Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for generations, with some of the earliest cards dating back to the late 1800s. While most cards in collections are worth just a few dollars, there are always a select few that could be worth significantly more money. With the popularity of the hobby continuing to grow, the values of the rarest and most desirable vintage and modern baseball cards remain on the rise. Here is a look at some of the baseball cards that could be worth the most money in 2022.
One of the most expensive baseball cards ever sold is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card, with just 60 known to exist in the world. In recent years, specimens have sold for millions, with one PSA Gem Mint 9 copy fetching $6.6 million at auction in 2021. While most collectors will never own a Wagner, there are other vintage cards that can still command impressive five and six figure prices depending on condition.
Cards of legendary players from the early 20th century tend to be the most valuable. This includes cards of Babe Ruth, including his 1914 Baltimore News issue and 1916 Sporting News card. High grade examples could sell for $150,000+ each. Ty Cobb rookie cards from 1911 and 1912 are also extremely valuable, as are rare Mickey Mantle rookie cards from 1952. A PSA Gem Mint 10 of Mantle’s Topps rookie just sold for $2.88 million.
Moving into the post-war 1950s and 1960s, the most coveted rookie cards include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente and Sandy Koufax. These can reach into the tens of thousands for top condition specimens. The 1952 Bowman Color television issue of Willie Mays has also become a highly valuable card in recent years due to its rarity, with PSA 10s selling for over $500,000.
When it comes to the 1970s, the standout rookie card is the 1975 George Brett. High grades have reached $100,000 at auction. The 1975 Nolan Ryan and Rod Carew rookie cards also hold great value potential. For the 1980s, stars like Donruss Dwight Gooden and Fleer Update Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards lead the way. A PSA 10 Griffey sold for $3.12 million in 2016, setting records.
Modern era cards from the 1990s to today have also started to gain more recognition and value as those players’ careers evolve. Upper deck Ken Griffey Jr. and Alex Rodriguez rookie cards from 1989 and 1993 respectively can sell for thousands in top condition. The ultra-rare 1998 SP Authentic Gold Label Derek Jeter rookie auto /23 just sold for $390,000.
Some of the most expensive modern cards include rare printing plates that are 1/1 copies. Examples include a 2001 SP Authentic Miguel Cabrera printing plate that fetched $78,000 and a 2003 Topps Chrome Albert Pujols printing plate that sold for $86,400. Autograph rookies and serial numbered parallels also hold great value potential for stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and others.
While the cards above highlight some of the most expensive options, there are still many affordable vintage and modern rookie cards under $100 that could appreciate greatly over time as well. Doing research, understanding grades, and having patience is key when seeking valuable baseball cards as an investment. With new stars constantly emerging and the hobby always growing, more baseball cards will continue joining the ranks of the game’s most valuable collectibles in future years. For dedicated collectors, there remains great potential to profit from cards purchased at the right time.
