Whether it’s a record-setting collection of touchdown passes, a late rally in a hostile environment or an improvisational toss with his opposite hand, there’s not much mystery behind the strong interest in Patrick Mahomes rookie cards.
In his first three games as the Kansas City Chiefs’ starting quarterback in 2018, Mahomes tossed 13 touchdown passes while completing 67% of his passes with no interceptions. That was just the beginning. Mahomes is now the league’s premier young quarterback. Collectors who have been grabbing his rookie cards have been handsomely rewarded. Mahomes cards continue to dominate the eBay hot lists.
The son of a former big league pitcher by the same name, Mahomes was a three-sport athlete at Whitehouse High School in Texas, then played three years at Texas Tech. After throwing for a jaw-dropping 11,252 yards and 93 touchdowns in three years, he declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. Seeing something special in the strong-armed youngster, the Kansas City Chiefs made a trade with Buffalo, acquiring the tenth pick to snare the fast-rising prospect. After a year backing up Alex Smith, Mahomes was handed the keys to the Chiefs offense. So far, it looks like a brilliant series of moves.
In a comeback win at Denver, Mahomes’ athleticism was on display in front of a national audience and video of a Brett Favre-like move that saw him switch hands and complete a pass left-handed went viral.
Picking out the best Patrick Mahomes rookie cards to own depends largely on your collecting plans and your budget but it’s safe to say some stand out.
The biggest selling issues are the autographed Mahomes cards from 2017 Panini National Treasures. While there are numerous versions to choose from and most won’t touch five figures, the autographed patch cards carrying low serial numbers have been bringing strong prices. Prices have soared since his rookie season with multiple sales of low serial-numbered NT cards stretching well into five figures.
For some reason, Mahomes rookie cards in Panini’s Immaculate line doesn’t sell for as much as the National Treasures auto relics but in all honesty, many believe the cards are just as nice. The NFL versions typically sell for more than most of those from the collegiate edition.
Other popular Mahomes rookie cards include his Contenders Rookie Ticket and its numerous parallels. Mahomes appeared in both the NFL and Collegiate versions of Contenders. Carrying a strong brand name within the hobby, the Contenders NFL Rookie Ticket cards are usually a safe bet for investors, provided Mahomes continues on an upward career arc. The Contenders rookie auto print run is no higher than 250, although you won’t find a serial number on them. There’s also a horizontal variation that’s limited to 100 or less and of course, there are numerous parallel versions like Cracked Ice (# to 25) that are extremely popular and unique looking.
Contenders Optic and Flawless are two other higher end brands carrying on-card Mahomes autographs that some collectors are chasing. Encased, Limited and Impeccable are three other popular brands for his rookie autographs.
Of course, there are numerous serial numbered relic cards and inserts that can be obtained for far less but still provide a certain level of limited availability. Choosing an attractive card of Mahomes in his Chiefs uniform with a serial number under 200 is generally a pretty good bet. However, if you prefer the low-cost “penny stock” approach, there are several brands that offer a chance to collect Mahomes rookie cards on a limited budget.
You can see all of Mahomes rookie cards on eBay here and check out a live list of the ‘most watched’ auctions below.
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