The hobby of collecting vintage baseball cards has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, with prices reaching record highs. Whether you’re a new collector looking to invest or a lifelong hobbyist chasing your wishlist, these are generally considered the most desirable baseball cards collectors are seeking in 2022.
Heading the list for another year is the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. Widely regarded as the crown jewel of the hobby, high-grade Mantle rookies consistently shatter auction records. In early 2022, a PSA 9 copy sold for over $2.88 million, showing no sign of slowing down. Even low-grade examples still fetch huge sums, demonstrating the card’s universal appeal and staying power within the market. The modern record for any trading card was set by a PSA 8 Mantle rookie that sold for $5.2 million in 2021.
Another perennial favorite is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner. As one of the earliest documented collectibles, the Wagner introduced the modern concept of the trading card and is truly one of a kind as the star shortstop famously requested his card be pulled. Less than 60 high-grade examples are known to exist today. At auction, nine-figure sums are not unheard of for pristine T206 Wagners, highlighting its status as the most valuable collectible in the world. Even well-worn copies still attract six-figure bids.
For collectors pursuing Baseball’s Golden Age, the 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth and the 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie cards remain illustrious prizes. Despite far fewer surviving in high grades compared to modern issues, examples still emerge on the census of authentication services like PSA. A PSA 8 1933 Goudey Ruth recently sold for over $1.8 million. Low-grade 1916 Ruth rookies have cracked six-figures as interest in the Bambino’s early career skyrockets. Other highly-coveted pre-war stars include legendaries like Ty Cobb, Cy Young, and Nap Lajoie.
The post-WWII era saw the introduction of the modern cardboard format and mass-produced sports cards. Iconic stars of the 1950s like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Sandy Koufax continue to attract fervent collector interest. A PSA 9 1954 Topps Mays rookie sold for $6 million, the most paid publicly for a modern card (post-WWII). Likewise, a near-perfect 1957 Topps Hank Aaron rookie topped $2 million recently. For affordable Hall of Famers on a budget, common low-grade examples of these all-time greats can still be found in the low-to-mid five-figure range.
Two legendary Chicago Cubs also constitute major want lists – the T206 Frank Chance and the 1914 Cracker Jack Joe Tinker. The stoic Chance rookie is one of the toughest early cards to acquire in any condition, with the population almost exclusively at PSA 1 or 2. Likewise, the beautifully designed Cubs shortstop Tinker is a true blockbuster in high grades, with about a half-dozen PSA 5s and fewer PSA 6s known. Five and six-figure prices are typical for these keys to early Cubdom.
In the modern era, high-grade rookie cards of MLB’s current biggest stars reign supreme. A PSA 10 2009 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout rookie changed hands for over $3.9 million in 2021. The top Miguel Cabrera and Bryce Harper rookies from their monumental rookie seasons also pull million-dollar prices in pristine condition. For lower budgets, common near-mint examples can still require a five-figure commitment. Other hot commodities include star prospects like Wander Franco and rookies of recent phenoms like Juan Soto.
Colorful vintage stars from the 1960s and 1970s also earn dedicated followings. The 1966 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie, 1975 Topps George Brett rookie, and 1969 Topps Niekro Brothers dual rookie card headline the period. Mint condition examples consistently break six-figures, with higher grades safely into the mid-five-figure territory depending on the player(s). Iconic stars like Roberto Clemente, Reggie Jackson and Johnny Bench continue to attract new generations of collectors too.
Two notorious short-print cards from the 1980s dominate that decade’s most wanted – the iconic 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie and the coveted 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie. A PSA 10 Griffey pulled in over $480,000 last year alone. Conversely, common well-centered Jordan and Griffey rookies in lower grades still trade for thousands. Other ‘80s stars like Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly and Rickey Henderson also maintain vibrant collector markets.
Names like Mantle, Wagner, Ruth, Mays and Trout will likely always top vintage baseball card want lists. New generations of fans also fuel newfound appreciation for relatively unknown early stars and the hottest talents from all eras. Whether focused on investing, wish lists or new discoveries, with over a century’s worth of cardboard to explore, there is no shortage of potential grails to chase. Condition remains king in the hobby, but even low-grade treasures still hold immense charm and value for collectors of America’s pastime.
