No Expense Spared
Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned collector, if you’re planning to purchase some of the most expensive deck of cards listed here, be prepared to splurge amounts that range anywhere between four to seven figures. While these cards will certainly make a dent in your wallet, the histories behind each are fascinating, which only serve to add to their rare uniqueness and desirability.
They would certainly all turn heads at a game of blackjack, baccarat or casino poker.
Over the next few sections, we will discuss the most valuable sports cards, collectible card games (CCGs), oracle cards, and antique card decks from days long gone up until the modern age.
Antique Card Decks
Perhaps it comes as no surprise that antique card decks are some of the most expensive playing cards in the world. With scholars documenting the first records of gambling card games back to the 9th century, these cards are not only collector’s items but unfathomably valuable artifacts of history that can tell us about how where we came from and how we passed the time.
With every country in the world creating their unique designs and drawings on their decks, these antique playing cards have an incredible scope of colors, symbols, and aesthetics. So much so, that when they come up to the auction block, they can go for a few hundred or even thousands of dollars. Here are some of the rarest antique card deck editions:
- Excelsior A. Dougherty Civil War playing cards from 1860
- The ‘’Arms of English Peers’’ playing cards from 1688
- A. Twietmeyer’s ‘Ovale Salon Spielkarten’ Playing Cards from 1880
- H.F Muller’s ‘Transformation’ playing cards’ from 1818
If you suspect that you have a valuable deck of cards lying around, we always recommend getting them professionally appraised to vouchsafe their authenticity.
Modern Playing Card Decks
While modern playing cards are unlikely to be found in a museum, they can be found online or from the stores of manufacturers themselves. These contenders for the most expensive deck of cards often contain lavish, elegant designs from industry-renowned artists and come printed on high-quality paper. Here are our picks for the most expensive modern playing decks.
Venexiana Gold
Venexiana Gold, made by Lotrek, is a deck of hand-crafted playing cards made out of hot-stamped gold foil and ink that come neatly contained within a beautiful gold foiled case. Not only is the artwork ornate and complex, but the Vexexiana Gold 52 card deck also holds the distinction of being both the most expensive and rarest playing cards in the world.
Initially only 212 of these decks were ever made, with each one being valued at around at least $400. If this scarcity wasn’t enough, 100 of these decks were set aside for patrons of their initial Kickstarter campaign. Combined with the fact that the remaining 112 decks were quickly sold, this deck is a prized addition to any valuable card collections.
David Blaine’s ‘Create Magic’ Cards
These playing cards are the result of a collaboration between Microsoft and world-famous illusionist David Blaine. Initially created in 2015, rumor has it that only 2,015 decks were produced and printed before being given out to Microsoft Interns who attended a Microsoft-sponsored event that Blaine himself performed at. Although, the truth about the number produced has never been confirmed.
These cards are incredibly difficult to find, making them some of the rarest card decks in existence. So much so, that there current value is estimated at around $400. If that wasn’t enough, they are reported to contain a rare double seal Split Spades design and are allegedly designed for magical performances, cementing them as a treasure for any budding illusionist.
White Centurion
The final set of modern expensive playing cards in our article are the breathtaking White Centurion decks. Collectors of rare playing cards should know that only 1,100 decks of these were ever produced. They are designed to favor dealers and magicians with a quick sleight of hand and can go for over $300 in today’s markets.
Into the Mystic: Tarot and Oracle Decks
Next, we’d like to turn our gaze beyond the veil by looking at expensive playing cards that are better suited for the mystical realms of divination or oracle practices. You might be surprised to read this, but rare tarot and oracle decks are some of the most highly sought-after and pricey playing cards.
Curiously, there are some overlaps between the supernatural decks and the first playing cards. The first playing cards ever found had directly borrowed imagery from tarot card decks and today this remains the case. Swords, Cups, and jesters have all found their way into modern playing decks.
Like the antique decks we’ve previously mentioned, the highest bids are for decks that are antique and unblemished. Here’s a brief list of some of five the most expensive divination card sets that you can find along with their price tags.
- Antique Vintage Gypsy Hegenauer Tarot Cards – 1800s – $10,000
- Rider Waite Tarot Deck – $8,200
- Original ‘Alchemical Tarot Cards’ by Rosemary Ellen and Robert Place – $8,500
- Round of Angels Oracle Cards – $6,000
- ’Tarot of Andrea Pici and Pici’ Autographed – $6,000
Sports Cards
No self-respecting article about expensive playing cards would be complete without mentioning the complex world of sports memorabilia and trading cards. Compared to our previous entries, the jaw-dropping values of these cards at auction are truly something to behold.
The three most expensive playing cards ever sold all happened to be baseball cards in immaculate, mint condition. While sports trading cards might seem a little old-fashioned, the market undoubtedly experiencing a profitable boom, so it’s quite likely you’ll read more about these cards in upcoming headlines. Without further ado, here they are.
Honus Wagner 1909-11 T206 – $2.8 Million
Known as the ‘’Jumbo Wagner’’ this baseball card of the great shortstop Honus Wagner is bizarrely more famous than the man featured on it. The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) has graded this Holy Grail of baseball cards as a 5 (out of a possible 10), making it one of the best condition versions in existence.
Over the years it has changed hands several times, in the process breaking the record price for a baseball card several times. The last time it was sold, it was bought for a whopping $3.2 million.
2009 Superfractor Mike Trout Signed Rookie Card, Mint 9 – $3.9 million
Exclusively autographed by the legendary Mike Trout, this 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor card has soared in value. In August 2020, it was sold at auction for an astronomical $3.93 million. In comparison to our previous entry, this rookie card has an impressive PSA rating of 9, making it one of the most treasured, mint condition trading cards ever.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Card, Mint 9 – $5.2 million
Our previous two entries both held the distinction of the most expensive cards ever sold before this Mickey Mantle card came to shatter all records. Renowned as the most expensive trading card in the world, this 1952 card holds an impressive PSA score of 9.
Considered a ‘virtually perfect card’, they were dumped by the thousands into the Hudson River in 1960, and today, there are only six in existence. They’ve also been reportedly transported by armored car, only adding to their allure and mystique. In 2020, a Mickey Mantle rookie card sold for a staggering $5.2million.
Children’s Card Games
Before we wrap this article up, we’d like to briefly mention the blossoming market of selling children’s card games (CCGs) and trading card games (TCGs) and how these cards are completely changing the face of expensive playing card trading.
These particular trading cards feature beloved characters and creatures from hit TV shows such as Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh and became an unexpectedly lucrative phenomenon in recent years for traders due to their limited number of copies and increased spectator interest.
To highlight just how much these cards sell for in the market, we’d like to highlight to of the rarest limited edition examples. In 2020, an extremely rare pre-release Pikachu Illustrator card sold for $250,000., whereas in 2021, a buyer forked out $311,800 for a holographic 1999 Charizard card after a long, bidding war.
If you’d like to learn more about tournaments, odds, and wagering options in the wonderful world of Pokémon, we implore you to check out our feature on Pokémon Go Betting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should you still have remaining questions, queries, or quandaries about the most expensive playing cards in the world, we’ve compiled the most commonly asked questions by our readers. If you’d like to read more intriguing and engrossing guides, we urge you to check out some of our other guides for a whole host of captivating topics. Best of luck!
What is the most expensive deck of playing cards?
At the time of writing, the most expensive deck of cards that you can purchase from anywhere in the world has to be the Venexiana Gold 52 playing card deck. Currently, these expensive playing cards sell for at least $400. Other playing cards featuring a hefty price tag include the White Centurions decks, which will set you back at least $300. Not too shabby if you fancy playing an extravagant game of poker or blackjack.
What is the rarest deck of playing cards?
We have to award this distinctive honor again to the Venexiana Gold 52 playing card deck. Not only are they the most expensive, but only 212 of these gold foil stamped card decks were ever made in the first place. Additionally, 100 of these were initially set aside for Kickstarter supporters, meaning there were only 112 made available on the market. Read more about expensive modern decks of cards.
