The 1970s were a golden age for baseball card collecting. Major League Baseball was more popular than ever and the growing hobby of collecting baseball cards flourished during this decade. While individual cards from the 1950s and 1960s can be more valuable today, the 1970s produced some of the most iconic and desirable cards that are still sought after by collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the best and most valuable baseball cards from the 1970s.

1973 Topps Nolan Ryan (#144) – Nolan Ryan was just starting to emerge as a pitching superstar in the early 1970s. His 1973 Topps card, which features a powerful windup shot, is one of the most iconic of his early career cards. It’s a key card for any Ryan collection and in top graded condition can sell for over $1,000. The card captured Ryan during one of his early dominant seasons and remains highly collectible today.

1975 Topps Joe Morgan (#250) – Joe Morgan was at the peak of his Hall of Fame career in the mid-1970s while with the Cincinnati Reds. His 1975 Topps card shows him perfectly capturing a line drive. This is considered one of the best action pose cards of the decade. In high graded condition it can sell for well over $1,000. It’s a must-have for any 1970s collection.

1976 Topps Reggie Jackson (#130) – “Mr. October” was already a superstar by 1976 but had yet to win a World Series. His iconic Topps card from this year features an intense close-up portrait shot. High graded examples can sell for over $2,000 due to Jackson’s popularity and the card’s classic design. It’s one of the true standouts from the 1970s.

1977 Topps Ozzie Smith (#90) – Known as the “Wizard” for his incredible defensive skills, Ozzie Smith was just breaking into the majors in 1977 with the San Diego Padres. His rookie card from this year’s Topps set is one of the most sought after from the decade. High graded PSA 10 examples have sold for over $10,000. It remains the key card for any Smith collection.

1978 Topps Ron Guidry (#132) – Ron Guidry had a breakout season in 1978 when he went 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA to win the American League Cy Young Award. His iconic card from that season, which shows him mid-windup, is among the most desirable from the late 1970s. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $2,000. It captures Guidry during one of his finest seasons.

1979 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. (#481) – While still just a rookie in 1979, Cal Ripken Jr. was already showing signs of the future Hall of Famer he would become. His rookie card remains one of the most iconic and sought after from the entire 1970s-1980s era. High graded PSA 10 copies have sold for over $4,000. It started off Ripken’s incredible baseball career.

1979 Topps Dave Parker (#500) – “The Cobra” was in his prime in the late 1970s while with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His 1979 Topps issue shows him in the batter’s box and is one of the more visually striking cards of that year. High graded versions have sold for over $1,000. It captures Parker during one of his All-Star seasons.

In addition to individual star cards, there were several key sets produced in the 1970s that remain highly desirable in the hobby. The flagship 1975 Topps set, which included cards of stars like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Carl Yastrzemski, is considered one of the finest designs of the decade. The 1972 Topps set, which included Nolan Ryan’s first Topps rookie card, is also highly sought after. The 1973 Topps set featured the debut Topps cards of future Hall of Famers George Brett and Robin Yount. And the 1979 Topps set, which included Ripken and Parker’s rookies, remains a key set from the late 1970s.

In terms of condition, PSA 10 “Gem Mint” copies of 1970s stars cards are the true blue chip investments. There are also great collecting and investment opportunities in high graded PSA 9 examples as well. The 1970s produced some of the most iconic baseball card designs and images ever. Collecting stars from this golden era of the hobby remains an exciting pursuit for any sports card enthusiast. The cards mentioned here represent just a sampling of the true standouts and most valuable from the 1970s – a decade that left an indelible mark on the baseball card collecting world.