Getting vintage baseball cards professionally graded has become very popular in recent years. There are several key factors to consider when determining which cards from your collection are good candidates to submit for grading. In this article, we will discuss the top baseball cards that are worth getting graded based on their potential value and demand in the collectibles marketplace.
One of the most iconic and valuable baseball card sets is the 1909-11 T206 set. The “Golden Age of Baseball Cards,” these tobacco era cards featured stars from all 16 major league teams at the time. Some of the most desirable cards to grade from this set include rare Hall of Famers like Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson. In top grade of PSA Gem Mint 10, these can sell for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Other notable commons from the set like Eddie Plank, Jack Chesbro, and Ed Walsh can also net substantial returns if graded high.
Another excellent vintage set for grading consideration is the 1914 Cracker Jack set. Highly coveted by collectors, cards of Shoeless Joe Jackson, Nap Lajoie, and Grover Cleveland Alexander can earn thousands graded PSA 8 or above due to their scarcity and appeal. The 1933 Goudey set is also a great one to target. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig rookies in top grades are worth five figures or more. Stars like Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, and Mickey Cochrane have strong demand.
Moving into the post-war era, the iconic 1952 Topps set presents many grading opportunities. Mickey Mantle rookie PSA 8s have sold for over $100,000. Other stars of that time like Willie Mays, Duke Snider, and Roy Campanella also have value potential. The same holds true for the 1954 Topps set, headlined by the ultra-rare PSA 10 Mantle rookie. Highly coveted by collectors, this is considered the “Mona Lisa” of sports cards.
The late 1950s/early 60s saw the rise of the modern baseball card era. Sets like 1957 Topps, 1958 Topps, and 1961 Topps all feature rookie cards of all-time greats that grade well. Namely, 1957 Topps Hank Aaron and 1961 Topps Roger Maris rookies can earn thousands in top condition. Other stars from that era like Willie McCovey, Bob Gibson, and Juan Marichal also have appeal.
Grading 1968 Topps rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, and Rod Carew can yield strong returns. Carew’s is particularly rare PSA 10. The 1969 Topps set is iconic for featuring 20 rookie cards of future 500 home run club members like George Brett and Dave Winfield. High grades of these are valuable.
Moving into the 1970s, the 1975 Topps set stands out. A PSA 10 rookie of a Hall of Famer like Fred Lynn could earn over $10,000 given his scarcity. Stars like Mike Schmidt, George Brett, and Nolan Ryan had their careers take off in the late 70s, so high graded cards from 1977-79 Topps sets can have appeal. The same holds true for rookie cards of Tony Gwynn, Cal Ripken Jr., and Barry Larkin from the early 1980s.
The most lucrative baseball cards to consider grading tend to be rare vintage rookie cards and stars from the early 20th century through the 1980s. Sets like T206, 1914 Cracker Jack, 1933 Goudey, 1952-61 Topps, plus 1975 and early 80s are all great places to look. Focus on cards of all-time great players, especially those inducted in Cooperstown. Top grades like PSA 10 are worth the most, but even an 8 can earn a strong return with the right card. Proper research is key to determining which from your collection have the highest potential value.
