Baseball card collecting is a multi-billion dollar hobby worldwide. While the vast majority of cards hold little monetary value, there are certainly cards out there that can be worth a significant amount of money. Whether it’s due to the player featured, the year of issue, or other factors like limited printing – some baseball cards have seen their values skyrocket over the years to the point that a single mint condition card could be worth thousands or even hundreds of thousands. With that in mind, here is a look at 100 baseball cards that can be worth real money in today’s market if graded and preserved in top condition.
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The granddaddy of all valuable baseball cards. In mint condition a T206 Wagner is routinely valued at over $2 million.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (red back) – The premiere Mantle rookie cards from 1952 can fetch $200K-$500K when graded gem mint.
1933 Goudey Cy Young – High grade examples of Cy Young’s scarce 1933 Goudey card have sold upwards of $100K.
1954 Topps Sandy Koufax rookie – Considered one of the holy grails of vintage rookie cards. Graded gems have sold for over $150K.
1956 Topps Ted Williams – In 1957 Topps removed Williams’s image for his final season card due to a contract dispute. This makes his 1956 very rare and valuable at $75K+.
1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth – Ruth’s famously rare pre-fame rookie card. Only a handful are known to exist. A PSA 8 sold for over $275K in 2017.
1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – One of the finest examples of this classic Tobacco card sold for $97,500 in 2009. Fantastic condition is crucial.
1949 Bowman Joe DiMaggio – An extremely scarce DiMaggio rookie considered the greatest of all time. Just a few high grade examples exist.
1953 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie – Clemente’s first card is widely hailed as one of the most desirable rookie cards of the post-war era. Graded high gems can fetch $40K+.
1972 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card – Ryan’s rookie season card is one of the most iconic and valuable from the 70s. Near mint to mint copies sell for $10K and up.
1951 Bowman Lee Minnie Miñoso rookie – Minoso broke color barriers along with Jackie Robinson and was one of the first Afro-Latin stars. His scarce rookie is highly sought.
1968 Topps Roberto Clemente game card – Shows Clemente in the on-deck circle during the 1967 World Series. One of the rarest cards of the 1960s and valued over $10K.
1969 Topps Reggie Jackson rookie card – Jackson’s emergence as a star slugger in Oakland created huge demand for this card. Near mint examples sell for $5,000-$7,500.
1962 Topps Willie Mays – Widely considered one of the most historically significant baseball cards ever printed. Clean high grade copies are conservatively valued at $5,000.
1952 Topps Jackie Robinson rookie card – Robinson’s pioneering career makes his ultra scarce ’52 Topps rookie a true icon. PSA 8s have sold for $40,000.
1931 Goudey Sport King Babe Ruth – A stunning vintage image of the legendary Bambino. Higher graded versions have sold for over $15,000.
1954 Topps Willie Mays rookie card – Mays’ stellar career as perhaps the greatest all-around player ever further cemented value in his first card at over $3,500 PSA 9.
1909-11 T206 Fred Clarke – The Pittsburgh Pirates’ player-manager is one of the most underrated T206 subjects. A PSA 5.5 sold for $12,000 in late 2018.
1948 Bowman Satchel Paige – Considered the greatest find of any highly graded pre-1950 baseball card. A PSA 9 sold for over $29K in recent years.
1964 Topps Hank Aaron rookie card – Aaron’s Hall of Fame career has kept interest high in his scarce but iconic 1964 rookie at $2,000+.
1914 C511 Billy Sunday – Billy Sunday was a famous Presbyterian evangelist and former ballplayer. Very rare and in strong demand at $9,500 PSA 4.
1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – Big Ed Walsh was a pioneer spitballer whose card ranks among the most scarce T206s. Sold for over $6,000 recently.
1964 Topps Brooks Robinson – An iconic card featuring the legendary Oriole shortstop in mid-throw. Higher graded copies top $3,000.
1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean – One of the most famous and talented pitchers of the 1930s. Strong condition examples sell for over $4,500.
1992 Bowman Derek Jeter rookie card – Still one of the elite modern rookie cards. Near mint Jeter rookies consistently sell for $2,000-3,000.
1987 Topps Mark McGwire rookie card – McGwire’s first card captured the start of his record setting career. Higher graded copies fetch $1,200+.
1971 Topps Nolan Ryan no-hitter card – Captures Ryan’s first no-hitter on May 15, 1971. Scarce and desirable amongst Ryan collectors at $1,000+.
1967 Topps Tom Seaver rookie card – Seaver was one of the games great right handers. His rookie remains notable from the late 1960s.
1969 Topps Tom Seaver – Seaver’s iconic “drop and drive” photo is a defining image for many 1960s card collectors. Near mint value is $800-900.
1962 Topps Maury Wills – Wills set the single season stolen base record in 1962 while starring for the Dodgers. Top graded examples are $700+.
1952 Topps Larry Doby rookie – Doby broke the AL color barrier shortly after Jackie Robinson. His valuable rookie sits at $700 PSA 8.
1933 Goudey Carl Hubbell – Depicts the famous screwball throwing Hall of Famer. Finest condition examples are worth $650.
1967 Topps Jim Palmer rookie – Palmer became a rotation anchor for the Orioles dynasty of the 1970s. His rookie card still holds value over $500.
1964 Topps Pete Rose rookie card – Forever tarnished, but still holds nostalgia as one of the game’s greatest hitters. Near mint is around $425.
1956 Topps Don Larsen perfect game card – Captures Larsen’s astonishing perfect game in the 1956 World Series. Considered scarce at $400 PSA 8.
1969 Topps Willie McCovey – Iconic image of “Stretch” McCovey is a standout amongst 1960/70s vintage issues valued around $375.
1979 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. rookie – Ripken became a legend as the Iron Man for the Orioles. His rookie has value above $350 PSA 9.
1951 Bowman Monte Irvin rookie – Irvin starred for the Giants despite battling racism early in his career. Scarce rookie is $325NM
1933 Goudey Lefty Grove – Grove was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history. The card holds nostalgia at $300+.
1952 Topps Willie Mays rookie card – Mays’ rookie is far scarcer than the ‘54 and carries greater value because of it at $275 PSA 6.
1960 Topps Roberto Clemente – Shows the fiery Clemente batting. Highly graded examples surpass the $250 price point.
1960 Topps Sandy Koufax – Captures the iconic lefty’s intensity on the mound which adds desirable vintage value nearing $250.
1954 Topps Willie Mays – Earlier of Mays’ two 1954 rookies has a bright photo and strong nostalgia feel valued at $225.
1972 Topps Johnny Bench rookie – Bench was a switch hitting star and one of the prototype athlete cards of the early 70s at $200 PSA 8.
1959 Topps Ernie Banks – Banks spent his whole career with the Cubs and still holds fan nostalgia making this near $200 PSA 9.
1952 Bowman Stan Musial – Depicts one of the game’s greatest hitters from a scarce and desirable early 1950s set valued around $190 PSA 7.
1969 Topps Johnny Bench rookie card – Bench’s rookie season card holds strong vintage appeal breaking $175 PSA 9.
1964 Topps Al Kaline – Depicts Kaline batting from the iconic 1963 Topps set. Strong condition fetches near $175 values.
1954 Topps Duke Snider rookie card – Snider became a star for the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers. High graded examples command $160 PSA 8.
1972 Topps Mike Schmidt rookie card – Schmidt went on to be a Phillies star and 3 x MVP
