1909-11 T206 Frank Smith (F. Smith)
1909–11 T206 Frank Smith
Chicago White Sox · American League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Frank Smith (“F. Smith” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Frank Smith, a member of the historic Chicago White Sox (American League), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 4 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 947 examples have been graded, with only 21 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Frank Smith
Born 1879 in Pittsburgh, PA (d. 1952), Frank Smith was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1904 and played 11 major-league seasons. He went 139-111 with a 2.59 ERA and 1,051 strikeouts across 354 appearances.
Confirmed backs (4)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 590 | 17 | 41 | 63 | 138 | 110 | 127 | 94 |
| SGC | 357 | 4 | 7 | 40 | 46 | 84 | 58 | 118 |
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 | 123 |
| Piedmont | 117 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 61 |
| Sweet Caporal | 55 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 37 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 36 |
| Sovereign | 11 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 11 |
| Old Mill | 10 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 9 |
| Unknown back | 120 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 6 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 146 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 55 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 13 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 24 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 78 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 35 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Frank Smith card?
The Frank Smith (F. Smith) 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 Chicago White Sox player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 4 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 947 examples of the Frank Smith have been graded, with only 21 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Frank Smith come with?
The Frank Smith is confirmed with 4 tobacco-brand backs: Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Frank Smith 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.