The 1964 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby. It marked the company’s seventh year of producing baseball cards and contained cards of all 20 MLB teams from that season. 1964 also saw the introduction of team logos being featured prominently on the cards. With its historical significance and the star players it captured during the heart of the 60s baseball era, the 1964 Topps set remains an incredibly popular vintage collection for enthusiasts.
When it comes to determining the value of these classic cards, the Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) price guide is one of the leading authoritative resources. As the most prominent third-party grading service, PSA has established population reports and assigned numerical grades to virtually every 1964 Topps card issue over the past few decades. This provides collectors with reliable market data on condition scarcity and establishes benchmark prices for mint condition specimens.
Let’s take a closer look at some key 1964 Topps individual player cards and examine where their PSA-graded values are currently sitting according to the guide:
Mickey Mantle ( Yankee #1): Even as one of the most iconic players in baseball history, finding high-grade Mantle rookies from his original Topps years is exceedingly rare. In a PSA Gem Mint 10 condition, this card has an estimated value of $150,000-$200,000 based on recent sale comps. Even a PSA 9 copy in Near Mint-Mint condition can fetch $25,000-$35,000.
Willie Mays (San Francisco Giant #5): Like Mantle, an authentic PSA 10 Mays ’64 is basically unobtainable for most collectors. The PSA guide lists a price guide of $90,000-$125,000. In a PSA 9, it’s valued around $15,000- $20,000 still making it one of the more expensive modern era cards.
Hank Aaron ( Milwaukee Brave #250): Before breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, Aaron was already arguably baseball’s top slugger in the early 60s. PSA 10 copies have sold in excess of $20,000, with a PSA 9 around $3,000- $5,000 based on the guide.
Sandy Koufax (Los Angeles Dodger #257): The legendary lefty’s impressive career stats are only part of what makes his 1964 Topps card legendary. A pristine PSA 10 is valued between $15,000- $25,000 depending on bidding wars. Most examples trade in the $3,000 to $7,000 range when graded PSA 9.
Roberto Clemente (Pittsburgh Pirate #315): As one of the game’s first true Latin American superstars, Clemente’s impact goes beyond his on-field excellence. His 1964 Topps PSA 10 is estimated around $8,000-$12,000, with most PSA 9s in the $2,000- $4,000 range according to the guide.
Harmon Killebrew (Minnesota Twin #345): “Killer” was just starting to enter his prime power stroke years in 1964. High-grade examples fetch a solid price given his iconic status. PSA 10s are around $4,000-$6,000 with most PSA 9s in the $1,500- $2,500 range.
In addition to star rookies and hall of fame talents, there are also several key common short prints and tougher cards that command strong values when higher grades are earned:
Jim Bunning (Philadelphia Phillie #168): This card has long been one of the set’s most significant short prints. PSA 9 copies typically sell between $1,000- $1,500 with a PSA 10 possibly reaching $2,500.
Dick Groat (Pittsburgh Pirate #271): Another tough SP to obtain, Groat’s PSA 9s generally trade hands for $500-700. A pristine PSA 10 could double that figure.
Pete Rose (Cincinnati Red #376): While not scarce, high grades on early Rose cards are desirable. PSA 9s are $300-400 range with a 10 potentially reaching $800-1000.
Phil Linz (New York Met #488): The “rock and roll” backup infielder’s photo made this one of the true oddball short prints. PSA 9 price is around $300-500 depending on buyer interest.
When using the PSA price guide as a barometer, those 1964 Topps cards that have earned the prestigious black label designation in a PSA 10 can range in price from well over $100,000 down to a few hundred dollars depending on the historical significance and scarcity of the individual player issue. Even PSA-graded 9s still Command thousands based on their iconic status from baseball’s 1960s heyday. Condition is everything for this beloved set.
