookie Card #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)
3. 2001 SPx Albert Pujols Rookie Card 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
4. 2001 SP Authentic Albert Pujols Rookie Card #126
The 2001 SP Authentic Albert Pujols card is one of the higher-numbered rookie cards, with 1,250 copies.
Coming from one of Upper Deck’s most popular baseball card products, it’s a good option for collectors, which holds good value.
There is also a Limited parallel, which has 50 copies, that has sold for as high as $69k in a PSA 10.
Average price of a PSA 10: $3.4k-$3.6k
5. 2001 Leaf Limited Albert Pujols Rookie Card Patch #367
One of the rarest Albert Pujols rookie cards, the 2001 Leaf Limited relic card is limited to 250 copies.
Although it doesn’t feature a signature, it does have the appeal of a small patch swatch, which is a piece of game-used jersey – An image of the actual jersey, that was used to make the card, is on the back.
Average price of a PSA 10: N/A (PSA 8: $500-$550)
6. 2001 Donruss Signature Series Albert Pujols Rookie Card Auto #151
The 2001 Donruss Signature Series Pujols rookie card is the rarest of his autographed rookies, with just 330 copies produced.
The foil sticker for the autograph might not have the same appeal as the on-card signatures we see from Pujols other two auto rookies, but the scarcity makes up for it, and it’s still a sought-after card that commands good value.
There is also a Proofs parallel version, limited to 25 copies.
Average price of a PSA 10: N/A (PSA 9: $650-$700)
7. 2001 Topps Traded Albert Pujols Rookie Card #T247
The 2001 Topps Traded Albert Pujols rookie card has the added significance because of its link to Topps Baseball, a brand that has big pedigree in the hobby.
It can’t be considered a rare card, but it’s more limited than rookie cards from the flagship product in the hobby today – The dark border and foil details also make it hard to keep in top condition, so the card in top grades, like PSA 10, command a premium.
There’s also a Retrofractor parallel for this one, which is limited to 2001 copies, and in 2022 one sold for $38,407 in a PSA 10.
Average price of a PSA 10: $1.3k-$1.5k
8. 2001 Topps Chrome Albert Pujols Rookie Card #596
Another valuable unsigned Albert Pujols rookie card comes from the 2001 Topps Chrome set which, contrary to the name suggests, is actually made on more of a foil stock.
The card was a late addition to the Series 2 checklist, as suggested with the “Late Addition” tag under the Topps Chrome logo.
It features exactly the same image of Pujols as his Topps Chrome Traded card, which offers collectors a more traditional standard Topps Chrome option, as an alternative to this one.
There are Retrofractor parallels in addition to the base card, which has sold for as high as $6,500, in a PSA 8, in the past.
Average price of a PSA 10: $1k-$1.2k
9. 2001 Upper Deck Pros and Prospects Albert Pujols Rookie Card Patch #137
The 2001 Upper Deck Pros and Prospects Albert Pujols rookie card is significant because it features the biggest patch piece.
The jersey patch is the big pull, but it’s also limited and numbered to 500 copies, which contributes to its high value.
Average price of a PSA 10: $600-$650
10. 2001 Leaf Certified Materials Albert Pujols Rookie Card Patch #158
Although the design leaves a bit to be desired, the 2001 Leaf Certified Materials Albert Pujols rookie card is the rarest, with just 200 copies.
There’s also the added bonus of the small hat material swatch, to give it a bit of added appeal and value.
Collectors who want a tougher chase also have the option for the Mirror Red Autograph parallel, which is limited to 75 copies, and the Mirror Gold parallel, which is limited to 25 copies.
Average price of a PSA 10: $150-$200
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.
What Is The Rarest Albert Pujols Rookie Card?
The rarest Albert Pujols rookie card is the 2001 Leaf Certified Materials Hat (#158) card, which is limited and numbered to just 200 copies.
* Average prices based on PSA’s previous public sales data and Market Movers data.
