The 1970 Mike Schmidt rookie card is considered one of the key rookie cards from the 1970s and is highly sought after by collectors. The standard version of the card in near mint to mint condition can be worth $500-1500, while a grade of gem mint 10 can fetch upwards of $5000 or more. Mike Schmidt went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the greatest third basemen ever, making his rookie card extremely desirable.
The 1973 Hank Aaron final season/home run king card is another highly valuable 1970s card. Hank Aaron was approaching the all-time home run record of Babe Ruth in 1973 and collectors were eagerly awaiting his rookie card. Since Aaron debuted in 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves, his true rookie card was already out of print. Therefore, his 1973 Topps card, which commemorated his last season in the major leagues as well as breaking Babe Ruth’s home run record, took on greater significance for collectors. Graded mint 9 examples can sell for $1000-2000, while a black label PSA 10 gem is worth over $10,000.
The 1975 Nolan Ryan rookie card is one of the most famous rookie cards of all-time since Ryan went on to become arguably the greatest strikeout pitcher and hold numerous MLB records. High grade copies have skyrocketed in value in recent decades. A PSA 8 copy can sell for $500-1000, while a PSA 10 in pristine black label holder has reached over $50,000 at auction. Even for a common non-sport or a less desirable player, a true 1970s rookie Nolan Ryan card in top condition is prized by collectors.
One of the rarest and most prized cards from the 1970s is the 1969 Reggie Jackson rookie card. This is widely considered the key rookie card for “Mr. October” who had a Hall of Fame career. Only about 10-20 PSA/BGS graded mint 9 copies are known to exist, with just a handful earning the highest PSA 10 grade. As a result, even low grade versions remain extremely expensive. A PSA 8 sells for around $10,000, while a single-digit PSA 9 has exceeded $50,000. The few pristine PSA/BGS 10 examples that come to auction are typically worth well over $100,000 each given their extraordinary rarity.
The 1976 George Brett rookie card is another very valuable 1970s issue. Brett made his major league debut in 1973 but his true Topps rookie card was in 1976, after which he went on to have a standout career that included a .310 career batting average and winning the 1980 batting title. High grade 1976 Brett rookies in PSA/BGS slab command big prices, with a PSA 8 around $1500-2000 and a PSA/BGS 9 around $3000-5000. The ultra-rare PSA/BGS 10s have reached over $25,000 at auction. Even low grade copies retain value given Brett’s accomplishments and Kansas City Royals fanbase interest in his rookie.
The 1972 Johnny Bench rookie card is yet another legendary baseball rookie from the 1970s that retains immense collector demand. Bench was already an established star by 1972 but this marked the first Topps issue following his rookie season of 1968. High quality PSA/BGS slabbed copies in PSA 8 are $800-1000, while a PSA/BGS 9 can sell for $2000-3000. As with the other top rookies, only a small number of PSA/BGS 10 Mint copies are known to exist, with those in top holders bringing over $15,000 on the current market. The Bench rookie is iconic and recognized among even casual collectors as one of the most important cards from the entire 1970s decade.
In summary, 1970s rookie cards for all-time great players who had Hall of Fame careers like Schmidt, Ryan, Jackson, Brett, and Bench are consistently some of the most in-demand, recognizable, and expensive collectibles from that era. Their sustained value is a testament to those players’ lasting legacy over 50 years later. Condition is critical, with high grade PSA/BGS slabs exponentially more collectible than wear copies. Even lesser graded versions of these prized rookies retain value based on baseball history and nostalgia alone. The 1970s introduced collectors to some of the game’s ultimate superstars, making their earliest mass-produced cardboard issues highly coveted pieces in the modern marketplace.
