The 2023 Topps Heritage baseball card set was released on March 30th as one of the year’s most highly anticipated collectible card drop. Topps Heritage is a nostalgia-inspired retro release that pays homage to baseball card designs of the late 1960s. While the base cards have relatively little resale value, there are always a select number of rookie, autograph, and serially numbered parallel cards that emerge as the set’s most valuable short prints and chase cards. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top standouts from the 2023 Topps Heritage baseball release that are already fetching big prices in the secondary marketplace.
One of the most sought-after rookies is Tampa Bay Rays shortstop and 2020 American League Rookie of the Year, Wander Franco. As one of the game’s brightest young stars, Franco’s cards from any set are in high demand. His base Topps Heritage card isn’t exceedingly rare, but holds value nonetheless due to his star status. Where collectors are really spending money is on numbered parallels and autographed versions of his card. Some of the top Wander Franco 2023 Topps Heritage variations that have already sold include a /5 red parallel that fetched $650 and a 1/1 gold printing plate that amazingly sold for $2,800, a truly record price for a modern plate card.
Another highly valuable rookie is Seattle Mariners pitcher George Kirby. While not quite as hyped as Franco, Kirby had a very strong rookie campaign in 2022 that has collectors excited about his long-term potential. His Topps Heritage base is around $30-40 currently, with prized serial numbered versions like a /99 blue parallel at $125. However, Kirby autographs from Heritage are where the real rarity and profit lies. A recent eBay sale saw an on-card auto fetch an incredible $715, showing there’s serious demand for any signed Kirby cards at the moment.
Moving beyond rookies, signed cards of established stars always demand top dollar. One of the 2023 Topps Heritage set’s biggest hits was a 1/1 printing plate autograph of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts. After an intense bidding war, this truly one-of-a-kind card ended up selling for a staggering $3,410. Other high-profile Betts autographed cards to sell in the four-figure range include an on-card auto /5 red parallel at $1,225. Hometown hero Mike Trout also had his 1/1 printing plate auto from Heritage sell for an impressive $2,290. Trout and Betts consistently produce the most valuable autographs in any release due to their abilities on the field and massive fan followings.
Veteran star cards may not be as hyped as Topps Heritage rookies, but they still hold value. Two players who have seen increased collector interest in recent years are Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson and St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Both enjoyed outstanding 2022 seasons that have propelled the values of their vintage-style cards upwards. Among the most expensive Olson and Goldschmidt variations from Heritage include an Olson /5 red foil autograph selling for $305 and a Goldschmidt /99 blue parallel fetching $175. Their cards remain affordable for most collectors compared to true superstars, but have upside to appreciate even further if productive performances continue.
Last but certainly not least, serially numbered parallel cards tend to generate the biggest bidding wars for set chasers looking to complete rainbow collections. Two parallels in particular that have stood out are the /25 gold foils and the ultra-rare 1/1 printing plate cards. As mentioned, the Trout and Betts plates both soared over $2,000 each. But other hugely valuable plates included Yankees star Aaron Judge at $1,750, Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. at $1,625, and Angels two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani at $1,410. As for the /25 gold foils, cards of Judge, Tatis, Ohtani, Acuna, Soto, and deGrom have all commanded triple-digit prices and up. Parallel collecting is a driving factor in the high-end Heritage market.
While the vast majority of 2023 Topps Heritage base cards hold relatively minimal resale value, there exists a defined top tier of short prints that are already establishing themselves as longtime keepers for productive players and valuable long term holds. Rookie cards, autographs of stars, and rare serially numbered parallels seem to be where the true value and profits lie within this acclaimed retro-style release. But with such a classic and nostalgia-driven design, Topps Heritage as a whole continues to attract new and younger collectors beyond just hardcore investors. This bodes well for the long term collectibility of cards from the 2023 set across the board.
