1909-11 T206 Johnny Bates
1909–11 T206 Johnny Bates
Boston Doves · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Johnny Bates is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Johnny Bates, a member of the historic Boston Doves (National League), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 914 examples have been graded, with only 18 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Johnny Bates
Born 1882 in Steubenville, OH (d. 1949), Johnny Bates was a left-handed outfielder who debuted in 1906 and played 9 major-league seasons. He batted .278 with 1,087 hits, 25 home runs, and 187 stolen bases in 1,154 games.
Confirmed backs (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 529 | 15 | 37 | 59 | 122 | 107 | 106 | 83 |
| SGC | 385 | 3 | 8 | 36 | 52 | 97 | 66 | 123 |
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 | 108 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 99 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 74 |
| Sweet Caporal | 68 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 21 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 21 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 20 |
| Old Mill | 8 |
| Hindu | 7 |
| El Principe de Gales | 6 |
| Unknown back | 97 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 5 |
| Hindu 1909-11 | 9 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 4 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 179 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 40 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 14 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 102 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 31 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Johnny Bates card?
The Johnny Bates 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 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 914 examples of the Johnny Bates have been graded, with only 18 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Johnny Bates come with?
The Johnny Bates is confirmed with 6 tobacco-brand backs: El Principe de Gales, Hindu, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Johnny Bates 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.