Babe Ruth is considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time, so it’s no surprise that Babe Ruth baseball cards, especially his early career cards, are some of the most collectible and valuable in the hobby. One of the most unique and sought after types of Babe Ruth cards are those printed on thin metal instead of the traditional cardboard stock. Known as “metal” cards, these scarce Babe Ruth issues from the 1910s and 1920s can fetch enormous prices when in top condition.
Some key things to know about Babe Ruth metal baseball cards and their value:
Ruth’s earliest career was with the Boston Red Sox from 1914-1919 before being sold to the New York Yankees. Most of his valuable metal cards come from his Red Sox period when he was still establishing himself as a star player.
The metal cards were produced as promotional items or rewards in cigarette packs/tobacco products in the teens and early 1920s. They are much thinner and more delicate than traditional cardboard cards of the time.
Only a small number of each different metal card design is believed to exist today since the thin metal stock was more prone to damage versus sturdier cardboard. Finding high grade examples in near-mint or gem mint condition is extremely tough.
Top graded PSA/BGS PSA/BGS examples of Ruth’s 1914 and 1915 Caba baseball metal cards have sold for over $100,000 each. These are considered the key cards for any serious Babe Ruth or early 20th century baseball card collection.
Other highly valuable Ruth metal issues include his 1916 and 1917 M101-4 cigarettes cards. The 1916 is arguably the 2nd most important Ruth card overall and mint examples have brought $50,000+. The 1917 is also quite rare and desirable.
Ruth’s 1918 and 1919 Sporting Life metal cards issued during his Red Sox tenure are slightly more available but still immensely valuable in top grades. Prices start at $10,000+.
While with the Red Sox, Ruth also had metal cards released in sets like W515 cigarettes around 1915-1916. High grade examples can reach $15,000-$20,000 for key cards showing him as a young lefty pitcher/outfielder with Boston.
After being sold to the Yankees, Ruth did have several metal cards issued in the early 1920s like his 1920 W516 cigarette and 1921 WSC tobacco issues. As a established star, they don’t command the same premium that his early Red Sox rookie cards do.
Condition is absolutely critical when valuing any Babe Ruth metal card. Even minor flaws or issues can decrease a card’s worth dramatically versus a pristine near-mint or gem mint example. Buyers are paying huge money for perfection in the thin metal format.
The fragility and rarity of Ruth’s metal cards also means fakes and reprints are always a concern when a rare high grade example surfaces for sale. Having cards graded and authenticated by leading services like PSA or BGS is highly recommended.
At auction, Babe Ruth metal cards frequently shatter records and bring prices into the six figures when accorded a top PSA/BGS grade. The hobby and collector demand for any piece of his early career continues to drive values to new heights on an annual basis.
Beyond Ruth, other top stars from the 1910s-1920s like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner and Christy Mathewson also had rare metal cards issued. While not quite as valuable as Ruth’s, their top graded examples can still sell for $10,000+ due to the extreme rarity factor involved.
In summary, Babe Ruth’s baseball card collecting career neatly coincided with the advent of promotional metal cards in the early 20th century. As some of the earliest and rarest representations of his playing days with the Red Sox, Ruth’s metal issues are the true holy grails for dedicated collectors. With condition being ultra critical in the fragile metal format, finding and owning a pristine graded example of a key Ruth design is the stuff of dreams for many in the hobby. Values will likely only continue climbing as access to high quality vintage metal cards gets rarer over time.
