Collecting baseball cards is a beloved American pastime that goes back over 100 years. From the earliest tobacco cards produced in the late 1800s to today’s modern releases, card collecting allows fans to appreciate individual players as well as the rich history of America’s national pastime. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at 100 iconic baseball cards that every serious collector should seek to obtain.
We’ll start with arguably the most valuable card in existence – the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner. Produced by the American Tobacco Company between 1909-1911, the Wagner card is legendary for how few are known to exist in high grades. Honus Wagner, an eight-time National League batting champion, reportedly asked the tobacco company to stop producing his card as he did not want to promote the use of tobacco. As a result, the Wagner card is exceptionally rare, with only around 60 high-grade copies known. Graded examples in high grade can sell for well over $1 million, making it truly the holy grail for collectors.
Another early tobacco card and one of the most iconic of all time is the 1913 E95 strip card featuring “Shoeless” Joe Jackson. Known for his dazzling fielding and throwing abilities as well as his impressive .408 batting average in the 1908 season, Jackson became embroiled in the infamous “Black Sox” scandal when he conspired with other players to throw the 1919 World Series. As a result, he was banned from organized baseball for life. Today, high grade examples of the E95 Jackson card can fetch $100,000 or more.
Moving into the 1950s, one of the most desired cards is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. As one of the first color cards produced, it pictures an up-and-coming Mantle during what would become a legendary Hall of Fame career. PSA 10 Gem Mint grades of this iconic Mantle rookie can sell for well over $100,000. Another ’50s card that demands high prices is the 1957 Topps Hank Aaron rookie. One of the cleanest and most visually striking cards ever made, high grade Aarons can reach the $50,000 range.
The 1960s had no shortage of incredible cards, like the 1966 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie. One of the greatest pitchers of all time with a record 7 no-hitters, the Ryan rookie in PSA 10 condition consistently sells for $15,000-$20,000. The 1964 Topps Sandy Koufax is another ’60s gem, depicting the Dodger lefty at the peak of his powers during his memorable 1965 season when he won the Triple Crown. High grades bring $10,000+. The 1968 Topps Reggie Jackson rookie also commands big money around $10,000 in PSA 10 as Jackson developed into one of the game’s true slugging superstars.
The 1970s saw perhaps the most iconic card of all time first introduced – the 1973 Topps rookie card of Bronx Bomber slugger Thurman Munson. As the Yankees’ captain and leader, any high grade Munson rookie is a true trophy card worth $5,000-$10,000. The 1979 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. rookie also showed promise of greatness and high grades can reach $5,000 for the future Hall of Famer. Another ’70s rookie that demands big dollars is the 1975 Topps George Brett in pristine condition at $3,000-$5,000 range. Brett would become one of the game’s greatest third basemen and sluggers of all time.
In the 1980s, perhaps no card symbolized raw potential like the 1984 Donruss rookie card of Mets phenom Dwight Gooden. As a rookie, “Doctor K” stunned the baseball world by going 17-9 with a 1.53 ERA and 276 strikeouts to win both Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award. High grade Gooden rookies reach $3,000 today. Another ’80s star whose rookie card maintained strong value is the 1987 Topps Chipper Jones, one of the decade’s best switch-hitting third basemen. Pristine PSA 10 examples trade hands for $2,000-$3,000. And no card from the late ’80s had more hype than the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. The style and mechanics of “The Kid” made this one of the most popular and valuable modern rookie cards at $1,500-$2,000 PSA 10.
The 1990s had new star power emerge as the sport entered a new era after the 1994 player strike. Chief among the new generation of stars was the 1992 Upper Deck Alex Rodriguez rookie card. Considered one of the greatest shortstops ever, a PSA 10 A-Rod tops $3,000. The iconic 1992 Studio Chipper Jones Fleer rookie card also remains a consistent $2,000 PSA 10. Other ’90s standouts like the 1998 BowmanREF Tim Hudson rookie, 1999 Bowman Piazza rookie, and 1996 FinestJeff Bagwell rookie all hold value ranging from $1,000-2,000 in top condition.
The 2000s got off to an epic start with the legendary 2000 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout rookie card. Still just entering his prime years later, pristine Trout rookies are already a $2,000+ card. The iconoclastic 2001 Topps Ichiro Suzuki rookie also became an instant classic and demands $1,000 PSA 10. Other modern stars whose rookies are affordable but steadily appreciate include the 2003 Topps Adrian Gonzalez at $500 PSA 10, 2006 Topps Ryan Braun at $400 PSA 10, and the 2009 Topps Strasburg at $300 PSA 10. These represent smart long term holds assuming these players’ careers continue on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
In the 2010s, big players emerged that will define the next generation, with cards that are affordable now but have immense future potential. This includes the 2011 Topps Bryce Harper at $150 PSA 10, 2012 Topps Mike Trout at $100 PSA 10, 2013 Topps Manny Machado at $75 PSA 10, 2014 Topps Kris Bryant at $50 PSA 10, and the 2015 Topps Corey Seager and 2016 Topps Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both hanging around the $25 PSA 10 mark currently. These represent the future stars and their cards at their absolute lowest prices before careers potentially take off. Investing now could yield exponential returns down the road assuming talent ultimately translates to consistent production and Superstar status.
This article only scratched the surface of the many iconic cards that make up the rich history of baseball card collecting. With each new release, new stars emerge whose cards could one day join the hallowed ranks of the most valuable cards ever made. For collectors, it’s about appreciating both the established legends of the game as well as identifying the rising talents whose cards could become the future classics. With over 160 years of history, baseball cards continue to represent the thrill of the game and connect generations of fans through the enjoyment of collecting.
