Honus Wagner T206 card sells for $1.33 million

A rare 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card, known as the ‘Die-Cut Wagner’, sold for $1.33 million through Love of the Game Auctions. The sale marks a record for the highest-selling card graded by the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC).

The card was previously owned by media personality Keith Olbermann, who reportedly used the piece as a paperweight before discovering its value. The card is considered controversial within the collecting community because it underwent significant restoration. Originally so damaged that its borders and background were trimmed away, leaving only the silhouette of Wagner, it was reconstructed by a paper conservator.

While the sale price is substantial, experts note it is the lowest mark for a T206 Wagner card in approximately six years. This is attributed to the ongoing debate regarding whether restored or reconstructed cards should be viewed as legitimate collectibles, as card doctoring has historically been considered taboo in the hobby.