It’s time to head back to a galaxy far, far away; just make sure you have plenty of galactic credits in your account, because we’re making a list of the most valuable Star Wars Cards!
A long time ago, way back in the late 70s, Star Wars burst onto the scene and fired up the imaginations of moviegoers everywhere. It was an absolute phenomenon that’s at least partially responsible for creating the modern Hollywood blockbuster (though Steven Spielberg’s Jaws can also take some of the credit for that, arriving just a few years beforehand!).
Star Wars trading cards were a big part of each film’s release, but numerous sets kept the flame alive even when there were no new films being produced. With Star Wars trading cards being so popular over the decades, it stands to reason that there’ll be some which command very high prices.
We took a look at the most recently sold Star Wars trading cards on eBay to find out which ones were the highest priced; note that there are plenty of cards listed for higher than these prices, but we’ve opted to show cards which actually sold for their asking price (or thereabouts), rather than just go for prices which, let’s face it, sellers can inflate to whatever number they choose. Listings like those don’t accurately represent what the card is actually worth, or if it’ll even sell for that price.
So, without further ado, let’s check out the most valuable Star Wars cards (properly priced) for you to check out!
1. Topps Star Wars Stellar Signatures – Padmé Amidala Card, Autographed ($5,400)
Topps have built themselves quite the reputation when it comes to high end, highly sought after and very expensive Star Wars trading cards. Given how long Topps have been in the trading card business (they first produced trading cards packaged with bubblegum back in 1950!), perhaps this isn’t surprising. Add that to the fact that Topps are now owned by licensed collectibles company Fanatics, Inc., and it’s easy to see why and how they now lean into these pricey cards!
In the example of this particular Padmé Amidala card, signed by Natalie Portman and one of just 20 in the world, it’s from a set called Star Wars Stellar Signatures. This set was very expensive; which isn’t surprising, as it was exclusively composed of autographed cards.
There was no way to buy these cards as individual packs, either; each card, which came pre-slabbed, had to be purchased as a ‘case’ of 40 cards. Each case contained 36 single autograph cards, 3 dual autograph cards, 1 quad autograph card, an oversized sketch card, and a complete set of sketch card reproductions.
Just 100 cases were made, so individual cards, given that they were released and swiftly sold out in 2021, are now very expensive indeed. This Padmé Amidala card from the set recently sold on eBay for around $5,400!
2. Topps Chrome Star Wars Perspectives – Princess Leia Card, Autographed ($4,800)
Enduring as one of the most popular characters in the entire Star Wars saga, Princess Leia features on this autographed card from 2015. Signed by Carrie Fisher, who sadly passed away in 2016, this card has been professionally graded and authenticated by Beckett, who rated the card as a 9.5 (out of 10) overall.
It sold recently for $4,800, which, given its grading and the fact that it’s signed by one of the most popular actresses in Star Wars history, is not surprising at all. With a holographic finish and a photo featuring a slightly less well known Princess Leia look (as she appears in Return of the Jedi, on Endor), this is a card that’s likely to have been a very wise investment for its new owner, as it’s likely to significantly rise in value over the coming years.
3. Topps Star Wars Masterwork – Qui-Gon Jinn Sketch Card, Autographed ($3,000)
Despite this card being autographed, unlike the other cards so far on this list, it’s not signed by the actor who portrayed the character; in this instance of course, that would have been Liam Neeson as Qui-Gon Jinn. Instead, it’s signed by the artist who drew the impressive sketch, Angel S. Aviles.
Now, it may be surprising to see an artist-autographed card so high up on this list, particularly in such close proximity to signatures from massive stars such as Natalie Portman and Carrie Fisher. However, given that this card is a 1/1 (that means there’s only one of them in the world!), perhaps it’s clearer why this sold for around $3,000 on eBay recently; you haven’t seen the last of artist Angel S. Aviles on this list, either!
4. Topps Star Wars Finest – Anakin and Vader Sketch Card, Autographed ($2,700)
Another card signed by artist Angel S. Aviles, this one features Anakin Skywalker and his eventual Sith Lord identity, Darth Vader, side by side.
What’s interesting about this card is that it was sold by, and sent directly from, the artist themselves; it was even packaged in a slab that was sealed with the artist’s personal label, along with a certificate of authenticity, in a box also signed and branded by Aviles! So this is a real collector’s piece; another 1/1 card with some amazing, exclusive features; no wonder it sold for $2,700 on eBay!
5. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – Might of the Imperial Forces, Autographed ($2,400)
An example of a card from the original sets, from back when the first trilogy of films were released, this card shows an image of the Rebel Troops coming under fire, while defending Echo Base from the advancing AT-AT Imperial Walkers. So what makes it so unique, explaining that $2,400 selling price? Well, it’s autographed by none other than Star Wars creator George Lucas, without whom the multibillion dollar franchise wouldn’t exist.
It’s likely that so many aspects we take for granted with movies these days, including countless merchandise tie-ins and promotions, wouldn’t even exist without Lucas himself transforming the way that movies are sold and marketed, when he cannily took control of the Star Wars merchandising rights. They were practically given away to him in the 70s in return for a smaller salary, by short-sighted studio executives who didn’t foresee their value, which ended up helping Lucas to earn billions of dollars!
6. Topps Star Wars Masterwork – Rey Commemorative Stamp Card, Autographed ($2,280)
Though the sequel trilogy, beginning with The Force Awakens in 2015, ended up being pretty divisive among Star Wars fans, Daisy Ridley’s Jedi-in-Training Rey (late-stage familial reveals aside) proved to be one of the most well-liked characters to emerge from the three films.
It’s Rey that features on this card, which is a 1 of 3 copy, framed around a commemorative stamp and autographed by Daisy Ridley herself; however, somewhat sneakily, the card does mention that the autograph is from the Topps Autograph Archive, which means that Ridley didn’t specifically sign this exact card. That hasn’t lessened its value, however, with the card recently selling on eBay for around $2,280!
7. Star Wars: Return of the Jedi – Luke Skywalker, Autographed ($2,200)
Just like the George Lucas autographed card from The Empire Strikes Back, this card hails from one of the original card sets; in this case, a Return of the Jedi card from 1983.
This card features the original trilogy’s Jedi hero, Luke Skywalker, as he appeared in the aforementioned 1983 film. As it’s signed by Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke, not to mention the fact that it’s graded by Beckett, this explains its high value, with a recent selling price of $2,200 on eBay.
8. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – “Hate Me, Luke! Destroy Me!”, Autographed ($2,005)
The Empire Strikes Back is famous for bringing numerous iconic scenes, characters and even musical motifs to the Star Wars saga. In the second Star Wars film, we were introduced to characters such as Emperor Palpatine, Boba Fett and Lando Calrissian, as well as twists such as Darth Vader revealing that he’s Luke’s father. The Empire Strikes Back’s soundtrack, with music composed, as is the case for all of the Skywalker Saga films, by John Williams, also saw the introduction of the iconic Imperial March.
Perhaps the combination of the unforgettable image on this card, with the scene of Vader’s revelation after besting Luke in battle, along with the fact that it’s signed by composer John Williams himself, has made it so valuable, selling for around $2,005 on eBay this year. Of course, being PSA graded and authenticated certainly helps, and we’re sure this is a card that’ll grow in value too!
9. Topps Star Wars Masterwork – Imperial Interdictor Sketch Card, Autographed ($1,920)
A huge ship equipped with a gravity well, the Imperial Interdictor (which made its debut in animated show, Star Wars Rebels) was terrifying, as it was able to pull other craft out of hyperspace!
This card featuring that very ship is another that’s sketched and signed by the artist, Angel S. Aviles (once more!). Given the obvious popularity of Aviles among Star Wars fans and the unusual variation on the ‘standard’ Imperial Star Destroyer design that the distinctive Interdictor has, we can see why this card sold for an impressive $1,920 on eBay!
10. Topps Star Wars Perspectives – Yoda Art Card, Autographed ($1,800)
This one off, original art card featuring the wise, ancient Jedi Master Yoda in battle against an unseen, red lightsaber-wielding opponent, is the final card on our list. Having sold for $1,800, it is not only graded and slabbed, but also signed by the artist, Penelope Barbalios, herself. As a 1/1 card, it’s a true original, and the buyer has managed to get themselves a real collector’s piece with this amazing work of art.
So there you have it; the most valuable Star Wars cards overall. If you’re interested in checking out what other Star Wars related cards fetch astronomical prices, we’ve covered the most valuable cards in Spark of Rebellion the first set of Trading Card Game, Star Wars Unlimited too!
