Rarest Hockey Card In The World
There is nothing quite like the excitement surrounding a rare hockey card. Collectors scour the internet and local shops in search of the perfect addition to their collection. Some cards are sought after for their aesthetic value, while others are valuable due to rarity. In this article, we’ll explore the rarest hockey card in the world.
What Is The Rarest Hockey Card In The World?
The 1911-12 C55 Imperial Tobacco Charlie Gardner is widely considered the rarest hockey card in the world. This card was part of a set that featured 45 players from the National Hockey Association (NHA), a precursor to the National Hockey League (NHL). Only five known copies of the Gardner card are in existence, which is why it is so highly sought after by collectors.
What makes the Gardner card so valuable is not only its rarity, but also its historical significance. Gardner was a star player for the Montreal Canadiens, and this card was produced during the team’s first year in the NHA. The card features a black and white photo of Gardner in his Canadiens uniform, and is autographed with his name in cursive at the bottom of the card.
Why Is The Gardner Card So Rare?
The rarity of the Gardner card is due to a number of factors. First and foremost, the card was produced over 100 years ago, during a time when hockey was still a relatively new sport. This means that there were likely fewer cards produced than there would be today.
Additionally, the 1911-12 C55 Imperial Tobacco set was only distributed in eastern Canada, which limited its availability. The cards were also printed on thin paper, which made them more susceptible to damage and destruction over time.
How Much Is The Gardner Card Worth?
The value of the Gardner card is difficult to determine, as it is such a rare and highly sought after collectible. It is estimated that the card is worth upwards of $300,000, making it one of the most valuable hockey cards in the world.
One of the most famous sales of a Gardner card was in 2013, when a collector sold one of the five known copies for $110,000. The card had been graded by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and was in near-mint condition.
Other Rare Hockey Cards
While the Gardner card is the rarest hockey card in the world, there are many other rare and valuable cards that are highly sought after by collectors. Some of these include:
- The 1951-52 Parkhurst Gordie Howe rookie card
- The 1910 C56 Imperial Tobacco Georges Vezina
- The 1979-80 Wayne Gretzky O-Pee-Chee rookie card
- The 1985-86 Mario Lemieux O-Pee-Chee rookie card
Conclusion
The 1911-12 C55 Imperial Tobacco Charlie Gardner is the rarest hockey card in the world and is highly sought after by collectors. Its rarity and historical significance make it a valuable addition to any collection. While the Gardner card may be the rarest, there are many other valuable hockey cards that can fetch a high price at auction.
