Peyton Manning's Hall of Fame career was defined by this fierce preparation and competitiveness. So it's not surprising that he's attacked his “second act” with the same relentlessness.
Even in retirement, the 14-time Pro Bowler keeps winning. And the most expensive Peyton Manning football cards are proof.
Off-the-field popularity
To say that Peyton Manning is more popular than ever is an understatement. He's been a staple on ESPN, hosting his own travel documentary titled “Peyton's Place.” He can also be seen weekly on “MNF with Peyton and Eli.” Casually referred to as “Manningcast,” the brothers provide live commentary and lighthearted comedy alongside special guests.
But his transition from prolific quarterback to pop culture staple started long before he hung up his cleats. During his playing days, he appeared in countless commercials, becoming one of the NFL's most marketable players. He's presented and hosted several marquee events, including multiple stops at the ESPY Awards and “Saturday Night Live.” He just recently co-hosted “The 56th Annual CMA Awards.”
On-the-field accomplishments
Peyton Manning has racked up plenty of writing, acting, and producing credits. But the most valuable Peyton Manning football cards pay homage to a different kind of highlight reel. Peyton Manning is undoubtedly one of the league's greatest quarterbacks to ever step foot on the field. And it's not open for debate. While this conversation is highly subjective, in Peyton Manning's case, the numbers speak for themselves.
By the time No. 18 retired after 18 seasons, he had already solidified his place as a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Some of his remarkable awards and achievements include:
- Five MVP Awards (most all-time)
- Two Super Bowl titles with two different teams (the first QB to do so)
- Most single-season passing yards (5,477 yards in 2013)
- Most 4,000-yard seasons (14 total)
- Most passing touchdowns in a single season (55 in 2013)
- 14 Pro Bowl selections (ranks third amongst all players)
- 539 career passing touchdowns (ranks third all-time)
Why are Peyton Manning's rookie cards so hot?
Few athletes transcend sports. But Peyton Manning isn't one to rest. He's no longer just a quarterback or football player. He's approached a celebrity status that goes well beyond the gridiron. As his media presence continues to grow, fans want a piece of the action.
As with most sports, rookie cards are highly coveted. That's why the best Peyton Manning rookie cards routinely fetch high dollars online and at auctions.
Continue scrolling to see the most expensive Peyton Manning cards to ever hit the market.
13. 1998 Bowman's Best Refractor Peyton Manning Rookie RC Autograph #7A (BGS 10 – Pristine)
Price: $19,200
Only the best for the GOAT. Like most of Peyton Manning's career, this card is elite. It earned a 10 out of 10 grade, which says it all. It checks all the boxes. Pristine corners, crisp edges, and perfect centering are truly aweinspiring. It's only one of four cards to receive these perfect marks.
The refractor starburst design captures a very distinct time in collecting culture, mimicking the foil comic book covers that were also in vogue during this era.
Yet it's the signature that makes this one of the most valuable Peyton Manning cards. The autograph is bold and legible, carefully penned in blue sharpie across the front surface.
12. 1998 Upper Deck Choice Starquest/Rookiequest Gold John Elway & Peyton Manning Rookie /100 (PSA 10 – Gem Mint)
Price: $20,000
This is more than a card. It might just be a crystal ball.
Who would've known way back in 1998 that John Elway and Peyton Manning's careers would be so intertwined? John Elway, before his controversial draft-day trade demand, was selected by the then-Baltimore Colts. Fast forward nearly three decades later when Peyton Manning leaves that same franchise to try to resurrect his own career with the Denver Broncos, the team John Elway eventually played his entire career for. John Elway, then the team's general manager, was the one responsible for signing him as a free agent. Both signal callers would go on to win Super Bowls in Denver.
That's why this Upper Deck entry is such a significant piece of history. This card depicts two future Hall of Famers in vastly different stages of their careers. Peyton Manning was just a struggling rookie, while John Elway was coming off his first Super Bowl victory in the Mile High City. (Denver would repeat as champions in 2018.)
This card is printed with different colored backgrounds, but gold is by far the most desirable.
11. 1998 Bowman's Best Atomic Refractor Peyton Manning Rookie Autograph #7B (BGS 10 – Pristine)
Price: $20,400
The name “atomic refractor” just screams the '90s.
Like no. 13 on this list, this card is a gorgeous throwback. It's one of the more unique prints that will stand out. The autograph is a nice feature as well.
But this card has some cross-appeal for college football fans too. The most valuable Peyton Manning rookie cards tend to encapsulate his impressive career at the University of Tennessee. There, he threw for 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns. Both of these were records at the time. After finishing as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, Peyton Manning seemed like a lock for the first pick in the NFL Draft.
For avid fans, this Topps Bowman is a must.
10. 1998 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 0 Peyton Manning Rookie /100 #3 (PSA 10 – Gem Mint)
Price: $24,000
During the late 1990s, Flair Showcase blossomed into one of the hobby's most recognizable brands. They were the epitome of clean, elegant designs. There's no wonder this is one of the most valuable Peyton Manning cards.
It's also incredibly rare. Flair Showcase created a tiered approach for this set. Row 2 & 3 cards were fairly common. While Row 1 crept up in rarity, Row 0 was the ultimate prize. These runs were numbered up to 250. However, within Row 0, there was also a Legacy Collection and a Legacy Collection Masterpieces set. As part of the Legacy Collection, this card only had 100 in total that were printed.
This limited-edition piece commands big dollars in high grades.
9. 1998 Fleer Brilliants Peyton Manning 24-Karat Gold /24 #120 (PSA 8 – Near Mint)
Price: $24,000
Who says cardboard isn't a great way to shine? But a little gold helps too.
The Fleer Brilliants line was a statement in minimalism. As a counter to the growing chromium trend, Fleer crafted a design that put its laminate-covered foils to the forefront. Parallels came in blue and gold, numbered up to 99.
Yet it's the 24-Karat Gold entry that's the star. Not only are there just 24 total, but this is the only one of the Peyton Manning rookie cards that contains a true gold refractor. It was also made with actual gold in the card, amplifying its value and how the light hits it.
8. 1998 Flair Showcase Row 3 Masterpieces Peyton Manning Rookie RC 1/1 (BGS 9.5 – Gem)
Price: $26,700
“The Only 1 of 1 Masterpiece.” This note, stamped on the reverse side of the card, says it all.
As mentioned above, the Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Masterpieces collection is the holy grail. And this entry doesn't disappoint. Although it didn't receive a perfect “10” grade, the card has been delicately handled and expertly preserved. The centering, corners, and edges are nearly perfect. The only knock is the minimal wear that's present on the fragile foil surface.
7. 2008 Upper Deck Exquisite Logo Signatures #ESLS-PM Peyton Manning Signed NFL Patch Card 1/1 (BGS 8.5 – Near Mint/Mint+ & BGS 10 – Pristine)
Price: $28,800
Own a collectible, memorabilia, and history all in one card.
Upper Deck's Exquisite Logo Signatures series gave fans a chance to pull a card with an autograph and an authentic, game-worn jersey. Along with being serial-numbered “1/1,” the back of the card doubles as a Certificate of Authenticity. The reverse side includes a manufacturer's guarantee, affirming both the signature is real and that the jersey swatch was used in an actual game.
This specific Peyton Manning card is from the legend's third MVP season. He embossed his name on the front in bold, blue ink. It's next to an official “NFL Shield” logo from one of his jerseys.
While the card itself received a Near Mint/Mint+ grade, the signature earned a perfect “10” from BGS.
6. 1998 Topps Chrome Peyton Manning Rookie RC Refractor (PSA 10 – Gem)
Price: $29,775
The Topps Chrome Football series is of a different era.
As much as a contemporary card could, this 1998 edition felt retro. When other major lines were experimenting with refractors that ranged across every color on the rainbow, this card stood out as something noticeably different. No wild overlays or backgrounds. No signatures or fabric pieces. In an era when serial numbers were reserved for only inserts, Topps Chrome Football cards have withstood the test of time. Aside from its “chrome” trim, this card features a young quarterback and not much else.
This clean, humble design is one of the primary reasons why this is one of the most valuable Peyton Manning rookie cards of all time.
5. 1998 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems PMG Peyton Manning Rookie RC /50 (PSA 10 – Gem)
Price: $30,100
If the previous entry was a nod to simplicity, this card goes full-on metal.
Actually, “psychedelic” is a more appropriate description. This card, from the 1998 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems series, displays Peyton Manning rocking his Tennessee Volunteer's uniform from college. Yet it's the background that catches the eye. The promising rookie is set in front of a shimmery, multicolored geometric pattern. It's almost as if the quarterback is scrambling from the edge of the earth.
Sure, it's trippy and fun. But this card is also flawless. This Peyton Manning card is free from the surface imperfections and chipping that are often found in this set. It is void of any visible defects, striking a stunning profile from virtually every angle.
Combined with the fact that this print was limited to only 50 copies, it's obvious why it sits so high on the list of most valuable Peyton Manning football cards. On top of that, there are only two that are graded a PSA 10 in existence.
Right now, there's a copy that's currently listed on the PWCC Marketplace for $250,000 or the best offer.
4. 1998 SP Authentic Peyton Manning Rookie RC /2000 #14 (BGS 10 – Pristine)
Price: $32,523
If you desire a picture of Peyton Manning looking longingly off into the distance, then this is the card for you.
The front of cards are typically reserved for “action” shots, showing the star doing what they do best. Rolling right. Throwing on the run. Fighting for extra yards. Very few rookies are featured so prominently on the front without a helmet. This 1998 SP Authentic collectible is the exception.
Another oddity about this card is its serial number. By today's standards, a print run of 2,000 copies is a huge number. Where other cards on this list are extremely limited, this card was produced in higher volumes. However, that doesn't diminish its rarity.
This specific sale featured a near-perfect card that was kept pristine from the moment it was unboxed. It contains excellent centering with just a few slight, microscopic imperfections.
As an investment, enthusiasts can't go wrong with this card. SP Authentic designed and manufactured a beautiful card that's attractive to a wide variety of collectors.
3. 2005 Upper Deck “Exquisite Collection” Dual NFL Patch Autographs #2 Peyton Manning/Eli Manning Signed NFL Shield Game Worn Patch Card 1/1 (PSA 9 – Mint)
Price: $33,600
If the Mannings are truly the “first family of football,” then this card deserves a place on the mantle.
But it's not because it captures a memorable family photo. In fact, Peyton and Eli Manning are barely even depicted. The Super Bowl-winning brothers only have small pictures on the front. It's the signatures and swatches that steal the show.
On the card front, there is a pair of game-worn “NFL Shield” patches. Both are attributed to the star quarterbacks. Underneath, each brother has autographed the card.
Like the previous Upper Deck “Exquisite Collection” offering on this list, this card comes with its own COA embossed on the patch that attests to the signature's and jersey's authenticity. It's serial-numbered as a “One of One” piece, captured in Mint condition.
As both Manning siblings continue to build their media empires, the uniqueness of their appearance together on a signal memento is priceless. If (or when) Eli joins Peyton in the Hall of Fame, this card will surely skyrocket in value.
2. 1998 Skybox E-X2001 Essential Credentials Now Peyton Manning Rookie /54 (PSA 10 – Gem)
Price: $60,000
Let's be honest, “Skybox E-X2001” sounds more like a robot than a rookie card.
Yet, it has endured as one of the most expensive Peyton Manning football cards. And, like others on the list, it's a mirror of what card collecting was in the mid-to-late 1990s. In a decade where colorful parallels dominated, Skybox's bold green, yellow, and peach colorway reigned supreme. This is coupled with a die-cut picture of Peyton Manning. Despite not having a true “RC” stamp, this exclusive second-year Essential Credentials run remains iconic.
In reality, this PSA 10-graded card is remarkable in itself. Limited to only 54 prints, these wild color schemes and sensitive materials only magnify the scarcity. Despite the care the manufacturer took, the mixed-materials approach and gold-foil lettering typically leave a lot of room for error. Over time, it's been difficult to find these inserts relatively untouched and free of any blemishes.
Still, there is an even more exclusive parallel. This card is from the Essential Credentials Now collection. The Essential Credentials Future printed only seven total cards.
1. 1998 Playoff Contenders Ticket Peyton Manning Rookie RC Autograph #87 (PSA 10 – Gem)
Price: $71,988.88
No list of the most expensive Peyton Manning cards would be complete without this high-dollar collector's item.
In the same way that Peyton Manning has firmly entrenched himself as one of the all-time greats, this card has done the same. Labeled by many as his “most important rookie card,” the 1998 Playoff Contenders Ticket is the holy grail. It is one of the 20 most expensive football cards ever sold.
Out of a meager 200 copies in circulation, only six cards have yielded a PSA 10 grade due to fragile stock and production that have plagued many other items on this list. These issues will only get worse over time.
The Future of the Most Valuable Peyton Manning Football Cards
Peyton Manning is a household name. And not just because of what he's achieved on the field. He's carving out a Hall of Career as an analyst, commentator, and comedian too. As he permeates into the pop culture consciousness even more, Peyton Manning cards will only continue to get more expensive.
