Baseball cards featuring legends of the game from the early days of the sport through modern times are some of the most desirable collectibles for any fan. Whether it’s rookie cards of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, or Mike Trout, cards showcasing all-time great players typically hold significant monetary and nostalgic value. Here is a price guide exploring the current market rates for vintage and modern cards featuring some of baseball’s undisputed legends.

Babe Ruth (1914-1948) – Perhaps the most iconic name in baseball history, Ruth dominated both on the mound and in the batter’s box during his playing career with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. His iconic 1914 Baltimore News printing plate issue rookie card in poor condition can sell for over $150,000. Excellent condition examples have sold for well over $1 million, making it one of the most expensive baseball cards ever sold. Other key Ruth rookie and early career singles typically sell in the $10,000-$50,000 range depending on the year, condition and scarcity of the specific issue.

Lou Gehrig (1921-1939) – As Ruth’s teammate and successor at first base for the Yankees, Gehrig established himself as one of game’s greats with his impressive 17-year career cut short by ALS. His 1921 Harrisburg Skeeter Reds MiLB card in low grade can be found for under $1,000 while choice specimens have brought over $100,000 at auction. Another coveted issue is his 1933 Goudey card, which sees prices from $2,000-$10,000 based on condition.

Joe DiMaggio (1936-1951) – As the Yankee Clipper, DiMaggio was known for his grace in the outfield and 56-game hitting streak in 1941. His 1937 Goudey rookie card in average condition trades hands for $15,000- $30,000 but can reach six figures for pristine high-grade copies. Other DiMaggio singles from his playing days also carry values of $1,000 to low five figures depending on the issue and condition.

Mickey Mantle (1951-1968) – Growing up in Oklahoma, Mantle became a Yankee legend and one of the game’s preeminent power hitters and center fielders. His prized 1952 Topps #311 rookie card recently set an auction record at $5.2 million for a PSA 9 copy, while mid-grade examples sell for $50,000-$100,000. Other early Topps Mantle rookies as well as 1952 Bowman and Red Man cigarettes issues are also highly valuable at $10,000-$50,000 across grades.

Bob Gibson (1959-1975) – A dominant right-handed flamethrower, Gibson led the St. Louis Cardinals to 1964 and 1967 World Series titles. His 1959 Topps #150 rookie card in average condition trades between $2,000-$5,000, escalating significantly for high-grade specimens in the $10,000+ range. His 1961 Topps highlights card is also coveted, bringing $1,500-$4,000 based on condition.

Willie Mays (1951-1973) – As one of the most exciting all-around players of all time, “The Say Hey Kid” starred for the New York and San Francisco Giants with mighty power and astounding defensive range in center field. His 1951 Bowman rookie in near-mint condition sold for over $93,000. Other early Mays rookies from 1951 and 1952 Topps respectively command $10,000-$30,000 each across grades. His 1957 and 1962 Topps highlight cards are also valuable at $2,000+ each.

Sandy Koufax (1955-1966) – In his peak years from 1961-1966 with the Dodgers, the hard-throwing left-hander established himself as one of the game’s great pitchers, famously refusing to pitch in the 1965 World Series due to the Jewish holidays. His 1956 Topps #61 rookie sells for $2,000-$5,000 depending on condition. His 1964 Topps highlights card, following his third Cy Young award, is prized at $4,000-$10,000.

Reggie Jackson (1967-1987) – Nicknamed “Mr. October” for his clutch postseason hitting, Jackson starred most notably for the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees. His 1968 Topps rookie sells for $800- $2,000 based on grade while its high-number counterpart can reach $3,000 for choice specimens. Jackson fans also pursue his 1969 Topps and 1971 Deckle Edge issues in the $500-$1,500 range.

Cal Ripken Jr. (1981-2001) – As the steadying force at shortstop and third base for the Baltimore Orioles franchise for two decades, Ripken’s ironman streak of 2,632 consecutive games played was a record that may never be broken. His memorable 1982 Topps #81 rookie card receives $2,000- $5,000 for average copies and is significantly more valuable in high grades. Other iconic Ripken singles from the 1980s also sell for $500-$2,000 depending on condition and scarcity.

Barry Bonds (1986-2007) – Whether you appreciate him for his prowess or controversy over PED allegations, Bonds is inarguably one of the game’s greatest hitters. His 1986 Topps #634 rookie card trades hands from $1,000 to over $5,000 dependent on grade while his 1998 Finest Refractor issue (#1/50) realized $36,000 at auction as a PSA 10 specimen. Other key Bonds rookie variations can reach four figures as well.

Ken Griffey Jr. (1989-2010) – With his elite combination of power and defense in center field, “The Kid” was one of the most exciting players of the 1990s and a fan favorite. His coveted 1989 Upper Deck #1 rookie card in pristine condition achieved a record $3.12 million sale price. Even raw copies sell for $2,000+. Other Griffey rookie cards like 1989 O-Pee-Chee and Bowman are also prized investments above $500 across grades.

Derek Jeter (1995-2014) – As the longtime captain and shortstop of the 1990s-2000s Yankee dynasty, Jeter established himself as a living legend at the position and one of the faces of Major League Baseball. High-grade copies of his 1996 Topps #1 rookie card have sold for over $250,000 in recent years. Most raw rookie specimens still demand $1,000+, showing his enduring popularity.

Mike Trout (2011-present) – Widely considered the best all-around player currently active, Trout has been a perennial American League MVP candidate for over a decade now with the Angels. Even with his playing career still unfolding, choice examples of his celebrated 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor (#1/1) autograph card have sold for over $400,000. Other notable early Trout rookies also hold significant long-term value at $100-$1,000 based on grade.

As this price guide illustrates, collecting the vintage and modern rookie cards of baseball’s immortals can represent rewarding investments in both nostalgia and financial terms. Condition clearly remains paramount to determining value, with higher grades often exponentially increasing the worth of a given historic issue. Savvy collectors strategically add desirable names to their collections when players first arrive on the scene or later in retirement as recognition of their greatness grows.