The Topps Company, Inc. is an American publisher of collectibles and sports trading cards best known for their production of baseball cards. Since its founding in 1938, Topps has grown to become a global leader in collectibles and a true pioneer in the sports card industry. Throughout the decades, Topps has produced some of the most iconic and valuable trading cards featuring legendary players from Babe Ruth to Mike Trout. Here is an in-depth look at some of the top 100 most valuable and desirable Topps baseball cards based on factors like rarity, player featured, autographs, and overall condition:
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle (PSA 9): Of Mickey Mantle’s Topps rookie cards from 1952, the #311 is considered the rarest and most coveted. Graded PSA 9, this card in excellent condition sold for over $2.88 million in 2021, making it the highest price ever paid for a Mantle rookie card. Only about 50 copies are known to exist in high grades.
1952 Topps #253 Hank Aaron (PSA 8): Another key rookie from the 1952 Topps set belongs to Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. Fewer than 10 copies grade PSA 8 or higher, making this one of the most important and valuable vintage cards featuring “Hammerin’ Hank.” A PSA 8 sold for $299,300 in 2022.
1959 Topps #172 Stan Musial (PSA 8): Arguably the greatest hitting performance in MLB history belongs to Stan “The Man” Musial. His 1959 Topps card remains one of the most iconic from the 1950s/60s era. High graded versions can pull in over $100,000 today.
1952 Topps #35 Willie Mays (PSA 8): While not a true rookie card, the 1952 Topps #35 featuring 21-year old Willie Mays captures “The Say Hey Kid” in the early days of his illustrious career. Highly conditioned versions consistently sell for six figures.
1948 Leaf #79 Jackie Robinson (PSA 5): Debuting one year before his Topps rookie, the 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson is the true pioneer’s first trading card appearance. All high grade examples are locked away in expensive institution collections. Even a lowly PSA 5 sold for $360,000.
1967 Topps #238 Nolan Ryan (PSA 8): This is considered Nolan Ryan’s true rookie card as his 1966s were produced post-rookie season. Fewer than 10 high grade PSA 8s exist, and they typically sell for well over $100,000 when available.
1989 Topps Tiffany #132 Kirby Puckett (PSA 10): Puckett’s 1989 Topps rookie was part of the Tiffany short printed subset which added rarity and value. A flawless PSA 10 recently realized over $93,000 at auction.
1952 Bowman #79 Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): Along with his 1952 Topps, the 1952 Bowman Mantle rookie remains one of the most significant sports cards in existence. The condition is slightly rarer than the Topps, thus more valuable at around $3 million PSA 8.
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA Authentic): There are less than 60 authentic Wagner T206 tobacco cards known to exist in any condition. Backed by impeccable PSA authentification and preservation, one of these sold for over $6.6 million in 2016, shattering previous hobby records.
1966 Topps #556 Sandy Koufax (PSA 8): Fresh off winning three straight Cy Young awards, Koufax’s only 1966 issue card is one of the rarest and most desired from the 1960s period. High grade examples over $100,000.
1959 Topps #312 Willie Mays (PSA 8): The signature card of “The Catch,” this Mays stars as one of the most iconic baseball images ever captured on cardboard. Original art scans sell for $50,000+. Graded versions reach six figures.
1999 Bowman Chrome #535 Chipper Jones (PSA 10): The ultra short printed refractors parallel made Bowman Chrome rookie cards extremely valuable. Jones has the benefit of Hall of Fame career as well. A pristine PSA 10 ranks over $25,000.
1956 Topps #151 Roberto Clemente (PSA 8): Shot during his sophomore season, this classic Clemente is recognized as one of the Golden Era’s most gorgeous and memorable. A PSA 8 recently hit $72,000.
2003 Topps Chrome Refractors #205 Mike Trout (PSA 10): Trout exploded onto the scene in 2012, earning this vastly undervalued card a new claim to fame. With Trout’s career accomplishments, a perfect chrome in expensive holder hovers near $10K.
1974 Topps #647 Mike Schmidt (PSA 8): Schmidt’s rookie belongs to one of the game’s classiest sluggers. Very low pop reports on high grades spike values north of $8,000 for a quality example.
1969 Topps #376 Nolan Ryan (PSA 8): Part of the coveted ’69 set, this Ryan already showed unparalleled dominance as a 20-year old phenom. High grade versions eclipse the $10,000 threshold.
1910 E90-1 Am1 John McGraw T206 (PSA Authentic): As the great manager of the early 20th century Giants, McGraw is one of the most important figures in baseball history. His scarce tobacco era relics top $75,000 in PSA holder.
1969 Topps #1 Johnny Bench (PSA 8): Bench had one of the defining rookie seasons ever in ’68, earning this flagship card major demand. A quality gem PSA 8 recently sold for $8,400.
1980 Topps Traded #T83 Fernando Valenzuela (PSA 8): Fernandomania took the country by storm in ’81. His rookie traded card remains one of the set’s most recognizable and valuable at $5,000 PSA 8.
1916 M101-8 Billy Sullivan (PSA 8): From the ultra elusive 1916 T206 Sporting Life subset, the rare Sullivan plate generates record amounts of hobby attention. Over $40,000 in holder.
2001 Bowman Chrome Refractor #39 Ichiro Suzuki (PSA 10): Ichiro broke through with legendary rookie numbers and this card’s flashy chrome won over collectors. Pristine editions command $5,000+.
1957 Topps #97 Hank Aaron (PSA 8): One of the most gorgeous cards from the golden Topps era, this classic Aaron compels bids well over $5,000 for quality gems.
1999 Topps Chrome Updated #US250 Chipper Jones (PSA 10): Extremely limited printing made the “Update” set hugely popular. Jones’ phenomenal rookie year seals it over $4,000 pristine.
1939 Play Ball #7 Joe DiMaggio (PSA 5): Shot during DiMaggio’s age-23 season, this early Johnny Lazor portrait captures the mystique before the 56 game hit streak. $20,000 PSA 5.
1961 Topps #283 Sandy Koufax (PSA 8): Widely recognized as one of the most legendary pitcher images ever, no collection is complete without a Koufax “striking out” Yankee. $3,000+ PSA 8.
1992 Bowman #1 Chipper Jones (PSA 10): While not his official rookie, this Jones flaunts the rare Prospects designation before his Hall of Fame career. Finest quality rings in over $3,500.
1952 Topps #139 Duke Snider (PSA 8): Capturing an early phase of “The Duke’s” career with Brooklyn, these highly graded vintage examples fetch $2,500-3,000 range.
1973 Topps #540 Johnny Bench (PSA 8): One of Bench’s most memorable and striking action poses from the glory 1970s. High grades demand top dollar over $2,000.
1975 Topps Traded #T209 George Brett (PSA 8): Brett was already a star by ’75 but this scarce traded designation skyrockets value on quality gems to $3,000+.
1986 Fleer Update #U-50 Barry Bonds (PSA 10): Bonds rookie appearance was scarce to start, making the Fleer updates very collectible. An immaculate pristine tops $2,000.
2019 Topps Archives #ARH Mike Trout (PSA 10): Fresh off his 3rd MVP, Trout’s retro issue blends history with modern acclaim. Top grade editions soar near $1,500.
1956 Topps #142 Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): Mickey during his peak earning years with the original Yankees. Razor sharp vintage examples attract bids up to $1,500.
1988 Fleer Update #U-2 Nolan Ryan (PSA 10): Ryan’s final rookie card update makes a iconic bookend to his childhood iterations. Perfect editions reach $1,200 price barrier.
1988 Score #1 Ken Griffey Jr (PSA 10): Griffey shared his rookie season with Bonds and Johnson, but his classic Score rookie resonates strongest. $1,000+ flawless.
2005 Topps Chrome #150 Albert Pujols (PSA 10): Shot during Pujols’ first MVP season, these highly reflective rookies push past $1,000 for absolute mint condition.
1986 Topps Traded Tiffany #Tr
