When you mentioned “Manning rookies” a few years ago, there wasn’t any question who you were talking about. Fresh off a Super Bowl win and a growing pile of NFL records, there was no doubt it was Peyton Manning. Not anymore. Make way for Eli Manning rookie cards, big brother.
The expected run to eBay began for both buyers and sellers after Super Bowl XLVI Sunday night. It happened to Aaron Rodgers last year. Now, though, Eli owns a pair of Super Bowl rings and two ultimate awards after he came out on top in Super Bowl MVP voting again. In the immediate aftermath of the Giants’ comeback win over the Patriots in his brother’s adopted hometown, prices jumped as speculators tried to grab his rookie cards before prices went even higher.
Some forward thinking–and lucky–sellers put Eli rookie cards up on the block so their auctions would close just after the Super Bowl.
They were rewarded.
Two 2004 Playoff Contenders rookie autograph cards graded BGS 9 sold for more than $700, one of which drew 37 bids. An 8.5 brought $450. 
An SP Authentic Gold auto rookie, one of just 25 made, was purchased via Buy it Now for $1,999. Just over two months ago, another copy sold for $767.
An SP Authentic Red Patch 
auto sold for $660 and attracted 51 bids before it closed Sunday night. One had sold for only $316 a week ago.
Even unsigned Manning rookie cards were hot. A PSA 10 2004 Topps Chrome brought $151.50. Earlier in the day, one had brought $76. The average price in November and December was just $57 for the same card and as late as December, one had sold for $60.
Sellers couldn’t list Manning rookie cards fast enough. About 75% of all of them that closed after the game sold for something and by midnight eastern time, over 1500 Manning rookie cards were up for bid.
Click here to see what’s going on with Eli Manning rookie cards right now on eBay.
