Nuns Inherit Wagner Card, Sell it for $220,000

When the brother of a deceased nun died earlier this year, the School Sisters of Notre Dame inherited his Honus Wagner baseball card. The card, produced between 1909 and 1911, is the most sought-after baseball card that exists. The highest price ever paid for a baseball card was $2.8 million for a Wagner card in near-perfect condition. Only about 60 are known to exist, and this one was unknown to the sports memorabilia marketplace.

The nuns put the card up for auction to support their charitable mission. The winning bidder never paid up, so Philadelphia cardiologist Dr. Nicholas DePace stepped up and purchased the card for $220,000. The card is in poor condition, but collectors cherish any Wagner card.

DePace plans to open a nonprofit museum next year in New Jersey to showcase his collection, including this card.

See Nuns’ Wagner Card Goes to New Buyer, Associated Press, Dec. 21, 2010.

Special thanks to David S. Luber (Attorney at law, Florida Probate Attorney Wills and Estates Law Firm) for bringing this to my attention.