- Topps has sold out of its Pope Leo trading cards. Demand for the cards set a non-sports record and some are selling in the secondary market for almost $200 already. One rare version of the card could be worth much more than that.
Aaron Judge who? Shohei Ohtani? Pfft. The hot card for collectors these days is Pope Leo, head of the Roman Catholic church and (unofficially) an honorary member of the White Sox.
Topps released two cards of the Chicago native last Thursday and quickly sold out, with 133,535 cards sold as of Monday afternoon, an all-time record for any non-sports card by the company. That’s impressive no matter what, but it’s even moreso after learning the price-per-card was $8.99 (with discounts for bulk orders).
In addition to the regular cards of Pope Leo, Topps made special edition ones, including one that has a white smoke background numbered up to 267. (Leo is the 267th pope.)
BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV now has his own official trading card. :pray::us:
Available now. pic.twitter.com/3ZOPjONVTl— Topps (@Topps) May 8, 2025
The white smoke version of the card sold for $195, according to the New York Times. The value of that card has certainly spiked since then, but even the standard papal trading cards have become hot items for collectors.
The secondary market for cards has, predictably, seen a sharp rise in prices, given how quickly they sold in the primary market. Ebay is already seeing sold listings with price tags of $175. (Savy Ebay shoppers can find the card for under $30, however.)
Topps isn’t the only trading card company making Pope Leo cards. Leaf is offering several varieties for $10 each, with backgrounds including the Chicago skyline, snow, a Chicago hot dog and a deep dish pizza.
Those have yet to sell out.