The 1974 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the history of the sport. The design that year featured bold red borders and block lettering which gave the cards a very classic aesthetic appeal that has resonated with collectors for decades. While the majority of the 1974 Topps cards that remain in circulation today are in well-worn condition, there are still many high quality examples that have attained PSA grading.
PSA, or Professional Sports Authenticator, is the largest and most respected third-party authentication and grading service for trading cards and related memorabilia. They have graded millions of collectibles since they were founded in 1991 and use a numerical 1-10 scale to objectively describe a card’s condition and provide collectors assurance of its authenticity and grade. 1974 Topps cards that have received high PSA grades are highly sought after and can fetch big money at auction. Here’s a closer look at some of the top PSA graded ’74 Topps cards and what they have sold for:
One of the most iconic and highest valued 1974 Topps cards is the Hank Aaron rookie PSA Gem Mint 9. Aaron famously broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record in 1974 and his Topps rookie from 1954 is one of the most coveted in the hobby. A PSA 9 example sold for $299,988 on PWCC Marketplace in January 2021, setting a record for the highest price ever paid for a Hank Aaron rookie card at auction. Another Aaron rookie gem mint 9 sold for $240,000 in July 2020. Slightly lower graded but still excellent PSA 8 Hank Aaron rookies have still sold in the $100K+ range in recent years, a true testament to how beloved this card is.
Other superstar rookie cards that fetch big bucks in PSA 9 condition include Nolan Ryan (sold for $53,040 in July 2020), Rod Carew ($39,000 in January 2021), and Dave Winfield ($34,000 in November 2020). Even Hall of Fame veterans can demand huge prices – a PSA 9 1974 Topps Johnny Bench sold for $78,975 on PWCC just a few months ago in June 2021. Bench’s iconic photo and star power alone make this one of the most in-demand cards from the set.
But big money isn’t just reserved for future Hall of Famers – stars from the 1974 season itself can also attract large sums. A PSA 9 Hank Aaron Award card of breakout slugger Dick Allen sold for $22,800 in a June 2021 Goldin Auctions sale. Allen had one of his finest seasons in 1974, hitting .290 with 31 home runs and 113 RBIs while leading the AL in total bases. His success that year made his ’74 Topps cards very popular.
Another 1974 standout, Steve Garvey of the Dodgers, peaked as a player during this period. A PSA 9 of his basic issue card brought $11,000 last August. Garvey won the National League MVP award in 1974 while capturing his first of four straight NL batting titles with a .326 average. Cards highlighting peak seasons for all-time great players tend to resonate strongly with collectors.
Pitching cards can also hold great value. A 1974 Nolan Ryan PSA 9 sold for $16,200 in January 2021, while a Tom Seaver PSA 9 from the same year fetched $10,000 in May. Both Ryan and Seaver were entering their primes in 1974 and were already recognized as two of the game’s most dynamic hurlers, making their ’74 Topps issue very collectible. Even lesser lights can shine – a PSA 9 1974 Dave McNally (a 20-game winner that year) sold for $4,320 in August 2020.
When it comes to team and League Leader subset cards from 1974 Topps, high grades are also sought after. A PSA 9 Hank Aaron NL Home Run Leader card from 1974 set a new auction record of $15,600 in February 2021. Meanwhile, a PSA 9 1974 Willie Stargell NL Batting Champion card hit $11,520 in a June 2021 Robert Edward Auction. Such specialty and award cards highlighting statistical achievements greatly increase demand.
In summary, 1974 Topps baseball cards in high PSA grades have endured as some of the strongest investments and most iconic collectibles in the hobby due to the classic design paired with capturing so many all-time great players at the height of their careers or early in their careers. Condition is everything, but with so many legendary names and their peak seasons encapsulated on the cardboard, 1974 Topps will always be a benchmark set that helps define the rich history of the sport.
