Two Justin Herbert rookie cards sell for over $1 million

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has become the third NFL player to have a card sell for at least $1 million, with two such sales this past week.

A Herbert rookie card — his 2020 Panini National Treasures Platinum NFL Shield autographed card, numbered 1-of-1 — sold Saturday night for $1.8 million with buyer's premium via collectables marketplace Goldin.

The card was consigned to Goldin by high-rolling collector Shyne150 (whose name is Matt Allen) and was graded an 8.5 by Beckett Grading Services with a 10 autograph grade.

A 2020 Panini Prizm Black Finite Herbert rookie card, also numbered 1-of-1, sold for $1.1 million earlier in the week. The card was graded a 9 by Beckett Grading Services and was pulled recently by Vortex Sports Cards, acquired by Boston Sports Cards & Co., and sold to a trio of buyers that included high-end collector Jack Elman.

The only other NFL players whose cards have sold for at least $1 million are Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady. Mahomes' 2017 version (with a non-platinum NFL shield) sold in July 2021 for $4.3 million — the most ever for an NFL card.

Herbert's popularity with collectors has been ascendant of late.

According to eBay, Herbert's collectable sales increased 325% from August 2021 to this August. From June 1 through the end of August, Herbert jerseys, autographed collectibles, and trading card sales increased by 163%, 37% and 36%, respectively.

From May 1 to July 31, searches for Herbert trading cards on eBay skyrocketed by 2,364%.

Brady, Mahomes and Herbert — in that order — have the most passing yards since 2020. Brady leads the way with 9,949, followed by Mahomes with 9,579 and Herbert with 9,350. They are