The 1972 Topps baseball card set is highly collectible and valuable among collectors and investors. The set consists of 712 total cards including 660 base cards and 52 parallelcards that featured stars from the 1971 season. The design of the 1972 set featured a colorful border and action photography of each player. Some of the biggest stars featured included Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente in his final season before his tragic death, Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, and Nolan Ryan among many others.
In recent years, as the vintage baseball card market has really taken off, the 1972 Topps set has grown in popularity and demand. This has caused values of high-grade classic and rare cards from the set to steadily increase. When evaluating a 1972 Topps card, there are several factors that determine its potential value such as the player featured, the card’s condition or grade, and any special parallel cards. Below is an overview and price guide for some of the most valuable and sought after 1972 Topps baseball cards:
The crown jewel card of the set is the #660 Roberto Clemente card, featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates’ right fielder and future Hall of Famer. Tragically, Clemente died in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Due to the timing of his passing so soon after his final season featured on this card, the #660 Roberto Clemente is one of the most iconic and desirable vintage cards ever produced. In gem mint condition graded MINT 9 or higher by professional grading companies like PSA or BGS, the #660 Clemente routinely fetches tens of thousands of dollars. In a PSA MINT 9 condition, it would be worth $40,000-$50,000. An even higher graded PSA GEM MT 10 example could sell for $75,000 or more.
Another legendary star and perennial home run hitter featured prominently in the 1972 set is #637 Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves. Having broken Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record in the previous season that these cards depict, Aaron’s cards from this period are extremely valuable. A PSA GEM MT 10 graded #637 Hank Aaron card could be valued upwards of $15,000 today. High grade PSA 9 or BGS 9.5 examples would range from $7,500-$12,000.
One of the biggest stars of the 1970s who truly broke out as a superstar slugger in 1972 was Reggie Jackson of the Oakland A’s, known by his nickname “Mr. October” for his clutch postseason hitting. His popular high number #660 card is extremely sought after. A pristine PSA 10 #660 Reggie Jackson could reach $6,000-$8,000. Very high grade PSA 9 or BGS 9.5 examples sell for $3,000-$5,000.
Hall of Fame pitchers are also highly collectible from the 1972 set. Tom Seaver’s dominant season leading the Mets is captured on his #583 card. A PSA 10 would be worth $3,000 at minimum, while a solid PSA 9 could sale for $2,000-$2,500. Nolan Ryan in the midst of his early dominant seasons with the Angels is featured on card #634. A PSA 10 commands $1,500-$2,000, and a high grade PSA 9 is $1,000-$1,500.
Notable rookies included in the 1972 set that have increased in value are #560 future Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett of the Kansas City Royals and #649 future 300-game winner Mike Mussina as a member of the unaffiliated Montclair High School. A high-grade PSA 9 version of either card would bring $500-800 each. Lower grade examples still hold value in the $150-$300 range.
Among the parallel cards included in the 1972 set, the most valuable are the “traded” cards featuring players that switched teams in the off-season. Notable examples are #T98 Nolan Ryan (now with the California Angels after being traded from the Mets), #T108 Ed Crosby (traded from the A’s to the Indians), and #T126 Frank Robinson (traded from the Dodgers to the Angels after just one season in L.A). High graded PSA 9 or BGS 9.5 versions of these popular parallel cards can reach $300-$500 each.
Overall condition and grading is crucial to determine value when assessing 1972 Topps baseball cards. Even popular common cards of superstars like #575 Johnny Bench or #552 Joe Morgan in lower grades MSNMT 6 or 7 hold value of $30-75 per card. But like most vintage sets, higher grades unlock significantly more worth. A full complete set in lower grades may only be worth $1,000-$2,000 total. A flawless PSA 10 or BGS Black Label complete rainbow set could potentially sell for six figures or more given the iconic photos, memorable players featured, and growing collector demand for cards from the early 1970s.
The 1972 Topps set endures as one of the most popular and fascinating sets to collect from the vintage era. Cards like the legendary final season Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron breaking the home run record remain iconic pieces of baseball history frozen in cardboard that continue to gain in value as more collectors seek to own special examples from this classic set that captured the sights and sounds of America’s Pastime in 1972. Proper preservation, grading, and researching a card’s specific story can unlock its highest potential price when selling or adding to a treasured collection.
