Despite $4.15 million bid, T206 Honus Wagner card fails to meet reserve

Card fails to sell even though bidding had hit historic levels

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This Wagner example sold at REA in 2010 for $282,000. (Credit: REA)

Although it soared past the $4 million mark in bidding, a T206 Honus Wagner card failed to reach it reserve at Goldin Auctions on Saturday night.

Had it sold, the "Connecticut Wagner" would have been the 12th-most expensive sports card in history.

Bidding ended at $4.148 million, including buyer’s premium. That mark would have been a record for any T206 Honus Wagner PSA 1 example and the third-highest price for a T206 Wagner in any grade.

According to Goldin, the card changed hands privately for an undisclosed sum in 2020. Previously, the card sold publicly in 2010 for $282,000.

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Last year marked the first time in 30 years no T206 Wagner sold publicly.

In April, another Wagner with inferior eye appeal, graded PSA Authentic/Restored, sold for $1.98 million, a price which was far from a boon for the famed card, which industry experts say has never been sold for less than its purchase price.

In this instance, the sale price narrowly surpassed the previous purchase price, but realized a paltry gain compared to historical sales records.

Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct, the premier company for collectible culture.