1968 was a memorable year in American history as it saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy. For sports card collectors, it was another great year for Topps baseball cards. Some key highlights and facts about the 1968 Topps baseball set:
Design and Basics: The 1968 Topps baseball card set includes 726 total cards issued in wax wrappers. The cards have a design similar to 1967 with team logos above the player name and cartoon-style portraits. The back of each card featured stats and a write-up about the player.
Rookie Cards: Several all-time great players made their Topps rookie card debut in 1968 including Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, George Brett, and Rich Gossage. Other notable rookies included Don Baylor, Bill Buckner, Bobby Grich, and Dave McNally.
Superstar Cards: Top stars featured on 1968 cards include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax in his final season, and Tom Seaver’s rookie season. The set also included the final cards for legends like Stan Musial and Warren Spahn.
Errors and Variations: There are several error and variation cards to watch out for, namely checklists missing team logos and checklist variations between the first and second print runs. A Hank Aaron error card from the first series has his name misspelled as “Aaronn”.
Scarcity and Populations: Many consider 1968 Topps the most challenging set to complete due to low print runs and high demand. The population report from PSA shows only about 33% of the set has been professionally graded compared to 50-70% for most other vintage sets.
Condition and Grading: The thin cardboard stock used for 1968 Topps means the cards are prone to dings, creases and wear from over 50 years of handling. As a result, high grade (gem mint or better) examples of even common cards command a premium today.
-Demand and Appreciation: Interest and prices for 1968 Topps have steadily climbed in recent years. While owners of common players enjoyed solid returns, the big money cards like rookie Bench, Morgan, Brett, and Fingers have done exceptionally well. A PSA 10 Reggie Jackson rookie just sold for over $2.8 million in 2021.
For collectors looking to add a 1968 Topps baseball card to their collection, here are some recommendations based on buyability and future potential in today’s market:
Common Stars: Players like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Tom Seaver had large printed runs so their cards remain affordable even in high grades. These recognizeable names will retain interest.
Overlooked Rookies: Though not hall of famers, pitchers like Bill Singer and Don Wilson made their debut in 1968 but have been overlooked. An affordable way to own a true vintage rookie.
Complete Sets: Buying a full 1968 Topps set secured and graded offers convenience of owning the full collection. Prices have risen steadily as fewer complete sets remain intact.
Rookie Variations: Keep an eye out for higher number rookies like Bernie Carbo (#650) and Cookie Rojas (#666) which have smaller printed quantities than their more famous peer rookies.
Tom Seaver Rookie: As Seaver surpasses 600 career wins and inches closer to the Hall of Fame, interest and prices in hisTopps rookie are bound to keep appreciating.
The 1968 Topps baseball card set is among the most popular and collectible vintage issues. Due to its place in the hobby’s history alongside unique designs, rookie star power and a challenging population report, demand seems poised to remain high for 1968 Topps cards available for sale. With the steady increase seen in prices the past decade, now is a prudent time for collectors to start accumulating what they can from this iconic set before they become out of reach for all but the most serious vintage card investors.
