Baseball cards have long been a popular collectible item for both kids and adults. While common cards from recent years may only be worth a dollar or two, there are certain vintage and rare cards that can fetch enormous prices at auction. As the hobby of card collecting has grown over the decades, so too have the values of the most coveted pieces of cardboard. Here are 25 baseball cards that are now worth a small fortune according to recent sales and industry experts.
1909 T206 Honus Wagner – The poster boy for valuable baseball cards is the ultra-rare 1909 T206 Honus Wagner. Only about 60 are known to exist in varying conditions. The highest price ever paid for one was $6.6 million in 2016. Even low-grade examples can sell for over $1 million.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The first Topps card of the Mick is arguably the most desirable post-war card. High-grade versions have sold for well over $1 million, with one mint PSA 10 copy making $2.88 million in 2021.
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – One of the earliest modern mass-produced cards, high-grade 1933 Goudey Ruth cards can sell for $500,000+. A PSA 8 brought $657,250 at auction in 2022.
1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth – Even rarer than the 1933 Goudey issue is Babe Ruth’s 1914 Baltimore News card produced during his minor league days. Only one is known to exist and it sold for $5.2 million in 2016.
1909 T206 Ty Cobb – Along with the Wagner, Cobb’s lone T206 issue is the pinnacle of the iconic tobacco era set. A PSA 8.5 copy traded privately for over $500,000 in 2022.
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig – Gehrig’s only pre-war card is highly coveted by collectors. A PSA 8 sold for $360,000 in a 2022 auction.
1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx – Foxx’s lone 1933 Goudey card is nearly as scarce and valuable as Gehrig’s, with high-grade copies worth six figures.
1909 E90 Walter Johnson – One of the most famous pitchers of all time, Johnson’s rare tobacco card can fetch over $250,000 for top examples.
1909 E90 Nap Lajoie – Considered one of the best second basemen who ever lived, Lajoie’s scarce tobacco era card has reached $200,000 at auction.
1952 Topps Willie Mays – An early and iconic Mays rookie card in high grade can sell for well over $100,000 today. A PSA 9 copy made $123,000 in 2022.
1909 E90 Christy Mathewson – Mathewson was one of baseball’s first pitching superstars. His tobacco card has cracked six figures for pristine samples.
1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean – Dean’s lone pre-war card is highly sought after, with high-grade copies worth $50,000+.
1933 Goudey Lefty Grove – As one of the most dominant pitchers ever, Grove’s 1933 Goudey is equally scarce and valuable, reaching $40,000+ for gems.
1909 E90 Eddie Collins – The Hall of Fame second baseman’s tobacco card remains quite rare and can reach five figures for top quality specimens.
1933 Goudey Mel Ott – Ott boasted prodigious power for a right fielder in the 1930s. His Goudey card has cracked $30,000 in auctions.
1933 Goudey Chuck Klein – Klein won the Triple Crown and MVP in 1933, the year of this coveted card issue. Near-mint copies sell for $25,000+.
1909 E90 Ed Walsh – The legendary spitballer has one of the most sought-after tobacco era cards, valued around $20,000 for pristine samples.
1909 E90 Eddie Plank – Plank’s solid career stats and scarce tobacco card have lifted values to around $15,000 for high grades.
1933 Goudey Bill Dickey – The Yankee catcher’s sole pre-war issue remains quite scarce. Near-mint copies have sold for $12,000 recently.
1909 E90 Joe Jackson – One of the most infamous cards due to Jackson’s role in the Black Sox Scandal. Top grades have sold for $10,000.
1933 Goudey Schoolboy Rowe – The Detroit fireballer’s sole vintage card is highly conditioned sensitive but can reach $8,000 for gems.
1909 E90 Eddie Cicotte – Cicotte’s involvement in the Black Sox drops values some from other stars of the era, with $5,000+ for pristine samples.
1909 E90 Rube Waddell – The hard-throwing southpaw’s tobacco era rarity has sold for up to $4,000 in top-notch condition.
1933 Goudey Earl Averill – Averill was an elite hitter for Cleveland in the 1930s. His scarce Goudey reaches $3,000+ in near-mint.
1909 E90 Doc White – As a 20-game winner for the A’s, White’s rare tobacco card can fetch $2,500 in top condition.
While most vintage baseball cards are only worth nominal sums, the true gems from the T206, E90, and 1933 Goudey sets have grown tremendously in value as the hobby has expanded globally. With rarities like the Wagner routinely breaking records, these early 20th century cardboard treasures have become prized collectibles for enthusiasts and investors alike. With careful preservation, today’s affordable vintage cards could gain enormously in the decades ahead.
