Introduction
The 1959 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the history of the hobby. It was the second series produced by Topps after acquiring the baseball card rights from Bowman in 1956. The 1959 set contains 520 cards and featured many legendary players from that era such as Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Sandy Koufax. With its classic design and depicting some of the game’s all-time greats as young stars, the 1959 Topps set remains a highly collectible and desirable vintage release.
In this article, we will explore the 1959 Topps baseball card price guide in detail. We will look at value ranges for the most significant rookie and star player cards in various grades. Factors like condition, autographs or other special attributes that can impact value will also be examined. By the end, you’ll have a comprehensive understanding of what different 1959 Topps cards in your collection may be worth on the collecting market today.
Condition and Grading
As with any collectible, condition is extremely important when determining the value of 1959 Topps cards. The top two third-party grading services, PSA and BGS, use a 1-10 point scale to classify the condition or state of preservation. Here are the general condition/grade classifications:
PSA/BGS 1 – Poor: Cards with heavy wear, creases, stains or other major defects. Have very little collector value.
PSA/BGS 2-4 – Poor to Fair: Show clear signs of use with minor creases, edge wear or surface issues. Collectible but prices will be low.
PSA/BGS 5 – Good: Edges may be worn, surface has minor flaws or discoloration but image is clear. Collectible at affordable prices.
PSA/BGS 6 – Very Good: Light wear, image sharp with minor edge or surface blemishes possible. Good collector value.
PSA/BGS 7 – Near Mint: Minimal, if any flaws, sharp images and details. Corners may be slightly rounded. Great collector value.
PSA/BGS 8-9 – Mint: Crisp, sharp images with minimal wear and no flaws. Corners sharp. High collector value.
PSA/BGS 10 – Gem Mint: Pristine card, as perfect as the day it was printed. Corner are sharp. Highest possible collector value.
Rookie and Star Player Guide
Here is an overview of value ranges for some of the key 1959 Topps rookie and star player cards in different grades:
Hank Aaron RC PSA 8 – $1,000
Hank Aaron RC PSA 9 – $2,500
Hank Aaron RC PSA 10 – $7,500
Willie Mays PSA 8 – $800
Willie Mays PSA 9 – $1,500
Willie Mays PSA 10 – $5,000
Sandy Koufax PSA 8 – $600
Sandy Koufax PSA 9 – $1,200
Sandy Koufax PSA 10 – $3,500
Bob Gibson RC PSA 8 – $500
Bob Gibson RC PSA 9 – $1,000
Bob Gibson RC PSA 10 – $3,000
Johnny Podres PSA 8 – $400
Johnny Podres PSA 9 – $800
Johnny Podres PSA 10 – $2,000
Nellie Fox PSA 8 – $300
Nellie Fox PSA 9 – $600
Nellie Fox PSA 10 – $1,500
Early Wynn PSA 8 – $250
Early Wynn PSA 9 – $500
Early Wynn PSA 10 – $1,200
Roy Face PSA 8 – $200
Roy Face PSA 9 – $400
Roy Face PSA 10 – $1,000
Bob Allison RC PSA 8 – $150
Bob Allison RC PSA 9 – $300
Bob Allison RC PSA 10 – $800
Luis Aparicio RC PSA 8 – $100
Luis Aparicio RC PSA 9 – $200
Luis Aparicio RC PSA 10 – $500
Value Increases for Autographs and Special Attributes
The values indicated above are for “raw” or unsigned examples of key 1959 Topps cards in professional grading slabs. There are certain special attributes that can significantly increase a card’s worth, such as:
On-Card Autographs: Finding a 1959 Topps card with an on-card autograph from the player could easily double or triple its PSA-graded value.
Gem Mint Grades: As condition gets tighter towards PSA/BGS 10, value jumps up substantially. A true pristine 10 could be 2-3x a PSA 9.
Ex-Collection Cards: Examples that can be traced back to an important vintage collection will demand a premium.
Error/Variation Cards: Cards with errors in the image, stats, etc. or rare variations are highly valuable to advanced collectors.
Prominent Game/Event Depicted: Cards showing an iconic moment raise value, like Koufax’s perfect game or Aaron’s record breaking HR.
Hall of Famers: The cards of players who were later elected to the Hall of Fame generally hold higher values long-term.
Other Factors in Pricing Vintage Cards
When determining prices, there are some additional elements collectors and dealers will consider:
Population Report: Scarcer population numbers (fewer high-graded examples) push prices up.
Recent Sales Data: Active auction/market sales establish true market value better than fixed price lists.
Condition of Surfaces: Even subtle flaws in surfaces/corners can impact grade/price significantly.
Centering: Cards off-center can be worth less than perfectly centered counterparts.
Graders’ Opinions: Slight differences in grades between services (PSA vs. BGS) matter for top dollar.
Market Forces: General collectibles/card market trends affect all vintage prices up or down over time.
Buyer/Seller Negotiations: Willingness and urgency of each party determines final agreed upon price.
Conclusion
The 1959 Topps baseball card set remains one of the most popular and valuable vintage issues. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Aaron and Koufax will always be in high demand. Condition is paramount, with higher grades earning substantial premiums. Unique attributes can multiply a card’s worth exponentially. By understanding these key factors, collectors can better determine approximate values for their 1959 Topps collection. With nostalgia and rarity driving prices up long-term, this set looks poised to retain its iconic status among vintage baseball card enthusiasts.
