1909-11 T206 Joe McGinnity
1909–11 T206 Joe McGinnity
Newark Indians · Eastern League · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Joe McGinnity is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Joe McGinnity, a member of the historic Newark Indians (Eastern League), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 9 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1609 examples have been graded, with only 32 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Joe McGinnity
Born 1871 in Cornwall, IL (d. 1929), Joe McGinnity was a right-handed pitcher who debuted in 1899 and played 10 major-league seasons. He went 246-142 with a 2.66 ERA and 1,068 strikeouts across 465 appearances. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1946. His 'Iron Man' nickname originated from his offseason job in an iron foundry, though it grew fitting after he won both ends of a doubleheader three times in a single month in August 1903.
Confirmed backs (9)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 926 | 29 | 59 | 92 | 222 | 139 | 191 | 194 |
| SGC | 683 | 3 | 10 | 45 | 87 | 156 | 147 | 235 |
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 1910 | 463 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 94 |
| Sweet Caporal | 73 |
| Polar Bear | 50 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 19 |
| American Beauty 1910 | 16 |
| Cycle 1910 | 12 |
| Tolstoi | 6 |
| Carolina Brights | 5 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 2 |
| Unknown back | 186 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| American Beauty 1910 | 15 |
| Broad Leaf 1910 | 3 |
| Carolina Brights 1909-11 | 5 |
| Cycle 1910 | 9 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 419 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 46 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 19 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 164 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 3 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Joe McGinnity card?
The Joe McGinnity 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 Newark Indians player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 9 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 1609 examples of the Joe McGinnity have been graded, with only 32 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Joe McGinnity come with?
The Joe McGinnity is confirmed with 9 tobacco-brand backs: American Beauty, Broad Leaf, Carolina Brights, Cycle, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sovereign, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Joe McGinnity 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.