1909-11 T206 Mike Donlin (Seated)
1909–11 T206 Mike Donlin
New York Giants · National League · 150-350 print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Mike Donlin (“Seated” pose) is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Mike Donlin, a member of the historic New York Giants (National League), and was printed in the 150-350 series, known with 5 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 939 examples have been graded, with only 26 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Mike Donlin
Born 1878 in Peoria, IL (d. 1933), Mike Donlin was a left-handed outfielder who debuted in 1899 and played 12 major-league seasons. He batted .333 with 1,282 hits, 51 home runs, and 213 stolen bases in 1,049 games.
Confirmed backs (5)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 566 | 23 | 35 | 69 | 140 | 100 | 119 | 80 |
| SGC | 373 | 3 | 9 | 38 | 64 | 82 | 68 | 109 |
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 | 112 |
| Piedmont | 104 |
| Sweet Caporal | 60 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 52 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 43 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 30 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 16 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 14 |
| Old Mill | 11 |
| Sovereign | 9 |
| El Principe de Gales | 8 |
| Unknown back | 107 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 14 |
| Old Mill 1909-11 | 7 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 160 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 58 |
| Sovereign 1909 | 16 |
| Sovereign 1910 | 18 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909 | 61 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 38 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Mike Donlin card?
The Mike Donlin (Seated) 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 New York Giants player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 5 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 939 examples of the Mike Donlin have been graded, with only 26 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Mike Donlin come with?
The Mike Donlin is confirmed with 5 tobacco-brand backs: El Principe de Gales, Old Mill, Piedmont, Sovereign, Sweet Caporal. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Mike Donlin 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.