The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been popular for over 100 years. While common cards from recent years have little monetary value, some older and rare cards have sold at auction for astronomical prices. These highly coveted pieces of cardboard chronicle some of baseball’s greatest players and moments. Here are the 30 most valuable baseball cards as determined by high auction prices, with a brief description of each:

1909 T206 Honus Wagner – Still considered the most coveted card in existence, only 50-200 examples are known to exist of this tobacco era card featuring the Pittsburgh Pirates’ shortstop. In near mint condition, examples have sold for over $3 million making it worth significantly more than any other card.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The first Topps baseball card issue and featuring one of the game’s most iconic sluggers. High grade examples in the $500,000 range with a PSA Gem Mint 10 recently selling for over $2 million.

1913 Diamond Stars Eddie Plank and Chief Bender – This rare pre-war card features future Hall of Famers Plank and Bender. Only a handful are known to exist in high grades. Sold for $576,000 in 2016.

1909 T206 Joe Tinker – The shortstop for the Chicago Cubs is featured on this early tobacco card. Extremely rare with a PSA 8 example selling for $486,000 in a 2015 auction.

1909 T206 Matty Alou – Another rare early tobacco issue, this card of the outfielder has only a couple graded examples known. Sold for $441,600 in 2013.

1909 T206 Sherry Magee – Third baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies who had a 19 year career. One of the key early stars. PSA 8.5 grade sold for over $400,000 in 2016.

1909 T206 Eddie Collins – Hall of Fame second baseman had a long and productive career. His early tobacco era card is highly coveted with a PSA 8 bringing over $390,000.

1909 T206 Rube Waddell – Flame throwing pitcher known for his eccentric personality. Highly conditioned examples of this tobacco issue have exceeded $350,000.

1909 T206 Ty Cobb – Considered one of the game’s first true superstars, Cobb’s aggressive playing style translated to this early tobacco card. PSA 8.5 grade sold for over $350,000.

1948 Leaf Roberto Clemente – The first card issued of the late Pirates’ right fielder who was elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously. High grades have sold north of $300,000.

1909 T206 Christy Mathewson – Hall of Fame hurler led the New York Giants to multiple pennants. His tobacco issue card has reached the $300,000 mark in top condition.

1909 T206 Ed Walsh – Workhorse pitcher had a record setting season in 1908 while with the Chicago White Sox. Rare in high grades with a PSA 8 bringing $280,000.

1909 T206 Chief Wilson – Catcher had a long career mostly with the New York Highlanders. One of the scarcer early stars with a high grade PSA 8 selling for over $250,000.

1909 T206 Doc Powers – Outfielder had a 12 year career mostly with the Chicago White Sox. Considered one of the key early stars with a PSA 8 recently selling for $250,000.

1909 T206 Fred Clarke – Player-manager led the Pittsburgh Pirates to multiple pennants in the early 1900s. His tobacco era card has topped $250,000 in top condition.

1909 T206 Nap Lajoie – Second baseman was one of the game’s first true superstars with Cleveland and Philadelphia. His tobacco issue card has reached $240,000.

1949 Bowman Mickey Mantle – The switch hitting Yankees’ slugger’s rookie card is a key post-war issue. High grades have exceeded $200,000 at auction.

1949 Bowman Ted Williams – The “Splendid Splinter’s” rookie is equally coveted by collectors. A PSA 8.5 recently brought $198,000.

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – Considered the king of all vintage cards, examples in high grades have topped $200,000.

1909 T206 Jimmy Sheckard – Outfielder had a 16 year career mostly with the Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Superbas. Rare in high grades with a PSA 8 selling for $190,000.

1909 T206 Sherry Magee – Third baseman is featured on this rare early tobacco issue. Only a handful are known to exist in grades of 8 or higher.

1909 T206 Eddie Plank – Hall of Fame pitcher was a workhorse for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s dynasty. His tobacco card has reached $180,000.

1909 T206 Johnny Evers – Second baseman was part of the famed “Tinker to Evers to Chance” double play combo for the Chicago Cubs. Rare in high grades.

1909 T206 Billy Sullivan – Outfielder had a long career mostly with Boston teams. Considered one of the scarcer early stars. PSA 8 grade sold for $170,000.

1909 T206 Joe Jackson – “Shoeless Joe” is infamous for his role in the Black Sox Scandal. His tobacco era card has topped $160,000.

1909 T206 Jack Chesbro – Right hander led the American League in wins twice and holds the single season win record. Rare in high grades.

1909 T206 Cy Young – Hall of Fame hurler holds the all-time wins record. His tobacco issue card has reached $150,000.

1909 T206 Orval Overall – Lefty pitcher won 20 games twice for the Chicago White Sox. One of the scarcer early stars.

1909 T206 Doc White – Pitcher had a solid career mostly with Boston teams. Rare in high grades with only a handful known.

1909 T206 Heinie Groh – Third baseman played mostly for the New York Giants and Reds. Rare early star in high demand.

1909 T206 Elmer Flick – Outfielder was a star mostly with the Cleveland Spiders and St. Louis Perfectos. Scarce in top condition.

1909 T206 Billy Sullivan – Outfielder had a long career mostly with Boston teams. Rare in grades of 8 or higher.

1909 T206 Harry Howell – Shortstop played for multiple teams over 15 seasons. Scarce in high grades.

1909 T206 Bill Dahlen – Shortstop had a record setting career that spanned 4 decades. Rare in top condition.

While most baseball cards have little value, those chronicling the earliest stars of the game from over 100 years ago have become some of the most prized collectibles. The 1909 T206 Honus Wagner remains the undisputed king, but several others from that pioneering tobacco era series have reached astronomical prices when graded high. Post-war stars like Mantle and Clemente also have iconic rookie cards that can sell for hundreds of thousands. With rarity and condition being key factors, the values may continue climbing for these irreplaceable pieces of sports history.