1887 N284 Gold Coin John Clarkson PSA 4 VG-EX Rare Pre-War Baseball Card

$6,000.00

A true 19th century baseball rarity, offered here is an original 1887 N284 Gold Coin Cigarettes John Clarkson card, professionally graded PSA 4 VG-EX. This example features Clarkson in the desirable “Arm Outstretched” pose and represents one of the earliest and most elusive tobacco-era baseball issues.

The N284 Gold Coin set is a legendary pre-war release, produced decades before the better-known T206 era and collected today by advanced vintage baseball, tobacco card, and Hall of Fame specialists. Surviving examples are notoriously scarce, with the issue’s fragile production and 1880s origin making high-quality survivors especially difficult to locate.

John Clarkson was one of the dominant pitchers of 19th century baseball. A Baseball Hall of Famer, Clarkson won 328 career games and was inducted into Cooperstown in 1963. His cards remain important pieces for collectors building serious Hall of Fame, pre-war, and 19th century baseball collections.

This PSA 4 example presents extremely well for the assigned grade, with strong overall eye appeal, attractive color, and excellent display quality inside the PSA holder. According to PSA population data referenced for this card, only 10 examples of this specific card have been graded by PSA, making this a genuinely scarce public offering.

Card Details:

  • Year/Set: 1887 N284 Gold Coin Cigarettes
  • Player: John Clarkson
  • Pose: Arm Outstretched
  • Grade: PSA 4 VG-EX
  • Certification: PSA Cert #40241065
  • Era: 19th century / pre-war baseball
  • Player Status: Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher
  • Career Wins: 328
  • Hall of Fame Induction: 1963
  • Population: Extremely low PSA population; only 10 examples graded by PSA per current listing data

Why This Card Matters

This is not just an early baseball card — it is a scarce 1880s tobacco issue featuring a Hall of Fame pitcher from the game’s formative professional era. The combination of 19th century origin, Hall of Fame subject, PSA authentication, low population, and strong eye appeal makes this a centerpiece-level card for advanced vintage baseball collectors.

A serious acquisition opportunity for collectors of:

  • 19th century baseball cards
  • Rare tobacco issues
  • Pre-war Hall of Famers
  • John Clarkson memorabilia
  • Advanced PSA-graded vintage baseball collections
  • Early professional baseball history

    A centerpiece-level card for serious vintage baseball, tobacco card, and Hall of Fame collections and investors.
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