The value of baseball cards, like many collectibles, is dependent on supply and demand. Certain cards featuring legendary players from baseball’s early days have become extremely scarce over decades of handling, which drives up their price in the competitive collectibles market. For serious collectors and investors, here are some of the highest paying baseball cards that can fetch enormous sums at auction due to their historical significance and rarity.

1909 T206 Honus Wagner: The undisputed king of cards, only 50-200 examples of the ultra-rare T206 Honus Wagner are known to exist today. It is widely considered the mona lisa of sports cards due to Wagner’s refusal to be photographed, which made the production of his card very limited. In recent years, examples in near-perfect condition have sold at auction for over $3 million. PSA/BGS grade is critical, with gems bringing 7-figure prices.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: Like Wagner’s T206, the ’52 Topps Mantle is one of the most legendary and iconic cards ever made. As one of the first Mickey Mantle cards, it captures him at the start of his Hall of Fame Yankees career. Only a few examples grade above a PSA 8, with a PSA 9 previously selling for over $375,000. High grades are extremely rare and will command top dollar from Mantle collectors.

1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth: Considered Ruth’s earliest card while with the minor league Baltimore Orioles, only 2-4 examples are known to exist. One card graded PSA 3.5RM in rough shape sold in 2016 for $626,308, showing the demand for any trace of a true Ruth rookie. A higher graded example could easily eclipse $1 million for this ultra key piece of sportscards history.

1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie: Besides the iconic ’09 Wagner, this is arguably the next most coveted pre-war card issue. Featuring Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie in striking early Goudey photos, graded examples above a PSA 5 are extremely tough to find. A PSA 8.5 example hit $403,000 at auction, highlighting this set’s prominence for pre-war collectors.

1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson: Considered the first card of Jackie Robinson issued after he broke baseball’s color barrier and joined the Dodgers, this 1949 Bowman set commemorates an important moment in sports history. Any Robinson rookie takes prominence due to his cultural influence, with a high grade ’49 Bowman example fetching $266,100. Only about a dozen PSA or SGC 9s are known.

1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson: Better known as “Shoeless Joe” Jackson, this famous player was banned from Major League Baseball after the 1919 Black Sox scandal. His 1914 Cracker Jack remains one of the most collectible pre-war cards. A PSA 5.5 example sold at auction for $117,900, emphasizing the fame and notoriety still associated with this disgraced but talented ballplayer.

1970 Roberto Clemente: Famed Pittsburgh Pirates right fielder Roberto Clemente died in a tragic plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Considered one of the game’s greatest hitters and most compassionate humanitarians, his 1970 Topps are highly emotional cards for collectors. A PSA 9 copy sold for $90,750, with demand sure to remain high for grades of this sports icon.

1963 Topps Sandy Koufax: Regarded as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in MLB history, Sandy Koufax’s 1963 rookie season was the year he emerged as a true superstar. This is considered his true rookie card from his dominant Dodgers years. A PSA 9 copy topped $87,900 at auction, showing strong buyer interest in a pristine example of an all-time pitching great’s first card.

1958 Topps Mickey Mantle: While the 1952 Topps Mantle is the highest valued of his rookie cards, the ’58 is generally considered the best looking of his classic Topps issues. It features “the Commerce Comet” busting out of the batter’s box, immortalizing the hustle of his style of play. Graded examples over $40,000 routinely, with a PSA 9 bringing in $80,612 in June 2020.

1971 Nolan Ryan: Pitching legend Nolan Ryan’s first “true” Topps card, issued after several earlier test runs in 1960s sets without attribution to a specific team. Captures the fireballer at the start of his Hall of Fame career, before breaking numerous strikeout records. Even lower grade copies over $20K due to Ryan’s fame and the card’s importance to his early collecting legacy. A SGC 9 sold for $63,624.

1961 Roger Maris: Recognized as Roger Maris’ first card issued after he broke Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record. While he struggled in later years, the ’61s commemorate the peak of his playing career and one of baseball’s most storied individual accomplishments. Higher grade copies have topped $50K, like a PSA 9 that brought $57,588.

1970 Nolan Ryan “Airplane” card: This oddball variation features Nolan Ryan in an airplane, tied to a vintage Topps photo contest. Extremely rare within the already scarce 1970 set, it serves as one of the weirder sports cards ever made. One example graded PSA 8.5 sold at auction for an astounding $52,848 back in 2011. Values could top the already high prices for the typical 1970 Ryan card.

This covers some of the most valuable baseball cards that can realize enormous auction prices, especially in top grades. As the collectibles market continues to grow, so too will values for any rare vintage cards of legendary stars like Wagner, Ruth, Mantle, Clemente, and more. With such a long history, there are plenty of icons from baseball’s earliest eras whose memorabilia remains highly sought after to this day. For dedicated collectors, finding high grade examples of these top cards can prove to be a very worthwhile long term investment.