The 1968 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues of all time. While it may not produce the same astronomical prices as some earlier vintage sets, several key 1968 cards remain highly valuable due to the players featured and their condition. For collectors looking to potentially find monetary value in older cards, here are some of the top 1968s to keep an eye out for.
One of the most coveted and expensive 1968s is the Nolan Ryan rookie card. While he wasn’t recognized as the Ryan Express yet, this was the first Topps issue to feature the future strikeout king. High grade versions of this pivotal card in PSA Gem Mint 10 or SGC 10 condition can surpass $20,000. Even well-centered examples graded PSA 8-9 still sell for thousands. Not all rookie cards are created equal though. For example, the Tim Cullen and Jose Pena rookie cards are quite common and only worth around $5-10 even in top grades.
Hall of Famer Hank Aaron’s 1968 card is another highly valuable option from this set. As one of the most respected power hitters in MLB history and the all-time home run leader at the time of printing, collectors prize his cards. Graded PSA 10 specimens have cracked $10,000, with PSA 9s and 8s still carrying four-figure values. Another future hall of famer, Reggie Jackson, also has a sought-after 1968 issue while playing for the Athletics. Higher graded versions are still sought by devotees of Mr. October.
Condition sensitive 1960s Topps cards are especially challenging to grade, so solid eyes are needed to assess centering, edges, and surface quality. Error cards, oddball parallel printing varieties, and prominent image changes compared to the common versions provide additional opportunities. The Orlando Cepeda card featuring him in a Pirates uniform is an example versus the standard issue showing him as an Athletic. Other outliers to watch for could feature inadvertent color shifts, team name placement mistakes, and missing facsimile autographs.
When it comes to the big stars that carried Topps sales, few loomed larger than Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. Their 1968 cards are crucial centerpieces for advanced collectors. Mantle’s longstanding status as the Mick and iconic switch-hitter photograph make his one of the true Americana hockey players. For consistent strong grades above eight, they can realize over $1,000 each still. Superficially clean Mint 9 examples have even surpassed $5,000 at auction when interest was high. Conversely, Willie Mays’ more common pose and playing career kept prices from reaching similar heights once graded.
Two other Hall of Famers with popular 1968s are Brooks Robinson and Roberto Clemente. As vital cogs for their respective championship franchises, demand endures for Robinson’s Orioles card and Clemente’s Pirates issue. Robinson cards above a grade of eight commonly sell for hundreds, with nine achieving over $1,000. Meanwhile, high grade Clemente cards reflecting “The Great One’s” accomplishments have broken the four-figure ceiling. Both remain attainable options for aficionados of 1960s baseball and the players’ legacies on excellent condition cards.
A dark horse that can pay off is spotting a Jim Lonborg card in pristine condition. While not a household name today, Lonborg took AL Cy Young honors that year after hurling a no-hitter for Boston. Finding his card well-centered with sharp corners and surfaces could yield lofty returns of over $1,000 in top grades due to his breakout season and limited subsequent output. Other potential condition-based gems include Roy White’s Yankee rookie, Ken Harrelson’s Red Sox card, or Dennis Bennett’s pitching changeDodgers issue.
The 1968 set overall boasts an iconic design with a vertical action photo format still fondly remembered today. With 792 total cards issued, there are also plenty of opportunities for completing the rainbow parallel print runs in their various hues for obsessive OCD collectors. While the biggest rarities may require a lofty investment, keeping an eye out for the top rookies, stars and errors can unearth hidden value still for savvy vintage hunters on a budget. With high grading coveted too, scouring shows, auctions and shops remains the surest way finding that valuable sought-after 1968 card to turn a profit.
The 1968 Topps baseball card set maintains strong collector interest thanks to the prominent rookie introductions, Hall of Famers, and breakout players featured within its 792 total cards. While condition is paramount for maximizing returns, top rookies like Nolan Ryan and stars from Willie Mays to Hank Aaron continue producing four-figure values. Meanwhile, error variants remain a fun chase. With patience and scrutiny, valuable hidden gems could still emerge after over 50 years to reward vintage enthusiasts in this iconic vintage issue.
