What are the most valuable Shohei Ohtani rookie cards?
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Shohei Ohtani has cemented himself as a modern-day baseball legend and his current rookie card market relfects that. There is seemingly nothing the two-way player can’t do.
Shohei Ohtani’s rookie card continue to set records and the demand for his cards grow with each memorable feat.
Ohtani’s rookie cards appeared in 2018, his first year in Major League Baseball. Topps wasted no time in getting the star’s cards into products. The fun thing about Ohtani’s rookie cards is he appears as a pitcher and a hitter in some sets, giving fans twice the fun.
For now, these top 10 most expensive Ohtani rookie card sales tell the story of a baseball icon whose legacy is still being written.
You can also find a complete guide of Shohei Ohtani rookie cards here.
1. 2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs Orange Refractor – $533,140
📅 Sold by Goldin on Nov. 3, 2024
Ohtani is ready to swing away and this card shows him ready to let loose while at bat. The Orange Refractor is numbered to just 25 copies, but one of the biggest factors in the sale of this card is that it is a BGS Black Label. That means Beckett gave the card perfect 10s for every sub-grading category.
See 2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs Refractors for sale on eBay.
2. 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Superfractor Rookie Autograph – $336,000
📅 Sold by Sotheby’s on Sept. 24, 2024
This was the biggest Ohtani rookie card sale in nearly three years when it sold on Sept. 24, 2024 through Sotheby’s. At this point, Ohtani was playing for the Dodgers and Los Angeles was a favorite to win the World Series. Ohtani was also on pace for a record-setting 50/50 season, which he accomplished.
See 2018 Topps Chrome Sapphire Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards for sale on eBay
3. 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Rookie Autographs – $312,000
📅 Sold on Dec. 19, 2021
4. 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Rookie Autographs – $276,000
📅 Sold on Oct. 21, 2022
5. 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Rookie Autographs – $276,000
📅 Sold on May 26, 2023
This card, which is numbered to just five copies, sold four times in a matter of two years (see below). The interesting thing though is the card dropped in value with nearly each subsequent sale. However, if this card were to sell now, it may climb higher on the list.
6. 2018 Topps Transcendent ’52 Topps Autographs Superfractor – $246,400
📅 Sold on Dec. 28, 2024
Topps Transcendent is the most expensive baseball product priced at more than $25,000 for a box. The box includes autographed high-end cards of veterans, stars and rookies. Being a 1-of-1, this Superfractor parallel went for big bucks
See 2018 Topps Transcendent Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards for sale on eBay
7. 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Rookie Autographs – $240,00
📅 Sold on June 17, 2022
This same Bowman Chrome Red Refractor card seen above also sold on June 17, 2022 for $240,000. This is a popular card and has certainly made its rounds for a card numbered to just five copies. The red refractors shimmers sensationally of the former Angels star.
8. 2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autograhs Orange Refractor “Pitching” – $200,000
📅 Sold on Oct. 6, 2024
Bowman Chrome does not disappoint when it comes to rookies and prospects. Ohtani does not have any prospect cards because he didn’t spend any time in the minors. An orange refractor of his 2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autograph sold for $200,000 on Oct. 6, 2024. This one was also special because the serial number on the card “17/25,” which matched his jersey number.
9. 2018 Bowman Chrome Rookie Autographs Orange Refractor “Hitting” – $200,000
📅 Sold on Oct. 3, 2024
Just a few days before the pitching card sold, this card of Ohtani hittting also sold for $200,000. This card was also serial numbered “17/25” for a jersey match.
10. 2018 Topps Chrome Rookie Autographs Superfractor – $190,000
Topps Chrome is home of the rookie card so one of the biggest chases from the 2018 release was Ohtani’s superfractor. The card sold for $190,000 on May 27, 2021. If it sold now, it’s likely going for a lot more.
See 2018 Topps Chrome Shohei Ohtani rookie cards for sale on eBay
*All sales data compiled from Card Ladder.*
