By DB Sikes
Overall Sales Performance
From August 2022 through July 2025, total recorded sales for George Washington cards across all back types have surged. The market saw multiple peaks, with the most dramatic occurring in November 2024, driven by high-grade Royal Bengals examples. Sales have held steady through 2025, bolstered by mid-grade SGC and PSA offerings and a robust base of raw card transactions.
Grade-by-Grade Trends
High-grade Washingtons continue to set benchmarks for the set:
- SGC 4.5 Royal Bengals — the crown jewel of the past three years — realized $1,081.12, setting an all-time high for the subject.
- Mid-grades like SGC 2 ($644.98) and PSA 2 ($428.40) have more than doubled from 2022 levels.
- RAW “Good” and “Very Good–Excellent” examples remain highly liquid, with many surpassing $200.
Miner’s Extra Back – Rising Star
Already a collector favorite, Miner’s Extra backs have outpaced many expectations:
- RAW Very Good–Excellent examples now top $300, more than doubling in average value in just three years.
- Lower-grade Miner’s Extras, while more affordable, have also seen upward momentum as set-builders and back specialists compete for them.
Royal Bengals – Consistent Market Leader
Royal Bengals-backed Washingtons have proven to be a reliable high performer:
- The SGC 4.5 sale at $1,081.12 sits atop all George Washington sales over the period.
- Even low-grade Royal Bengals remain strong, reflecting the back’s popularity and its availability for both budget-conscious and high-end collectors.
- Seasonal auction spikes show that Royal Bengals Washingtons consistently attract spirited bidding, especially in mid-to-high grades.
Notable Sales Highlights
- SGC 4.5 Royal Bengals – $1,081.12 (Record high)
- SGC 2 Royal Bengals – $289.99 (March 2024)
- PSA 2 Royal Bengals – $428.40
- RAW Very Good–Excellent Miner’s Extra – $300+
- Multiple RAW “Good” and mid-grade examples clearing $200 consistently in 2025
Market Outlook
With its historical significance, strong cross-appeal between presidential memorabilia and tobacco card collectors, and the ongoing back variation chase, the T68 George Washington shows no signs of cooling.
Collectors aiming for key set pieces or standout singles should expect continued price appreciation — particularly for high-grade Royal Bengals and Miner’s Extra backs.
For those looking to enter the market, low-to-mid grades remain an accessible entry point, but history suggests those windows may be closing quickly.
Pan Handle and Natural Leaf – Absent but Not Forgotten
Interestingly, no confirmed examples of the George Washington card with Pan Handle or Natural Leaf backs have surfaced in public sales over the past three years. This absence underscores their extreme scarcity in the marketplace. While not impossible to find, these variations are more likely to emerge through long-held private collections than in open auctions, and when they do appear, they are expected to command premium prices due to pent-up demand and cross-back collector interest.
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