Score was a brand of baseball cards produced from 1951-1964 that were sold primarily through Grocery stores. While they lacked the distribution and brand recognition of Topps which led the baseball card market at the time, Score cards from the 1950s and 1960s can hold value for serious collectors.

When Score started producing cards in 1951, they were somewhat late to the baseball card boom that began after World War 2. Topps had already established itself as the top brand, securing licensing deals with teams and players. Topps used color photos on their cards starting in 1955 which Score did not adopt until 1960. This gave Topps’ cards a more premium, eye-catching appeal on store shelves compared to Score’s simpler graphic designs.

Nevertheless, Score cards from these early years can still appeal to collectors today. The 1951, 1952, and 1953 Score sets are particularly sought after since they were among the first baseball cards produced after the war and contain memorable stars from that era like Jackie Robinson, Stan Musial, and Ted Williams. Keys cards from these sets in high grade can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on condition and the individual player featured.

While not as iconic as the 1951-1953 sets, Score cards from 1954-1964 have their admirers as well. The 1956, 1957, and 1960 sets stand out because they contain the careers of young superstars like a rookie Willie Mays in 1956 or a rookie Pete Rose in 1960. High grade versions of star rookies or commons from these years could sell for $50-150. Other sets like 1955, 1958, 1959 have commons in the $5-25 range but keys could reach $100-500.

Collectors must also account for the print runs of Score cards which were significantly smaller than its rival Topps. Historical evidence suggests Score sets through the 1950s had print runs numbered in the hundreds of thousands compared to Topps’ multi-million print runs. This scarcity increases desirability for complete high grade Score sets among collectors striving for condition census-quality collections.

In addition, Score cards are distinct for their experimental photographic innovations in the 1960s as the company tried adopting new ideas before Topps. The 1960 and 1961 sets used 3D photography techniques to especially stand out. While the 3D cards proved a gimmick and are harder to grade well due to wavy surfaces, examples in top condition command premiums over standard issue cards.

Grading is also an important factor for Score cards. As a smaller, generic brand compared to the high-profile Topps, Score cards were likely less carefully handled and stored by the public. It is difficult to find Score cards, especially from the early 1950s, that grade EX-MT or higher. Even commons seen in Good-EX condition have secure value at reseller and auction markets.

Among some key things to consider that give Score cards potential future upside:

The relatively small print runs compared to Topps make finding high grade complete sets from the 1950/1960s Score issues especially challenging and desirable for advanced collectors.

Score innovated with visual experiments like 3D photography in the early 1960s before Topps widely adopted, adding curiosity value.

Sports cards as a whole have seen long-term appreciation trends, and 1950s/1960s vintage Score issues could appeal more over time as collectors explore more obscure brands beyond only Topps.

Star rookie cards for iconic players like Willie Mays and Pete Rose carry premium potential based on the individual. Their debut Score cards hold appreciable value benchmarks.

While Score never attained the fame and widespread popularity of Topps baseball cards during their decade-plus of production, their scarcity and place in early post-war card history give remaining high quality examples of 1950s and 1960s Score issues the potential for collecting interest and value appreciation over the long run. Condition, grading, and the presence or absence of star players all factor greatly into pricing individual cards, but complete sets also hold unique appeal to advanced vintage collectors.