A 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card, graded PSA 9, has sold for a staggering $1,150,000 million.
It was a private sale, completed through Heritage Auctions.
The sale represents a new highest price for Clemente’s iconic ‘55 Topps rookie. The card is considered one of the best copies in existence—one of only a dozen to be graded that high by PSA.
Of the thousands that have been graded by PSA, eleven have achieved a 9, with a sole PSA 10 copy also on record.
“With stunning centering, rich color saturation and flawless surfaces, the card exemplifies the pinnacle of 1950s Topps quality,” Heritage stated.
“This sale speaks not only to Clemente’s legacy as a Hall of Famer and humanitarian, but also to the strength of the high-end vintage market,” says Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. “Collectors recognize that cards like this—with impeccable condition, historical importance and limited population—are true blue-chip assets.”
It’s the fourth time since 2022 that a Clemente PSA 9 has cleared the million-dollar mark—and the second time Heritage has brokered such a deal.
This latest sale tops the previous record of $1,107,000, set in 2021.
While the only PSA 10 copy sold for $432,690 back in 2012, the market has since changed dramatically.
Today, the 1955 Topps Clemente rookie stands as one of the most coveted and condition-sensitive cards of the post-war era.
