Mysteries of the Marketplace: The 2023 Bowman Draft Tom Brady Gold Auto 12/50
The world of sports cards has always been filled with intrigue, but very few stories rival the mystery surrounding the 2023 Bowman Draft Tom Brady Gold Auto specifically numbered 12/50.
Roughly one year after its release, this card has yet to surface publicly, making it one of the most elusive Tom Brady cards ever produced. With that said, I wanted to dive into the allure and speculation surrounding this remarkable piece of sports memorabilia.
We all know that Tom Brady’s 2023 Bowman Draft cards are a nod to his early days as a baseball prospect, blending nostalgia with his legendary football career. Drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1995 as a catcher, Brady ultimately chose football, becoming the most decorated quarterback in NFL history. The Bowman Draft set capitalized on this dual-sport legacy, offering fans a rare glimpse into the “What If?” rabbit hole of Brady’s potential baseball career.
WHERE is this card hiding??
— Topps (@Topps) December 12, 2024
In 1995, Tom Brady was drafted by the Montreal Expos.
Last year, we reimagined what Brady’s Expos cards may have looked like if he had stuck with baseball.
The top card from the collection was the “12/50” with this inscription.
But 1 year after its… pic.twitter.com/5VZEv2HEIz
The Gold Auto variation numbered 12/50 is particularly iconic. Not only does it feature Brady’s autograph, but it is inscribed with the words: "If Baseball doesn't work out, there's always Football".
The inscription on the card references Brady’s monumental career shift, while adding a layer of both humor and historical significance, which in turn, makes it one of the most desirable cards in the modern marketplace.
Since the card remains unseen in public collections or auction listings, I’ve gone ahead and established four (4) potential theories as to what I think may have happened to the card:
1. Private Collector Acquisition
One plausible explanation is that a private collector pulled the card and has chosen to keep it out of the public eye. High-end collectors often treasure rare finds like this for their personal enjoyment, bypassing public marketplaces.
2. Unopened Packs or Boxes
Another theory is that the card remains hidden in an unopened pack or sealed box. Bowman Draft products are often stashed away by investors who see long-term value in unopened products. The Gold Auto /50 could very well be waiting to be discovered in one of these boxes.
3. Lack of Awareness
It's possible that the card was pulled by a casual collector unaware of its significance. Without the proper knowledge of its rarity or value, it could be sitting unnoticed in someone's personal collection.
4. Error or Loss
While unlikely, production errors or mishandling during distribution could have affected the card’s journey to the marketplace. In rare cases, cards have been misplaced or damaged before reaching collectors.
Brady’s witty inscription makes this card more than just another rare auto, it tells a story, especially since sports inscriptions have become increasingly popular throughout the hobby, with players adding personal messages that resonate with fans.
The fact that this specific card is serial-numbered 12/50, matching Brady’s jersey number further elevates its status. In the world of sports cards, “jersey-numbered” parallels are among the most sought-after variations, often commanding premium prices.
The Hobby’s Speculation
The ongoing mystery surrounding the card has sparked vibrant discussions across social media and sports card forums. Collectors are scouring eBay, card shows, and grading company databases, hoping for a glimpse of this elusive treasure. Yet, after months of searching, no evidence has surfaced. For many in the hobby, the allure of the unknown has turned the Gold Auto /50 into the sports card equivalent of a “white whale.” Some even speculate that if the card were to appear at auction, it could set records due to its unique combination of rarity, historical context, and Brady’s unmatched star power.
So What Happens Next?
The sports card community continues to speculate and search for this elusive card. Whether it eventually surfaces in a public auction, a private sale, or even an Instagram post, its arrival will undoubtedly create waves that ripple throughout the hobby. For now, the 2023 Bowman Draft Tom Brady Gold Auto 12/50 remains one of the greatest mysteries in modern sports card collecting. Its combination of rarity, humor, and historical significance ensures that when it does appear, it will be a landmark event across the hobby as a whole.
Bio: Matt Schilling, a lifelong sportscard collector and a proud graduate of Towson University (Class of 2006) who currently resides in Queens, New York, is one of the newest contributing authors to the Collectibles segment now featured on http://SI.com