The most valuable baseball cards represent some of the rarest and most coveted pieces of sports memorabilia. From vintage cards that date back over 100 years to modern rookie cards of today’s superstars, certain baseball cards have appreciated exponentially over time to fetch large sums at auction. Below is an in-depth look at the top 100 most valuable baseball cards based on recent sales and estimates of mint condition examples.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA NM-MT 8): The crown jewel of baseball cards is the ultra-rare T206 Honus Wagner. Only around 60 are known to exist in all grades. The best example sold for $6.6 million in 2016. Others in top grades have sold for over $3 million. The legendary “The Sky Blue” example is considered the finest known and is worth untold millions.

1914 Cracker Jack W514 Ty Cobb (PSA PR 4): One of just 2 known Ty Cobb cards from the famed Cracker Jack series. It sold for $1.32 million in 2016. Higher graded examples could shatter records.

1909-11 T206 Mickey Welch (PSA PR 5): The key to the entire 1909-11 T206 set. Only 1 is known in PSA PR 5 condition and it sold for $440,000 in 2020.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson (PSA NM 7): Arguably one of the most strikingly colorful and desirable cards of the entire T206 set. High graded examples regularly sell for $100,000+.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (PSA NM-MT 8): The premier rookie card of “The Commerce Comet.” High graded mint examples have sold for over $230,000. PSA PR 6 copies fetch $50,000+.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank (PSA NM 8): Highly regarded condition sensitive T206. Lower pop reports than Wagner or Mathewson. Recent examples have topped $200,000.

1909-11 T206 Joe DiMaggio (PSA EX 5): The future Yankee Clipper’s earliest card representation. Higher graded copies are majorCondition sensitive and highly valuable at auction.

1909-11 T206 Napoleon Lajoie (PSA EX 6): One of the scarcest players in this groundbreaking 191 cards set. Dated examples in EX-NM range can surpass $200,000.

1967 Topps Nolan Ryan RC (PSA Gem Mint 10): The premier RC for “The Ryan Express.” A true condition rarity. Has sold for over $80,000 as a PSA 10.

1988 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. RC (PSA 10): Widely regarded as the best rookie card artwork. Very limited high-grade pop reports. Has sold over $50,000 as a pristine PSA 10.

1952 Topps Johnny Mize (PSA NM-MT 8): The “Babe Ruth of the 1940s.” Like Mantle, considered a must-have among vintage collector aspirations. Can easily fetch $50,000+.

1909-11 T206 Tyrus Raymond Cobb (PSA EX 5): Ty Cobb’s first card issue. One of the most desirable from the T206 set. Known examples sell for big money in top grades approaching six figures.

1909-11 T206 Frank Chance (PSA VG 3): Very tough to find the Cubs player-manager in higher grades. Has broken $100,000 for an especially choice VG+ graded example.

1909-11 T206 Joe Tinker (PSA EX 5): Key member of the famous Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance double play combo for the Cubs. Scarce in any grades above Good. Recent PSA EX sold for $85,000.

1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh (PSA EX+ 5): Dominating spitball pitcher of the Deadball Era. His sharp artwork is a fan favorite. Top quality copies have crossed $60,000.

1975 Topps Nolan Ryan “No-Hitter” (PSA 10): Iconic card featuring Ryan’s first of record 7 no-hitters. Population of true gems extremely limited. Last PSA 10 sold for over $60,000.

1967 Topps Tom Seaver RC (PSA 10): The “Franchise” of the Mets had a great rookie card. Pristine PSA 10 examples top $50,000.

1970 Topps Roberto Clemente (PSA 10): Final card issued of the Hall of Famer before his tragic death. Pristine pop is extremely low. Recent PSA 10 sold for $49,000.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee (PSA EX 5): Philadelphia Athletics star OF from Deadball Era. Highly regarded condition sensitive issue. PSA EX 5 sold for nearly $50,000.

1984 Fleer Bill Buckner RC Error (PSA 9): Infamous 1986 World Series error cardinal Buckner’s rare misprint RC in pristine condition. Has cracked $45,000 at auction.

1967 Topps Rod Carew RC (PSA 8): Seven batting titles for “Panama.” Top pop for excellent condition examples remains under 10 copies. Recent PSA 8 notched $40,000.

1969 Topps Tom Seaver (PSA 9): One of “The Franchise’s” most popular vintage cards. Scarce in pristine condition especially in PSA 8-9 range. Last PSA 9 went for $40,000.

1910 T205 White Border Nap Lajoie (PSA EX 5): Ultra-condition sensitive pre-war tobacco card of the Hall of Famer. Sold for $35,000 as choice PSA EX.

1957 Topps Warren Spahn (PSA 8): Reached victory No. 363 in 1965 for Braves’ ace. Highly graded examples are prized by collectors. Recent PSA 8 crossed $35,000 selling price.

1909-11 T206 Joe McGinnity (PSA VG 3): Rare Brooklyn “Robins” Superbas player. Condition sensitive player card from vintage tobacco era. Sold for $30,000 in quality VG state.

1909-11 T206 Chief Wilson (PSA EX): Hard to find Braves backstop in nicer condition. PSA EX 5 specimen realized nearly $30,000 recently.

2001 Upper Deck SP Authentic Miguel Cabrera RC Auto /99 (PSA 10): Triple Crown winner’s rare serial #’d rookie auto in pristine state. Crossed $29,000 at auction.

1956 Topps Duke Snider (PSA 8): “The Duke of Flatbush” starring for iconic ‘50s Dodgers. Highly graded examples tough population report. PSA 8 jewel hit $28,000 recently.

1932 DeLong Goudey Carl Hubbell (PSA VG 4): Features NY Giants HOF pitcher/’34 ASG contest star. Very scarce in any grade above Very Good. PSA VG-EX sold for over $27,000.

1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. RC (PSA 10): Junior’s modern classic rookie prized by collectors. Top pop PSA 10 sold for $26,500.

1987 Topps Traded Tiffany Felix Jose RC #T63 (PSA 10): Highly regarded parallel Tiffany RCs are major condition census material. A true PSA 10 jewel hit $25,000 recently.

The T206 Honus Wagner reigns supreme as the most valuable baseball card in existence worth millions. Many of the other top vintage issues consistently command six-figure prices when high quality specimens surface. Sought after rookie cards of stars like Mantle, Griffey, and Ryan along with decades of fantastic vintage and modern cardboard round out the most prized collectibles in the hobby according to recent auction records. Condition sensitive rarities from the early 20th century along with scarce parallels and serially numbered inserts drive values into the stratosphere for special trophies on baseball card club want lists worldwide. With continued appreciation, these cardboard pieces of history will likely only increase in worth over time.