The trading card universe has done it again, smashing yet another mind-boggling record in grandiose style. Trading cards continue their ascent into the stratosphere of collectibles as they post an eye-watering $305 million in sales throughout June 2025. These weren’t just any old scraps of paper, mind you. This spectacular display of nostalgic bartering unfolded across the titans of the trading card marketplace, leaving aficionados and casual observers alike marveling at the dizzying figures.
Card Ladder, the diligent sentinel wrangling these numbers, proudly declared a fresh record high, leaving the prior $303.22 million set in the spring mistily trailing in its glittering wake. And should any Cassandras of collecting doubt this windfall, they might find their prophecies doused as more sales data continues to trickle in through the curtain of early July.
The powerhouse behind this financial feast was eBay, the digital bazaar that drew in over $245 million in card sales. Meanwhile, Goldin and Fanatics Collect played their parts with aplomb, bringing in $32 million and $27 million, respectively. In a frenzy of wheeling and dealing worthy of a Dickensian novel, Card Ladder documented an incredible 5.2 million separate transactions in June—just a cat’s whisker shy of setting another new record for frantic trading.
In this riot of buying and selling, the month’s crème de la crème was a card sale orchestrated through Goldin, where a 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card graced by the illustrious images of LeBron James and Kobe Bryant changed hands for a princely $1.16 million. This sale was the crown jewel of the month, a seven-figure standout in a sea of riches.
But lest you think this was the sole highlight, the data reveals another layer of the narrative. Throughout June, six more cards commanded over half a million dollars each. A total of sixty-eight cards crossed the $100,000 threshold while a further 239 amassed bids exceeding $50,000, each a testament to the burgeoning appetite for high-end cards among collectors.
Not only did sales values soar, but card grading—a science of aesthetic judgment and condition rating—reached its own unprecedented heights. According to the insightful GemRate, 12.4 million cards have embarked on the grading journey in 2025 alone, marking a robust 25% uptick from last year. Of these immaculate pieces of cardboard soliciting expert oaths on their worth, a hefty 7.2 million were from the beloved realms of TCG (trading card games) and non-sports cards.
Among these realms, the effervescent world of Pokémon continued to reign supreme, as if tugging nostalgically at the world’s collective heartstrings. Astonishingly, 97 out of the top 100 most graded cards by PSA this year have been Pokémon, demonstrating a phenomenal grip on the imaginations and wallets of collectors.
This magnificent month for the card community follows the jaunty, energetic cadence of an excellent first half of 2025. Enthusiasm swells with every passing sale, whether it spans the classic thrill of vintage sports heroes or the contemporary charm of TCG characters.
Undoubtedly, this crescendo speaks to a profound cultural and economic phenomenon that transcends the simple concept of collecting. It reflects a tapestry of passions woven into the diverse interests that trading cards represent, whether it be heroic slam dunks, epic dueling monsters or the endless quests contained within the vibrant artwork.
A community that once lurked in hobby store back rooms has found its place in the spotlight. Its evolutions are reminding us that while blockchain might mint NFTs, it’s trading cards that still hold an immense and tactile charm that sparks joy across generations.
As we gaze into the crystal ball, anticipation buzzes with the promise of what lies ahead. Collectors, investors, and fans alike are watching keenly, wondering if July or the months to come will see the ink dry on even more headlines. Whatever the future holds, one thing is clear: the allure of the hard, glossy edges of trading cards is far from bending. Rest assured, they will keep enchanting enthusiasts under their spell, swirling legend and legend-in-the-making into trading card history.
