The 1972 Topps baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the 1970s. With 714 total cards printed, the ‘72 Topps offering featured many of the game’s biggest stars from that era and stands as a great snapshot of the talent level in Major League Baseball at that time. While not the most rare set overall, there are certainly some standout individual cards from 1972 that can fetch huge sums when in pristine condition. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the high-value 1972 Topps cards worth chasing after.
One of the true holy grails from the 1972 set that can bring six figure prices is the Nolan Ryan rookie card (#85). Widely considered one of the most desirable rookie cards in the hobby, high-grade Nolan Ryan ’72s are extraordinarily rare to find in circulation. In a PSA 9 state, one of these cards recently sold for over $650,000, showing just how coveted it is by enthusiasts. Another huge star with an extremely valuable rookie in 1972 is Johnny Bench. Bench, who won Rookie of the Year and MVP honors that season, has a card (#212) that is also exceptionally difficult to find well-centered and in high grade. A PSA 8 copy sold for around $150,000 in October of 2021, underscoring its tremendous demand.
Some other iconic singles from 1972 that can potentially fetch over $10,000 in Gem Mint condition include Fred Lynn (#93), George Foster (#97), Jim Palmer (#206), Thurman Munson (#370), and Rollie Fingers (#593). But there are plenty more affordable options as well. For example, Reggie Jackson’s card (#267) has sold in the $2,000-$4,000 range in PSA 9 or the rare PSA 10. Likewise, Pete Rose (#462) and Joe Morgan (#576) both trade hands for $2,000-$3,000+ in top grades. Even mainstream stars like Rusty Staub (#607) and Tommy John (#661) can exceed $1,000 in PSA 9.
Beyond the big league rookies and biggest names, some modern stars actually debuted in the minors in 1972 Topps as well. Cards to watch for include Cal Ripken Jr (#587), Tony Gwynn (#579), Mark McGwire (#623), and Paul Molitor (#663), who all started their journey to Cooperstown with their first cardboard appearances here. These aren’t exactly chase cards for high values necessarily, but they represent their earliest printed versions which adds to the historical significance and collectability.
When it comes to team sets and subsets, there are also noteworthy cards to monitor. For the Mets, completing the full 25-man team set (#601-#625) in high grade becomes quite an expensive endeavor. Similarly, tracking down the complete Oakland A’s roster (#448-#472) or Cincinnati Reds lineup (#541-#565) is no small task at the top levels. For special subsets, the all-star cards (#515-#542) are always desirable completed. And for playoff heroes or stars of old, getting Ernie Banks (#23) or Roberto Clemente (#95) in pristine shape provides prestige.
Of course, condition is everything when determining value for vintage cards like those in the 1972 Topps set. Anything that shows significant wear, creases, cuts or other flaws is going to be worth a fraction of a similar copy in top shape. The true markers of value are grades of Mint 9 or Gem Mint 10 from services like PSA and SGC. For common players, even 8.5s and 9s can bump their worth up substantially if they are true “MTs” (minty fresh). This is why low pop reports on census trackers correlate so well with the cost—scarcity of quality examples directly impacts what collectors are willing to pay.
While the marquee rookies and stars represent a tall order in terms of price, hunting for solid condition versions of mid-tier veterans, role players and young prospects is still a worthy endeavor for 1972 Topps collectors on a budget. Names to look out for in the $100-$300 range if centered and crisp include Gary Carter, Tommy Davis, Willie Horton, Bobby Grich, Willie McCovey, Lou Brock, and more. Every card in the set has a place and purpose in somebody’s collection, so exploring the whole 714 card checklist provides something for any level of hobbyist or investor. 1972 was certainly one of the more exciting and compelling years overall for baseball cards.
The 1972 Topps set remains both historically significant and highly collectible even 50 years after its original printing. While the elite rookie cards may sit firmly out of reach for most collectors price-wise, there are still plenty of cards from ’72 that hold real monetary value–especially in premium condition. For anyone looking to chase vintage cardboard with strong potential for future appreciation, targeting some of the key cards featured in this issue could prove a smart addition to their portfolio over the long run. With a mix of iconic stars and unknown prospects alike, 1972 Topps captured lightning in a bottle and created cards that continue capturing the imagination of collectors half a century later.
