The 1973 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. It was the year of the infamous rookie cards of Reggie Jackson and Mike Schmidt, who would both go on to Hall of Fame careers. There are several other key cards from the ’73 Topps set that have become extremely valuable modern classics highly sought after by collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1973 Topps baseball cards:
Nolan Ryan Rookie Card (#501) – As one of the greatest pitchers of all-time, Ryan’s rookie card is undoubtedly the most coveted card from the set. His dominant career and record-breaking stats have cemented this as one of the true iconic rookie cards in the hobby. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have sold for over $100,000 in recent years, with lower graded copies still commanding figures in the thousands. Even well-loved raw copies can fetch $1,000+. Ryan’s explosive 100+ MPH fastball and record 5,714 strikeouts make this a truly significant piece of baseball history.
George Brett Rookie Card (#90) – Brett had a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Kansas City Royals and established himself as one of the top third basemen to ever play. His rookie is the second most valuable card in the set behind Nolan Ryan. PSA 10 Gems have sold north of $15,000, with most graded examples still bringing four figures. Brett’s exciting 1980 season that saw him hit .390 also boosted popularity of his rookie card over the years. It’s a highly sought after key card for any serious ’73 Topps collector.
Mike Schmidt Rookie Card (#157) – As arguably the greatest third baseman of all-time and 12-time All-Star, Schmidt’s rookie remains a cornerstone in the set. While not quite as valuable as the above two due to higher print run, PSA 10 examples have still topped $10,000. Most graded copies will sell between $2,000-5,000. Schmidt smacked 548 career home runs and won 3 MVPs to cement his place in Philly and baseball lore. This is one of the most important rookie cards released in the early 1970s.
Thurman Munson (#438) – The captain and quarterback of the 1970s Yankees dynasty, Munson had a career sadly cut short in a plane crash at age 32 in 1979. His on-field production and leadership still makes his rookie a key card in the set. PSA 10 Gems have topped $7,000, with most graded Munsons selling for $1,000-3,000 still. His Hall of Fame caliber career and New York stardom keep values strong for this Memorial patch-wearing card decades later.
Ferguson Jenkins (#458) – “Fergie” had a legendary career most known for his time with the Cubs, winning the NL Cy Young in 1971. He tallied 284 career wins and was selected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. High-grade versions of his solid action/player photo card have broken the $5,000 mark at auction. Most graded copies will still net $1,000-2,000 due to his accomplishments and Hall selection. He was one of the premier pitchers of the 1970s.
Tom Seaver (#557) – “Tom Terrific” was at the height of his legendary Mets and overall Hall of Fame career in 1973. He had 3 Cy Youngs, 311 wins, and over 3,600 strikeouts when all was said and done. While not his true rookie, this iconic vertically-formatted Seaver card tends to bring fair prices in the $1,000-3,000 range for PSA 8-10s. His iconic status and Mets fandom keep this key card highly desirable for collectors.
Other notable high-valued ’73s include #1 Johnny Bench ($2,000-5,000 PSA 10), #137 Gary Carter (Hall of Fame catcher, $1,000-3,000), #265 Carlton Fisk (also Hall of Fame catcher, $800-2,000), #384 Reggie Jackson (Yankee superstar, $600-1,500), #493 Rod Carew (Hall of Famer, $600-1,500), and #560 Steve Garvey (NL star, $600-1,500 PSA 10). The immense star power and careers encapsulated in the 1973 Topps set help explain its legendary status. Other decent but ungraded examples could still fetch $200-500 raw.
Prices mentioned were consistent with recent PWCC, Goldin, and eBay sold listings for top grades. There are also several key managers and Dick Allen included who add to the set’s allure. The iconic designs, player pose varieties, and immense rookie class keeps this a highly coveted vintage release among collectors to this day. Whether you collect the biggest stars or desire a specific team’s full run, ’73s remain a cornerstone of the vintage market nearly 50 years later. For iconic rookie cards, Hall of Fame talent, and a true time capsule to the 1970s on the diamond, the 1973 Topps baseball issue will likely continue to be recognized as one of the true vintage classics in the hobby for decades to come.
