The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been popular for over a century. While common cards from recent years may only be worth a few cents, some vintage cards in pristine condition can be worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The most valuable cards are usually extremely rare, with only a small number known to still exist in high grades. Here are some of the most valuable baseball cards that have sold at auction over the years.
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The King of Cards: The legendary T206 Honus Wagner card is considered the holy grail of baseball cards. Produced between 1909-1911 as part of the famous T206 set, it is estimated only 50-200 examples exist in collectible condition. In excellent condition a Wagner has sold for over $3 million, with one mint example fetching $6.6 million in 2016. The card’s rarity and status as the first true “star” card made it iconic.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The Post-War Star: The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card introduced collectors to one of the game’s true icons in the post-World War II era. While over 100 are known to exist, high grade examples command big money. A PSA 9 sold for $275,000 in 2018, while a PSA 8 sold for over $200,000. In PSA Gem Mint 10 condition, a 1952 Mantle rookie has sold for over $1 million.
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – The Bambino’s First: Babe Ruth transcended baseball to become one of the first true American sports heroes and pop culture icons. His 1933 Goudey card was one of the earliest “modern” style cards. High grade examples are very rare, with a PSA 8 copy selling for $275,000 and a PSA 7 bringing $150,000 in recent years. A PSA 9 could potentially reach seven figures.
1909-11 T206 Joe Jackson – Shoeless Joe’s Early Card: “Shoeless” Joe Jackson’s playing career was cut short due to the Black Sox Scandal, but his on-field skills made him a star in the Deadball Era. His only major baseball card appearance was in the 1909-11 T206 set. High grade Jacksons can sell for over $100,000, with a PSA 8 recently bringing $162,000 at auction.
1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Ace Pitcher’s Early Issue: Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson won 373 games and led his New York Giants to three World Series titles. Like Jackson, his only major issue was the T206 set near the end of his career. High grade examples can sell for over $50,000, with a recent PSA 8 fetching $72,000 at auction.
1988 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. – The Kid’s First Rookie: Ken Griffey Jr. was a once-in-a-generation talent and fan favorite who broke into the majors in 1989 with the Seattle Mariners. His rookie card from 1988 Fleer had massive print run but high grades still sell big. A PSA 10 recently brought $99,000 at auction, while PSA 9s can reach $30,000-$40,000 for this iconic rookie issue.
1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson – The Big Train’s Early Card: Hall of Fame pitcher Walter Johnson won 417 games and still holds the all-time record for career strikeouts. Like Mathewson, his T206 card was issued near the end of his career. High grade examples can sell for $50,000+, with a recent PSA 8 bringing $72,000. A true gem PSA 10 could potentially reach six figures.
1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb – Georgia Peach’s Early Issue: Ty Cobb was arguably the greatest player of the Deadball Era and set records that still stand. His T206 is among the most iconic of the set. High grade Cobbs sell regularly for $50,000+, with a recent PSA 8 bringing $72,000. A true gem PSA 10 could potentially reach or exceed $100,000 given Cobb’s status in the game’s early years.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Hammerin’ Hank’s Rookie: Hall of Famer Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record and was one of baseball’s first true African American stars of the post-Jackie Robinson era. His 1957 Topps rookie is one of the most coveted of the post-war period. High grade examples regularly sell for $15,000-$30,000, with a recent PSA 9 bringing $25,000.
1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx – The Beast’s Early Issue: Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx hit 534 home runs and slugged .585 for his career. His 1933 Goudey card was one of the earliest issues featuring the slugger. High grades are rare and valuable, with a recent PSA 8 selling for $42,500. A true gem PSA 10 could potentially reach into the six figures.
1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – Hall of Fame Pitcher’s Rare Card: Hall of Famer Ed Walsh won 195 games and posted a 1.82 ERA during his career, which spanned the Deadball Era. His T206 card is extremely rare, with fewer than 10 high grade examples believed to exist. A PSA 8 sold for $90,000 in 2018, showing his scarcity even relative to bigger stars in the set.
1909-11 T206 Three Stooges – Ultra Rare Printing Error: This card is not of an actual player but rather a printing error featuring three misaligned player images that resemble the Three Stooges. Only one high grade example is known to exist. It sold for a record $108,000 in 2016 as a true one-of-a-kind oddity from the T206 set’s massive print run.
While most baseball cards have only nominal value, the perfect storm of rarity, star power, and condition can make certain vintage cards worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The 1909-11 T206 set consistently produces the most valuable individual cards due to the size of its print run and the caliber of early 20th century players featured. Names like Wagner, Cobb, Mathewson and Johnson will likely always be at the top of collectors’ want lists due to their playing careers and scarcity in the collectibles market over 100 years later.
