1973 Topps Baseball Card Price Guide
The 1973 Topps baseball card set was the 42nd series produced by Topps and featured 660 total cards including career statistic recap cards and manager cards. Some of the notable rookies that debuted in the 1973 set included Hall of Famers Robin Yount and Phil Niekro. The 1973 Topps set remains one of the most iconic and fondly remembered issues from the 1970s. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key cards and examine the current price guide values for the 1973 Topps baseball cards.
Rookies and Star Players
As mentioned, Robin Yount and Phil Niekro’s rookie cards from 1973 hold significant value given their eventual Hall of Fame careers. A near mint Robin Yount rookie in a PSA 9 gem mint condition can fetch over $1000. High grade Phil Niekro rookies have sold for around $500-600. Other top rookies like Rod Carew (Twins), Dennis Eckersley (Cubs), Paul Lindblad (Expos), Brian Downing (Angels), and Butch Metzger (Padres) tend to sell in the $50-$150 range depending on condition.
For star veterans, a Mickey Mantle in good condition would sell for around $150 while a near mint example could be worth $300-500. A Hank Aaron in similar condition would be valued slightly less. Other popular Hall of Famers like Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, and Roberto Clemente in decent shape sell from $30-150. Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench, and Nolan Ryan cards are also highly sought after due to their dominance in the 1970s. In near mint condition, these stars can be valued from $50-300 each.
Common Players and Short Prints
For modern common players who had brief careers, cards in good condition would sell for $1-5. Stars who played in the 1960s-70s like Lou Brock, Don Drysdale, and Jim Palmer in similar condition tend to sell for $5-15. Rarer short print cards like those featuring managers, coaches, and team owner/front office personnel are valued higher based on scarcity. A near mint Dick Williams Pirates manager has sold for around $100 while Tommy Lasorda Dodgers coach short prints can fetch $50-80.
Rookie Cup Subsets
The 1973 Topps set featured special “Rookie Cup” subsets highlighting candidates for rookie of the year awards. These coveted short prints have increased significantly in value. A PSA 9 mint Robin Yount Rookie Cup card recently sold for over $2000 while a Phil Niekro sold for $800. Other rookie cup cards like Ron Cey, Dennis Martinez, Butch Metzger have sold in the $75-150 range in high grades. Knowing the short print status and tracking population reports are crucial factors in accurately assessing value for these obscure but desirable subset cards.
Top Rated Cards and Grading
As with most vintage sets, the true high dollar cards in the 1973 Topps issue are the specimens that have achieved pristine gem mint grades from respected third party authentication and grading services like PSA and BGS. A PSA 10 mint Robin Yount rookie has sold for over $10,000 while perfect grade Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle rookies have traded hands for $3000-5000. Even high graded common players can achieve substantial prices when in top condition – a PSA 10 Rod Carew sold for nearly $400 and a PSA 10 Don Sutton went for over $300. Condition, of course, is king when determining true collectible worth.
In Conclusion
The 1973 Topps baseball card set remains a premier vintage issue coveted by collectors for its iconic design, memorable players, and cultural significance from the 1970s. While most common cards can be acquired fairly reasonably in lower grades, the true stars and investment pieces are near mint to gem mint rookie cards, major Hall of Famers, short prints, and especially those achieving perfect PSA/BGS scores. With increased demand over recent decades, the 1973 Topps set consistently appreciates in value, especially for its highly-graded premium pieces.
