The 1967 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most historically significant issues due to the rookie cards it featured. While older 1952 Topps rookie cards of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and others command huge values today, the 1967 set launched the careers depicted on cardboard for many future Hall of Famers. Among the coveted rookie cards included in the 596-card set were Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, Thurman Munson, Otis Nixon, Bobby Grich, and Rollie Fingers.
Due to the star power and success of the players featured as rookies in 1967, several cards have emerged as the most valuable of the set and are highly sought after by serious collectors and investors. At auction, graded specimens of these select cards routinely sell for thousands, and in some cases well over six figures. Here are five of the priciest 1967 Topps cards that exemplify why the set remains such an important part of baseball card history:
Nolan Ryan Card (#166) – As one of the most dominating pitchers in baseball history with a record 7 no-hitters, Nolan Ryan’s rookie card is the clear gem of the 1967 set. Even in an ungraded near-mint condition, a Ryan RC can fetch $15,000. A PSA 9 copy sold at auction in 2018 for $49,800, while a single-owner PSA 10 specimen realized a record $127,500 in 2015. With over 5,000 strikeouts for his career, Ryan’s lasting pitching brilliance ensures this will remain one of the top five most valuable baseball cards ever produced.
Tom Seaver Card (#250) – Seaver followed up a stellar rookie season by winning the National League Rookie of the Year and went on to have a Hall of Fame career with 311 wins and a still-standing single-season record for lowest ERA. High-grade Seaver rookie cards are extremely rare, with PSA valuating a PSA 9 at $5,500 currently. In 2014, a pristine PSA 10 Seaver RC sold at auction for an astounding $188,500, reflecting “Tom Terrific’s” status among the games all-time great pitchers.
Thurman Munson Card (#526) – As captain of Billy Martin’s rowdy late-70s Yankees teams, Munson exemplified grit and leadership at catcher before his tragic death in 1979. Considered one of the best defensive catchers ever, the two-time World Series champion still ranks among the most popular Yankee cards. A PSA 9 Munson rookie brings between $2,500-4,000 today, while a lone PSA 10 specimen realized $24,000 at auction in 2017.
Reggie Jackson Card (#591) – Known as “Mr. October” for his postseason heroics, Reggie Jackson blasted 563 career home runs and posted a lifetime .262 average over 21 seasons. Jackson’s electrifying rookie season presaged a Hall of Fame career. PSA 9 copies trade around $3,000 at auction, with a near-perfect condition PSA 10 specimen reaching $19,700 in 2013.
Rollie Fingers Card (#223) – A three-time World Series champion and MVP of the 1974 Fall Classic, Fingers pioneered the use of the mustache as a fearsome intimidation tactic by closers. His unique look made him instantly recognizable even as a rookie. PSA 8 copies sell for $1,500-2,000, with a pristine gem mint PSA 10 realizing $16,250 in a 2012 Goldin Auctions sale.
While these five cards command six-figure sums in perfect condition, there remain other invaluable gems lurking in the 1967 set. Rookies like Otis Nixon, Don Wert, Bobby Grich, and even future manager Lou Piniella possess considerable value as well. The 1967 Topps issue also featured the last cards for iconic sluggers like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays before their retirements. Despite over 50 years of existence and tens of millions printed, specimens still surface in attics and basements around the country. For collectors and investors, the 1967 Topps set is cemented in the annals of the hobby due to the legends it introduced at the outset of their legendary careers. Demand for these rookie classics will surely continue for generations of fans to come.
