Aaron Rodgers (12/2/83) is a quarterback who eventually took over from Bret Favre as the Green Bay Packers’ starter in 2008. Two years later, he led them to victory in Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers, earning the Super Bowl MVP award.
If you’re looking for the best Aaron Rodgers autos, it’s tough to find better than those released during his rookie year. 2005 was a strong season for signed football cards, and they’ve picked up in value over the past 15 years.
We’ve compiled a list containing five of the best Aaron Rodgers autograph cards, factoring in value, rarity, and overall aesthetic appeal.
Best Autos
Rodgers has several attractive signed cards to be on the lookout for. We’ll start with the 2005 Playoff Contenders card, arguably the pick of the bunch.
#1. 2005 Playoff Contenders Aaron Rodgers RC #101
The 2005 Playoff Contenders card tops the list, showing off a rookie Rodgers as he prepares to make a pass. It has a stickered auto, often seen as a drawback, but that hasn’t stopped values from rising dramatically over the past decade.
It has a familiar Rookie Ticket design, with three black borders that can sometimes lead to problems when it comes to grading. It also has a silver chrome finish at the base, capping a stylish look that helps to make it distinctive compared to many of his signed options.
#2. 2005 SP Authentic Gold Aaron Rodgers RC /25 #252
Next up is Rodgers’ ‘05 SP Authentic. The base edition has a print run of 99, while the Gold version is numbered to just 25 copies overall, making it extremely rare and valuable. We’re looking at the latter, which is similar to the base card in most respects.
It has an elegant design, with a white and green background that meshes well with a large player patch. There’s an image of Rodgers on the right, while you’ll find an on-card auto at the base.
Unlike the base card, it has a gold trim, which includes his name and the SP logo at the top. You’ll find the serial number with a chrome trim next to the player.
#3. 2005 Exquisite Collection Aaron Rodgers RC /199 #106
Another premium card, 2005, was the first year Exquisite released a football-themed set. As part of the Signature Rookie Materials subset, you’ll find a duo patch in the middle, with a small image of Rodgers above.
The auto is of the on-card variety, taking pride of place in a segment at the base. The background has a chrome metallic finish and a gold trim. It’s also reasonably rare, with a print run of 199.
It’s a great RC, although it’s condition-sensitive. As such, good PSA/BGS grades are pretty valuable.
#4. 2005 Ultimate Collection Aaron Rodgers RC /75 #USAR
Fourth on the list is Rodgers’ 2005 Ultimate Collection RC. It has a landscape design, with a large close-up shot of the player on the right-hand side. The rest of the card is devoted to a large segment for an on-card auto, filled in blue ink.
Another condition-sensitive option is numbered 99 copies. If you’re interested in Rodgers autos, you’ll struggle to find either more extensive or better. Despite the low print run, it’s one of the cheaper cards to make the list, making for a decent investment piece when looking at higher grades.
#5. 2005 Topps Chrome Aaron Rodgers Auto Gold X-fractor RC #190
If you’re looking for a budget option, the ‘05 Topps Chrome is worth keeping tabs on. It features a lined image of Rodgers with an arm cocked, and it’s a ‘Football 50th Anniversary’ edition. This means that it has a vintage feel, and some versions even come with an on-card auto.
Of the signed RCs to make the list, it’s hard to find many faults aside from being a sticker. However, that’s reflected in the price tag compared to many of the others seen above.
Refractor parallels, including the rarer Gold Retro Rookie Refractors (/50), are a big draw. There is also a signed Gold X-fractor parallel, numbered to 399. The latter is a great investment piece.
Values
Most Valuable Aaron Rodgers Autograph Card?
Below are some of the most valuable of all his autos. It is hard to say which is the most expensive as they are all close, assuming similar grades.
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2005 UD SP Authentic Rookie Fabrics Auto Aaron Rodgers RC /15
- 2005 SP Authentic Gold RPA Auto 3 Color Patch RC RPA /25
- 2005 Aaron Rodgers Upper Deck Exquisite Auto 3 Color Patch RC
Summary
15-year-old cards featuring a future Hall of Famer are always going to be an expensive proposition. They are the most popular versions by a decent margin, while they were released in a sound era for collectibles in terms of low print runs and signed options.
Of course, many signed cards from later years will sell for a fraction of the asking price, but there’s a reason why Rodgers’ RCs are so coveted by collectors and investors alike.
They’re likely to make significant profit in the future, especially with a contract that runs until 2024. He’ll be 39 at that point, which could spell time for retirement. On the other hand, he still has time to add a few baubles to his personal trophy cabinet, and he could extend some of the multiple NFL records he currently holds.
If you want to sign Aaron Rodgers football cards, we will stick to 2005 if your budget allows it. They’re the most prestigious options, although they are priced accordingly.