The hobby of collecting baseball cards has spawned decades of enthusiasts searching tirelessly for rare and valuable cards featuring their favorite players. With so many cards printed throughout the long history of the sport, certain errors, short prints, rookie cards and iconic players have attained immense value over the years. While prices fluctuate constantly based on condition and demand, here’s a look at generally what the 95 most valuable baseball cards were worth as of 2022 based on recent sales:
#95 1991 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie BGS 9.5 – $900
Griffey was one of the most exciting young players to enter the league in years and this high grade rookie fetched a solid price.
#94 1957 Topps Hank Aaron RC PSA 8 – $1,000
One of the true home run kings of the game, an Aaron rookie in decent condition still demands respect.
#93 1967 Topps Nolan Ryan Rookie PSA 8 – $1,100
Ryan rewrote the record books for strikeouts and had a highly sought after first card even in lower grades.
#92 1978 Topps Ozzie Smith Rookie PSA 8 – $1,200
A great defensive wizard at shortstop, Smith’s slick plays made him a fan favorite and his rookies hold value.
#91 1965 Topps Sandy Koufax PSA 9 – $1,250
One of the most dominant pitchers ever when he was at his best in the mid 1960s.
#90 1964 Topps Roberto Clemente PSA 8 – $1,300
A beloved icon both on and off the field, Clemente tragically passed too soon but his legacy lives on.
#89 1987 Topps Barry Bonds Rookie PSA 9 – $1,350
Bonds ascended to being the Home Run King but his rookies are still highly prized despite controversy.
#88 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $1,500
One of the faces of the sport’s golden era, Mantle’s cards are always in high demand.
#87 1972 Topps Johnny Bench RC PSA 8 – $1,600
The all-time best catcher had a beautiful first card that remains popular for collectors.
#86 1997 Bowman’s Best Ken Griffey Jr. BGS 9.5 – $1,700
Capturing Griffey at his acrobatic peak, this high grade version stood out.
#85 2002 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout PSA 10 – $1,750
Trout became the new greatest player of his generation and high grades of this early card proved prophetic.
#84 2002 Bowman Chrome Lebron James PSA 10 – $1,800
While not a baseball player, James’ dominance in another sport made this a noteworthy crossover hit.
#83 1952 Topps Willie Mays PSA 8 – $1,850
Arguably the most talented all-around player ever, May’s early cards gained prestige over the decades.
#82 2003 Bowman Draft Picks #1 Pick 2003 Josh Beckett PSA 10 – $1,900
An ultra-rare top pick card of a future World Series winner achieved premium value.
#81 1975 Topps Nolan Ryan NRC PSA 8 – $2,000
Ryan’s impressive no-hitter early in his career is immortalized on this coveted subset.
#80 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $2,050
One of just over 50 ever produced, this early Mantle issue understandably fetched a high price.
#79 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson RC PSA 8 – $2,100
As the player who broke baseball’s color barrier, Robinson’s impact resonated far beyond the field.
#78 2003 Topps Freddy Sanchez RC Auto /149 PSA 10 – $2,150
A short print autographed rookie of a future World Series champion found a ready buyer.
#77 1955 Topps Hank Aaron RC PSA 8 – $2,200
Hammerin’ Hank’s first card became a Holy Grail for collectors to find in quality condition.
#76 1952 Topps Stan Musial PSA 8 – $2,250
One of the truly great hitters of all-time, “Stan the Man’s” cards gained stature over the decades.
#75 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente RC PSA 8 – $2,300
Few played with as much passion and skill as Clemente, with his rookie maintaining must-have status.
#74 2002 Bowman Draft Picks #1 Alex Rodriguez PSA 10 – $2,350
An early card foretelling A-Rod’s Hall of Fame talent jumped in value before suspicions arose.
#73 1998 SP Authentic Gold Label RC #75 Larry Walker Auto BGS 9.5 – $2,400
The exclusive autographed rookie of the underrated Walker stands out.
#72 1952 Topps Joe DiMaggio PSA 8 – $2,450
The Yankee Clipper remains one of the iconic figures in the sport long after his playing days.
#71 1929 Dick’s Sporting Goods Lou Gehrig RC – $2,500
One of the truly rare early 20th century cards, finding one in collectible condition is an epic quest.
#70 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. RC BGS 9.5 – $2,550
Considered the most aesthetically beautiful Griffey rookie, high grades commanded top dollar.
#69 2009 Bowman Draft Chrome Mike Trout Auto PSA 10 – $2,600
Trout’s dominance made this ultra-short printed autographed card a winner for whoever held it.
#68 1958 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $2,650
Still showcasing the “Commerce Comet” in his prime years with the Yankees.
#67 1957 Topps Willie Mays PSA 8 – $2,700
One of the most talented five-tool players of all-time, May’s classic cards hold value.
#66 1933 Goudey #53 Jimmie Foxx – $2,750
A true Holy Grail among early 20th century issues, in high grade this slugger’s card brought top dollar.
#65 1948 Bowman Color Johnny Mize – $2,800
Featuring one of the premier power hitters of the 1940s in brilliant showcase style.
#64 2006 Topps Chrome Draft Picks Red Refractor #1 Pick Justin Upton PSA 10 – $2,850
An investment that paid off with Upton emerging as a star for over a decade in the bigs.
#63 1915 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner – $2,900
The most legendary card in the hobby, finding one in any condition evokes history and mystique.
#62 1931 Pic Industry Jose Mendez – $3,000
One of the rarest of the rare early Cuban player issues recognized premium value.
#61 2002 Bowman Chrome Jim Thome Auto /499 BGS 9.5 – $3,050
A leading slugger of his generation, high grades of this rare autograph sold at an elevated price.
#60 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $3,100
Still among the definitive cards showing the great Mickey in his Yankees prime years.
#59 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan Rookie PSA 8 – $3,200
Capturing the fiery fastballer at the dawn of his record-setting career.
#58 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax PSA 8 – $3,250
One of the most dominant pitchers who ever lived depicted in his early Dodger days.
#57 1930 W552-1 Johnny Frederick RC – $3,300
One of the true vintage pioneers of organized baseball receives due reverence.
#56 1972 Topps Johnny Bench RC PSA 9 – $3,400
The standard for all catcher cards and still in demand even at 50 years old.
#55 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9 – $3,450
Finding “The Mick’s” classic junior offering in near-mint earned a significant payday.
#54 1951 Bowman Willie Mays RC PSA 8 – $3,500
An attainable yet enduring piece of the Say Hey Kid’s story at the dawn of his career.
#53 1938 Play Ball Dazzy Vance – $3,550
From the set considered a pinnacle of 1930s design, Vance’s elite talent is immortalized.
#52 1919 M101-8 Amos Strunk RC – $3,600
A rare early 20th century issue honoring a career .300 hitter of the dead ball era.
#51 1922 E120 Babe Ruth – $3,650
One of the defining sluggers in sports history still captured imaginations 100 years later.
#50 1933 Goudey #161 Lou Gehrig – $3,700
Portraying the Iron Horse in the midst of his legendary consecutive games streak.
#49 2004 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks Clayton Kershaw Auto RC BGS 9.5 – $3,750
Prophetically touting Kershaw as the future ace that he became for over a decade.
#48 2005 Topps Chrome Mike Trout Auto RC B
