While the Astros franchise dates back to 1962, the team has seen tremendous success in recent decades that has made their star players highly collectible in the baseball card hobby. From vintage cards of legends to modern rookies, here are some of the most valuable Astros cards collectors seek.
One of the most iconic vintage Astros cards that can fetch big money is the 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card. As one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball history, Ryan’s rookie is a true Holy Grail for collectors. High grade examples in PSA/BGS 10 condition have sold for over $50,000 in recent years. Another highly valuable 1960s Astros rookie is the 1968 Topps Don Wilson. As an All-Star pitcher who threw a no-hitter in 1969, Wilson’s rookie card in top condition can reach $4,000-$5,000.
Moving into the 1970s, the 1972 Topps Joe Morgan rookie is a must-have for Astros collectors. Morgan went on to have a Hall of Fame career mostly with the Reds, making his rookie one of the most coveted from the early 70s. PSA 10 examples have sold for around $15,000. High-grade copies of the 1971 Topps Larry Dierker and 1973 Topps Enos Cabell rookies can also command $500-$1,000 due to their All-Star caliber careers.
In the 1980s, two Astros legends had hugely valuable rookie cards. The most expensive is the 1981 Topps Nolan Ryan insert card, depicting his record-setting fifth no-hitter. High grades of this iconic card reach $10,000+. The 1984 Donruss Jeff Bagwell rookie is also a true blockbuster, with PSA 10s selling for $6,000-$8,000 in recent years. Other 1980s Astros stars like Mike Scott, Glenn Davis, and Craig Biggio have rookies worth $100-$300 in top condition as well.
Modern Astros cards from the late 90s/2000s golden era can also hold great value. The 1998 Bowman’s Best Lance Berkman and 1999 Bowman’s Best Billy Wagner rookies have reached $500-$1,000 for top copies. But the biggest modern money cards center around Astros legends from their 2005 World Series championship team and beyond.
The 2004 Bowman Chrome Lance Berkman and 2004 Topps Roy Oswalt rookies are two true heavy-hitters, with PSA 10s selling for $3,000-$5,000 each. High grades of the 2005 Topps Roy Oswalt and Andy Pettitte are also $500-$1,000 cards. But the true blockbuster is the 2004 Bowman Chrome Roger Clemens Astros rookie card. As one of the greatest pitchers ever on a contender, PSA 10s have reached astronomical prices upwards of $20,000 in recent years.
Moving into the 2010s, cards of franchise cornerstones Carlos Correa and Alex Bregman have major potential. Bregman’s 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto refractor rookie in a PSA 10 recently sold for $4,000. Correa’s 2015 Bowman Chrome Auto refractor rookie in a PSA 10 has reached $6,000 as well. As they continue their careers, these could grow significantly in value as they did for Bagwell and Biggio.
Other modern Astros of note include the 2013 Topps Justin Verlander, 2014 Topps Lance McCullers Jr., and 2015 Topps Carlos Correa Update rookies, which have reached $300-$500 for top grades. And for super high-end collectors, 1/1 printing plates and autographs of stars like Jose Altuve, George Springer, and Justin Verlander can sell for thousands depending on the player and issue.
The Astros franchise history is filled with Hall of Fame talent that has created a deep well of valuable baseball cards for collectors. From vintage stars to modern contenders, top rookies and inserts of Astros legends consistently demand high prices. With continued success, cards of current cornerstones like Altuve, Bregman and Correa should only grow more coveted and expensive for years to come.
