Baseball Card Price Guide 2007
The baseball card market experienced significant changes in 2007 that impacted the value of many cards. Several high profile rookie cards saw their prices skyrocket while older vintage cards from the 1950s and 1960s also appreciated substantially. This price guide aims to provide collectors with updated values for the most desirable baseball cards from the past several decades based on completed auction sales from 2007.
One of the biggest movers in the market was the Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Refractors rookie card of Josh Hamilton. After an MVP-caliber season with the Texas Rangers that saw him hit 30 home runs in just 100 games, Hamilton mania took hold. His 2006 Bowman Chrome rookie card, which previously sold in the $50-100 range shot up dramatically. Near mint copies were now commanding $500-800 while gem mint 10 graded versions topped $2,000. Other top rookie cards that gained value included Ryan Braun’s 2006 Bowman Chrome card (up from $50 to $150-250 NM), Justin Upton’s 2005 Bowman Chrome card (from $75 to $200-300 NM), and Troy Tulowitzki’s 2005 Bowman Chrome card (from $100 to $250-400 NM).
Vintage cards from the 1950s also enjoyed substantial price increases, led by the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card. High grade PSA 8 copies that previously sold for $6,000-8,000 were now bringing $12,000-15,000 while PSA NM-MT 8.5s rose from $15,000 to $25,000. The 1957 Topps Mickey Mantle, long considered the key post-war vintage card also gained significantly. PSA 8 copies rose from $4,000 to $7,000-9,000. Other 1950s cards that saw strong appreciation included the iconic 1951 Bowman Color TV Set cards (PSA 8 up from $3,000 to $5,000-7,000), the 1952 Topps Willie Mays (PSA 8 from $2,000 to $3,500-5,000), and the iconic 1957 Topps Hank Aaron (PSA 8 from $1,200 to $2,000-3,000).
The 1960s were also well represented with gains. The iconic 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card, already a strong riser in recent years, continued its ascent. Near mint copies climbed from $150 to $250-350 while PSA 8s rose from $400-600 to $800-1,200. The 1968 Topps Roberto Clemente, long a favorite among collectors, gained as well with PSA 8s rising from $800 to $1,200-1,500. The 1969 Topps Willie McCovey (PSA 8 from $300 to $500-800) and the 1969 Topps Tom Seaver (PSA 8 from $250 to $400-600) also saw double digit percentage increases.
The 1970s rookie era was not immune to the rising tide with several key cards appreciating. The 1973 Topps Rod Carew rookie, already a steady gainer, saw PSA 8 copies climb from $150 to $250-350. The iconic 1974 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie, a favorite of investors, rose with PSA 8s gaining from $400-600 to $800-1,200. Two other 1974 rookies, the Dave Winfield (PSA 8 from $80 to $150-250) and Lou Brock (PSA 8 from $60 to $100-150) also made strong gains. The 1975 Topps Fred Lynn rookie continued its torrid ascent with PSA 8s rising from $250 to $400-600.
Into the 1980s, several stars also enjoyed double digit percentage price bumps. The 1981 Topps Dwight Gooden rookie, already a strong riser, saw near mint copies gain from $75 to $150-250 while PSA 8s rose from $200 to $350-500. The iconic 1984 Topps Mark McGwire rookie gained with PSA 8s rising from $150 to $250-350. The 1987 Topps Barry Bonds rookie hit new highs with PSA 8s climbing from $200 to $350-500. And the 1987 Topps Griffey Jr. rookie continued its march upwards with PSA 8s gaining from $150 to $250-350.
The 1990s saw more modest rises across the board but several stars still gained ground. The iconic 1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie hit new highs with PSA 9s rising from $500 to $800-1,200. Near mint copies of the 1992 Bowman’s Best Derek Jeter rookie gained from $50 to $75-125. PSA 8 copies of the 1992 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. Update rookie rose from $150 to $250-350. And the iconic 1994 Pinnacle Ken Griffey Jr. rookie gained with PSA 9s climbing from $150 to $250-350.
As the baseball card market continued its momentum in 2007, several trends were clear. Rookie cards of emerging young stars like Hamilton, Braun and Upton led the way. Iconic vintage cards from the 1950s like Mantle and Mays posted outsized gains. And popular stars from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s all enjoyed appreciation to varying degrees. With the market showing no signs of slowing, collectors could expect many key cards to continue climbing in value in the years ahead.
