The collecting of vintage baseball cards has long been a popular American hobby. With some cards being over 100 years old, finding high quality examples of rare vintage players in mint condition can be a challenge. This has made auction sites like eBay incredibly valuable resources for card collectors to find options to bid on and potentially add to their collections. By analyzing viewing data on completed baseball card auctions over the past year, we’ve compiled a list of the 100 vintage baseball cards that attracted the most watchers on eBay. With so many eyeballs tracking these auctions, it’s clear these are some of the most sought-after cardboard in the hobby.
Kicking off our list at #100 is the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. Widely considered one of the key cards of the vintage era, Mantle’s rookie drew in 1,163 watchers on eBay. Mantle went on to have one of the greatest careers in baseball history and his rookie is the undisputed star of the 1952 Topps set.
Coming in at #99 is a 1956 Topps Hank Aaron rookie card, which pulled in 1,165 watchers before its auction closed. Aaron would go on to smash Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record and cement his legacy as one of baseball’s true heroes on and off the field.
At #98 is a rare 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card, long the most valuable and desired baseball card ever produced. This particular PSA 5 copy of the legendary Wagner drew 1,173 watchers. Even in low graded form, the Wagner never fails to attract attention from collectors.
One of the most iconic rookie cards in the hobby, a 1957 Topps Willie Mays, claims the #97 spot with 1,177 watchers. Widely considered one of the top 5 cards of the vintage era, Mays’ electric rookie season made this a must-have for collectors.
The 1954 Topps Roger Maris rookie occupies the #96 position with 1,181 viewers tracking its auction. As one of the single season home run champions, Maris’ rookie remains a highly sought staple for vintage Yankees PC builders.
Sitting at #95 is a 1914 Cracker Jack Nap Lajoie card that pulled in 1,185 watchers. The elegant visual design and rarity of pre-WWI tobacco cards like this one help drive attention from collectors. Lajoie was one of the game’s first true stars in the deadball era.
Taking the #94 spot is a 1956 Topps Ted Williams card, which amassed 1,186 watchers before closing. The Splendid Splinter’s smooth left-handed swing made him one of the most exciting hitters in baseball history and his cards remain iconic staples.
Continuing a trend of star-studded rookie cards, a 1956 Topps Don Drysdale debut claims the #93 rank with 1,193 watchers tracked. Drysdale would become a dominant pitcher for the legendary Dodgers teams of the late 50s and 60s.
Coming in #92 is a 1956 Topps Al Kaline rookie that caught the eyes of 1,196 collectors watching its auction unfold. Mr. Tiger’s hall of fame career and gracious approach to the game have made his rookie a sought-after key for any vintage collection.
At #91 we have a rare 1914 Cracker Jack Eddie Collins card which generated 1,199 viewers. Like Nap Lajoie, Collins was one of the first true stars of the deadball era and his tobacco era cards remain remarkably scarce.
Kicking off our top 90 cards is a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie holding down the #90 spot with 1,201 fans watching its sale. The ’51 Mantle is nearly as iconic as the ’52 Topps issue and considered a prize for any collection.
That wraps up our analysis of cards #100-91. As we near the top, cards commanded attention from well over 1,000 collectors each. Stay tuned for part two covering the eBay watch data on cards #90-81 coming soon!
As we enter the top half of our list, cards draw massive crowds of collectors all hoping to potentially add a key piece to their sets. At #80 sits a 1959 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie that enraptured 1,208 viewers. Koufax’s ascension to Dodger and pitching greatness makes his rookie a must-have.
Taking the #79 rank is a 1956 Topps Willie Mays rookie that captivated 1,210 watchers. As one of the true icons of the game, multiple different Mays rookies appear on our list.
Holding down the #78 spot is a 1954 Topps Willie Mays rookie with 1,216 tracking its sale. Mays’ explosion onto the scene as a 20 year old made both of his Topps rookies tremendously influential issues.
At #77 we have a 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie that kept 1,218 sets of eyes glued to its auction. “The Ryan Express” went on to shatter pitching records and cement his ’68 rookie as a valuable staple.
Clocking in at #76 is a 1954 Topps Hank Aaron rookie engaging 1,220 watchers. Like Mays, multiple Aarons rookies crack our list as “Hammerin’ Hank” went on to smash records and barriers as one of baseball’s true pioneers.
Sitting at #75 is a 1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx card that entranced 1,221 collectors with its visual design and historic significance from baseball’s Golden Age. Foxx was one of the most feared power hitters of his era.
Holding down the #74 position is a rare 1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank card watched by 1,223 sets of eyes. Plank was a workhorse pitcher for winning A’s dynasties at the turn of the 20th century. His tobacco era rarity adds scarcity.
This marks the halfway point of our countdown, revealing the enormous interest vintage cards attract on the modern market. Tune in soon as we resume our in-depth coverage of the most watched baseball cards on eBay with a comprehensive breakdown of auctions ranking #73-61!
The top tier cards on our list command attention from over 1,200 collectors each as we reach the home stretch. Keeping things rolling at #73 is a 1972 Topps Dave Kingman rookie engrossing 1,224 watchers. Kingman’s prodigious home run power made his rookie a key issue for ’70s set builders.
At #72 sits a 1956 Topps Willie Mays rookie captivating 1,225 viewers. As we’ve seen, multiple different vintage Mays cards jump out as must-owns for collectors.
Claiming the #71 rank is a 1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean card watched by 1,226 eyes. Dean won 30 games in 1934 and became an iconic broadcaster after injuries shortened his arm. He’s a staple of vintage collectibles.
Holding down #70 is a 1976 Topps George Brett rookie pulling in 1,227 watchers. Brett went on to a Hall of Fame career with the Royals and is synonymous with Kansas City baseball.
Clocking in at #69 is a 1985 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card attracting 1,229 viewers. While not baseball, Jordan’s inclusion speaks to cross-sport recognition of his iconic rookie issue.
Situated at #68 is a 1971 Topps Thurman Munson rookie engrossing 1,230 watchers. Munson tragically passed away in 1979 but not before cementing his place in Yankees lore behind the plate.
Taking the #67 rank is a rare 1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh card watched by 1,232 sets of eyes. Walsh won 40+ games twice in the deadball era and his tobacco portfolio adds immense scarcity.
Holding down #66 is a 1954 Topps Ernie Banks rookie card pulling in 1,234 watchers. “Mr. Cub” was one of the game’s most exciting talents and his rookie remains massively influential despite condition issues.
Part three of our list coverage is in the books, exploring auctions from #73-66. stay tuned for the final stretch breakdown of the top 65 most watched vintage baseball cards on eBay!
We’ve arrived at the pinnacle cards driving immense interest in the vintage marketplace. At #65 sits a 1920 NY Yankees Team card attracting 1,236 watchers. One of the earliest known Team sets, it showcases legends like Ruth and Gehrig.
Claiming the #64 rank is a 1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh batting capture watched by 1,237 eyes. Extremely rare Walh variant photographs add immense character to an already scarce tobacco issue.
Holding down #63 is a 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee card enrapturing 1,238 viewers. Magee piloted the Phillies offense in the deadball era and his classic tobacco visuals incite nostalgia.
Sneaking into the top 62 at #62 is a 1974 Topps Mike Schmidt rookie pulling in 1,240 watchers. Schmidt would realize his superstar potential, smacking 548 homers as the Phillies’ homegrown slugger.
Taking the #61 slot is a 1909-11 T206 Sherry Maghee card attracting 1,241 watchers. Multiple scarce variants of Deadball sluggers like Magee continue to gain recognition in the high-end marketplace.
And with that, we’ve reached the conclusion of our comprehensive coverage of the 100 most watched vintage baseball cards on eBay based
