Top 5 Most Valuable Arizona Diamondbacks Baseball Cards of All Time
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a relatively new Major League Baseball team, having begun play in 1998 as an expansion franchise. Despite their short history, D-backs cards have proven to be quite valuable among collectors looking to invest in the top players from the team's early years.
In this article, we'll countdown the 5 most expensive Diamondbacks baseball cards of all time. You may be surprised at just how much these cards are worth!
#5 - 2001 Bowman Chrome Randy Johnson Autographed Refractor - $3,500
Kicking off the list is a shiny, signed card of one of the most intimidating pitchers in MLB history - Randy Johnson. This refractored beauty from 2001 Bowman Chrome is extremely tough to come by. Only 100 copies were produced, and having Johnson's autograph on it really adds to the value.
As a 6-time All-Star and 5-time Cy Young winner during his time in Arizona, Randy Johnson is easily one of the most popular and iconic Diamondbacks. Collectors covet his autographed rookie cards and refractors in particular. This one normally sells for $3,000 - $3,500!
#4 - 1999 Topps Traded Autographs Luis Gonzalez Rookie Auto - $4,000
Next up is a legendary Autographed rookie card of Luis Gonzalez. Gonzo was one of the best hitters on those early D-backs squads, making 5 All-Star teams. His walk-off RBI single in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series will forever make him a legend in Arizona.
As you'd expect, Gonzalez's rookie autograph commands a high price. These don't appear at auction too often, but when they do, they sell in the $4,000 range more times than not. A perfect graded copy could potentially double that!
#3 - 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Rookie Card Refractor - $6,500
Now for one of the most iconic baseball rookie cards from the early 2000s - Albert Pujols' 2001 Bowman Chrome refractor. While Pujols is obviously best known as a St. Louis Cardinals legend, he actually began his MLB career with the Diamondbacks in 2001.
With Pujols poised to be a surefire 1st ballot Hall of Famer someday, his rookie cards are extremely desirable. This shiny refractor version limited to just 500 copies is the cream of the crop. Gem Mint copies have exceeded $10k at auction before. Even low-end versions in the $6,500 range demonstrate the immense value.
#2 - 2000 SP Authentic Justin Upton Rookie Autograph - $7,500
The #2 most valuable Diamondbacks card on this list is also a rookie autograph - this time of former #1 overall pick Justin Upton. The hyper-talented outfielder spent his first 6 MLB seasons with Arizona, making an All-Star team and finishing 4th in MVP voting in 2011.
Upton's 2000 SP Authentic rookie autograph is considered one of the top cards from the 2000s prospect class. Only 499 were produced, and Justin's superstar potential as a teenager led this card to reach insane heights during his peak years. Today, copies still easily sell for $5,000 - $7,500 or more.
#1 - 2000 Bowman Chrome Roy Halladay Rookie Card Refractor - $10,000+
The most expensive Arizona Diamondbacks baseball card of all time is…Roy Halladay's 2000 Bowman Chrome rookie card! This refractor is highly coveted among collectors due to Halladay's domination with the Toronto Blue Jays, as well as his tragic death in 2017.
Though "Doc" Halladay is obviously best known as a Blue Jay legend, he was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in 1995. As such, his sought-after rookie card technically depicts him with Arizona. Only 500 of these refractors were produced. Pristine graded copies have sold for as much as $15,000 before, with standard versions still commanding over $10,000 regularly.