What are some examples of popular non-sport trading cards?
Non-sport trading cards have exploded in popularity in recent years, appealing to fans of pop culture, movies, comics, gaming, and even history. Here are some popular examples across different eras and themes 👇
Star Wars Trading Cards (Topps, 1977–present)
– Among the most iconic non-sport cards ever made. The 1977 blue series is a classic, with the “Luke Skywalker rookie card” often compared to a sports card grail.
Marvel Universe Cards (Impel, 1990)
– These defined the comic-card boom of the early ’90s, featuring detailed stats and bios of Marvel heroes and villains.
Garbage Pail Kids (Topps, 1985–present)
– A parody of Cabbage Patch Kids that became a collectible phenomenon with their gross-out humor and wild artwork.
Star Trek Trading Cards (Various series from the 1960s onward)
– Covering everything from The Original Series to Picard, with autographs and relics from the sets.
Game of Thrones Cards (Rittenhouse Archives)
– Known for stunning autographs from the cast and limited-edition inserts.
DC Super Heroes Cards (Impel/SkyBox, 1991)
– The DC counterpart to Marvel’s card craze, with Batman, Superman, and more rendered in bold, colorful art.
Pokémon TCG (1996–present)
– While technically a game, it’s a global cultural collectible phenomenon, especially with early Japanese cards and first editions.
Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG (1999–present)
– Another hybrid of gameplay and collectible rarity, with high-grade early cards fetching thousands.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cards (Topps, 1989)
– Based on the animated series, these have nostalgic value for 80s and 90s collectors.
Fortnite Trading Cards (Panini, 2019–present)
– Huge modern hit; Series 1 cards can reach high prices due to short print runs.
Super Mario Bros. Stickers/Cards (Topps, 1989)
– A nostalgic favorite combining classic Nintendo imagery with stickers.
Overwatch, Halo, and Call of Duty Cards (Upper Deck & Topps)
– Newer game franchises entering the collectible card scene.
Wacky Packages (Topps, 1967–present)
– Humorous spoofs of consumer products (e.g., “Crust Toothpaste”) that have become highly collectible.
Mars Attacks! (Topps, 1962)
– A cult classic known for its shocking sci-fi art — controversial at release, now a collector’s gem.
Presidential and Historical Cards (19th–20th century)
– Early cigarette cards and trade cards featuring presidents, landmarks, and inventions were precursors to modern trading cards.
Star Wars Galaxy Chrome & Sapphire Editions (Topps)
– High-end reimaginings of classic art cards with refractor and numbered parallels.
Marvel Metal Universe & Precious Metal Gems (Upper Deck)
– Bring sports-style rarity to comic cards — some PMGs now rival sports cards in value.
Disney 100 / Lorcana (Ravensburger, 2023–present)
– Disney’s collectible card game that’s become both a player favorite and a collector’s treasure.
