1909-11 T206 Spike Shannon
1909–11 T206 Spike Shannon
Kansas City Blues · American Association · 350 Only print series
The 1909–1911 T206 Spike Shannon is part of the legendary “White Border” tobacco set — The Monster. This card depicts Spike Shannon, a member of the historic Kansas City Blues (American Association), and was printed in the 350 Only series, known with 6 tobacco-brand backs. Across PSA and SGC, roughly 810 examples have been graded, with only 22 in NM 7 or better — a reminder of how tough this issue is in high grade.
About Spike Shannon
Born 1878 in Pittsburgh, PA (d. 1940), Spike Shannon was a switch-hitting outfielder who debuted in 1904 and played 5 major-league seasons. He batted .259 with 677 hits, 3 home runs, and 145 stolen bases in 694 games.
Confirmed backs (6)
Population (PSA · SGC)
| Grader | Total | NM 7+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 & Auth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 490 | 14 | 35 | 72 | 118 | 91 | 86 | 74 |
| SGC | 320 | 8 | 5 | 42 | 53 | 78 | 58 | 76 |
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 | 257 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 44 |
| Sweet Caporal | 35 |
| Polar Bear | 25 |
| El Principe de Gales | 16 |
| Tolstoi | 15 |
| Carolina Brights | 4 |
| Unknown back | 94 |
SGC by back
| Back | Graded |
|---|---|
| Carolina Brights 1909-11 | 1 |
| El Principe de Gales 1909-11 | 18 |
| Piedmont 1909 | 1 |
| Piedmont 1910 | 193 |
| Polar Bear 1909-11 | 34 |
| Sweet Caporal 1909-11 | 1 |
| Sweet Caporal 1910 | 65 |
| Tolstoi 1909-11 | 7 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the 1909-11 T206 Spike Shannon card?
The Spike Shannon 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 Kansas City Blues player and was inserted in cigarette packs across 6 different tobacco-brand backs.
How rare is the T206
Across PSA and SGC, roughly 810 examples of the Spike Shannon have been graded, with only 22 grading NM 7 or higher, so mid-grade copies are obtainable while high-grade examples are genuinely scarce.
Which backs does the T206 Spike Shannon come with?
The Spike Shannon is confirmed with 6 tobacco-brand backs: Carolina Brights, El Principe de Gales, Piedmont, Polar Bear (Scrap), Sweet Caporal, Tolstoi. The back brand is a major driver of both scarcity and value.
Is the T206 Spike Shannon 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.