Baseball cards have been around for over 150 years and some of the oldest and rarest cards can be worth a small fortune today. Whether it’s rookie cards of legends like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, or Mike Trout or error cards with misprints, there are plenty of baseball cards out there that could pay off someone’s mortgage if they find the right buyer. Let’s take a look at some of the most famous and valuable baseball cards that could be worth big money if they are in pristine condition.

Honus Wagner T206 – Considered the holy grail of baseball cards, the ultra-rare 1909-1911 T206 Honus Wagner card has sold for over $3 million when in gem mint condition. Wagner was one of the best players of the early 1900s but refused the production of his card, making it incredibly scarce today. Less than 60 are known to exist in the world. Even low-grade examples can fetch $500,000+.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – As one of the game’s true icons, Mantle’s rookie card from 1952 Topps is arguably the most desirable of post-war issues. High-grade versions have sold for over $2 million, while a PSA 9 copy could still pull in $250,000. Mantle’s success and status as a fan favorite ensure this will remain the most coveted modern-era card.

1909-1911 T206 Joe Jackson – “Shoeless Joe” Jackson’s infamous Black Sox scandal makes his card equally as rare as Wagner’s, with under 100 believed to exist. Graded PSA 8 copies have sold for over $500,000, showing its place among the most valuable pre-WWII issues.

1909-1911 T206 Walter Johnson – Along with Wagner and Jackson, Walter Johnson’s imposing image on the iconic T206 tobacco card series cemented him as one of baseball’s earliest superstars. High-grade copies in a PSA 8 holder have reached $450,000 at auction.

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – Considered the finest and most visually appealing of Ruth’s early issues, the 1933 Goudey set is highly sought after by collectors. A PSA 8 of the “Bambino” sold for over $275,000 in recent years. Even low-grade examples still fetch five-figure sums.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron – As Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record, interest in his Topps rookie card from 1957 skyrocketed. High-grade PSA 9 copies have sold for over $150,000. This remains one of the most coveted modern rookie cards.

1909-1911 T206 Christy Mathewson – One of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Mathewson’s tobacco era card is highly sought after by collectors. PSA 8 examples have topped $300,000 at auction in the past decade, showing its place among the most valuable pre-war issues.

1909-1911 T206 Ed Walsh – The Chicago White Sox star pitcher Ed Walsh is best remembered today for his record-setting 1908 season. His scarce T206 issue from that time period rarely comes to market, with PSA 8 copies reaching $200,000.

1909-1911 T206 Nap Lajoie – As a member of baseball’s early inner circle known as the “$100,000 Infield,” Nap Lajoie’s T206 is equally as desirable as contemporaries like Wagner and Mathewson. High-grade PSA 8 versions have topped $150,000.

1909-1911 T206 Eddie Plank – The star pitcher for Connie Mack’s early 1900s Philadelphia A’s dynasty, Eddie Plank’s tobacco era card is a key piece for A’s and pre-war collectors. PSA 8 copies have reached $125,000 in recent auction results.

1986 Fleer Barry Bonds – Considered one of the finest rookie cards produced, Barry Bonds’ explosive career has made his 1986 Fleer RC highly sought after. PSA 10 “gem mint” examples have reached $50,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies can pull $10,000-$15,000.

1984 Donruss Wade Boggs – As a perennial .300 hitter and 5-time batting champ, Wade Boggs’ rookie card has become a key piece for Red Sox and 1980s collectors. PSA 10 copies have reached $30,000 in recent years.

1988 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. – The smooth left-handed swing of “The Kid” made his rookie card iconic in the late 80s/early 90s. High-grade PSA 10 copies have topped $20,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 versions still fetch $5,000-$7,500.

2009 Bowman Draft Mike Trout – Trout mania has made his ultra-rare 2009 Bowman Draft RC one of the hottest modern investment cards. PSA 10 “Gem Mint” copies have reached $400,000 due to his all-time great career. Even lower-grade versions still sell for five figures.

1957 Topps Ted Williams – As arguably the greatest hitter in baseball history, Ted Williams’ 1957 Topps card is a must-have for collectors. High-grade PSA 8 copies have sold for over $35,000 in recent years.

While condition is key, there are also several valuable error cards that could pay off with the right buyer. Examples include the 1914 Cracker Jack Lefty Grove with a reversed image, graded PSA 8 copies of which have sold for over $50,000. The rare 1939 Play Ball Dazzy Vance with a missing team name also earns significant premiums in high grades. Whether it’s a legendary rookie issue or scarce error variant, there are plenty of famous baseball cards that could be worth serious money for lucky collectors. With increased interest from investors, the values of these iconic pieces of sports history only continue rising over time.