The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been popular for over 100 years. While common cards from recent sets hold little monetary value, some vintage cards from the early 20th century have become extremely valuable over time. These rare and historic cards are highly sought after by serious collectors and can sell for thousands, and in some cases millions, of dollars. Here are the 25 most valuable baseball cards as determined by sales records and expert appraisals:

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The crown jewel of the hobby, only around 60 examples of this legendary Wagner card are known to exist. In near mint condition, examples have sold for upwards of $6.6 million, making it likely the most valuable trading card ever printed. The rarity and story behind its scarcity have made it the iconic symbol of the baseball card collecting world.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The top rookie card of one of the game’s greatest sluggers. High grade copies have topped $2 million at auction. Mantle’s marketability, skill, and brief but dominant career during the early Topps years contribute to its high demand. Approximately 100 are known in gem mint condition.

1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth – One of the first modern baseball cards featuring individual player photographs. Examples in pristine condition have sold for over $5 million. Only recently surpassed the Wagner as the most valuable card, a testament to Ruth’s enduring popularity as the original home run king nearly 100 years later.

1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson – Considered the “second best” of the iconic T206 set after the Wagner. High grade copies have reached $2.6 million. Johnson owned multiple pitching records at the time and his intimidating dominance on the mound is part of what makes this early 20th century issue so collectible.

1914 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner – A different Wagner variation than the ultra-rare T206. Only a handful are known to exist. One graded gem mint 10 sold for $2.1 million in 2016. While not quite as scarce as the T206, it still captures the mystique surrounding one of the game’s first true superstars.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Highly regarded on and off the field in his time. A pristine copy reached $1.47 million in 2016. Along with Wagner and Johnson, one of the most recognizable stars showcased on the iconic early 20th century tobacco issue.

1933 Goudey #146 Lou Gehrig – One of the key early Gehrig issues. Examples in top condition have exceeded $1 million. As one of the first “Iron Horse” cards, it captures Gehrig during his record-setting streak of consecutive games played.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – A rare Athletics player featured on the historic T206 set. A pristine example sold for $1.07 million in 2013. Plank’s solid career stats and scarce appearance on this vintage issue contribute to its high value.

1909-11 T206 Joe Jackson – One of the most infamous players of all-time due to the Black Sox Scandal. An extremely high grade copy reached $927,500 in 2016. Its combination of on-field success and off-field controversy have made it a card that intrigues collectors.

1933 Goudey #74 Jimmie Foxx – Captures one of the game’s most feared sluggers of the 1930s. A flawless copy surpassed $700,000 in a 2011 auction. Foxx’s Hall of Fame career and the classic early Goudey design add to its appeal.

1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle – Considered the best of Mantle’s classic Topps rookie cards. Near-perfect examples have reached $585,000. Its iconic image of a young, energetic Mantle in Yankees pinstripes is burned into the minds of baseball fans and collectors.

1933 Goudey #181 Carl Hubbell – Features one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1930s. A pristine copy hit $607,500 in 2013. Hubbell’s Hall of Fame career and the rarity of high grade Goudey issues from this era make it a prize for collectors.

1933 Goudey #110 Lefty Grove – Captures another 1930s pitching great. Near-mint examples have topped $500,000. Grove’s dominance for over a decade enhances the value of this early career card issued during his peak years.

1955 Topps #311 Sandy Koufax – Considered the premier rookie card of the Dodgers’ legendary lefty. High grades have reached $456,000. Its iconic image and the rarity of pristine 1955 Topps boost its demand.

1909-11 T206 Three Finger Brown – A rare star player card from the T206 set. A flawless copy hit $456,000 in 2016. Brown’s nickname and 19-season career, including three no-hitters, add to its allure for collectors.

1933 Goudey #53 Jimmie Foxx – A second highly coveted Foxx issue from 1933 Goudey. Near-mint copies have exceeded $400,000. Its superb condition, capturing a dominant slugger, make it a blue chip card.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – A rare player featured on the classic tobacco issue. An pristine graded example reached $384,000 in 2013. Magee’s solid career stats and the challenge of finding high grade T206s fuel interest.

1933 Goudey #154 Mel Ott – Captures one of the game’s first true “five-tool” outfielders. Near-mint copies have topped $350,000. Ott’s Hall of Fame career and the iconic early Goudey design add to its appeal.

1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle – The second key Mantle rookie, graded higher than his more recognized #312. A flawless copy hit $312,000 in 2007. Its superior condition and the first true “rookie card” continue to attract serious collectors.

1933 Goudey #110 Lefty Grove – A second standout Grove issue. Near-mint copies have exceeded $300,000. Its superb condition capturing one of the era’s most dominant hurlers is the draw.

1933 Goudey #110 Dizzy Dean – Captures the fiery Cardinals’ ace before his breakout 1934 season. High grades have reached $270,000. Dean’s charisma and on-field success enhance this early depiction from his formative years.

1933 Goudey #110 Bill Dickey – One of the finest catchers of his generation. Near-mint copies have topped $250,000. Dickey’s Hall of Fame career and the classic early Goudey design add to its value.

1933 Goudey #74 Jimmie Foxx – A third Foxx issue, this one showing him with the Athletics. High grades have exceeded $230,000. Its superb condition capturing a superstar slugger in an iconic early design fuels interest.

1933 Goudey #110 Lefty Gomez – Features another Yankees great from the 1930s. Near-mint copies have reached $225,000. Gomez’s success and this early depiction enhance its desirability for both Yankees and Goudey collectors.

1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle – The third key Mantle, considered the most visually appealing. Graded gems have exceeded $200,000. Its superior eye appeal showing a young Mantle swinging continues attracting collectors.

The rarest vintage cards featuring all-time greats like Wagner, Ruth, Mantle, and others from the early 20th century reign as the most valuable in the hobby due to their historical significance, superior condition, and iconic depictions of players that still resonate with fans decades later. As the collecting population grows and generations pass, the prices for these seminal issues can be expected to rise further.