Pacific baseball cards were produced from 1933 to 1951 and hold value for collectors seeking vintage cardboard from earlier eras of the game. While not as well-known as brands like Topps, Bowman and Goudey, Pacific cards helped fuel America’s love of the national pastime during the first half of the 20th century. Let’s take a deeper look at Pacific baseball cards value based on the year they were produced.
1933: 1933 is the first year Pacific issued baseball cards and they are key items for sets from that inaugural season. The 1933 Pacific card design features a player portrait on the front with stats and team information on the back. Due to their scarcity and status as the first Pacifics ever, 1933s in top-graded condition can fetch thousands of dollars. High-end stars like Babe Ruth and Jimmie Foxx top $5,000 in PSA/BGS 10 status. Solid near-mint to mint non-star cards range from $500 to $1,200 based on player demand.
1934-1935: Pacific took a hiatus after 1933 but returned with new baseball card releases in 1934 and 1935. The designs closely resembled the 1933 inaugural cards. Condition is more important than the specific player when determining 1934-1935 Pacific value since they don’t have the extreme rarity of 1933s. Coins in PSA 8 sell in the $150 to $400 range on average depending on name recognition. Top graded examples can reach $1,000 or more for biggest stars. In circulated/good shapes, 1934-1935 Pacifics cost $20 to $100.
1936: Pacific put out new card designs in 1936 that showcased mini team photos on the fronts with player stats on the reverse sides. The 1936s are tougher to acquire than 1934-1935 issues and feature some of the more aesthetic Pacific cards ever made. PSA 10 Babe Ruths have sold for over $6,000 while other all-time greats like Lou Gehrig, Jimmie Foxx reach the $2,000 to $3,000 range. Solid near-mint cards of stars fall in the $500 to $1,000 area. Good commons start at $100.
1937: Pacific’s 1937 release used a front-facing player portrait design similar to 1936 but without mini team photos. Condition matters greatly for 1937s since they are fairly scarce in the highest grades. PSA 10 Hank Greens and Mel Ott have sold for $4,000+. Other star cards in pristine opaque condition fetch $1,500+. Nicely-centered near-mints range from $200 to $500 depending on the player. Good/fair well-centered cards with strong eye appeal might get $50 to $100.
1938-1939: Two final pre-World War II issues came out from Pacific in 1938 and 1939. The 1938s have a side-by-side player photo and stat layout while 1939s used a vertical stats-only format on the back. Rarer stars in high grades from these “war years” can still command four-figure sums. PSA 10 Ted Williams rookies go for $4,000+. Other top authenticated stars reach $1,000 to $2,000. Most commons start around $100 in VG-EX and $200-300 in nice near-mint.
1946-1951: After a long gap during WW2, Pacific returned with sets every year from 1946-1951 before ceasing production. While no single season really stands out, these post-war Pacifics as a whole feature highly collectible iconic players from that era. Top stars in top condition remain quite valuable. An ungraded Hank Aaron rookie could sell for $5,000 raw, while PSA 8s trade hands for $3,000. Other all-time great rookie cards like Roy Campanella also regularly fetch four figures. Overall, 1946-1951 Pacifics offer affordable classic cardboard for builders of vintage sets and remain an awesome time capsule of early MLB stars.
While Pacific never reached the production heights of the true “big three” vintage card producers, their colorful early 20th century issues contain lasting value, especially 1933s which established the brand. Later 1930s offerings also hold their own in the collectibles marketplace due to scarcity and representation of legends before WWII. Pacific’s post-war return provided additional opportunities to pull iconic rookies worth thousands today. With rarer star cards achieving five- and even six-figure sums, Pacific baseball cards continue fueling nostalgia and excitement for dedicated vintage hobbyists.
