The hobby of baseball card collecting has been around for over 130 years since the advent of the tobacco cards in the 1880s. As the hobby has evolved, certain cards have emerged as vastly more valuable than others due to various factors like their conditions, the player featured, and their rarity. Whether mint condition rookie cards of legends or obscure older cards, some baseball cards can be worth millions of dollars. Here is an in-depth look at the top 100 most valuable baseball cards as determined by sales, auctions, and expert evaluations:
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The king of cards, this is arguably the most famous and valuable trading card of all time. Honus Wagner, one of the best shortstops in baseball history, is featured. The rarity of this card due to Wagner famously pulling his likeness from production has seen high grade examples sell for over $3 million.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The premiere rookie card of “The Mick”, one of the greatest to ever play. Near mint versions have topped $2.88 million at auction. Some key factors that increase its value are Mantle’s Hall of Fame career and the card’s scarcity in high grades due to poor printing quality in the 1950s.
1975 SSPC Reggie Jackson – A pre-rookie card of “Mr. October” that was privately printed and inserted into 1975 Score packs at random. The extreme rarity, beautiful design, and story behind its distribution and discovery in the 1980s make this one of the most coveted modern cards. PSA 10 examples have reached $2.8 million.
1909 E121 T206 Walter Johnson – A beautifully designed card depicting one of the most dominant pitchers ever in Walter Johnson. Known for his blazing fastball, Johnson won 5 pitching Triple Crowns and leads all pitchers with 27 career WAR. High grade examples of this iconic “E121” card have sold over $2 million.
1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Another legendary pitcher from the Deadball Era, “Big Six” Mathewson was a brilliant hurler who guided the New York Giants to multiple pennants. Like the Wagner T206, the Mathewson’s rarity has driven PSA 8 examples over $1.2 million at auction.
1978 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC – While not a baseball card, it must be mentioned that high grade copies of “The Great One’s” hockey rookie card are some of the most valuable collectibles in the world. A PSA 9 copy sold for $1.29 million in 2016, showing sports memorabilia crosses many genres of collecting.
1971 Topps Nolan Ryan RC – Among the most coveted rookie cards in the hobby due to Ryan’s all-time strikeout record and infamous pitching duels. Although a PSA 9 recently went for over $900k, lower graded copies of this iconic issue still demand big money due to its subject.
1909-11 T206 Joe DiMaggio – Another massively important card featuring one of baseball’s early superstars in DiMaggio. The Hall of Fame center fielder enjoyed a storied career with the New York Yankees that included a 56-game hitting streak. Top quality versions are very pricey at six figures and above.
1957 Topps Brooks Robinson RC – Highlighting the defensive genius at third base who was integral to the Baltimore Orioles dynasty. Not as widely recognized as other rookie cards, but mint condition copies have cracked six figures. Robinson’s 24 career Gold Gloves and Hall of Fame career make this a desirable vintage issue.
1957 Topps Ted Williams – Widely regarded as one of the greatest hitters ever, the Splendid Splinter’s cards are highly sought after by collectors. This 1957 Topps issue features a great design and centerpiece photo of the Red Sox left fielder. Near-mint copies consistently sell over $100,000.
1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – A rare “error” card cut out of the T206 series honoring the remarkable pitching ability and three no-hitters of “Big Ed” Walsh. Only a handful are believed to exist, making a PSA 8 example sell for $78,000. Virtually any grade of this extraordinary card would be worth a significant sum.
1909 E90 Allen & Ginter R345 Hal Chase – A scarce tobacco card showing the controversial Chase, who was suspected of game fixing during his career. But this issue offers a great portrait of the talented first baseman and has seen mint copies eclipse $70,000 at auction.
1955 Topps Willie Mays RC – Among the most prized vintage issues starring baseball’s “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays during his MVP years with the New York and San Francisco Giants. Highly collectible in PSA 9 with print runs into the millions but condition is key.
1917 M101-4 Sporting Life Babe Ruth – One of the earliest known cardboard sporting images of The Babe from his playing days with the Boston Red Sox. Dating to when Ruth was still primarily a pitcher, its rarity and condition have propelled it upwards of $70,000.
1911 T213 Hassan Triple Folder – A true oddball featuring three different images of Pitcher Bobby Mathews when turned sideways. Its bizarre construction and scarce surviving population make it an intriguing six figure card.
1909 E90 Allen & Ginter R345 Ed Delahanty – Portraying the Hall of Famer known for his powerful bat and unfortunately short life. High grade survivors are scarce for this early tobacco issue of the 19th century star.
1909-11 T206 Ed Konetchy – A rare “coaster” variation substitute card featuring the talented first baseman. Only a small number are known to exist in collectors’ hands, and its status as an erroneous printing variation drives prices extremely high.
1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – Depicting the exciting player-manager of the Philadelphia Phillies during the Deadball Era. Considered an key early star of the team and sport, high quality T206 Magee cards are seldom offered for collector sale.
1909-11 T206 Fred Clarke – One of the finest defensive outfielders who later became the player-manager for the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates clubs of the early 1900s. Known for his baseball intellect, PSA 8 examples have realized over $50,000 at auction.
2003 Exquisite Cal Ripken Jr. Base Patch Auto 1/1 – For modern cards, Exquisite patches featuring uniform pieces are some of the rarest cards produced. This one-of-one Cal Ripken Jr. card with an autographed base patch takes the cake at over $50,000.
1994 SP Authentic Griffey Jr. RC Auto Patch /25 – While common in prints, Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie patch autographs like this serial numbered parallel to 25 copies are epic chase cards for collectors even today. Near mint 9s still command over $40,000 in the secondary marketplace.
1909 E90 Allen & Ginter R306 – Of Honus Wagner fame, this tobacco issue portrays Jack Chesbro, the former pitcher who set the single season win record that stood for 95 years. Extremely scarce survivors in high grade make this a six figure card.
1974 Topps Nolan Ryan RC Error – Considered a true error due to a missing yellow Athletics team logo on the uniform. Only a small number are believed extant, making this esoteric issue worth big money to advanced vintage collectors.
1966 Topps Tom Seaver RC – The highest regarded rookie card of “Tom Terrific”, who captured 3 Cy Young awards and led the “Miracle” Mets to a World Series title. Nearly pristine PSA 9 examples eclipse over $35,000.
1955 Bowman Sandy Koufax RC – Among the scarcest and most beautiful rookie cards highlighting the legendary Dodgers lefty and 3-time Cy Young winner’s first cardboard issue. Low pop and condition sensitivity make high grade versions very valuable.
2017 Bowman Chrome Ronald Acuna Jr. Auto /25 – As recent rookie phenoms go, Acuna’s dominance on the field combined with his extremely limited serial numbered green parallel autographs ensure this modern card will remain desirable. A true chase card from the modern era.
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle RC – A predecessor to the famed 1952 Topps issue that captures Mantle in his rookie season. Lower print runs than modern issues and scarcer high grades make outstanding specimens quite pricey on today’s market.
1998 Bowman Chrome Jim Thome Auto /100 – The star slugger’s first autograph card inserted in the high-end Bowman Chrome product at an even rarer serial numbered parallel to just 100 copies worldwide. Near mint specimens command over $30,000.
1953 Topps Billy Pierce RC – Highlighting the star White Sox hurler’s rookie season. Known for his pinpoint control and brilliant career, high quality specimens of Pierce’s early cardboard have cracked five figures at auction.
2006 SP Legendary Cuts Derek Jeter Bat Relic 1/1 – For the rarest modern relics, jersey patches just can’t topserialized 1/1 wood bat cards. This immaculate Jeter issue features prime swatches from the Captain’s game-used lumber. Certified gems can pull $25,
