Baseball cards from the 1950s can provide a fascinating look into the history of the sport and are highly collectible. The 1958 Topps baseball card set in particular contains iconic players from that era and cards that can fetch high prices depending on condition and scarcity. Here is an in-depth guide to understanding values of 1958 Topps baseball cards.
The 1958 Topps set was the sixth series of modern baseball cards produced by the Topps Chewing Gum Company. It marked the first year Topps used a color photo on the front of each card instead of a colorized illustration. The set contains 520 cards numbered from 1 to 520. There were 12 cards issued as premiums that were not included in the base set numbering.
Some of the biggest star players featured in the 1958 Topps set included Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial and Ted Williams. These were some of the true legends of the game at that time who helped drive interest in collecting baseball cards. Their cards tend to be the most valuable, especially in high grades.
The condition or grade of a card is one of the biggest factors that impacts its value. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being flawless mint condition, here are some sample price ranges you may find for top cards in different grades:
Grade 5 (Poor): $5-10 for most common stars, $20-50 for the true all-time greats.
Grade 7 (Very Good): $25-100 for most stars, $100-250 for superstars in demand.
Grade 8 (Near Mint): $50-250 for stars, $200-500 for the best.
Grade 9 (Mint): $100-500 for stars, $500-1,000+ for the true elite.
Grade 10 (Gem Mint): $500-2,000+ depending on scarcity and demand.
Of course, there are outliers that can sell for far more depending on uniqueness or historical significance. A 1958 Mantle in PSA 10 grade recently sold at auction for over $100,000 due to its perfect condition and iconic subject.
In addition to condition, certain short printed or error cards from the 1958 set command premium prices due to their scarcity. Examples include:
Mickey Mantle #253: One of the most iconic and sought-after cards in the set. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $50,000.
Whitey Ford #310: Considered one of the key short prints of the set, with around half as many printed as a standard card.
Roy Face #519: A true short print, with under 10% as many printed as a standard card. Can sell for thousands in high grades due to rarity.
Warren Spahn Back #: Spahn’s front card is #76, but card #519 was found to have Spahn’s photo on the back instead of Roy Face. An incredible error that is arguably the most valuable card in the set.
High Numbers: Cards #481 and higher are considered short prints. #497 Jim Bunning and #520 Del Crandall can be especially valuable.
It’s also important to note the historic significance and condition of exceptionally well-known players’ rookie cards from 1958. Examples include:
#50 Hank Aaron RC: One of the most important rookie cards in the hobby. Prices start at $1,000+ for low-grade examples.
#65 Willie McCovey RC: A true Giants legend and first year star. $500+ in lower grades.
#125 Bob Gibson RC: Hall of Fame pitcher’s first card. $200+ depending on grade.
The 1958 Topps baseball card set offers collectors a chance to own vintage pieces of history featuring the game’s greatest stars. Condition, scarcity and player significance all factor into the value of individual cards. With some condition sensitivity, affordable collecting options exist even for common cards starting around $5-10. The true key cards and standouts can sell for thousands or even tens of thousands for elite examples. Understanding the dynamics of this classic set is useful for any baseball card investor or collector.
