The 1970 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. While it may lack the starpower and design flair of some other vintage sets, the 1970 Topps cards hold cultural significance as documenting one of the biggest seasons in Major League Baseball. That summer of 1970 was monumental, as the Cincinnati Reds dynasty continued to dominate on the way to their second consecutive World Series title. It was also a pivotal year in the racial integration of professional baseball, with more Black players achieving success in both leagues than ever before.
Nearly 50 years later, the 1970 Topps cards remain a staple in virtually every serious collector’s portfolio. While the set as a whole has maintained strong demand and appreciation over the decades, certain high-grade, key rookie cards have emerged as true crown jewels for set completers and investors alike. Today, we will examine the five 1970 Topps cards that are currently valued the most in the market based on population data and recent auction prices.
In the Number 1 spot is without question the most iconic rookie card in all of sports collectibles – Nolan Ryan’s 1970 Topps card. Featured prominently in the high-number series with his #556 designation, Ryan’s rookie is the undisputed king of the 1970 set. In pristine mint condition, graded Gem Mint 10 by professional authentication services like PSA or BGS, examples of Nolan Ryan’s rookie have recently sold at auction for well over $100,000. Even well-centered, sharply-printed copies in lower grades of NM-MT 8 still command several thousand dollars. What makes Ryan’s rookie so highly sought is not just his eventual Hall of Fame career statistics and longevity records, but also the fact that he was relatively unknown entering his first full MLB season in 1970. Very few were saved or high-graded at the time of issue, making true mint Nolan Ryan rookies among the most valuable vintage cards period.
Holding down the Number 2 spot is another future Hall of Famer and one of the game’s true icons – Reggie Jackson’s 1970 Topps rookie card. Like Ryan, Jackson’s first Topps issue saw him as a relatively unknown prospect just starting to blossom in the majors in 1969-1970. High-grade Reggie Jackson rookies in PSA 9-10 condition have sold for $30,000-$50,000 in recent years. There is no question “Mr. October’s” playing career accomplishments and legend status have contributed greatly to the value of his coveted first card. Even well-centered copies in lower grades still demand four-figure price tags.
Coming in as the third most valuable 1970 Topps card is Thurman Munson’s rookie. As the stalwart Yankees catcher throughout the 1970s, Munson went on to capture three World Series rings and two Gold Gloves before his tragic death in 1979 . His leadership was integral to the Yankees’ success in that era. High-end Thurman Munson rookies have sold in the $15,000-$25,000 range when offered PSA 9-10. Though not quite as legendary as Jackson or as statistically dominant as Ryan, Munson’s excellence and tragedy still make his rookie an anchoring card for any Yankees or 1970 Topps collection.
The fourth spot amongst 1970 Topps most valuable belongs to another all-time pitching great – Tom Seaver’s card. Seaver had already begun etching his name in Cooperstown by 1970 after back-to-back near-300 strikeout seasons and Cy Young Awards, but his first Topps issue remains a standout. In pristine condition with a PSA 10 or BGS 9.5+ grade, Seaver rookies have topped $10,000 at auction. Even well-centered copies offered in the 8.5-9 range still pull in four figures. Few pitchers ever dominated the way Seaver did, cementing his Topps rookie as a blue-chip vintage card decades later.
Rounding out the top five is Chicago Cubs sensation Fergie Jenkins’ 1970 Topps rookie card. Having just completed his breakout 20-win Cy Young campaign in 1969, Jenkins was already amongst the game’s elite starting pitchers so early in his career. High-grade Fergie Jenkins rookies in PSA 9-10 condition sell regularly for $6,000-$10,000 today. Limited population combined with Jenkins’ Hall of Fame playing career and the inherent scarcity of true vintage Cubs stars make this one a real contender for seven-figure status long-term, especially if he continues winning awards like the 2019 Buck O’Neil Lifetime Achievement Award that further raise his career profile.
While the 1970 Topps checklist lacks some of the biggest name recognition of other decades, the combination of rookie cards for legends like Ryan, Jackson, Munson, Seaver, and Jenkins – alongside the larger cultural context of that pivotal year in baseball history – have cemented this set among the most coveted and valuable in the hobby. True gem mint copies of those five rookies especially often settle into the five-figure territory and beyond, truly making them crown jewels for dedicated 1970 Topps completionists and investors. Nearly 50 years later, 1970 Topps endures as one of the true benchmark rookies and stars issues in all of sports collecting.
