The iconic baseball card has become an object of nostalgia, collecting and big money over the years. From the earliest cards printed in the late 1800s to modern issues, certain baseball cards have emerged as the most collectible and coveted over the decades. Here is a look at 100 of the most iconic baseball cards of all time:
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The king of all cards due to its rarity and Wagner’s legendary status. Only 50-200 are known to exist in various conditions. Prices have reached over $3 million.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The first post-war era card to break out and one of the most affordable cards of the great Mantle. A PSA 10 recently sold for over $275,000.
1948 Bowman Sandy Koufax – Considered the first card showing promise of Koufax’s future Hall of Fame career. High grades are scarce and can bring over $100,000.
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – One of the first real sports cards to show individual players and the Bambino in iconic called shot pose. PSA 8 prices approached $1 million.
1955 Topps Mickey Mantle – Mantle’s true rookie card that portrays him during his epic 1952-53 seasons. Demand for high grades like PSA 8 has pushed prices over $200,000.
1948 Bowman Jackie Robinson – Robinson’s groundbreaking rookie card and one of the most influential issues ever due to social impact. PSA 9 examples over $60,000.
1954 Topps Roberto Clemente – Clemente’s iconic true rookie that shows him during his standout 1955 NL MVP season. PSA 10 values surpass $50,000.
1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – Highly regarded left-handed pitching star of the deadball era. Rarity and condition challenges Plank’s T206 to over $100,000 raw.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Captures Aaron during his epic 1957 NL MVP and batting title season. High grades command over $10,000 in value.
1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson – One of the earliest inserts, it reflects the infamous “Shoeless Joe” of the Black Sox scandal era. PSA 8 over $25,000.
1952 Topps Willie Mays – Iconic action pose captures the excitement and skills of the Say Hey Kid in high definition. PSA 9 eclipses $15,000 value.
1951 Bowman Ted Williams – Showcases Williams’ picture perfect swing during his epic .350/38/123 1950 Red Sox MVP campaign. Graded 8 fetches over $12,000.
1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean – Premier pitcher of the 1930s in his St. Louis Browns uniform on his way to 1934 NL MVP. PSA 8 sells for $7,500+.
1888/89 Old Judge N168 Buck Ewing – Among the earliest tobacco era issues and portraits of a true pioneer. High graded authentic copies pursued at auction.
2005 Topps Update Mike Trout – Trout’s rookie card captures his phenom talent. Increased appreciation in recent years lifts PSA 10 over $10,000.
1952 Topps Duke Snider – Defines the Say Hey Kid’s exciting playing style. Grading issues temper price but a trueicon. PSA 8 carries $3,000+ value.
1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Portrait star pitcher of the deadball era Giants dynasty. Rarity drives higher prices for finest specimens.
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig – Captures the Iron Horse during the peak of his Hall of Fame career with the Yankees. PSA 8 surpasses $4,000 value.
1956 Topps Don Drysdale – Dominant pitching capture of future Hall of Famer and star of 1960s Dodgers. PSA 9 example fetches over $2,500.
1961 Topps Roger Maris – Iconic card showing Maris’ AL single season home run record year. Record price boosts finest graded to $2,000+.
1958 Topps Ernie Banks – Portrays “Mr. Cub” during his back-to-back MVP and Gold Glove seasons. Strong Chicago demand lifts PSA 10 above $1,500.
1933 Goudey Mel Ott – Preeminent power hitting outfielder of the 1930s Giants. Scarce high grades push value over $1,000 raw.
1957 Topps Willie Mays – Colorful issue following Mays’ epic 1956 MVP campaign with the Giants. Finest examples near $1,000.
1972 Topps Nolan Ryan – Dominating No Hitter King captured striking out a batter. Hall of Fame prestige supports over $1,000 raw.
1998 Bowman Albert Pujols – All-Star rookie captures future first ballot HOF slugger. One of few modern rookie cards over $1,000 raw PSA 10.
1972 Topps Mike Schmidt – Early portrait of a defensive wizard at third base. Hall of Fame value rises PSA 9 graded card to over $700.
1975 Topps George Brett – Young Brett taking cuts primes his multi decade career greatness. Consistent $500+ demand in PSA 9.
1961 Fleer Maury Wills – Iconic stolen base artist swiping another bags during his 104 steal campaign. High grades appreciate strongly over $500.
1969 Topps Tom Seaver – Seaver’s second year but first in Mets uniform captures an epic 20 win pitcher. Hall of Fame provenance supports over $500 PSA 9.
1975 Topps Mike Schmidt – Broad grinning Schmidt in Phillies duds. Over $400 value in PSA 9 rewards early collecting foresight.
1971 Topps Carl Yastrzemski – Durable slugger during record breaking 1967 Triple Crown season. Scarce high grades push over $400 raw.
1969 Topps Nolan Ryan – Ryan’s rookie season in Mets threads forecasts a Hall of Fame flamethrower. Graded gem examples over $350.
1976 Topps Ozzie Smith – Defensive wizard’s rookie season captured with the Padres. Popular Wizard nickname commands over $300 PSA 10.
1969 Topps Johnny Bench – Power hitting catcher’s rookie season first glimpse at a legend. Hall of Fame validated with PSA 9 nearing $300.
1975 Topps Eddie Murray- Power hitting prospect in Orioles uniform. Early appreciation boosts finest graded examples past $250.
1968 Topps Ron Santo- Grinning Cub third baseman in bright yellow. Chicagoana nostalgia pushes PSA 9 over $200.
1981 Fleer Update Cal Ripken Jr.- First glance at Iron Man during early success. Popular issue surpasses $150 PSA 9 graded.
1975 Topps Mike Schmidt- Broad grin returns Schmidt in Phillies uniform. HOF status commands $125+ PSA 9 value.
1958 Topps Don Drysdale- String bean power pitcher in Dodgers familiar script. Consistent $100+ PSA 9 demand annually.
1963 Topps Sandy Koufax- Iconic lefty shown releasing a devastating heater. Scarce top grades appreciate strongly over $100.
1972 Topps Joe Morgan- Hall of Famer hitting for Reds during back to back MVP seasons. Popular issue lifts PSA 10 over $100.
1965 Topps Juan Marichal- Crafty Dominican hurler in San Francisco threads. Scarcity aids finest examples to $100+ raw.
1959 Topps Willie McCovey- Power hitting rookie shown unleashing a mighty hack. Valuable issue pushes high grades near $100 raw.
1977 Topps Reggie Jackson- Mr. October shown with Yankees during peak years. Iconic player validates issue to $75+ PSA 10.
1965 Topps Brooks Robinson- Perennial Gold Glove third baseman in Orioles duds. Baltimore provenance supports over $75 PSA 9.
1979 Topps Nolan Ryan- Still Express throws flame for Angels. Hall of Fame aura lifts PSA 10 valued at $75+.
1960 Topps Pete Rose- Future hits king shown running the bases for Reds. Enshrinement fuels consistent $60+ PSA 10 demand.
1970 Topps Johnny Bench- MVP rookie season captured for Record Breaking slugging catcher. Enduring popularity sustains $50+ PSA 9 value.
1968 Topps Bob Gibson- Slasher shown dealing for Cards. Scarcity supports $50+ PSA 10 value of elite pitching iconicness.
1968 Topps Willie Stargell- Slugging first baseman shown batting for Pirates. Power hitting Pirates issues gain ground at $40+ PSA 9.
1966 Topps Bob Gibson- In mid swing showing NL MVP season dominance. Scarce high grades coveted at $40+ raw value.
1968 Topps Billy Williams- Slugging Cub Billy shown batting. Popular Wrigleyville issue at $35+ PSA 9 reflects fandom.
1970 Topps Brooks Robinson
