The 1970 Topps baseball card set marked the beginning of a new decade in both baseball and the hobby of baseball card collecting. While it may not carry the same cachet as some earlier sets from the 1950s and 1960s, the 1970 Topps issue featured many hall of fame players and rookie cards that have stood the test of time in terms of value. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1970 baseball cards today based on PSA 10 Gem Mint condition prices.
One of the true prize cards from the 1970 set is the Nolan Ryan rookie card. As one of the greatest strikeout pitchers of all time, Ryan carved out a legendary 27-year career that saw him rack up over 5,000 strikeouts, seven no-hitters, and be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. His rookie card remained quite scarce in high grades for many years. A PSA 10 example sold for $49,800 back in 2019, showing strong ongoing demand due to Ryan’s iconic status in the game. This sits atop the 1970 value chart as the most all players in the set.
Another valuable rookie card is Reggie Jackson’s. Known as “Mr. October” for his clutch playoff heroics, Jackson slugged 563 career home runs and was a five-time World Series champion. He was inducted into Cooperstown in 1993. Recently a PSA 10 Jackson rookie sold for $22,440 in late 2020. This ranks as the #2 card from the 1970 set in terms of value for collectors.
Rounding out the top three is Joe Morgan’s rookie card. A second baseman, Morgan was a two-time league MVP who hit .271 for his career. He led the Cincinnati Reds to back-to-back World Series championships in 1975-76. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990, Morgan’s sharp defensive play and on-base skills make him one of the greatest second basemen ever. A pristine PSA 10 example of his 1970 Topps rookie fetched $21,850 at auction in 2018.
One league MVP whose rookie card retains strength is Johnny Bench. The catcher for the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds teams, Bench was a monster offensive force from behind the plate. In a career spanning from 1967-1983, he bashed 389 home runs and drove in 1,376 RBI while cruising to two MVP awards in 1970 and 1972. Elected to Cooperstown in 1989 on the first ballot, a PSA 10 Bench rookie card sold for $15,600 back in 2020. Adding to its luster is the card’s colorful Reds design from Topps’ 1970 set.
Rounding out the top five most valuable 1970 rookie cards is Tom Seaver’s. Known as “Tom Terrific” and “The Franchise”, Seaver was among the most dominating pitchers of the late 1960s and 1970s. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner strung together twelve consecutive 200+ inning seasons and racked up 311 career wins and 3,640 strikeouts across 20 big league seasons. Enshrined in Cooperstown in 1992, Seaver’s impressive career and on-field leadership make his rookie a key piece for collectors. Recent sales of a PSA 10 example brought in $14,400 at auction.
1970 also saw the rookie cards of Hall of Fame third basemen George Brett and Mike Schmidt debut. Brett was the career .305 hitter who led the Kansas City Royals to the 1985 World Series title. Enshrined in the Hall in 1999, his 1970 Topps RC sold for $11,100 in PSA 10 condition. Schmidt hit 548 home runs with 1,595 RBI and was the 1980 NL MVP who guided the Philadelphia Phillies to the 1980 World Series crown. Inducted in 1995, a PSA 10 Schmidt rookie brought in $10,640 at auction in 2020.
More 1970 rookie cards demonstrating strong ongoing collector demand in top grades include Rod Carew ($6,960 PSA 10 sale price), Phil Niekro ($5,760), Rick Wise ($4,920), and Bobby Grich ($4,800). Carew was a .328 career hitter who won 7 batting titles and racked up 3,053 hits en route to Hall of Fame induction in 1991. Knuckleballer Niekro notched 318 career wins and 5,404 strikeouts across 24 seasons in the bigs. Righty Rick Wise tossed two no-hitters and took the Phillies to the 1971 pennant. Second baseman Grich was a 5-time Gold Glove winner and key part of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty in the 1970s.
There are also superstar veteran cards that hold substantial appeal in 1970 Topps high grades. One is Hank Aaron’s, whose pursuit and breaking of Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record was a national phenomenon. The “Hammerin’ Hank” finished his illustrious 23-year career with 755 home runs, making him baseball’s home run king. His 1970 Topps card in PSA 10 shape sold for $9,840.
Another star of the 1969 “Miracle” Mets that still garners big bids is Tom Seaver. Driving the Amazins’ to a shocking World Series over the powerful Baltimore Orioles, Seaver’s dominance on the hill made his 1970 Topps card highly collectible. A perfect 10 grade example changed hands for $7,920. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was still known as Lew Alcindor when his 1970 Topps basketball card was issued. The iconic big man’s debut hoops card ranks among the most valuable from that ABA/NBA set at $7,680 PSA 10.
The 1970 Topps baseball card set featured numerous Hall of Famers and stars that are remembered to this day among collectors and fans alike. Rookie cards like Nolan Ryan and Reggie Jackson headline the most expensive offerings in top condition. Veterans like Aaron, Seaver and Bench continue to excite the hobby as well. The 1970 issue demonstrated the bright future ahead for the sport while paying homage to established heroes of the past – making it a classic in the realm of vintage baseball memorabilia more than 50 years later.
