Pope Leo XIV Topps NOW Card Sets Record with 133,535 Copies Sold

In a hobby filled with superfractors, autographs, and game-worn memorabilia, a trading card of the newly elected Pope might seem like a novelty — but this past week, it became history.

Topps NOW’s commemorative trading card of Pope Leo XIV — celebrating the election of the first American pontiff — has officially set a new Topps NOW record for non-sports trading card sales, with a staggering 133,535 copies sold in just 48 hours.

It’s a number that eclipses the biggest pop culture Topps NOW cards and even rivals some of the top-selling sports cards in the platform’s modern history.

Let’s dive into how a card of the Catholic Church’s newest leader went viral — and what it means for collectors and the broader trading card landscape.

The Card: Simplicity Meets Significance

The card, part of the Topps NOW print-on-demand series, features a portrait of Pope Leo XIV taken during his papal introduction on the balcony at St. Peter’s Basilica. Beneath the image reads:

“Pope Leo XIV Elected as 267th Pontiff — First American Pope”

The standard base card was sold for $9.99, with bulk discounts available for multi-card bundles. The card was available for only 48 hours — part of Topps NOW’s core appeal — and was printed exactly to order based on demand.

There were no parallels, autographs, or memorabilia pieces involved — and yet it sold over 133,000 copies.

By the Numbers: A Topps NOW Sales Phenomenon

• 133,535 total sales in under 48 hours

• Beats previous pop culture cards including:

  • Bernie Sanders "Mittens" card (91,169)

  • Dr. Anthony Fauci first pitch card (51,512)

  • Donald Trump Impeachment Acquittal card (44,574)

• Among the top 5 best-selling Topps NOW cards ever — sports or non-sports

According to Topps, this is the most successful non-sports Topps NOW card in the company’s history, and one of the most ordered single-day print runs for any card format.

Why Did It Sell So Well?

1. Viral Internet Moment

The election of Pope Leo XIV — the first American to hold the papacy — was a global trending topic across Twitter, TikTok, and news outlets. The imagery of the card, combined with the novelty of owning a collectible from a major historical event, created instant buzz.

2. Cross-Audience Appeal

Unlike a sports rookie card, this card resonated with:

• Religious communities

• History buffs

• Memorabilia collectors

• Even people who don't normally collect cards

This crossover appeal brought non-collectors into the hobby for a one-time commemorative purchase.

3. Smart Timing by Topps

Topps launched the card within hours of the announcement — a textbook example of real-time memorabilia creation. Social media influencers, Catholic TikTok creators, and Reddit threads helped fuel its virality.

Hobby Impact: What Does It Mean?

This card’s success tells us several things about the trading card market in 2025:

1. Print-On-Demand Isn’t Dead

Some collectors shy away from Topps NOW and similar platforms, citing overproduction or lack of rarity. But when executed well — and tied to culturally massive events — on-demand cards are still incredibly effective.

2. Hobby Growth Comes from Outside the Hobby

The biggest sales week for Topps NOW didn’t involve a superfractor or baseball phenom — it came from a religious figure. This suggests the trading card format has potential far beyond sports and entertainment.

3. Collectors May Shift Toward Cultural Moments

Much like NFTs, there’s growing appreciation for "timestamp" cards — collectibles that freeze a moment in time. Whether it’s Shohei Ohtani’s debut or a papal election, collectors want cards that tell stories.

What’s It Worth Now?

Despite the massive print run, early sales are already happening on secondary markets.

• On eBay, singles have been selling for $12–$20, with lots of 5 and 10 cards going for $50+.

• PSA 10s (once graded) could hold collector value as novelty items or graded pop report curiosities.

Should You Collect or Flip?

If you purchased the card:

• Consider keeping 1–2 copies as long-term novelty collectibles

• Slab one with PSA or SGC for long-term value as part of pop culture history

• Sell extras now to take advantage of media buzz

If you missed it:

• Watch the market closely — sealed copies will enter long tail pricing

• Graded 10s will likely become “weird grails” in non-sport circles

Final Thoughts

In a year filled with massive sports releases, record-breaking auctions, and prospect buzz, it’s a card of a 68-year-old theologian from Boston that captured the world’s attention. The Pope Leo XIV Topps NOW release is a powerful reminder that the hobby isn’t just about stats and autographs — it’s about moments.

Whether you bought it for faith, history, or fun — you now own a piece of hobby history. And that’s something no one can ever take away.