Aaron Judge
The essential Aaron Judge card checklist — grails, key inserts, and must-haves.
Aaron Judge went from a 2013 Fresno State draft pick to the face of the New York Yankees and the American League home run king, breaking Roger Maris's 61-year-old record with 62 in 2022. His cards split into two waves: the 2013 Bowman prospects that hold his first cards and his defining autograph, and the 2017 rookies from his Rookie of the Year season. This set collects both, plus his record-breaking moment.
grail1st BowmanHis first card of any kind, a 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft prospect from his draft year out of Fresno State. Four years before his official rookie, this is where a Judge collection actually starts.
grail1st AutoHis first certified autograph and most important card, an on-card 2013 Bowman Chrome prospect signature. Its SuperFractor 1/1 sold for a reported $5.2 million, the highest price ever paid for a modern card.
RCgrailFlagship RCHis recognized flagship rookie card, the RC-logo base from 2017 Topps Series 1 released during his Rookie of the Year season. The anchor of his rookie run.
RCgrailPremium RPAHis premium rookie patch autograph, pairing an on-card signature with an oversized patch from his 2017 All-Star jersey in Topps' high-end Dynasty line. Limited to 10 copies.
RCkey1st ChromeHis Topps Chrome rookie, the chromium RC and base of a deep refractor rainbow. One of the three defining 2017 Judge rookies.
key1st NumberedHis first serial-numbered card, the Blue Refractor parallel of his 2013 Bowman prospect limited to 99 copies. The entry rung of a ladder that climbs to a 1/1 SuperFractor.
RCkeyRookie DebutThe most iconic Judge rookie image, the RC-logo Update card capturing his debut home run. Chronologically the later of his two flagship rookies but the more recognizable.
key1st On-DemandHis first print-on-demand card, marking his August 2016 MLB debut when he and Tyler Austin hit back-to-back home runs in their first at-bats. Numbered to 5,250, the total ordered.
RCkey1st Patch AutoHis first memorabilia card and first rookie patch autograph, the Major League Materials Autographs #MLMA-AJ from 2017 Topps Series 1, pairing an on-card signature with a game-used swatch from his rookie season. The accessible first, ahead of the premium Dynasty patch auto.
essentialAaron Judge carries the #1 slot in the entire Topps Living Set, the ongoing on-demand line hand-illustrated in the classic 1953 Topps design. A collector favorite.
essential62 HR RecordThe card marking his 62nd home run in 2022, the American League single-season record that broke Roger Maris. Its 91,685 print run is the largest in Topps Now history.
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Frequently asked
What is Aaron Judge's rookie card?
His recognized flagship rookie is the 2017 Topps Series 1 #287, which carries the RC logo. His first card overall is the 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft #BDPP19 prospect, from his draft year, four years before his official rookie.
What is the most valuable Aaron Judge card?
His 2013 Bowman Chrome Draft autograph SuperFractor 1/1 sold for a reported $5.2 million, the highest price ever paid for a modern card. The base 2013 Bowman Chrome auto is the attainable version of that card.
How many cards are in the Aaron Judge grail set?
Eleven, spanning his 2013 Bowman prospect and first autograph, his 2017 flagship, Chrome, and Update rookies, his first and premium rookie patch autos, his first on-demand card, and his 62-home-run record card.
What card commemorates Aaron Judge's 62nd home run?
The 2022 Topps Now #1012, printed to 91,685 copies, the largest Topps Now print run ever. It marks his 62nd homer, the American League single-season record.
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