In a vivid illustration of modern nostalgia intersecting with cutting-edge technology, June 2025 saw trading card enthusiasts unleash a torrent of spending, setting a jaw-dropping new industry record of over $305 million. A number so striking it leaves even the most seasoned collectors and market analysts astounded. According to Card Ladder’s meticulous data, this unprecedented splurge surpasses the former peak set just a few months earlier in March, proving that the trading card market is not just surviving, but thriving, in ways few could have anticipated.
At the heart of this staggering boom is eBay, which alone accounted for a colossal $245 million of the month’s sales. Not to be outdone, Goldin and Fanatics Collect chipped in with impressive contributions of $32 million and $27 million respectively. This dynamic trifecta of trading platforms conducted 5.2 million individual transactions, ranking as the second-most active month in Card Ladder’s cataloged history. It’s like watching an intricate dance of pixels and paper, with each click and bid more exciting than the last.
One particular card, emanating from the venerable halls of Goldin, captivated headlines and bank accounts: the 2009-10 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual NBA Logoman card. This gem, featuring none other than LeBron James and the late Kobe Bryant, scaled the monetary heights at $1.16 million, effortlessly claiming the title as June’s solitary seven-figure transaction. Its allure stretches beyond mere cardboard, spinning stories of legends etched in time, powerfully evocative for anyone who remembers the electric synergy between these basketball titans.
The triumph of this month wasn’t solely in mass sales, but also in the elite echelon of high-price cards. June witnessed six cards cross the $500,000 threshold, while 68 watched offers soar above $100,000 and a further 239 evoked bids surmounting $50,000. These figures underscore the burgeoning might of high-end markets, where nostalgia pairs with financial acumen, offering collectors a slice of history with a side of potential appreciation.
Not only sales but grading, the meticulous art of assessing every tiny detail of these cardboard treasures, saw an extensive proliferation. GemRate reported a remarkable increase, with 12.4 million cards graded in the first half of 2025 — an impressive 25% rise from the previous year. Within this avalanche, Trading Card Games (TCG) and non-sports cards, especially Pokémon, affirmed their dominance. Pokémon cards, synonymous with sustained popularity, claimed an astounding 97 out of the top 100 most 2025-graded cards at PSA, echoing the franchise’s undying resonance with fans old and new.
This groundbreaking June serves as the crowning jewel in an exceptional year for trading cards, while simultaneously heralding a resilient and expanding sector unshackled by conventional market restraints. The first half of 2025 has seen momentum ripple across sports and TCGs into realms beyond, creating an all-encompassing epicenter of collecting fervor that has collectors eagerly awaiting what the rest of the year will bring.
For now, the trading card world basks in the glow of an impeccable June — a month that not only broke records but also broke the mold for what enthusiasm, tradition, and a touch of risk can achieve when blended together. Each card, whether cherished in personal collections or sold for millions, tells a story, reflects an emotion, and resounds with energy that transcends generations, turning each transaction into a piece of living, thrilling history.
