The year 1966 was a pivotal one for baseball cards. Many of the designs and sets released during this year had a major impact on the industry that still resonates today. Topps remained the dominant baseball card maker, but 1966 saw the re-emergence of a competitor in the form of Fleer. Understanding the landscape of 1966 baseball cards and how to value cards from that year’s releases can be challenging. This comprehensive guide will explore the major sets from 1966 and provide pricing details to help collectors understand the value of these mid-1960s cardboard treasures.
Topps Baseball Card Series
As they had since the 1950s, Topps dominated the baseball card market in 1966 with their flagship release. The design featured individual player photos with stats on the back. Some notable aspects of the 1966 Topps set include:
The set contains 792 total cards. Numbers 1-713 feature individual players while cards 714-792 are team/manager/coach checklist cards.
Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Don Sutton, and Bill Madlock are found in the set. Other top rookies include Ted Simmons and Jon Matlack.
The design is largely similar to 1965 Topps but with the addition of a white border around the photo. The team nameplate is also slightly larger.
Topps experimented with color tinting for certain cards, with some photos featuring a reddish or bluish hue. This was not well received.
In terms of pricing, here are the values you can expect to see for 1966 Topps cards:
Common cards in played/good condition range from $1-3. Near mint/mint non-stars can be found for $5-10.
Rookie cards for future stars like Jackson, Sutton, and Madlock in gem mint+ grade regularly sell for $100-300. Near mint copies fetch $50-150.
Superstar cards such as Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax, and Willie Mays in top grades can sell for $50-150 in near mint and $200-500+ in gem mint.
The complete set in played/good condition will run $300-500. Near mint sets go for $800-1500 depending on centering/corners. A pristine gem mint+ set could command $3000+.
1966 Topps remains one of the most iconic and affordable vintage sets for collectors. Condition is especially important due to the thinner cardboard stock used. Centering, corners and edges should be carefully examined.
Fleer Baseball Cards
After a 15-year absence, Fleer re-entered the baseball card market in 1966. Their release was a landmark that challenged Topps’ monopoly. Notable aspects of the 1966 Fleer set include:
It contains 132 cards total, focusing only on current major leaguers. No team checklists like Topps.
The cards featured innovative “action photo” style images that were taken from more recent seasons unlike Topps’ archive photos.
Due to licensing issues, Fleer could not use player names. So the fronts instead have facts/stats while the backs list teams and positions.
The thin cardboard stock was prone to damage making high grade copies scarce today.
Values for 1966 Fleer cards are:
Common stars in played condition $5-10. Near mint/mint copies $10-25.
Superstars like Koufax, Mays and Aaron in any grade over played are worth $25-100 depending on condition.
Rookie cards for future stars like Reggie Jackson and Bill Freehan can reach $100-200 in gem mint. Near mint are $50-100.
The complete 132 card set in played condition brings $250-400. Near mint sets sell for $800-1500.
Condition, as with Topps, is extremely important for Fleer cards. Even slight rounding of corners or edgewear can drastically cut a card’s value. The scarcity of high grade examples also contributes to strong prices.
Other Notable 1966 Sets
Coca-Cola Cards: This premium set featured 81 cards with beautiful color action photos. High grades can reach $100-500 per card.
Kellogg’s/Post Cereal: Inserts featuring stars were included in cereal boxes. Common stars $5-25 depending on player and condition.
Bazooka/Topps Gum: These colorful bubblegum cards featured short biographies on the back. Commons $1-5, stars $5-25 based on condition and player.
Sporting News: This magazine included cards in 1966. They resemble Topps design but with action shots. Commons $1-5, stars $5-25.
Canada/O-Pee-Chee: The Canadian version of Topps cards are identical but printed north of the border. Values match corresponding Topps cards.
The 1966 season was a transitional year that saw new competitors and classic designs emerge. Topps and Fleer led the way with innovative releases. Condition remains paramount, so careful grading is important when valuing these mid-1960s cardboard treasures. With iconic rookie cards and classic designs, 1966 baseball cards remain an affordable entry into the vintage collecting world.
