After 22 legendary seasons in the NFL, Tom Brady has officially hung up his cleats. More than two decades after the New England Patriots drafted Tom Brady as the 199th overall pick in the 6th round of the 2000 NFL Draft, he walks away from the game as arguably the greatest football player ever.
TB12 is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (84,520), passing touchdowns (624), wins (243), Pro Bowls (15), Super Bowl victories (7), Super Bowl MVP Awards (5), and that’s just scratching the surface.
Tom Brady achieved tremendous feats in his NFL career and made a significant impression on the NFL landscape. As such, Brady will be a first-ballot inductee and enshrined to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in 2027.
The most expensive Tom Brady rookie card—the 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Tom Brady Autograph Rookie Card #144—sold for $3,107,132.40 in 2021. Other top Tom Brady rookie cards sold for between $121,200–$312,000.
As one of the most prolific quarterbacks in NFL history, it’s no surprise that Brady’s rookie cards and memorabilia fetch such tremendous value from collectors. On that note, we’ve compiled Tom Brady’s five most expensive rookie cards, along with his most treasured memorabilia throughout his career.
Top 5 Most Valuable Tom Brady Rookie Cards
1. 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Tom Brady Autograph Rookie Card #144
Sold in June 2021 for $3,107,132.40 by Lelands Auctions
Limited to 100 copies, Tom Brady’s 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket autograph rookie card is the second-most valuable football card of all time, behind only Patrick Mahomes’ 2017 National Treasures NFL Shield Autographed Rookie Card, which sold for $4.3 million. Brady’s 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket autograph rookie card is known for being condition sensitive. Yet, this particular card obtained a BGS 9 for its mint condition and a BGS 10 for Brady’s autograph.
According to Beckett’s population report, Brady’s 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket autograph rookie card holds a population of 71, with a BGS 9 the highest grade awarded, featuring a population of seven. Brady’s 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket autograph rookie card is continuously his most valuable rookie card, with three cards exceeding the $1 million plateau through Goldin Auctions alone.
2. 2000 SP Authentic Tom Brady Rookie Card #118
Sold in April 2021 for $312,000 by Goldin Auctions
Issued to collectors on January 1, 2000, Tom Brady’s second most valuable card appears from 2000 Upper Deck SP Authentic. Brady’s rookie card emerges from the Futures Watch rookie card checklist, featuring 60 NFL rookies, each serial-numbered /1250.
Brady’s 2000 SP Authentic rookie card has an overall BGS population of 999, with only 13 (roughly 1%) obtaining a BGS 10. This distinct card merited a BGS 10, representing the most sought-after copy of Brady’s 2000 SP Authentic rookie card.
3. 2000 Bowman Tom Brady Gold Rookie Card #236
Sold in November 2021 for $288,000 by Heritage Auctions
The most coveted football card from 2000 Bowman is hands down Tom Brady’s Gold parallel rookie card. Brady’s 2000 Bowman rookie card is serial-numbered 12/99, which is noteworthy to collectors, as Brady repped number 12 throughout his entire 22-year NFL career with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Since its release, Beckett Grading Services has analyzed 28 of Brady’s 2000 Bowman rookie cards, with six cards obtaining a BGS 9, the highest grade ever awarded through the highly reputable grading company.
4. 2000 Bowman Chrome Tom Brady Refractor Rookie Card #236
Sold in April 2021 for $233,700 by Goldin Auctions
At first glance, Brady’s Refractor parallel rookie card from 2000 Bowman Chrome appears virtually identical to his 2000 Bowman Gold parallel rookie card. However, Brady’s 2000 Bowman Chrome parallel rookie card emerged from an entirely different set and isn’t serial-numbered.
Although slightly less valuable than his 2000 Bowman Gold parallel rookie card, Brady’s 2000 Bowman Chrome Refractor rookie card has a BGS population of 250, with this copy meriting a BGS 9.5, with only one BGS card graded higher.
5. 2000 SPx Spectrum Tom Brady Rookie Card #130
Sold in December 2020 for $121,200 by Goldin Auctions
One of Tom Brady’s most limited rookie cards is none other than his 2000 Upper Deck SPx Spectrum parallel rookie card. Upper Deck issued the 2000 SPx premium set in hobby boxes containing 18 packs of four cards, highlighting Brady’s rookie card from the Spectrum parallel checklist, serial-numbered /25.
To date, collectors have submitted 18 cards to Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) to be graded, with only three cards fetching a PSA 10. While Brady’s rookie card from the set doesn’t feature an autograph, the low population of Brady’s Spectrum parallel rookie card from 2000 SPx will maintain its enormous value due to its scarcity.
Most Expensive Tom Brady Game-Worn Jersey
Sold in January 2022 for $480,000 by Goldin Auctions
On January 3, 2021, Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 44-27 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in their regular-season finale before ultimately winning Super Bowl LV. Brady completed 26 of 41 passes while throwing for 399 yards and four touchdowns.
To commemorate the victory, Brady autographed his game-worn jersey with his remarkable stat line and inscribed Super Bowl LV MVP and G.O.A.T. Roughly one year after the Buccaneers’ victory over the Falcons, Brady’s game-worn jersey sold for a record-breaking $480,000.
Most Expensive Tom Brady Game-Used Football
Sold in June 2021 for $428,841.60 by Lelands Auctions
Tom Brady only made one appearance in his rookie year for the New England Patriots, completing one of three passes for six yards in Week 12 of the 2000-01 season. After Drew Bledsoe’s near-fatal injury in Week 2 of the 2001-02 season, Tom Brady became the Patriots’ starting quarterback. In Brady’s two subsequent starts, he held his own but didn’t throw any touchdowns.
On October 14, 2001, Tom Brady threw his first career NFL touchdown pass to Terry Glenn. More than two decades later, Brady amassed 624 regular-season passing touchdowns, with an additional 86 in the playoffs, though none more nostalgic than his first career touchdown pass at the then Foxboro Stadium.
Most Expensive Tom Brady Football Ticket
Sold in November 2021 for $144,000 by Heritage Auctions
Piggybacking on Brady’s first career touchdown pass, an autographed ticket dated Sunday, October 14, 2001, from Brady’s third career start when the New England Patriots hosted the then San Diego Chargers at Foxboro Stadium, is Tom Brady’s most expensive ticket sold at auction.
Showcasing Brady’s autograph and inscribed with “1st Career TD,” the iconic ticket merited a PSA 10 and PSA/DNA 10 for Brady’s autograph. Suffice to say, the $31 face value for the ticket skyrocketed.
Most Expensive Tom Brady Game-Worn Cleats
Sold in August 2021 for $38,400 by Heritage Auctions
Worn by Tom Brady on January 14, 2007, in the 2007 AFC Divisional Championship game versus the then San Diego Chargers, Brady’s cleats from the Patriots’ 24-21 victory in overtime are his most valuable game-worn cleats on record.
Brady’s size 12 Nike Zoom cleats are photo matched by Resolution Photomatching and includes a Letter of Authenticity from Resolution Photomatching, Heritage Auctions, PSA/DNA, Beckett, and SGC.
Most Expensive Tom Brady Helmet
Sold in February 2021 for $11,100 by Heritage Auctions
Charles Fazzino, known for his unique 3D pop art, hand-painted a New England Patriots helmet featuring Tom Brady, limited to 10. Although never worn by Brady in a live game, the customized New England Patriots helmet is signed by both Brady and Fazzino. The sale of Brady’s customized helmet by renowned artist Fazzino includes a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.
Fazzino illustrated all of Brady’s accomplishments as a member of the New England Patriots, including his six Super Bowl victories, three NFL MVP awards, and four Super Bowl MVPs with the franchise.