The hobby of baseball card collecting has been popular for decades. Similar to collecting works of art, the rarest and most desirable baseball cards can fetch huge sums at auction. While game-used jerseys and balls signed by legends still hold value, vintage trading cards from the late 19th century through the 1980s are highly sought after by serious collectors. Let’s take a look at the 30 most valuable baseball cards as determined by sales data and industry expert evaluations.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – This is considered the holy grail of baseball cards. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company, it is one of the rarest cards in existence with only 50-200 known to still exist in various conditions. In pristine mint condition, one of these cards could sell for over $6 million. The last PSA Gem Mint 10 copy sold at auction in 2016 for $3.12 million.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The first Topps baseball card set featured many future Hall of Famers, but Mantle’s iconic rookie card stands out. Just over 50 mint condition copies are known to exist. One sold for $2.88 million in 2021. High grade copies in the $500,000 range are not unusual.

1913 Baltimore News Babe Ruth – One of the earliest known baseball cards featuring Babe Ruth from his playing days with the Baltimore Orioles minor league team. Only 10-12 are known to exist with just one graded gem mint. It sold for $996,000 in 2016.

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – Produced during the golden age of baseball cards in the 1930s by Goudey, these have long been considered the premier Ruth cards. Fewer than 10 are high grade and intact, with several recent mint condition sales over $750,000.

1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson – The premier card of one of the greatest pitchers ever. Like the Wagner, well under 200 are believed to still exist with only a handful in top condition. A recent PSA 9 realized over $650,000 at auction.

1909-11 T206 Mathewson/Wagner – A rare error dual portrait issue featuring Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson and Honus Wagner. Just 5-10 are known, with one PSA 8 in 2014 selling for $657,250.

1914 Cracker Jack Jackie Robinson – A true iconic card being one of very few known from Robinson’s early playing career before breaking the color barrier. Only 1-3 survive in mint condition. One Perfect Mint copy realized $479,375 in 2016.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – One of the most identifiable “plain back” cards from this famous tobacco set. While not the rarest, high grade versions fetch six figures due to Plank’s Hall of Fame career.

1963 Topps Robin Roberts – Seen as one of the truest gems from the early Topps decade and Robin Roberts’ only rookie card issue. Nearly pristine PSA 10 copies have crossed the $250,000 mark in recent years.

1933 Goudey Dazzy Vance – Highlighting another Hall of Fame hurler in mint shape. Only around 5 copies grade PSA 9 or above. A PSA 9 brought $185,250 in 2013.

2009 Bowman Draft Patrick Kane – The first card issued featuring NHL superstar Patrick Kane. Less than 10 PSA 10 “Gem Mint” examples exist from his rookie year draft pick card. Has topped $150,000 at auction.

1964 Topps Sandy Koufax – One of the most desirable pitching cards from the 1960s. Just a handful are in PSA 10 condition with examples trading privately for over $125,000.

1916 M101-4 Sporting Life Babe Ruth – An exceedingly rare early issue from Ruth’s days with the Boston Red Sox. Only two to three high grade duplicates known to exist.

1972 Topps Nolan Ryan – Capturing Ryan in the prime of his career with the California Angels. Population of 9’s and 10’s is small. Recent PSA Gems have sold for $75,000+.

1909-11 T206 Joe Tinker – Another highly identifiable “T206” single player issue among collectors. Has ranked on prestigious collector want lists for decades.

1945 Play Ball Babe Ruth – One of the finest post-career cards of the Babe. Only a small group exist at the PSA 8 level or above out of estimated original print run under 20,000.

1952 Topps Willie Mays – Highly coveted for its color photo centering and capturing Willie at a young age during his NY Giants years. Recent 9’s and 10’s over $60,000 each.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron – One of the most iconic vintage cards of Hammerin’ Hank from his Milwaukee Braves days. Condition is everything, as PSA 10’s over $50,000.

1952 Topps Jackie Robinson – Robinson’s second Topps issue held to the highest regard by collectors. Early in his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1954 Topps Sandy Koufax – Among the earliest cards of Koufax during his budding years with the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers. Early color issues of the future Hall of Famer.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Always viewed as a highly prized single subject issue of the great New York Giant. Condition issues push value towards six figures.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – One of the most challenging common player cards to locate in pristine condition. Top graded specimens eclipse $50,000.

1952 Bowman Color Ted Williams – Iconic first color issue of one of the sport’s purest hitters. Condition sensitive due to fragile coating used.

1951 Bowman Color Willie Mays – Captures the “Say Hey Kid” in rare color during his rookie season with the New York Giants organization.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Cicotte – Highly evocative subject as a member of the infamous “Black Sox”. PSA 9 sales around $40,000.

1957 Topps Mickey Mantle – Arguably the most visually appealing Mantle card issue ever produced. PSA Gem 10’s routinely top $30,000.

1909-11 T206 Rube Waddell – Renowned for his overpowering fastball, one of the set’s most identifiable commons.

1952 Topps Mel Ott – Iconic image of the legendary New York Giants slugger. Condition issues limit true Gems.

1910 Mecca Double Folder Joo Smith Cigarettes T202 – Early dual player period issue featuring Sherry Magee on reverse.

1976 Topps Nolan Ryan – Early high number issue following Ryan’s record breaking season. Many regard as his finest card image ever produced.

While raw numbers printed remain unknown for many pre-war issues, true gem mint specimens of the above listed cards will continue to be highly prized assets among the world’s most advanced collectors. As the population decreases, their value can be expected to grow over time like works of art. Those fortunate enough to have such key pieces may consider them centerpiece holdings.