The Ultimate Guide to Sidney Crosby Hockey Cards
Summary & Career Highlights
Rookie Year: 2005-06
Iconic Rookie Card: 2005-06 The Cup #180 Rookie Patch Auto OR 2005-06 Upper Deck #201 Young Guns
Highest Public Sale: 2020-21 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Gold 1/1 for $164,400 on Goldin Auctions in March 2022
Similar Career Players: Gordie Howe, Alex Ovechkin, Teemu Selanne, Jaromir Jagr, Joe Sakic, Brett Hull, Wayne Gretzky Mario Lemieux,
Players with Similar Cards to Check Out: Alex Ovechkin, Henrik Lundqvist, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Zach Parise, Brent Seabrook, Ryan Whitney, Dion Phaneuf, Mikko Koivu,
Career Highlights
3x Stanley Cup Winner (2008-09, 2015-16, 2016-17)
2x Conn Smythe Winner (2015-16, 2016-17)
2x Hart Trophy Winner (2006-07, 2013-14)
2x Art Ross Trophy Winner (2006-07, 2013-14)
8x NHL All Star
Iconic Cards
Icon Key
Prospective Card Cost:
💰 - Under $250
💰💰- Under $1,000
💰💰💰- Under $5,000
💰💰💰💰- Under $15,000
💰💰💰💰💰- Over $15,000
Rarity:
💎 - Common & High Serial Number
💎💎- Serial Numbered or Pop Under 200
💎💎💎 - Serial Numbered or Pop Under 100
💎💎💎💎 - Serial Number or Pop Under 50
💎💎💎💎💎 - Does this card even exist? Serial Number or Pop under 10
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2005-06 Black Diamond
#193 Quadruple
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Sidney Crosby’s 2005-06 Black Diamond rookie card is one of the few ways collectors can get a chromium-like Crosby rookie. This full foil beauty came out years before OPC Platinum existed, making it the closest thing to a chrome Crosby from his rookie season. His card, #193, sits in the “Four Diamond” portion of the checklist—the most rare tier with 1:24 pack odds. It's a sharp, underrated option that still feels modern today, and with four parallels, including a Ruby numbered to 100, Emerald numbered to 25, Gold numbered to 10, and a 1/1 Onyx parallel.
2005-06 Ice
#103 Ice Premieres /99
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: If you’re chasing rookie cards that stand out from the pack, Sidney Crosby’s 2005-06 Ice Premieres /99 is a card worth knowing. Printed on clear acetate that mimics the surface he dominated for years, this card is part of the rarest rookie tier in the Upper Deck Ice set. Only six players were included in this top tier, with just 99 copies of each card produced. That scarcity—paired with the eye-catching design—makes this one of the most distinct and rare Crosby rookies out there. It’s not your average rookie card, and that’s exactly the point.
2005-06 SP Authentic
#181 Future Watch Autograph /999
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: The 2005-06 SP Authentic Future Watch Autograph /999 is a card that perfectly balances accessibility and prestige in Sidney Crosby’s rookie lineup. As one of Upper Deck’s most recognizable autograph cards, the FWA has built a strong following since its debut in 2000-01. Crosby’s version features a clean, minimalist design accented by a sharp blue highlight, helping it stand out without being flashy. With just 999 copies, it's not ultra-rare, but high-grade examples are some of Crosby's most sought-after cards. This is the Crosby rookie that splits the difference between his lesser-known but more affordable rookie options and his iconic high-end grails.
2005-06 SP Game Used
#RE-SC Rookie Exclusives /100
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Sidney Crosby’s 2005-06 SP Game Used Rookie Exclusives /100 is a standout from a product that’s often overlooked compared to The Cup and SP Authentic. While it may not have the same brand cachet, SP Game Used delivers strong autograph and memorabilia content. The Rookie Exclusives insert is one of its most recognizable, and Crosby’s version features a memorable draft-night image—puck in one hand, number one in the other. With only 100 copies produced and a silver parallel /5, it’s a fun, distinctive rookie card that offers something a little different from the norm.
2005-06 SPx
#191 Jersey Auto /499
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: The 2005-06 SPx Jersey Autograph /499 is one of the few base RPAs in Sidney Crosby’s rookie lineup and a great example of mid-2000s card design. SPx carried over its high-tech feel from the ‘90s, now mixing in more autographs and memorabilia. Crosby’s rookie card features bold gold foil, holofoil accents, an on-card autograph, and a jersey swatch—checking all the boxes for collectors chasing early-era hits. Numbered to just 499, it remains a strong option for those seeking a visually dynamic RPA. For something even rarer, there’s also a “Spectrum” parallel numbered to only 25 copies.
2005-06 The Cup
#180 Rookie Patch Auto /99
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Sidney Crosby’s 2005-06 The Cup Rookie Patch Auto isn’t just a card—it’s a cornerstone of modern hockey card collecting. The Cup was Upper Deck’s bold answer to the question: could a luxury-tier product succeed in hockey? Thanks to the generational hype surrounding Crosby and Ovechkin, the answer was a resounding yes. Drawing inspiration from the success of Exquisite in basketball, The Cup delivered a premium experience the hobby hadn’t seen before in hockey. Crosby’s RPA from the set helped set the bar for what a true high-end rookie card could be—and it still defines that standard today.
2005-06 The Cup
#EE-SC Emblems of Endorsement /15
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰+
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Crosby’s Emblems of Endorsement is one of the crown jewels from the debut of The Cup. As the second-rarest patch autograph insert behind Scripted Swatches, it pairs an on-card signature with a game-used patch and a design that Upper Deck absolutely nailed right out of the gate. With only four publicly recorded sales at the time of writing, it’s a ghost even among high-end Crosby collectors. Equal parts rare and scarce, it stands as a testament to the card’s collectability.
2005-06 The Cup
#HN-SC Honorable Numbers /87
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Sidney Crosby’s 2005-06 The Cup Honorable Numbers /87, limited to his iconic jersey number, is one of several premium patch autograph cards from his landmark rookie year, each offering its own distinct design and appeal. While not as rare as Ovechkin’s version numbered to 8, Crosby’s Honorable Numbers remains highly desirable, featuring dual patch windows shaped to mirror the number 87. The Cup was built around Crosby and Ovechkin, and this insert showcases Upper Deck’s creative design and attention to detail at its best.
2005-06 The Cup
#SP-SC Signature Patches /75
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: The fourth Crosby patch autograph from 2005-06 The Cup to appear on this list is his Signature Patches /75. While it’s the most highly printed among his rookie patch autos from the set, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to find. Like Ovechkin’s, Crosby’s Signature Patches tends to stay locked in personal collections, rarely surfacing despite its larger print run. It’s part of one of The Cup’s largest insert checklists—83 players total—second only to Emblems of Endorsement. With an on-card autograph, eye-catching design, and patch window, this one checks a lot of boxes for collectors.
2005-06 Ultimate Collection
#91 Auto /299
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Sidney Crosby’s 2005-06 Ultimate Collection Autograph /299 comes from Upper Deck’s first real push into high-end hockey cards. With just one five-card pack per box, Ultimate Collection tested whether collectors would embrace a luxury format—and they did. The Ultimate Rookie autograph is the key draw, and Crosby’s version is limited to 299 copies, making it significantly rarer than his SP Authentic Future Watch Auto. Yet, it tends to trade at a lower price point, offering strong value for collectors. There’s also a patch autograph parallel /25 and a coveted 1/1 shield autograph for those chasing something even more exclusive.
2005-06 Ultimate Collection
#91 Ultimate Rookies Patch Auto /25
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Crosby's 2005-06 Ultimate Collection Ultimate Rookies Patch Auto is technically a parallel to his base auto /299 above, but it holds its own as one of Crosby’s rarest rookie patch autographs. Featuring a game-used patch and an on-card signature, it offers collectors a premium rookie without the premium price tag you might expect. For those looking to zag away from The Cup, this is an excellent alternative—high-end, tough to find, and quietly one of the sharpest rookie patches from Crosby’s debut year.
2005-06 Upper Deck
#201 Young Guns
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Sidney Crosby’s 2005-06 Upper Deck Young Guns is one of the most recognizable and widely collected rookie cards in the hobby. Despite the massive number of copies graded—well into the thousands—it continues to maintain strong values year after year. Why? Because it’s the Crosby rookie for many collectors. Its staying power is a testament to both his impact on the game and the strength of the Young Guns brand. It’s not rare, but demand has outpaced supply for nearly two decades. For many collectors, it’s the entry point into collecting Crosby rookie cards.
2008-09 Ultra
#JAM9 EX Jambalaya
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰+
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎+
About the Card: 2008-09 Ultra EX Jambalaya #JAM9 Sidney Crosby marks the debut of the legendary Jambalaya insert in hockey, and Crosby quickly staked his claim as one of the top stars in the checklist. With pack odds of 1:864 and a 20-card checklist featuring both legends and active players, it's a card that's rare enough to make a compelling chase yet a managable enough size to realistically accomplish. Outside of Gretzky, no player in the set commands higher prices than Crosby.
2012-13 Fleer Retro
#60 Precious Metal Gems Green /10
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: There’s a clear divide among hockey collectors when it comes to retro cards—but love them or not, Sidney Crosby’s 2012 Fleer Retro PMG Green has earned its place as one of the most coveted inserts of the decade. Upper Deck’s decision to revive Skybox’s iconic ‘90s designs in Fleer Retro was a bold one, and the return of the green Precious Metal Gems struck a chord. The PMGs were kings of the ‘90s basketball and football scene, and their crossover into hockey didn’t disappoint. Crosby, Ovechkin, and Gretzky top the checklist, with red and blue versions /100 and /50 adding to the chase.
2012-13 Prizm
#38 Prizm Gold /10
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Sidney Crosby’s 2012-13 Prizm Gold /10 is a standout from Panini’s short-lived but impactful stint in hockey. Granted a non-exclusive NHL license from 2010-11 to 2013-14, Panini produced several underappreciated sets—but none more recognizable than the debut of Prizm in 2012-13 Rookie Anthology. These “first” Prizm hockey cards laid the groundwork for the following year’s full release. Crosby’s Gold parallel, limited to just 10 copies, is the crown jewel of the 2012 run and remains one of the most coveted Panini-era Crosby cards. While Panini's NHL chapter was brief, this card proves its lasting impact.
A Few of My Favorites
It would’ve been easy to fill this favorites list with Crosby-Ovechkin cards, given how closely their careers are intertwined. But instead, I leaned into Crosby’s postseason success and highlighted a few key “firsts” worth noting. Don’t skip the Honorable Mentions section—there were at least a dozen more cards that could’ve made the cut!
2006-07 The Cup
#LL-SC Limited Logos /50
Why It's a Favorite: Sidney Crosby’s 2006-07 The Cup Limited Logos /50 is what many collectors consider the true debut of this iconic insert. The previous year’s version fell flat—poor design, clashing colors, and a glossy finish that often led to bubbled autographs. But 2006-07? Total redemption. The refreshed design brought a bold, industrial aesthetic with layered textures and rivet-like accents that made the card feel as premium as its name suggests. With an on-card auto and oversized patch window, this card stands out not just as a second-year Crosby, but as the gold standard for Limited Logos moving forward.
2011-12 Panini Dominion
#3 Championship Signatures /25
Why It's a Favorite: 2011-12 Panini Dominion Championship Signatures #3 Sidney Crosby /25 is a fitting tribute to a player synonymous with winning. With three Stanley Cups and two Conn Smythes, Crosby’s postseason legacy is as complete as it gets. This on-card auto is one of the standout designs in Dominion, a product loaded with Crosby ink, from Autograph Patches to Tape to Tape and Silver Ensigns. But few options match the thematic perfection of this Championship Signatures card.
2014-15 O-Pee-Chee Platinum
#8 Seismic Gold /50
Why It's a Favorite: Upper Deck gave hockey collectors their first full chromium-based release in 2014-15 with O-Pee-Chee Platinum. Since its release, it has become the go-to brand for modern shiny card chasers. The most recognizable and consistently released parallel in the set is Seismic Gold, which is why I thought it was fitting to feature Crosby's copy here. The Seismic Gold parallel may not be the rarest in the run, but it’s easily one of the most beloved—blending vibrant gold refractor appeal with a sharp /50 print run. For Crosby collectors, it’s a perfect storm of first-year OPC Platinum, eye-catching design, and rarity.
2016-17 Upper Deck
#DC1 Day with the Cup
Why It's a Favorite: Our second homage to Crosby’s postseason success is his first Day with the Cup card, released as part of 2016-17 The Cup. If you haven’t seen them before, Upper Deck introduced the Day with the Cup inserts in 2011-12 to honor the Stanley Cup-winning team from the previous season. The cards capture players celebrating during their day with the Cup over the summer. This is the first of four Day with the Cup cards for Crosby—two inserts and two autographed editions. It’s a perfect tribute to one of hockey’s most decorated postseason performers.
2017-18 Upper Deck
#201 Retro Young Guns Acetate
Why It's a Favorite: What if Crosby’s legendary Young Guns had been released with an acetate parallel? That’s the spirit behind this modern reimagining, which pairs the familiar 2005-06 Young Guns border with a sharper image and a sleek, transparent acetate finish. It’s a nod to Upper Deck's most iconic brand—and Crosby's most recognizable card—updated with a design twist that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new. It offers a fun glimpse into an alternate hobby timeline where 2005 delivered another parallel for collectors to chase.