The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been popular for over 100 years. While it may bring nostalgia and fun to some, for serious collectors and investors, certain cards hold immense value. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the most coveted and expensive baseball cards in the world.

1909 T206 Honus Wagner – Considered the holy grail of baseball cards, only around 60 examples of the ultra-rare Wagner card are known to exist. In pristine condition, it can sell for well over $1 million, setting the record at $3.12 million in 2016. The card is special because Wagner asked the American Tobacco Company to withdraw his image from production due to his dislike of promoting tobacco.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – As one of the game’s true icons and one of the most collectible athletes ever, Mantle’s rookie card is hugely sought after. High graded versions in the range of PSA 8 to PSA 10 have sold for over $100,000, with a PSA 9 example selling for $228,000 in 2019.

1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth – One of the earliest baseball cards featuring “The Bambino,” it depicts Ruth during his playing days for the New York Yankees. In high grades like PSA 8 or above, it can fetch six figures or more at auction due to Ruth’s legendary status. A PSA 8.5 copy was auctioned for $275,000 last year.

1952 Topps Jackie Robinson – As the card of baseball’s first African American player in the post-Negro League era, it holds immense cultural significance. Higher graded PSA 8 to PSA 10 examples brought in excess of $100,000.

1920 Bray Corbitt – Sometimes called the Babe Ruth error card due to its showing Corbitt playing for the Boston Red Sox rather than the league he was in, NYX. Less than 100 are known to exist and a PSA Authentic example sold for $305,000 in 2018.

1914 Cracker Jack Lew Richie – One of the earliest cards inserted in Cracker Jack packs, which helped popularize the pastime. Graded PSA 8 copies sold in the $100,000 range.

1951 Bowman #1 Mickey Mantle – Considered the most historically significant card from the post-WW2 era, it features Mantle as a rookie. High graded PSA 8 to PSA 10 copies bring $50K and up. A PSA 8.5 example was sold for $195,000 in January 2020.

1995 Bowman’s Best Refractor Ken Griffey Jr – Griffey was one of the biggest stars of the 90s and his rookie refractors hold immense value due to scarcity and beauty. A rare Gem Mint PSA 10 sold for over $360,000 in 2019.

1909-11 T206 Joe Jackson – Considered one of the most underrated early 1900s players, “Shoeless Joe” Jackson is infamous for his alleged involvement in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. His high grade T206 cards are rare and valuable.

1948 Bowman Mickey Mantle – As one of Mantle’s earliest career cards from Topps’ earliest years, it remains one of the key vintage issues. A sharp PSA 8 brought $70,000 in 2018.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – One of the top pitchers of the Deadball Era, Plank’s image appeared on the iconic T206 set. An example in PSA 8 condition sold for over $100,000 recently.

1957 Topps #142 Sandy Koufax – Capturing Koufax as a young Dodgers pitcher before establishing himself as a Hall of Fame arm, high grade versions are valuable. A PSA 9 sold for $88,800 in 2019.

1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson – Considered one of the game’s greatest hurlers with a lifetime ERA under 2.00, “The Big Train’s” iconic cardboard is highly coveted. A PSA 8 copy achieved $83,000 in 2020.

1963 Topps #18 Pete Rose (Striking Pose) – An action photo of the hit leader Rose before his career took off. Higher PSA grades (8+) that show the full-motion photography in crisp detail command 5 figures or more.

1948 Leaf Joe DiMaggio – One of the earliest cards displaying “Joltin’ Joe” in his Yankee pinstripes. PSA 8s brought $70K while a PSA 7 sold for $50K in 2018. The condition sensitive quality adds allure.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Regarded as one of baseball’s earliest pitching aces, winning 373 games before his untimely death. Sharp high graded examples surpass $50K.

1917-19 M101-3 Babe Ruth – Capturing the Golden Era slugger in one of his early Boston clubs. A PSA 8 copy realized over $50,000 in auction this year.

1951 Bowman #321 Whitey Ford – Getting Ford as a young, rising pitcher for the Yankees dynasty years before he won over 200 games. Gems at PSA 9 or above reach $40-50K.

1968 Topps #20 Nolan Ryan – Iconic rookie card art of the all-time strikeout king, the hardest of hard throwers. High grades bring $25-30K or more.

1988 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. – Instantly iconic rookie card art of “The Kid.” High grade refractors can crack $30K on strong markets.

1989 Bowman Baseball Barry Bonds – Capturing Bonds’ coming out campaign with the Pirates before his controversial Giants run. A PSA 10 sold for over $24K in 2020.

2003 Topps Chrome Piazza Refractor – Legendary catcher’s iconic Refractor rookie honors his Dodger retirement. PSA 10s go for $20K territory.

1976 Sommer & Hoyt Mark Fidrych – Capturing “The Bird” in his electric, charismatic rookie year with the Tigers. High grades crack $15-20K.

1953 Topps Willie Mays – Early Topps card celebrating the “Say Hey Kid” in the heart of his legendary Giants career. Higher grades reach the 5-figure range.

1990 Score Ken Griffey Jr. – Iconic early RC in the mass-produced Score brand before the era of prized inserts. Condition matters less at $8-10K.

1999 SP Authentic Vladimir Guerrero – Eye-catching design and shot of the “Vlad the Impaler” Expos star. PSA 10s climb near $10K recently.

1997 Fleer Metal Universe Ken Griffey Jr. – Ultra- premium vintage parallel from Junior’s peak. Few true PSA 10s sell north of $5 figures.

2009 Topps Update Clayton Kershaw – Captures Kershaw as a rising star before his ace run. Higher graded PSA 10 RCs top over $5,000.

2014 Topps Allen & Ginter Mike Trout – Prized parallels of Trout from this iconic release. Pristine full-color RCs top over $3,000.

2006 Upper Deck Black Parallel Clayton Kershaw – Highly rare parallel of Kershaw’s early career. Short prints in Gem Mint shine near $3,000.

2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Kris Bryant – Capturing the slugging Cub’s star potential as a prospect. Pristine PSA 10s grow near $2,500.

2005 Topps Chrome Prospects Ryan Braun – Glowing parallels of Braun’s tools before his Brewers tenure. Higher graded versions crack $2,000.

2011 Topps Update Mike Trout – Iconic blue “Future Star” design heralding Trout’s coming out party. Near-Gem PSA 9s cross two grand.

Iconic cards from the earliest T206 era to modern stars command top dollar among avid collectors based on scarcity, condition, historical significance, and star power of the featured athlete captured in card form. Condition remains king for maximizing value across most of the top 30 cards highlighted here.