A tobacco card that once came free with a pack of cigarettes just sold for $1,982,500. And a title belt that four different wrestlers wore on their way to the ring brought $716,750.

Both results came from Heritage Auctions’ Fall Sports Catalog Auction, held Oct. 23 to 25. The sale totaled $25,622,938, according to a Heritage press release dated Oct. 27, 2026.

It was a big weekend for anyone who grew up with a shoebox of cards or a spot on the couch for Saturday-night wrestling.

A Restored Honus Wagner T206 Card Sells For A World Record $1,982,500

The star of the sale was a 1909-11 T206 White Border Honus Wagner, graded PSA Authentic (Restored). It sold for $1,982,500, a world record for a restored example.

The T206 set is one of the best-known sets in card collecting, and Wagner’s card is the one that collectors talk about most. PSA’s “Authentic” label generally means the card was verified as real but did not qualify for a numerical grade, and a restoration note tells buyers that work has been done on it.

So here is the twist. A card that has been restored still sold for nearly $2 million, and that is a record for a card in that condition.

“The Ultimate Trophy In Sports Card Collecting,” Says A Heritage Expert

Chris Ivy of Heritage summed up the card’s appeal. In his words, “The T206 Honus Wagner is the ultimate trophy in sports card collecting.”

Heritage also said it sold two Wagners for nearly $8 million combined in recent months. That tells you how strong the market for the card has been, even with a restored example in the mix.

For someone who found old cards in a closet, the numbers are dizzying. A small piece of printed cardboard that was never meant to last has become one of the most valuable collectibles in the country.

A WWE Intercontinental Championship Belt Worn By Four Wrestlers Brings $716,750

Not everything at the sale was baseball. A 1985-88 WWE Intercontinental Championship belt that was worn by Tito Santana, Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat and The Honky Tonk Man sold for $716,750.

That list of names is a roll call of 1980s wrestling. Anyone who watched in those years remembers the colorful characters, the theme music and the roar of the crowd when a title changed hands.

For collectors, a belt with that history is a rare find. One title worn by four stars is a piece of the era that spans many memories.

Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Match-Worn Knee Brace Goes For $225,700

A match-worn knee brace from about 1999 that belonged to Stone Cold Steve Austin sold for $225,700. It is an unusual item, the kind of thing you would not expect to bring that much money.

But it fits a pattern. In today’s collectibles market, buyers pay for items that were used in the moment, not just for items that look nice on a shelf.

A knee brace does not need to be pretty. It only needs to be real, and in this case it was worn during the late-1990s wrestling boom.

The Intercontinental belt also carries some real wrestling history. Savage and Steamboat were two of the best-loved performers of their time, and fans still talk about their matches. The Honky Tonk Man, meanwhile, is remembered for holding the title for a long stretch of the late 1980s.

A belt that passed through those hands is more than a prop. It is a trophy that moved from one fan favorite to another, and each reign adds to its story.

That is the kind of provenance collectors prize. They are not just buying leather and metal. They are buying the years when the belt was on a champion’s shoulder.

Why Restored Cards Still Command Huge Prices

You might wonder why a restored card would sell for so much. The answer is rarity. There are so few Honus Wagner T206 cards in existence that even an altered one is a major prize for a collector.

The record for a restored example does not mean restoration is a bargain. A card that has been repaired is usually worth far less than a similar card in original condition, and serious buyers pay close attention to that difference.

If you ever buy a valuable card, look for a grading label from a respected company and read the notes carefully. The details on the label tell you what you are getting.

What This Sale Says About The Market For Vintage Sports Items

The big takeaway is that vintage sports collectibles remain in demand. A sale total of $25,622,938 across a three-day auction shows that serious buyers are still active.

Wrestling memorabilia has joined card collecting in the spotlight, and the results show how nostalgia can drive prices. People who grew up with these stars now have the money to buy pieces of their youth.

If you own old cards or wrestling items, the best step is to keep them in good condition. Store cards away from sunlight and moisture, and keep any paperwork, tickets or photos that show where an item came from.

Prices at this level are for the rarest pieces, but the same pull applies to everyday finds. The shoebox in the attic may not hold a Wagner, but it can still hold a lot of memories.

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