When it comes to collecting and investing in baseball cards, there are certain cards that stand above the rest in terms of their historical significance, condition, and monetary value. These top cards represent some of the rarest and most coveted pieces of memorabilia from the earliest days of the sport up until modern times. While personal tastes may vary, most experts agree that the following represent the true cream of the crop when it comes to the best of the best baseball cards.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The undisputed king of all cards. Wagner was a superstar of the early game and only 50-200 of his iconic tobacco card are known to exist in various graded conditions. High grade examples have sold for over $3 million making this the most valuable baseball card ever printed.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle ROY – Mantle was a baseball icon and widely considered the greatest switch hitter of all time. His rookie card from Topps’s first complete set is arguably the most famous post-war issue. High grades have reached $250,000.

1903 Harvard Coach Car Company Stars Billy Sullivan – One of the rarest pre-WWI cards featuring one of the earliest baseball stars. Only 5-7 are known to exist in various conditions today. It set a auction record of $451,000 in 2016.

1909 E90-1 Joe Jackson – “Shoeless Joe” Jackson’s iconic tobacco era card is exceptionally rare with just a handful in collectors’ hands across all grades. His on-field play and controversies have kept him one of the most intriguing figures in baseball history.

1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx – Foxx was one of the most feared sluggers of his era and his 1933 Goudey card may be the most iconic from that pioneering set. High grades can fetch over $100,000.

1969 Topps Nolan Ryan RC – Ryan is baseball’s all-time strikeout king and one of the game’s most intimidating hurlers. His rookie card from Topps’s seminal ’69 set is among the best known and valued at over $20,000 PSA 10.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – “Big Six” was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history and his tobacco era card shows him intense on the mound. It’s considered nearly as rare as the Wagner with less than 100 survivors across all conditions.

1954 Topps Sandy Koufax RC – Koufax blossomed into arguably the finest left-handed pitcher ever in the late 50s-early 60s. His rookie is one of the most iconic and valuable post-war issues at $70,000+ PSA 10.

1931 Goudey Lou Gehrig – The Iron Horse’s dignified portrait from his first card captures the respect he commanded. High grades are valued at $30,000 due to his status as one of baseball’s first true superstars.

100.1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – The veteran lefty leads all pitchers of the Deadball Era in career wins. His tobacco card is among the rarest and most beautiful of that pioneering set.

1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson – One of the earliest cards featuring the controversial “Shoeless Joe.” Its graphic design with stats on the rear helped establish a layout still used today. Grades over $20,000.

1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean – The fiery righty dominated the NL in the 1930s and his cartoonish Goudey portrait shows his dramatic flair. A true ’30s superstar issue valued at $15,000 PSA 8.

1976 SSPC Mike Schmidt RC – “Schmitty” was a three-time MVP and one of the greatest third basemen ever. His industry-changing rookie set record prices at $50,000 ungraded.

1951 Bowman Willie Mays RC – Despite a small print run, the “Say Hey Kid’s” debut manages to not require a second mortgage. A PSA 9 brought $69,000 in recent auction.

1964 Topps Hank Aaron RC – Before breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record, “Hammerin’ Hank” earned this handsome RC from Topps’s premier ’64 set. A strong $20,000 PSA 10.

1988 Score Ken Griffey Jr. RC – With its iconic image of “Junior” leaping, this started the run of career-defining rookie cards in the modern era. Near Mint has topped $1,000 ungraded.

1914 Cracker Jack Walter Johnson – One of the earliest displaying stats that helped capture “The Big Train’s” greatness. With only a small survivor pool, it earns $5,000 PSA 8.

1915 Cracker Jack Babe Ruth – Among the earliest displaying the Bambino, before he started launching moonshots. Rarer high grades command impressive sums over $30,000.

1933 Goudey Dazzy Vance – A fierce competitor, “Daffy” won MVP honors in ’33. His fun Goudey pose highlights his NL leadership on mounds. $7,500 PSA 8.

1956 Topps Sandy Koufax – One of the earliest showing the young fireballer. Hugely popular for its iconic photo before he dominated in his prime years. $3,500 PSA 9.

1905 Gold Borders “Big Ed” Walsh – One of the earliest baseball stars and the Deadball Era’s top pitcher. Incredibly rare issue fewer than 10 graded copies exist.

1916 M101-8 Eddie Collins – Perennially underrated star displayed skills central to winning White Sox teams of teens-1920s. Legendary card valued near $4,000 PSA 8.

1917 Montrose Cravath – Among earliest displaying Dodgers star Gavvy Cravath, a slugging star predating the “lively ball.” Most superb condition among handful surviving.

1910 E95 Turkey Mike Donlin – One of the most distinctive images from Deadball Era captures charismatic star. Exceedingly rare high grades can earn six figures.

1953 Topps Mickey Mantle – Powerful switch hitter’s first Topps issue established him as “The Commerce Comet.” Valued at $2,800 PSA 9.

2004 Bowman Draft Vladimir Guerrero – Future Hall of Famer’s attractive rookie from pioneering Draft set. Iconic image presaged his power prowess in bigs.

1951 Topps Willie Mays – Follow up to ’51 Bowman shows Say Hey Kid following impressive rookie campaign. Stands as classic Mays image.

1964 Topps Brooks Robinson – Handsome issue displays “Radio” amid dominant defensive play at hot corner for O’s dynasty. Graded 9s near $1,000.

1971 Topps Johnny Bench – Emerging superstar catcher in action pose made him a perfect picture for baseball cards of new decade. Around $500 PSA 9.

2001 Topps Miguel Cabrera RC – Tiger slugger’s magnificent rookie introduced one of game’s most dominant hitters of modern era. $200 ungraded Near Mint.

And those round out what are widely considered the top 300 baseball cards of all-time when considering their rarity, condition, and association with the games greatest players both past and present. Of course, personal tastes will always vary and new discoveries or graded gems can alter rankings. But most experts would agree this list accurately reflects the true heavyweights in the never-ending world of baseball memorabilia collecting.