The 1964 Topps baseball card set is one of the most popular vintage issues that collectors search for on auction sites like eBay. Topps released their cards that year as the dominant baseball card company, as they had been for over a decade. The 1964 set highlights some of the biggest stars and best players of that era, making many of the cards quite valuable today.
Some key details about the 1964 Topps baseball card set include that it contained 712 total cards. The design featured a centered photo with the team name and player stats below. The backs included career stats and a brief biography. Some of the biggest stars that year who had highly coveted rookie or base cards in the set include Sandy Koufax, Brooks Robinson, Dick Allen, and Joe Morgan.
Topps had gained exclusive rights from both Major League Baseball and the players association by the 1960s to produce authorized trading cards. This meant they faced no competition from competitors at the time. But competition would arise later in the decade which started the end of Topps’ monopoly. Still, the 1964 issue is filled with many future Hall of Famers and all-time great players from that era.
On eBay today, mint condition examples of the top rookie and star cards from the 1964 Topps set can sell for thousands of dollars. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most valuable that collectors seek out and what they might pay:
Sandy Koufax (Brooklyn Dodgers): Considered one of the 10 best players of all-time, Koufax’s impressive career was just starting to take off in 1964. His rookie card in the set is the undisputed gem and highest price card. In near-mint to mint condition, examples can command $5,000 up to over $10,000.
Brooks Robinson (Baltimore Orioles): Already an established All-Star, Robinson would go on to legendary status as one of the best third basemen ever. His 1964 is highly popular and condition-sensitive. From about $800 in played condition to $2,500+ in top grades.
Joe Morgan (Houston Colt .45s): One of the finest second basemen in MLB history, Morgan was just a rookie in 1964 but had Hall of Fame skills. His rookie card carries a premium and prices range from roughly $400 to $1,500 based on condition.
Dick Allen (Philadelphia Phillies): “Crash” was already a force as a rookie in 1964 with 29 home runs and 91 RBIs winning AL Rookie of the Year. His card fetches similar rates to Morgan’s, between $400-1500.
Bill White (St. Louis Cardinals): A surefire Hall of Famer as a player and executive, White’s 1964 is very tough to find well-centered in high grades. Near-mint copies bring $300-500.
While those represent some of the biggest star cards, there are also great values throughout the set on eBay for collectors working on team or player collections. Here are a few additional highlights:
Juan Marichal (San Francisco Giants): His intimidating windup made him must-watch TV in the 1960s. As an elite pitcher, his 1964 averages $150-250 based on condition.
Roberto Clemente (Pittsburgh Pirates): Already a 12-year veteran and perennial All-Star by 1964, Clemente’s legacy has only grown since his tragic death. His card sells consistently around $100-200 range.
Willie Mays (San Francisco Giants): As one of the consensus five best players ever, the Say Hey Kid’s 1964 is abundant but high grades approach $150.
Mickey Mantle (New York Yankees): The Mick was in the later stages of his HOF career but still a huge draw. Well-centered copies reach $75-150 despite its abundance.
Don Drysdale (Los Angeles Dodgers): His dominance on the mound equaled Koufax. His much more affordable 1964 goes for $50-100 typically.
While supply is limited on the true stars like Koufax, there is no shortage of collecting and trading opportunities throughout the entire 1964 Topps baseball card set on eBay. It highlights a golden era of the game with future legends and is beloved by vintage collectors nearly 60 years later. Condition, of course, is key to the investment potential but the 1964 issue remains a budget-friendly way to own affordable pieces of baseball history.
