Baseball cards have been around for over 150 years and are one of the most popular collectibles in the world. While some of the rarest and most valuable cards can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars, there are still many great options for collectors looking to get started or expand their collection for under $60. In this article, we will explore some of the best baseball card investments that can be had for $60 or less.
One great area to look for affordable cards is rookie cards of current MLB stars who are still early in their careers. For example, you can find rookie cards for players like Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. for well under $60. Soto’s 2018 Topps Update Series rookie card regularly sells in the $30-40 range on eBay. Acuña’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospects card and Guerrero’s 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospects card can often be found for $20-30. Tatis’ 2019 Topps Series 1 rookie is another solid option usually priced around $40-50. Investing in young stars this early could pay off big if they continue developing into superstars.
For Hall of Fame players no longer actively playing, there are also numerous cards available for under $60 from their early career years before they achieved legendary status. For example, a Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card from 1989 Upper Deck in near mint condition recently sold on eBay for $45. Derek Jeter’s 1993 SP rookie card in good condition went for $20. A Mickey Mantle rookie card from 1952 Topps (when he was still going by “Mantle” instead of “Mickey Mantle”) in poor condition sold for only $35. Even a Babe Ruth card from 1914 Cracker Jack in poor shape went for under $50. Collecting legends before they were legends is a fun way to build a collection on a budget.
Vintage cards from the early 20th century prior to the modern era of the 1950s also represent affordable options to add some history to a collection. Examples include cards of Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner from the 1910s in poor condition that have sold for under $30. A Tris Speaker card from 1914 Cracker Jack or a Nap Lajoie card from 1909-1911 Tobacco Brands can sometimes be found graded in low grades for $30-40. While the condition won’t be pristine, it’s still cool to own authentic 100+ year old pieces of baseball’s earliest stars.
The 1990s were the peak of the baseball card boom, so there are many stars from that era that can still be had cheaply. Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Frank Thomas rookies or early 90s cards are routinely under $10 in battered condition. In higher grades, you may pay $20-30 but still get Hall of Fame talents. 1990 Upper Deck Griffey and Bonds rookies have sold graded in the $40-50 range. For team collectors, 1990 or 1991 Fleer team sets missing a few cards have gone for under $30 total. The glut of production means 90s cards remain very affordable.
Autograph cards have also become more accessible price-wise in recent years. Many current and recently retired players regularly sign at card shows, driving up the availability of low-dollar autographs. For example, autographs from pitchers like CC Sabathia, Jon Lester, Johnny Cueto, and Cole Hamels routinely sell for $10-20. Position players like Carlos Delgado, Andruw Jones, and Torii Hunter autographs can often be found in the $20-30 range. For young stars, autographs from players like José Berríos, Jack Flaherty, and Shane Bieber have sold in the $30-40 range. With patience, you can build a nice collection of autographed cards without breaking the bank.
Condition is always key when shopping for vintage and older cards on a budget. Heavily played cards from the pre-war era up to the 1970s can often be acquired for well under $60, even if the players themselves would otherwise command thousands. For example, a Babe Ruth card from 1933 Goudey in poor shape recently sold for only $30. A Willie Mays rookie from 1951 Bowman in battered condition went for $35. While they may not grade well, for many collectors it’s the thrill of owning an authentic piece of history that matters most – not pristine centering or corners. With some searching, condition sacrifices can unlock many affordable classic cards.
Grading has also helped open up the market by establishing price tiers based on condition. Even common but graded cards from the 1970s and 1980s that would normally sell for just a few dollars can increase in value. For example, a 1978 Topps Nolan Ryan (PSA 5) recently sold for $32. A 1984 Fleer Wade Boggs (PSA 7) went for $38. Lower tier PSA/BGS slabs in the 6-8 range containing stars from the late 20th century are very obtainable for under $60. Grading provides a layer of protection too, preserving cards that may have otherwise continued to deteriorate.
The takeaway is that there are plenty of ways to build a fun and interesting baseball card collection without spending a fortune. By focusing on young stars, legends from before they were legends, vintage history, the 1990s boom era, autographed cards, cards in lower grades, and even common graded cards – you can acquire cards for $60 or less and enjoy collecting without breaking the bank. With some creativity and bargain hunting, any budget can curate an affordable collection full of MLB memories both present and past.
