If you walked into a card show ten years ago and asked for a pope leo baseball card, the dealer would’ve probably looked at you like you had two heads. Or they would’ve pointed you toward a dusty box of 19th-century tobacco cards. But today? It is a totally different story.
Between the actual 1880s relics and the massive, record-breaking 2025 Topps NOW phenomenon, the "Pope Leo" card has become one of the weirdest, most fascinating intersections of religion, pop culture, and high-stakes collecting.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a mess to explain if you aren't familiar with how the hobby works. You have two very different "Leos" spanning nearly 150 years. One is a legitimate piece of Victorian-era history, and the other is a viral modern collectible that basically broke the internet (and the Topps servers).
The 1888 Classic: Pope Leo XIII and the N162 Goodwin Champions
Let’s start with the "old" one. Most hardcore vintage collectors know about the 1888 N162 Goodwin Champions set. Back then, tobacco companies like Goodwin & Co. used cards to stiffen cigarette packs. They didn't just feature baseball players; they featured "champions" of every discipline.
We’re talking about a 50-card set that includes legendary ballplayers like Cap Anson and King Kelly alongside explorers, billiard players, and, yes, religious figures. Pope Leo XIII was included in the "Rulers" or world figures subsets of that era.
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Now, technically, collectors sometimes lump these in with "baseball cards" because they are the same size, from the same manufacturer, and often found in the same scrapbooks as the Hall of Fame ballplayers.
- Rarity: Finding an original 1888 Goodwin Leo XIII in decent shape is tough.
- The Look: These are beautiful chromolithographs. The colors are vibrant—think deep reds and golds—which was a huge deal for 1888.
- Value: While a Cap Anson from this set can fetch $10,000+, a Pope Leo XIII usually trades for a few hundred dollars depending on the grade.
It’s a niche item. It’s for the person who wants to own a piece of the "Old Judge" era without necessarily paying for a premium shortstop.
The 2025 Explosion: Pope Leo XIV and the Topps NOW Record
Fast forward to May 2025. This is where things get truly wild. Topps released a pope leo baseball card under their Topps NOW brand to commemorate the election of the fictional (or future-speculative, depending on who you ask) Pope Leo XIV.
This wasn't just a quiet release for church gift shops. It became a cultural juggernaut.
The card featured the new Pontiff—supposedly the first American Pope—and it absolutely shattered sales records for non-sports cards. Topps ended up selling 133,535 copies in a single week. To put that in perspective, that’s more than some cards featuring LeBron James or Mike Trout.
Why did it go nuclear? Basically, it was the perfect storm of Catholic "stan" culture, the novelty of a Pope on a modern Topps design, and the hunt for rare parallels.
People weren't just buying one. They were buying 10-packs or 20-packs hoping to hit a "White Smoke" image variation or a 1-of-1 SuperFractor. Imagine a card of the Vicar of Christ covered in gold foil and numbered 1/1. It sounds like something out of a satire, but in the 2026 card market, it’s just another Tuesday.
Why Does This Card Still Matter to Collectors?
You might wonder why anyone actually cares about a "baseball card" of a religious leader. It feels a bit gimmicky, right?
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Well, the pope leo baseball card—specifically the modern one—represents a shift in the hobby. We are seeing a massive "bleed" between sports cards and "culture" cards. Whether it’s a politician, a musician, or a Pope, collectors are treating these with the same intensity they used to reserve for rookie quarterbacks.
Misconceptions About the Value
A lot of people saw the "133k print run" and thought their $8.99 investment would turn into a thousand dollars overnight.
Here is the reality check: High print runs usually mean low long-term value for base cards. If everyone has one, nobody is desperate to buy yours. The real value stays in the "short prints."
If you have a base 2025 Pope Leo XIV, it’s a cool $10–$20 keepsake. If you have the "White Smoke" variation (limited to 267 copies), you’re looking at a serious payday.
Spotting the Differences: Old vs. New
If you are looking to buy one of these, you have to be careful. The market is currently flooded with reprints of the 1888 version.
- Check the Card Stock: The 1888 original is thick, almost like a piece of wood pulp. Reprints feel like modern glossy cardboard.
- Look for the Brand: The 2025 version will clearly say "Topps NOW" on the back.
- The Subject: Pope Leo XIII (1888) has the traditional long face and solemn 19th-century look. The 2025 "Pope Leo XIV" cards have a much more modern, high-definition photographic feel.
It is kinda funny when you think about it. You’ve got people in 1888 pulling these out of cigarette packs, and people in 2025 hitting "refresh" on a website to get the latest drop. The tech changed, but the "gotta catch 'em all" vibe stayed exactly the same.
What to Do if You Want to Invest
If you're looking to add a pope leo baseball card to your collection, don't just buy the first one you see on eBay.
First, decide if you’re a "history" person or a "hype" person. If you love the history of the Church and the history of printing, hunt down a graded SGC or PSA copy of the 1888 N162. It’s a stable asset. It won't fluctuate wildly based on TikTok trends.
If you’re looking for the 2025 Topps NOW version, look for the parallels. The "Chrome" versions that were released for the high-volume tiers are the ones that will actually hold value over the next five years. The base cards are basically "junk wax" for the modern era—fun to own, but not a retirement plan.
Honestly, the best way to handle these is to treat them as a conversation piece. There is nothing cooler than showing someone a "baseball card" of the Pope. It’s weird, it’s specific, and it’s a great piece of trivia.
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Actionable Next Steps for Collectors:
- Verify the Listing: If you see an 1888 card for $20, it is 100% a reprint. Real ones in "Good" condition start around $250.
- Track the Pop Report: Use the PSA or SGC population reports to see how many of the 2025 "White Smoke" variations have actually been graded. High "pop" numbers usually mean prices will drop soon.
- Look for Crossover Value: Collectors of "non-sports" cards (like Mars Attacks or Garbage Pail Kids) often value these differently than sports purists. Check "Non-Sport" forums for more accurate pricing than what you find on standard sports apps.
- Storage Matters: Because the 2025 Topps NOW cards are printed on thinner stock than traditional Chrome cards, they are prone to corner dings. Get them into a penny sleeve and top-loader immediately.
The Pope Leo card isn't going anywhere. Whether it's the 19th-century relic or the modern viral hit, it remains one of the most unique "pulls" in the history of the hobby.