The baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown honors the greatest players to ever step foot on a Major League Baseball field. Getting inducted into the Hall of Fame is the highest achievement a player can accomplish. Part of what makes Hall of Famers so collectible and iconic is that many of them have treasured rookie baseball cards from when they first broke into the big leagues. Here is an in-depth look at some of the most coveted and valuable Hall of Fame rookie cards from years past:

Honus Wagner (1909 T206) – Widely considered the holy grail of baseball cards, Wagner’s 1909-11 T206 card in pristine condition can sell for well over $1 million. The shortstop played for the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates from 1897 to 1917. Only 50-200 examples of his rookie are known to exist in varying conditions. The rarity and Wagner’s status as one of the first true superstars makes this among the most valuable cards ever.

Ty Cobb (1909-11 T206) – As one of the greatest hitters and fiercest competitors, Cobb dominated MLB from 1905 to 1928 primarily with the Detroit Tigers. His T206 rookie card looks nearly identical to Wagner’s. High grade specimens can reach $500,000 due to the player’s iconic status and the issue’s scarcity with approximately 100 copies accounting for both models.

Babe Ruth (1914 Baltimore News) – Before becoming the legendary home run king with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, Ruth broke in as a pitcher for the Red Sox in 1914. The 1914 Baltimore News card is considered his true rookie effort. Only about 50 are known to exist, last selling for around $200,000 in gem mint condition.

Stan Musial (1941 Play Ball) – Musial played his entire 22-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1941 to 1944, winning three National League MVP awards. The “Man Stan” 1941 Play Ball card is one of his earliest and was part of a set solely dedicated to the Cardinals. Higher grade copies in the $50,000 range are obtainable for obsessive Musial collectors.

Jackie Robinson (1947 Topps, 1949 Leaf) – Breaking MLB’s color barrier with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, Robinson faced immense adversity and pressure but flourished on the field. His 1947 Topps card was the first baseball card to feature an African American. Around 20 high quality specimens remain. Robinson’s scarcer 1949 Leaf rookie, which has a production run under 10 copies, exceeds $100,000 at auction.

Mickey Mantle (1951 Bowman) – The Commerce Comet blazed his way to three American League MVPs and a record 18 All-Star appearances for the New York Yankees from 1951 to 1968. Mantle’s brilliant rookie season makes his 1951 Bowman debut one of the most iconic in the set’s history. Near-mint versions regularly soar above $100,000 at auction.

Sandy Koufax (1957 Topps) – In a short but dominant career spent entirely with the Dodgers from 1955 to 1966, Koufax became the youngest player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame. He won three Cy Young Awards and a record four ERA titles. High grade copies of Koufax’s 1952 Bowman or 1957 Topps rookie card achieved about $50,000 prior to the lefty’s death. Prices have likely increased since.

Bob Gibson (1959 Topps) – The St. Louis Cardinals’ hard-throwing righty owned a minuscule 1.12 ERA during the 1968 season, one of the lowest single-season ERAs of all-time. Gibson’s Hall of Fame career lasted from 1959 to 1975. Near-mint 1959 Topps versions can hit $15,000 due to condition issues with the classic but heavily produced set.

Reggie Jackson (1967 Topps) – Mr. October made his name in October, slugging three consecutive World Series home runs for the 1973 Oakland A’s. A five-time All-Star for the A’s and New York Yankees, Jackson blasted 563 career homers. High grade ’67 Topps copies sell for $7,000-$10,000 accounting for plentiful production and condition challenges.

George Brett (1973 Topps) – As the leader of the Kansas City Royals for nearly two decades, Brett amassed over 3,000 hits which included a record .390 batting average in 1980. His rookie card was issued in the prolific ’73 Topps set. Near-mint copies stay under $3,000 despite his Hall of Fame status.

Cal Ripken, Jr. (1981 Topps) – The Iron Man played shortstop and third base for 21 seasons sans interruption with the Baltimore Oreols from 1981 to 2001. Ripken smashed the consecutive games played record at 2,632. His ’81 Topps RC exchanged hands for $4,000-6,000 last year.

Tom Glavine (1987 Topps) – A pioneering southpaw who won 305 career games and two Cy Young Awards for the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets, Glavine made five All-Star appearances from 1987 to 2008. High grade ’87 Topps rookie cards reached $1,500.

Greg Maddux (1986 Donruss) – Admired for pinpoint control and crafty changeups, Maddux enjoyed a 23-year career primarily with the Braves and Chicago Cubs that netted him 355 wins and four Cy Youngs. Near-mint ’86 Donruss rookies sell around $1,000.

Ken Griffey, Jr (1989 Upper Deck) – The electrifying centerfielder totaled 630 home runs in 22 seasons for the Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, and Chicago White Sox. Junior’s stellar rookie campaign makes his ’89 Upper Deck one of the most iconic modern issues, averaging $4,000 in top condition.

Ivan Rodriguez (1991 Donruss) – Pudge established himself as the greatest defensive catcher ever, appearing in 13 All-Star Games and winning 13 Gold Gloves with the Rangers, Marlins, Tigers, Yankees and Nationals from 1991 to 2011. High quality copies of his valuable ’91 Donruss rookie reached $1,500.

Randy Johnson (1988 Bowman) – The intimidating 6’10” lefty dominated with his 100 MPH fastball en route to 303 wins and five Cy Youngs for six franchises. Near-mint versions of the Big Unit’s seldom-seen ’88 Bowman RC hold steady around $800 due to rarity despite four-digitasking pricesa few years ago.

Pedro Martinez (1990 Classic Best) – A revolutionary below-the-zone sinker artist for the Dodgers, Expos, Red Sox, Mets, and Phillies from 1992 to 2009, Pedro led the NL three times in ERA and strikeouts. Higher grade ’90 Classic Best rookies close to $800.

Derek Jeter (1992 Bowman) – As the longtime captain and shortstop of five World Series-winning Yankee teams, Jeter’s class, clutch hitting, and 3,465 hits made him a first-ballot inductee. Mint ’92 Bowman cards touched $4,000 before his retirement. Prices have cooled since.

Chipper Jones (1991 Leaf) – The switch-hitting third baseman was the cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves dynasty that won 14 consecutive NL East titles. Near-mint ’91 Leaf rookie cards average $1,000 due to condition difficulties with the tough set.

This covers some of the most impactful and valuable baseball Hall of Fame rookie cards from the early 20th century golden era through modern representatives of the game’s greatest generation inducted in recent years. While prices fluctuate regularly, these rare pieces of cardboard allow collectors of all levels to celebrate where it all began for immortal talents who left an indelible mark on America’s pastime.