Gaylord Jackson Perry was an iconic Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1983. Known for his cunning knuckleball pitches and humorous antics on the field, Perry was a five-time All-Star and won the Cy Young Award in both the American League and National League during his illustrious career. Unsurprisingly, many of Perry’s most valuable baseball cards come from his dominant seasons in the late 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s. Let’s take a look at some of the priciest Gaylord Perry cards on the market today.

1965 Topps Gaylord Perry #234 – Perhaps Perry’s most iconic rookie card, the 1965 Topps issue in near mint condition can fetch upwards of $2,000. This was Perry’s first Topps card issued after he broke into the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants in 1962. The design features a solid action photograph of Perry winding up to deliver a pitch. The scarcity and nostalgia surrounding any great player’s rookie card makes this a highly sought after piece for collectors.

1972 Topps Gaylord Perry #162 – During the early 1970s, Perry emerged as one of the top pitchers in baseball while playing for the Cleveland Indians. His 1972 campaign was one of his finest as he went 24-16 with a 1.92 ERA and finished third in AL Cy Young voting. The ’72 Topps card commemorating this standout season has a value of around $800-1000 in top condition due to Perry’s popularity and on-field success at that point in his career.

1974 Topps Gaylord Perry #302 – After being traded to the Texas Rangers in 1973, Perry put together back-to-back 20-win seasons for the club in ’73 and ’74. He went 21-15 with a 2.42 ERA in 1974 to finish fifth in Cy Young voting. This appreciated card from ’74 Topps is valued at $650-750 for the sharp action shot and reminder of Perry’s continued excellence late in his Rangers tenure.

1978 Topps Gaylord Perry #362 – In 1978, the by-then 41-year-old Perry pulled off an improbable feat by winning the NL Cy Young Award with the San Diego Padres. He led the league with 21 wins against only 13 losses and posted a 2.72 ERA in his age 41 season, taking home baseball’s top pitching honor. Given it highlights Perry’s lone Cy Young in the NL, his 1978 Topps card is estimated at $550-650 due to its historical significance.

1980 Topps Traded Gaylord Perry #T79 – For collectors intrigued by Perry’s various uniform changes later in his career, the coveted 1980 Topps Traded issue shines. It depicts Perry with the Atlanta Braves, the team he was dealt to midway through 1979 after parts of two years with the Braves. This later serial-numbered card featuring a veteran Perry fetches $450-550 among enthusiasts.

1983 Topps Gaylord Perry #760 – Closing out Perry’s 22-year career with distinction was his debut campaign with the Seattle Mariners in 1983 at age 45. In a player-manager role, Perry went 8-10 with a solid 3.70 ERA despite his advancing age. For anyone wishing to commemorate Perry in a Mariners uniform, his ’83 Topps swan song card is valued around $400-500.

1971 Topps Gaylord Perry All-Star #AS1 – As a tribute to his dominance in the early 1970s, Perry’s 1971 Topps All-Star card stands out. Selected as an AL All-Star five times from 1969-1974, this issue displays Perry proudly representing the American League in the Midsummer Classic. Given its premium insert designation, Perry’s ’71 Topps All-Star card can command $350-450 on the high end.

While not quite in the realm of true vintage rookie cards from the 1950s and 1960s, many of Gaylord Perry’s most noteworthy baseball cards from his playing career in the 1960s-1980s retain solid collectible value today. For fans and investors passionate about one of baseball’s trickiest and unique pitchers, seeking out a PSA/BGS graded example of Perry’s iconic cardboard in near-mint condition can offer an engaging avenue to celebrate and commemorate the pitching mastery of a true baseball legend. As long as Perry remains revered for knuckleball antics and Cy Young achievements, demand will stay high for chronicling his hall of fame career through some of his finest and most financially beneficial trading cards.