The Cincinnati Reds are one of the oldest franchises in Major League Baseball, dating back to 1882. As such, there are many vintage Reds baseball cards that were produced over the decades that could hold significant value for collectors today. While the most expensive cards are usually from the earliest years of the 20th century, there are also plenty of gems from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and beyond that can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars in top condition.
Some of the most valuable pre-war Cincinnati Reds cards include ones featuring legendary players from the Deadball Era like Cy Young, Edd Roush and Eppa Rixey. An iconic T206 White Border Cy Young card from 1909-1911 could sell for over $100,000 in mint condition. High grade examples of his similar 1909-1911 American Tobacco Company cards also command five-figure prices. A Piedmont Cy Young card from 1909 is another highly coveted piece, with gem mint 10s valued at $15,000+.
Roush, a star outfielder of the 1910s and 1920s known as “Ferris Wheel” for his leaping catches, has several rare and expensive early 20th century cards as well. His 1909-1911 T206 is one of the key cards for any vintage Reds PC, grading out around $8,000 in top shape. Rixey, a solid lefty pitcher from 1912-1933, has a scarce 1913 Batter Up card that can reach $3,000 in top-notch condition.
Moving into the post-war vintage era, iconic stars like Ted Kluszewski, Frank Robinson and Johnny Bench produced some outstanding high-dollar cards from the 1950s and 1960s that are highly sought after today. “Big Klu” Kluszewski, a home run hitting first baseman of the 1950s known for his towering blasts, has a coveted 1957 Topps card (#130) that has sold for over $6,000 in pristine mint condition.
Frank Robinson, the first player to win both an MVP award and Rookie of the Year honors, has a popular rookie card from the 1956 Topps set (#377) that can bring in $3,000+ in top-rated Gem Mint 10 condition. His 1959 Topps card (#5) showing him in a Reds uniform is another key piece, with high grades valued around $1,500.
Of course, Johnny Bench is arguably the most collectible Reds player of all-time due to his Hall of Fame career and iconic mustachioed looks on his early 1970s Topps cards. His 1968 Topps rookie (#575) is the true crown jewel, with ungraded examples selling for as much as $50,000 and PSA/BGS 10s going for over $100,000. Bench also has several other valuable 1970s cards, like his 1972 Topps (#30) which has sold for over $5,000 in top condition.
In addition to star players, there are also some scarce and pricey team/manager cards worth seeking out from the Reds’ past. The 1914 Cracker Jack Mascot baseball card featuring a cartoonish Cincinnati Reds player is one of the rarest and most valuable cards ever made, valued well into the five figures for a high grade example.
The 1933 Goudey Giants Team card also features a small image of the Reds in the background, making it a key piece for Reds collectors. And Dave Bristol, who managed the dominant Big Red Machine teams of the mid-1970s, has a rare 1969 Topps manager card (#M12) that has sold for over $1,000 in pristine condition.
While the above cards focus on the earliest decades and peak eras of the 1950s-1970s, there are also burgeoning modern stars like Joey Votto and Johnny Cueto who are starting to produce some worthwhile vintage cards as well. Cueto’s 2010 Topps rookie card (#RC7) has already climbed above $100 in top grades just a decade after its release as his career has blossomed. And a PSA 10 of Votto’s 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor parallel /25 could bring $1,000+ due to its ultra-low print run.
With over a century of history there are numerous legendary Cincinnati Reds players whose vintage baseball cards from the early 1900s up through the 1970s big red machine dynasty can hold tremendous value, especially in the most pristine preserved condition grades. For diehard Reds collectors, finding high quality examples of stars like Roush, Bench, Robinson, Kluszewski and others to populate their collections long-term can provide both nostalgic enjoyment and financial upside should they ever decide to sell in the future. With patience and diligence, unearthing these valuable vintage gems from flea markets, card shows or online is well worth the effort for dedicated Cincinnati Reds aficionados.
