DALLAS, TX.- Heritage Auctions announced the record-setting private sale of a 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card, graded PSA Mint 9, for $1,150,000. This landmark transaction represents the highest price ever paid for a Clemente rookie in this grade.

The card, which Heritage experts believe to be the second-finest known Clemente rookie in existence — trailing only the lone PSA Gem Mint 10 example — was designated “Best in Class” by Heritage’s internal grading team, underscoring its elite quality for the assigned PSA grade. It also received an MBA Gold Diamond Certification. With stunning centering, rich color saturation and flawless surfaces, the card exemplifies the pinnacle of 1950s Topps quality.

“This sale speaks not only to Clemente’s legacy as a Hall of Famer and humanitarian, but also to the strength of the high-end vintage market,” says Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. “Collectors recognize that cards like this — with impeccable condition, historical importance and limited population — are true blue-chip assets.”

The 1955 Topps Clemente rookie card is among the most coveted post-war baseball cards, with only a handful graded PSA 9 and just one example at PSA 10. Clemente, a 15-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, remains a revered figure both on and off the field, and his rookie card continues to rise in prestige and value.

Heritage facilitated the transaction through its Private Sales division, which connects collectors with some of the rarest and most valuable sports memorabilia in the world.