Baseball cards have been a popular collectible for over a century and some of the rarest cards can be worth hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars. While the value of any collectible depends on condition and demand, here are some of the most prized and valuable baseball cards that collectors seek:

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner: This is considered the holy grail of baseball cards as it’s the rarest of the iconic T206 set. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company, it’s estimated only 50-200 Wagner cards were printed but Wagner demanded his card be pulled due to his disdain for tobacco. In near-mint condition, examples have sold for over $3 million making it the most valuable baseball card.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: As one of the early Topps sets that helped popularize modern cardboard collectibles, the 1952 Topps is a highly coveted vintage release. Mantle’s rookie card is the most desired and a PSA Gem Mint 10 copy sold for $2.88 million in 2021, setting the record for highest price paid for a single sports card.

1909 E90-1 Joe Jackson: Considered the second rarest T206 card after Wagner, the “Shoeless” Joe Jackson card is exceptionally scarce with experts believing fewer than 10 high-grade examples still exist. Like Wagner, Jackson had his image used without permission which led to a small print run. A PSA Authentic example sold for $493,000 in 2016.

1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson: As Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier and became the first African American to play in the major leagues, his 1948 Leaf rookie card holds immense historical significance. High grade copies in the $200,000 range show the card’s enduring popularity among collectors.

1957 Topps Ted Williams: The “Teddy Ballgame” card is one of the most iconic from the late golden age of baseball cards and widely considered one of the best designs ever. Williams’ smooth left-handed swing is captured perfectly on the front. PSA Gem Mint 10 copies have reached $350,000 at auction.

1909 E90-1 Ty Cobb: Along with the Wagner and Jackson, Cobb’s scarce early T206 issue is a truly elite rarity. Said to have an even lower surviving population than Jackson due to Cobb’s litigious nature, a high quality example would command seven figures.

1914 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner: Produced as a promotion for Cracker Jack snacks, this Wagner card is nearly as rare as the legendary T206 issue. While images are smaller, it captures the same subject and a PSA 8 copy once sold for $640,000.

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth: As one of the first modern cards produced with a color photo, Babe Ruth’s iconic image makes this a must-have for any collection. PSA EX 5 examples in the $100,000 range show the card’s universal appeal over 80 years later.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank and Chief Bender: While not in the same star power class as Wagner or Cobb, these rare cards of Hall of Fame A’s hurlers have six-figure valuations due to their T206 pedigree and the condition census.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee: One of the great forgotten stars of the deadball era, Magee’s defensive skills in the outfield overshadowed his solid bat. Nonetheless, his T206 is one of the biggest rarities with a high grade example worth well over $100,000.

Any of these seminal cards in top condition represent the pinnacle of the hobby. While the ultra high-end cards may be out of reach for most collectors, pursuing vintage issues of star players is a worthy collecting goal that can gain value over time. With smart collecting choices and care taken of the cards, a vintage collection has great potential to gain value and provide decades of enjoyment.