1955 was a noteworthy year for Topps baseball cards as it was the company’s first serious foray into the modern baseball card collecting hobby. The 1955 Topps set featured a mix of classic design elements and color photography that set it apart from competitors at the time like Bowman. It also helped establish Topps as the dominant force in the trading card industry that it remains today.

Given its historical significance and attractive vintage aesthetic, 1955 Topps cards have remained highly sought after by collectors for decades. As with any desirable vintage set, the condition and grade of individual 1955 Topps cards plays a huge role in their value. That’s where PSA comes in with their detailed population report and established price guide for the 1955 Topps set.

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is widely regarded as the gold standard for third-party card grading. They examine cards under bright lights and powerful magnification to meticulously analyze every aspect of the card’s condition from the centering to the surface and edges. Each card receives a numerical grade on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being mint condition and 1 being poor.

Unsurprisingly, PSA 10 Gem Mint specimens of most 1955 Topps cards command astronomical sums given how rare perfect condition is for 66 year old cardboard. But even lesser grades can hold substantial value depending on the player and scarcity at that grade level. Let’s dive deeper into some key 1955 Topps PSA population stats and estimated prices:

Mickey Mantle (card #253): There are currently only 45 PSA 10 Mantle rookie cards in existence out of thousands submitted over the decades. Gem Mint 10s typically sell for $300,000-$500,000. PSA 9s in the $50,000-$100,000 range are not uncommon. Even an average PSA 8 still fetches $10,000-$20,000.

Willie Mays (card #258): With 82 PSA 10 examples, the Mays rookie is slightly more obtainable in top condition than Mantle but still extremely rare. 10s trade hands for $150,000-$250,000 regularly. Top 9s bring $25,000-$50,000 and mid-grade 8s around $8,000-$15,000.

Hank Aaron (card #78): Not a true rookie but still highly collectible as Aaron’s first Topps issue. Pop reports show 112 PSA 10s extant. Perfect 10 coins come in around $50,000-$75,000 on average while top 9s are $15,000-$25,000 and choice 8s around $5,000-$10,000.

Ted Williams (card #154): Another hugely iconic player but in higher pop than the above. There are 677 PSA 10 Williams cards out there currently. 10s still sell extremely well in the $15,000-$25,000 range usually. Near Mint 9s are $3,000-$7,000 and Nice Mint 8s around $1,000-$2,000.

Bob Feller (card #167): The “Rapid Robert” card provides another rare but attainable star rookie option. PSA reports 175 Perfect 10 Fellers. Top grade specimens reach $10,000-$15,000. PSA 9s go for $2,000-$4,000 and above average PSA 8s are $500-$1,000.

Duke Snider (card #121): Snider’s rookie saw 264 cards achieve PSA’s highest status. 10s sell reliably for $5,000-$8,000. Impressive 9s are worth $1,000-$2,000 and above average 8s around $300-$500.

Beyond the star rookies and iconic veterans, many other 1955 Topps regular commons and lessers show solid values too depending on grade. Even run-of-the-mill ungraded 1955s in average circulated condition still maintain demand and sell easily for $20-$50 each.

The sheer desirability and nostalgia for 1955 Topps, combined with PSA’s authentication dominance, means the set’s population report provides an indispensable benchmark for sellers and collectors alike when assessing condition and estimating fair prices. With rarer high grades (9-10) appreciating rapidly even in recent years, the 1955 issue remains one of the most widely collected and investment-grade vintage baseball sets. Collectors would be wise to monitor PSA prices closely for this quintessential piece of card hobby history.