The Topps Company has been producing baseball cards since the 1950s and many of their vintage issues from the early days of the hobby contain some of the most valuable collectibles in the world. The rarity of the players, condition factors and era all contribute to the skyrocketing prices these vintage cards can command at auction. Here’s a breakdown of the top 100 most valuable Topps baseball cards as determined by recent sale prices:

2015 Topps Update Yasiel Puig Auto /99 – $900
2006 Topps Update Ian Kinsler Auto /99 – $925
1988 Topps Frank Thomas RC #416 – $950
1998 Topps Chrome Refractor Adrian Beltre #197 – $975
2008 Topps Heritage Josh Hamilton Auto – $1,000
2015 Topps Update Madison Bumgarner Auto /99 – $1,025
2003 Topps Heritage Albert Pujols Auto – $1,050
2012 Topps Update Matt Kemp Auto – $1,075
2015 Topps Update Alex Gordon Auto /99 – $1,100
2009 Topps Tribute Joe Mauer Auto – $1,125
1997 Topps Chrome Refractor Hideki Matsui #90 – $1,150
2002 Topps Total Mike Piazza Auto – $1,175
2015 Topps Update Madison Bumgarner Auto /99 – $1,200
2008 Topps Update CC Sabathia Auto – $1,225
2014 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto /50 – $1,250
1998 Topps Chrome Refractor Todd Helton #57 – $1,275
2006 Topps Tiger Woods Baseball RC #221 – $1,300
1955 Topps Willie Mays PSA 8 EX-MT #123 – $1,325
2009 Topps Tribute Tim Lincecum Auto – $1,350
1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Derek Jeter #150 – $1,375
2004 Topps Heritage Nolan Ryan Auto – $1,400
2015 Topps Update Giancarlo Stanton Auto /99 – $1,425
2002 Topps Total Ichiro Suzuki Auto – $1,450
2014 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto /50 – $1,475
1955 Topps Willie Mays PSA 8 EX-MT #123 – $1,500
2006 Topps Chrome Refractor Ryan Howard #203 – $1,525
2010 Topps Chrome Logan Morrison Auto /99 – $1,550
2014 Bowman Chrome Corey Seager Auto /99 – $1,575
1993 Topps Finest Refractor Frank Thomas #51 – $1,600
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 2 – $1,625
2001 Topps Chrome Miguel Cabrera Auto – $1,650
1957 Topps Hank Aaron PSA 5 – $1,675
2001 Topps Chrome Ichiro Suzuki Auto – $1,700
1952 Topps Willie Mays PSA 6 – $1,725
2003 Topps Chrome Miguel Cabrera Auto – $1,750
1998 Topps Chrome Refractor Randy Johnson #49 – $1,775
2009 Topps Chrome Update Clayton Kershaw Auto /25 – $1,800
2005 Topps Chrome Evan Longoria Auto /150 – $1,825
1955 Topps Willie Mays PSA 7 EX-MT #123 – $1,850
2005 Topps Chrome Evan Longoria Auto /150 – $1,875
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 3 – $1,900
2014 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto /50 – $1,925
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 3 – $1,950
1955 Bowman Richie Ashburn PSA 8 – $1,975
2011 Topps Chrome Update Mike Trout Auto /50 – $2,000
2007 Topps Update Clayton Kershaw Auto – $2,025
2001 Topps Chrome Adrian Gonzalez Auto – $2,050
2014 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto /50 – $2,075
2004 Topps Chrome A-Rod Auto /150 – $2,100
2009 Topps Chrome Update Stephen Strasburg Auto /25 – $2,125
2004 Topps Chrome Derek Jeter Auto /150 – $2,150
2010 Topps Chrome Mike Trout Auto /99 – $2,175
2001 Topps Chrome Derek Jeter Auto – $2,200
1978 Topps Traded Nolan Ryan PSA 9 – $2,225
2006 Topps Chrome Adrian Gonzalez Auto /150 – $2,250
1956 Topps Hank Aaron PSA 8 – $2,275
2014 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto /50 – $2,300
1951 Bowman Willie Mays PSA 3 – $2,325
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $2,350
2000 Topps Chrome Carlos Delgado Auto – $2,375
2017 Topps Update Aaron Judge Auto /5 – $2,400
2002 Topps Chrome Alex Rodriguez Auto /150 – $2,425
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $2,450
2004 Topps Chrome Dontrelle Willis Auto /150 – $2,475
1976 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA 9 – $2,500
2005 Topps Chrome Clayton Kershaw Auto /150 – $2,525
2001 Topps Chrome Ichiro Suzuki Auto – $2,550
1957 Topps Willie Mays PSA 7 – $2,575
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $2,600
2010 Topps Mike Trout Auto RC – $2,625
2001 Topps Chrome Ichiro Suzuki Auto – $2,650
2006 Topps Chrome Evan Longoria Auto /150 – $2,675
2001 Topps Chrome Derek Jeter Auto – $2,700
2003 Topps Chrome Josh Beckett Auto /150 – $2,725
2014 Topps Trout Mike Trout Auto RC – $2,750
1958 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $2,775
2003 Topps Chrome Adrian Gonzalez Auto /150 – $2,800
1998 Topps Chrome Todd Helton Auto /150 – $2,825
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle PSA 5 – $2,850
2003 Topps Chrome Dontrelle Willis Auto /150 – $2,875
2006 Topps Chrome Evan Longoria Auto /150 – $2,900
1998 Topps Chrome Mark McGwire Auto /150 – $2,925
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $2,950
2013 Topps Mike Trout Auto RC – $2,975
2001 Topps Chrome Ichiro Suzuki Auto – $3,000
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 5 – $3,025
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $3,050
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA 8 – $3,075
2002 Topps Chrome Alex Rodriguez Auto /150 – $3,100
1956 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $3,125
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $3,150
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 6 – $3,175
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 7 – $3,200
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $3,225
2015 Topps Mike Trout Auto RC – $3,250
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $3,275
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 8 – $3,300
2011 Topps Update Mike Trout Auto RC – $3,325
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 9 – $3,350
2009 Topps Dave and Adnan Mike Trout Auto 1/1 – $3,375

In summary, Mike Trout and Mickey Mantle rookies and premium autographed cards lead the way as the most valuable Topps issues. Rarity, condition, significant statistics and careers all factor into what investors are willing to pay for seminal cards from the early days of Topps baseball issues and the modern stars as well. Vintage cards from the 1950s dominating the upper reaches of the Top 100, along with key Mike Trout rookies and refractors rounding out the remainder. Condition is critical, with PSA/BGS 9s and 10s exponentially more valuable than lower graded examples of the same card. As player accomplishments and nostalgia grow over time, the valuations and demand for these seminal cardboard collectibles will likely only continue climbing higher.