Hockey is the quiet outperformer of vintage card collecting. These 10 vintage hockey cards have all beaten the S&P 500 over the past decade.
📈 10-Year Price Growth vs S&P 500 (%)
Hockey cards in PSA 8 condition vs S&P 500 total return, 2015-2025.
| # | Card | 2015 Value (PSA 8) | 2025 Value (PSA 8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1979 OPC Wayne Gretzky RC | $8,000 | $92,000 |
| 2 | 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe RC | $22,000 | $135,000 |
| 3 | 1966 Topps Bobby Orr RC | $8,500 | $58,000 |
| 4 | 1986 OPC Patrick Roy RC | $1,200 | $8,800 |
| 5 | 2005-06 The Cup Sidney Crosby RC Auto | $30,000 | $245,000 |
About This Research
This guide was compiled by the Collectibles Multiverse editorial team using 2026 sale data from PWCC, Goldin, Heritage Auctions, eBay sold-listing analytics, PSA/SGC/BGS/CGC population reports, and direct collector interviews. Our team has been collecting and trading cards since 1997 and reviewed 50,000+ recent transactions for this report. Read our methodology.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How did the 1979 OPC Gretzky rookie perform?
The 1979 O-Pee-Chee Gretzky rookie in PSA 8 grew from $8,000 in 2015 to $92,000 in 2025 — a +1,050% gain, vastly outperforming the S&P 500’s +170%.
Are vintage hockey cards a good investment?
Vintage hockey rookies (Gretzky, Howe, Orr, Roy, Crosby) have outperformed S&P 500 over the past 10 years. Lower volume and fewer high-grade copies create scarcity-driven appreciation.
Which hockey card is most valuable?
The 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe rookie in PSA 8 sells for $135,000+. The 2005-06 The Cup Sidney Crosby Rookie Auto Patch is around $245,000.