Topps Archives has been one of the most popular and valuable insert sets each year from Topps. The retro designs pay homage to some of the most iconic baseball card designs from seasons past. 2022 was no different with some true gems emerging as early favorites among collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable cards collectors pulled from 2022 Topps Archives baseball packs.
Perhaps the biggest single card from the entire set was the 1/1 Miguel Cabrera autograph parallel. Cabrera is sure to garner Hall of Fame attention whenever he decides to retire and remains one of the biggest names in the game. His autograph parallel was hand numbered to just one copy in existence, making it incredibly scarce and desirable. Given his star power and rarity, this Miguel Cabrera 1/1 auto has already fetched bids well into the thousands of dollars from enthusiastic collectors.
Another absolutely treasure from the set was the Mike Trout base parallel captured in the iconic 1972 Topps design. Trout is widely considered the best player in baseball today and any Trout card, especially in a classic design, holds immense value. While the base parallel of this card isn’t quite as scarce as the Cabrera 1/1, graded gem mint examples have still sold for well over $1000. The 1972 design is such a collector favorite that having Trout featured in it took this card’s appeal and demand to new heights.
For legendary players of the past, the 2022 Archives set included bountiful options. A standout was the Roberto Clemente captured in the 1968 Topps style. Clemente was one of the game’s first Latin American superstars who sadly passed away in a plane crash at just 38 years old while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. His legacy and story only adds to the intrigue for any Clemente card. Pristine graded versions of this 1968 style parallel have cracked the $500 mark and figures to climb even higher as his legend is cemented further in Cooperstown.
Sticking with batting greats of yesteryear, the Willie Mays captured in the iconic 1952 Topps design also proved an instant blockbuster hit. Much like Trout to today’s game, Mays was simply that – The Say Hey Kid – to fans during his playing days in New York with the Giants and beyond. He remained a larger-than-life figure beloved by all. The ’52 style perfectly harkens back to Mays’ early playing days and the excitement of those era. Top graded examples of this parallel have reached the $400-500 range already with plenty of room left to appreciate given Mays’ eternal popularity.
The pitching side of things was well represented too in the 2022 Archives checklist. A real head-turner was Sandy Koufax featured in the classic 1960 Topps design. Koufax blazed such a brief but brilliant trail during his 12 seasons, capturing 3 Cy Youngs and a record four ERA titles. He remains one of the most dominant single-season stretches in history. Any Koufax card is a prized possession, but this 1960 parallel truly encapsulates the minimalist yet clean design of that decade. Near-gem mint 10 examples have crossed the $300 auction block already and figure to hold strong long term demand.
Finishing off our top 5 valuable 2022 Topps Archives cards is Nolan Ryan depicted in the retro 1973 Topps style. At the time of printing in ’73, Ryan was firmly entrenched as one of the game’s most intimidating hurlers. He would go on to rack up a record 5,714 strikeouts and pitch until he was 46 years young. The red-colored borders and simplistic design of the 1973 set make for a very eye-catching parallel of the Ryan Express. With Ryan’s iconic status and this parallel capturing one of his peak performing seasons, PSA 10 gems have already reached the $250-300 range for serious Ryan collectors.
In summary, 2022 Topps Archives once again gave collectors a fun trip down memory lane with these parallel designs honoring stars both past and present. While the rarer autograph and serial numbered parallels hold tremendous value, even the base versions in the right vintage designs have emerged as strong long term portfolio pieces. Honoring icons like Cabrera, Trout, Clemente, Mays, Koufax and Ryan in their similarly designed 1971-1973 styles gives collectors tangible links tying today’s game directly to yesterday’s. Topps Archives continues to be a flagship retro set that stays in high demand.
