The 1970s was a transformative era for the baseball card collecting hobby. As interest in collecting grew exponentially thanks to the rise of mass-produced wax packs found in corner stores and supermarkets, manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss flooded the market with new cardboard.

While most 70s issues are quite common and affordable today, some stand out as exceptionally rare and valuable. The cards produced during this period set the foundation for the modern-day hobby and memorabilia marketplace. Fueled by nostalgia and a limited print run compared to cards of the past few decades, these key 70s issues now command astronomical prices among serious collectors and investors.

Here’s a rundown of the 5 most expensive 1970s baseball cards as of 2022, with estimated values:

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – $6.6 million

While technically not from the 1970s itself, the legendary T206 Honus Wagner cigar card reached a new record price in January 2022 when a PSA NM-MT 8 example crossed the auction block for a staggering $6.6 million. No other trading card comes close to matching the cultural status and value of the elusive Wagner, which has become the undisputed hottest commodity in the entire collecting world. Its inclusion here recognizes how the increased popularity of cards in the 70s helped raise awareness of pre-war gems like the Wagner and fuel new heights of covetousness.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – $5.2 million

The top sports card of the post-war era, mint PSA Gem Mint 10 copies of the iconic Mantle rookie have achieved astronomical prices in recent history. In January 2021, Heritage Auctions made headlines when they auctioned another pristine example for a record-setting $5.2 million, highlighting the New York Yankee Clipper’s unrivaled popularity as well as the card’s astonishing rarity and condition. No other 1970s or modern-day card has ever come close to the Mantle’s lofty price point.

1975 Nolan Ryan rookie card (SGC 8) – $480,000

While more common than the above cards, examples of the elusive 1975 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie in high grades still command incredible amounts. In May 2021, a near-mint copy graded SG 8 by Sportscard Guaranty Corporation (SGC) sold for an astounding $480,000, reflecting The Ryan Express’s legendary career as well as the extremely limited surviving population of pristine vintage rookies for any player of his iconic status. Lower graded copies can still fetch five figures.

1973 Topps Johnny Bench (PSA 8) – $220,000

Widely considered one of the top five catching performers in MLB history, Johnny Bench’s iconic 1973 Topps rookie card in top-shelf condition sells for immense sums. In July 2018, a PSA 8 copy that showed Bench in all his Cincinnati Reds caught glory broke $220,000 at auction, a staggering figure considering the issue’s higher initial print run compared to modern scarcity. Few 1970s players rival Bench’s athletic eminence and name recognition.

1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC (PSA 10) – $187,780

While not a baseball card, the ultra-rare 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie in pristine condition earns a place on this list due to “The Great One’s” status as arguably the most renowned hockey player ever. Just 12 PSA 10 copies are known to exist, and only four have appeared at public auction. On August 13, 2021, Heritage Auctions sold yet another flawless example for a staggering $187,780, a figure almost unheard of for a hockey card. Gretzky’s popularity and the rookie’s infinitesimal survival rate in top condition contribute to its tremendous worth.

Those are the five most valuable baseball cards from the 1970s as of today based on public auction records. Prices are always fluctuating based on supply and demand as well as broader economic trends, but the rarest high-grade examples from this era will likely retain their immense worth for decades to come. Fueled by nostalgia, increased discretionary incomes, and limited surviving populations, they represent quintessential pieces of pop culture history for dedicated collectors around the world.

The 1970s saw unprecedented growth in the collectibles industry as baseball cards proliferated but also became increasingly scarce and coveted with the passage of time. While many common issues can still be found in dollar bins, the finest known copies of certain legendary rookie cards have achieved record after record. For serious vintage investors, these prized 1970s gems stand out as particularly desirable assets whose value seems limitless.