The 1970 baseball card set featured some of the most iconic players in the history of Major League Baseball. While not the most famous vintage set overall, it contained rookies and stars that have become extremely valuable to collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 1970 cards on the market today.
Perhaps the single most coveted card from the 1970 set is the Nolan Ryan rookie card. As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Ryan’s rookie is highly sought after by collectors. His overpowering fastball made him a fan favorite for decades and his career 5,714 strikeouts is still the all-time record. Near mint condition examples of the Ryan rookie have sold for over $50,000, with gem mint copies fetching well over $100,000. The card features a side view of the flamethrower in his inaugural season with the New York Mets uniform.
Another spectacular rookie card from 1970 is Reggie Jackson’s. Known by his nickname “Mr. October” for his postseason heroics, Jackson would go on to hit 563 home runs in his Hall of Fame career. High grade copies of his rookie in Athletics uniform have traded hands for upwards of $15,000. The simple design captures a head shot of the budding superstar ready to take the league by storm. While not quite as valuable as Ryan’s card, Jackson’s rookie remains one of the most important from the vintage set.
Two other rookies that can fetch impressive prices include Dave McNally and Don Sutton. McNally was a standout pitcher for the Orioles dynasty of the late 60s-early 70s, winning 4 World Series rings. His card shows him in an underhanded windup and has sold for over $10,000. Sutton enjoyed a remarkable 23-year career including 324 wins and is remembered most for his consecutive shutout streak record. Near mint versions of his Dodgers rookie have exceeded $7,500 at auction. Both capture historic players in their first MLB seasons before immense success.
Moving beyond the rookies, superstars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Roberto Clemente all have highly valuable 1970 cards as well. Mays’ iconic batting stance made his one of the most collectible in the set. Graded gem mint 10 copies have brought in excess of $15,000 at auction. Aaron’s card comes during the peak of his record breaking home run chase. Near mint specimens have crossed $5,000. And Clemente’s card honoring his 3,000th hit in 1969 holds value, with high grades achieving thousands. Each portray living legends who were instrumental to baseball’s growth in popularity during the 1970 season.
Two other star pitchers with extremely valuable 1970 cards are Tom Seaver and Jim Palmer. Seaver, known as “The Franchise,” led the Mets’ resurgence and won the Cy Young in 1969. Mint condition versions of his dominating windup have sold for $12,000+. Palmer won 19 games and the first of his 3 Cy Youngs in 1970. Near mint rated copies featuring his underhand delivery have netted $10,000. Both capture future Hall of Famers and 1970 All-Stars Seaver and Palmer performing at the peak of their powers.
While not the most well-known vintage set, the 1970 Topps baseball issue contained rookie cards and stars that have grown tremendously in value for collectors. Headlined by the monstrously expensive Nolan Ryan rookie, key cards like Reggie Jackson, Dave McNally, Don Sutton, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Tom Seaver and Jim Palmer all command premium prices. The set captured iconic players and future Hall of Famers at critical moments in their careers. For dedicated collectors, these valuable 1970 issues remain highly sought after pieces forintage baseball card collections.
