Why I Paid 66% Above Comps for a Barry Sanders Card

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My maximum bid was $2,500 on a card that had last sold for $1,350. I ended up winning it for $2,247. Here’s why I was comfortable paying that much.

The Card and the Auction

It’s a 1997 SkyBox Premium Player #10 Barry Sanders in PSA 10. The population shown in the sales record is just five. My auction ended March 29, 2026, at $2,247.22. The previous documented sale was $1,350 on May 4, 2025. That’s a 66% premium over the prior sale, and my maximum bid was even higher.

Why I Wanted It

First, it’s Barry Sanders. One of the greatest running backs ever, and a player I expect collectors to care about forever.

Second, I really like the card. It’s a memorable 1990s insert with a great design, and I don’t think every low pop card deserves the same premium. There has to be actual collector appeal.

So how do I know this card has lasting collector appeal? Sometimes I look across sports, or at other elite players within the same sport.

For example, The Michael Jordan PSA 10 equivalent sold for over $35,000 in March, 2026 (pop 13). Today, that card could possibly sell well over $50,000, as it’s Card Ladder value is estimated at $63,000 as of October 17, 2026.

Then there’s scarcity. With only five PSA 10 examples reported, and three sales over six years, I can’t count on another one appearing next week. Scarcity alone isn’t a reason to buy, but it does affect how I think about an opportunity when a card I want finally comes up.

The $2,500 Question

Before the auction ended, I had already decided $2,500 was my ceiling. I wasn’t trying to chase the last bid indefinitely. I was willing to pay that much for this particular card, even knowing I will be setting a new high.

Could the next copy sell for less? Absolutely. That’s the risk when you’re buying something with very few sales. A population of five doesn’t magically guarantee liquidity, and the next buyer may not see the card the same way I do.

That said, my holding period for a card like this is multiple years, not months.

My Verdict: Buy

I was happy to win it at $2,247. But I wouldn’t use this as an excuse to pay 66% above comps on just any card. The player, the design, the grade and the chance to actually find another one all mattered here.

Sometimes a comp tells you what somebody paid months ago, not necessarily what a scarce card is worth to you today. Just make sure you know your limit before the bidding starts.

What Would You Do?

Would you have been comfortable bidding $2,500 on a card whose previous sale was $1,350, or would you have let this one go?