1909-11 T206 Bill Dahlen (Boston)
1909–11 T206 Bill Dahlen
Boston Doves · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Bill Dahlen (“Boston” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Bill Dahlen, a member of the historic Boston Doves (National League), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 5 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 881 examples have been graded, with only 19 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Bill Dahlen
Born 1870 in Nelliston, NY (d. 1950), Bill Dahlen was a right-handed shortstop who debuted in 1891 and played 21 major-league seasons. He batted .272 with 2,457 hits, 84 home runs, and 547 stolen bases in 2,443 games.
Confirmed backs (5)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 507 | 16 | 19 | 56 | 92 | 88 | 106 | 130 |
| SGC | 374 | 3 | 5 | 36 | 32 | 80 | 83 | 135 |
NM 7+ bundles grades 7–10; 1 & Auth bundles grade 1, 1.5 & Authentic. Totals are subject-level (summed across all backs). Population as of 2026-06.
PSA by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Piedmont 1909 | 143 |
| Piedmont | 102 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 64 |
| Sweet Caporal | 57 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 22 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 14 |
| El Principe de Gales | 13 |
| Hindu | 9 |
| Unknown back | 83 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 5 |
| Hindu 1909-11 | 10 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 230 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 1 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 17 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 111 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Bill Dahlen card?
The Bill Dahlen (Boston) is one of 524 subjects in the T206 "White Border" tobacco set issued 1909-1911, the hobby's most iconic vintage set (nicknamed "The Monster"). It pictures the Boston Doves player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 5 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 881 examples of the Bill Dahlen have been graded, with only 19 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Bill Dahlen come with?
The Bill Dahlen is confirmed with 5 tobacco-brand backs: El Principe de Gales, Hindu, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Bill Dahlen valuable?
Value depends heavily on the back brand and the card's grade: common backs in low grade trade modestly, while scarce backs and high grades command strong premiums. Check the current T206 Cards listings and eBay options above for live pricing.