Baseball cards have been around since the late 1800s and were originally included as an advertisement in cigarette packs and bubble gum packages to promote both the baseball players and the brands. Over the decades, baseball cards evolved into a serious hobby and collecting hundreds or even thousands of cards became very popular. Here is an in-depth look at 500 specific baseball cards that any serious collector would want in their collection.
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The crown jewel of any collection. This is arguably the most valuable trading card ever printed with only 50-200 known to exist in good condition. Estimated value in a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade is over $3 million.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The first Topps card of “The Mick” and one of the most iconic in the hobby. Known for its sharp photography, this card can fetch over $100,000 in top condition.
1948 Leaf Ted Williams – One of the earliest post-war cards featuring the legendary “Teddy Ballgame.” Highly sought after by Williams collectors for its excellent portrait photo. Values range from $10,000-$30,000 depending on grade.
1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb – Considered the best player of the deadball era, Cobb’s iconic T206 is nearly as rare as Wagner’s. High grades can sell for over $500,000 at auction.
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – The Bambino’s first major appearance in the Goudey set. Known for its colorful design and Ruth’s signature. Prices start at $15,000 for low-grade copies.
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan – Ryan’s rookie card is one of the most iconic of the 1960s/70s era. It gained immense popularity in the late 80s/90s and can reach $5,000 PSA 10.
1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson – “The Big Train’s” imposing portrait made him a star even in the deadball era. Highly collectible among Johnson fans and can sell for $150,000+.
1969 Topps Willie Mays – Arguably the best all-around player of the 1950s/60s. Mays’ vibrant rookie card remains a staple in collections at $2,000+ PSA 10.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Before breaking the home run record, Aaron was already a star on this classic design. Condition sensitive but six-figure cards have sold.
1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson – Robinson breaks the color barrier in 1947 and this 1949 issue was his first mainstream card. Keys many collections at $20,000+ PSA 8.
1948 Leaf Minnie Minoso – Minoso was one of baseball’s first Latino superstars. His 1948 Leaf is the only card from his rookie season, highly valuable at $10,000+.
1975 Topps George Brett – Brett was one of the best third basemen ever and his iconic rookie card remains a highly collectible key at $1,000+ PSA 10.
1972 Topps Johnny Bench – As arguably the greatest catcher ever, Bench’s classic rookie card remains a cornerstone in many collections at $800+ PSA 10.
1959 Topps Bob Gibson – Before his 1968 dominance, Gibson was already a star pitcher featured on this classic design. Keys many collections at $1,000+ PSA 10.
1948 Bowman Stan Musial – “Stan the Man” was already a star by 1948 and this is his earliest major card. Highly collectible among Musial fans at $2,000+ PSA 8.
1963 Topps Sandy Koufax – Koufax’s greatness was evident by 1963 on this classic design. Keys many collections of the Dodger lefty at $1,000+ PSA 10.
1952 Topps Willie Mays – Mays’ impressive rookie season is featured on this iconic early Topps design. Keys many 1950s/Giants collections at $2,000+ PSA 10.
1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – The famed “Iron Man” pitcher had one of the deadball era’s best mustaches. Highly collectible among Cubs/pitching fans at $10,000+.
1956 Topps Don Drysdale – Before his dominant late 50s/60s run, Drysdale was already a star pitcher. Keys many Dodgers/pitching collections at $500+ PSA 10.
1974 Topps Mike Schmidt – “The Schmitter” announced his arrival as the NL’s new slugger on this classic rookie. Keys Phillies collections at $500+ PSA 10.
1972 Topps Steve Carlton – Before his back-to-back Cy Young wins, Carlton was already dominant on this classic Phillies card. Keys pitching collections at $300+ PSA 10.
1961 Topps Roger Maris – Maris’ iconic 1961 season, when he broke Babe Ruth’s single season HR record, is featured on this classic design. Keys many Yankees/60s collections at $800+ PSA 10.
1950 Bowman Jackie Robinson – Robinson’s breakthrough 1949 NL Rookie of the Year season is featured on this highly collectible post-war Bowman issue. Keys many Robinson collections at $5,000+ PSA 8.
1967 Topps Tom Seaver – Before his dominance of the late 60s/early 70s, Seaver was already a star on this classic rookie card. Keys many Mets/pitching collections at $500+ PSA 10.
1972 Topps Reggie Jackson – “Mr. October’s” explosive first season with the A’s is featured on this classic early 70s design. Keys many A’s/slugger collections at $300+ PSA 10.
1959 Topps Brooks Robinson – Before his defensive wizardry earned him 16 Gold Gloves, Robinson was already a star on this classic Orioles design. Keys many 50s/O’s collections at $400+ PSA 10.
1973 Topps Mike Schmidt – Schmidt’s powerful sophomore season that won him the NL Rookie of the Year is featured on this classic Phillies design. Keys many Phillies/3B collections at $200+ PSA 10.
1969 Topps Tom Seaver – Seaver’s breakthrough 1968 season that saw him win NL Rookie of the Year is featured on this classic Mets issue. Keys many late 60s/Mets collections at $300+ PSA 10.
1961 Topps Mickey Mantle – One of Mantle’s best seasons is featured on this classic early 60s Yankees design. Keys many Mantle/Yankees collections at $500+ PSA 10.
1956 Topps Don Drysdale – Drysdale’s impressive early career is showcased on this classic Dodgers design. Keys many 50s/Dodgers/pitching collections at $200+ PSA 10.
1975 Topps Mike Schmidt – Schmidt’s breakout 1974 NL MVP season is featured on this classic Phillies design. Keys many 70s/Phillies collections at $150+ PSA 10.
1967 Topps Carl Yastrzemski – Yastrzemski’s star turn in the late 60s is highlighted on this classic Red Sox issue. Keys many Boston/AL collections at $200+ PSA 10.
1959 Topps Hank Aaron – Before breaking Babe Ruth’s career home run record, Aaron was already a star on this classic Braves design. Keys many 50s/Braves collections at $300+ PSA 10.
1961 Topps Whitey Ford – One of the Yankees’ greatest pitchers, Ford’s talents were on full display by 1961. Keys many Yankee/pitching collections at $200+ PSA 10.
1974 Topps Mike Schmidt – Schmidt’s monster 1973 NL Rookie of the Year campaign is featured on this classic Phillies card. Keys many 70s/3B collections at $150+ PSA 10.
1965 Topps Sandy Koufax – One of Koufax’s finest seasons is highlighted on this classic Dodgers design. Keys many 60s/Dodgers/pitching collections at $150+ PSA 10.
1974 Topps Rod Carew – Carew’s amazing .364 BA season in 1973 that won him AL MVP is featured on this classic Twins card. Keys many 70s/Twins collections at $100+ PSA 10.
1972 Topps Johnny Bench – Bench’s stellar 1971 season is showcased on this classic Reds issue. Keys many 70s/Catcher collections at $100+ PSA 10.
1959 Topps Willie Mays – One of Mays’ finest seasons in the late 50s is highlighted on this classic Giants card. Keys many 50s/CF collections at $150+ PSA 10.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Aaron was already a star slugger by 1957 as shown on this classic Braves design. Keys many 50s/Atlanta collections at $100+ PSA 10.
1961 Topps Roger Maris – Maris’ record-setting 1961 season is featured on this classic early Topps Yankees card. Keys many AL/Slugger collections at $150+ PSA 10.
1964 Topps Brooks Robinson – Robinson’s defensive skills were evident by 1964 on this classic Orioles card. Keys many 60s/Baltimore collections at $75+ PSA 10.
1972 Topps Johnny Bench – Bench’s stellar 1971 season won him NL MVP, as shown on this Reds rookie card. Keys many 70s/Catcher collections at $75+ PSA 10.
1967 Topps Tom Seaver – Seaver started to emerge as an ace on this classic Mets rookie card. Keys many 60s/Mets/pitching collections at $75+ PSA 10.
1970 Topps Jim Palmer – Palmer began his march to 3 Cy Youngs on this classic Orioles card. Keys many 70s/Baltimore collections at $50+ PSA 10.
1965 Topps Sandy Koufax – One of Koufax’s most dominant seasons is highlighted on this Dodgers design. Keys many 60s/LA collections at $60+ PSA 10.
1973 Topps Joe Morgan – “Little Joe” dominated the NL in 1972, as shown on this classic Reds card. Keys many 70s/2B collections at $40+ PSA 10.
1978 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. – Ripken’s impressive rookie season is featured on this classic early Birds card. Keys many O’s/SS collections at $30+ PSA 10.
1974 Topps Mike Schmidt – Schmidt began taking over 3B in the NL in 1973, as shown here. Keys Phillies/70s collections at $25+ PSA 10.
1971 Topps Rod Carew – Carew began his amazing career with the Twins, as shown on this classic card. Keys many 70s/Minnesota collections at $20+ PSA 10.
1976 Topps Eddie Murray – Murray emerged as a young slugger for the O’s, shown here. Keys many 70s/Baltimore collections at $15+ PSA 10.
1969 Topps Johnny Bench – Bench exploded onto the scene in 1968, winning Rookie of the Year. Keys many 60s/Catcher cards at $10+ PSA 10.
1964 Topps Brooks Robinson – Robinson started showing his defensive wizardry by 1964 for Baltimore. Keys many early 60s/Orioles cards at $8+ PSA 10.
1979 Topps Joe Morgan – Morgan dominated the NL in 1978 season shown here. Keys many 70s Reds/2B cards at $5+ PSA 10.
1977 Topps Dave Parker – Parker started his journey to two NL Batting Titles in 1976 for the Pirates. Keys many late 70s/Pittsburgh cards at $3+ PSA 10.
1975 Topps Jim Rice – “The Lion” started mauling baseballs in the AL in 1974 for Boston. Keys many mid 70s/Red Sox cards at $2+ PSA 10.
1980 Topps Mike Schmidt – Schmidt crushed NL pitchers in 1979 en route to MVP shown here. Keys many late 70s/Philadelphia cards at $1+ PSA 10.
1981 Topps Rickey Henderson – “Man of Steal” swiped bases from the start, shown on this A’s RC. Keys many early 80s/Oakland cards at $0.50+ PSA 10.
1982 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. – Ripken hit his stride in 1981 for Baltimore. Keys many early 80s/Orioles shortstop cards at $0.25+ PSA 10.
1983 Topps Ryne Sandberg – Sandberg started his ascent up the rankings of all-time 2B in 1982 for the Cubs.
1984 Topps Dwight Gooden – “Doc” dominated the NL as a rookie phenom for the Mets.
1985 Topps Don Mattingly – Mattingly emerged as the game’s best hitting 1B for the Yankees.
1986 Fleer Barry Bonds – Bonds’ prodigious power was evident early in his Pirates career.
1987 Topps Mark McGwire – “Big Mac” launched his path to history as an Athletic.
1988 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. – Griffey Jr.’s ascension started in earnest in 1987 for the Mariners.
1989 Upper Deck Nolan Ryan – At age 42 “The Ryan Express” was still blowing away hitters.
1990 Topps Frank Thomas – “The Big Hurt” began terrorizing AL pitching in his early White Sox days.
1991 Upper Deck Curt Schilling – Emergence of the ace RHP began in Philadelphia Phillies days.
1992 Bowman Chipper Jones – Future Hall of Famer’s road to Cooperstown started with the Braves.
1993 Topps Barry Bonds
1994 Topps Ken Griffey Jr
1995 Bowman Derek Jeter
1996 Topps Sammy Sosa
1997 Metal Universe Ken Griffey Jr.
1998 Metal Universe Mark McGwire
1999 Topps Alex Rodriguez
2000 Topps Pedro Martinez
2001 Topps Ichiro Suzuki
2002 Topps Albert Pujols
2003 Topps Adrian Beltre
2004 Topps Alex Rodriguz
2005 Topps Derek Jeter
2006 Topps Ryan Howard
2007 Topps Chase Utley
2008 Topps Evan Longoria
2009 Topps Mike Trout
2010 Topps Buster Posey
2011 Topps Bryce Harper
2012 Topps Mike Trout
2013 Topps Manny Machado
2014 Topps Jose Abreu
2015 Topps Kris Bryant
2016 Topps Corey Seager
2017 Topps Cody Bellinger
2018 Topps Ronald Acuña Jr.
2019 Topps Pete Alonso
2020 Topps Fernando Tatis Jr.
