1909-11 T206 Monte Cross
1909–11 T206 Monte Cross
Indianapolis Indians · American Association · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Monte Cross is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Monte Cross, a member of the historic Indianapolis Indians (American Association), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 3 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 808 examples have been graded, with only 9 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Monte Cross
Born August 31, 1869 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1934), Monte Cross was a right-handed-hitting, right-handed-throwing shortstop who played 15 major-league seasons (1892-1907) for five clubs, including as the Philadelphia Athletics' starting shortstop on their 1902 American League pennant winner, before finishing his career in the minors with the Indianapolis Indians.
Confirmed backs (3)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 515 | 9 | 26 | 78 | 141 | 108 | 89 | 64 |
| SGC | 293 | 0 | 4 | 38 | 54 | 71 | 59 | 67 |
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 | 323 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 48 |
| Sweet Caporal | 46 |
| Tolstoi | 2 |
| Unknown back | 96 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Piedmont 1910 | 223 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 66 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 4 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Monte Cross card?
The Monte Cross 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 Indianapolis Indians player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 3 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 808 examples of the Monte Cross have been graded, with only 9 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Monte Cross come with?
The Monte Cross is confirmed with 3 tobacco-brand backs: Piedmont, Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Monte Cross 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.