Baseball cards from the 1970s can be a very lucrative investment, as there are several key cards from this era that hold significant value. The 1970s saw the dawn of the modern baseball card era, as technology improvements allowed for color photos on cards for the first time. This opened up new possibilities for creative and visually appealing card designs that resonated with collectors. Several stars also emerged in the 1970s that went on to have Hall of Fame careers, making their rookie cards quite sought after. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 1970s baseball cards worth investing in.
One of the most iconic and valuable 1970s baseball cards is the 1975 Nolan Ryan rookie card. Ryan went on to have one of the greatest pitching careers in baseball history, striking out over 5,000 batters and throwing seven no-hitters. His iconic windup and blazing fastball made him a fan favorite. In near mint condition, his 1975 Topps rookie card can fetch over $20,000. Even in well-worn condition, it still holds value in the $3,000 to $5,000 range. The card features a classic action photo and is one of the most recognizable from the 1970s set.
Another highly coveted rookie card is George Brett’s 1974 Topps card. Brett had a career batting average of .305 over 21 seasons with the Kansas City Royals, earning him induction into the Hall of Fame. He was a nine-time All-Star and helped lead the Royals to a World Series championship in 1985. In pristine mint condition, his rookie card can sell for over $15,000. More moderate copies still sell for $2,000-$4,000 depending on condition. The card captures Brett’s smooth left-handed swing and is an iconic representation of his prolific career.
Reggie Jackson’s 1968 Topps rookie card is another valuable piece from the 1970s. “Mr. October” smashed 563 career home runs and was a five-time World Series champion, earning him entry into Cooperstown. His rookie card isn’t nearly as scarce as others from the late 1960s, but it still holds tremendous value given Jackson’s legendary status. Near mint copies can sell for $7,000-$10,000, with well-worn examples still fetching $1,500-$3,000. The card features a classic action shot and commemorates the start of Jackson’s illustrious career.
Steve Garvey’s 1969 Topps rookie card is highly sought after by collectors as well. Garvey enjoyed a successful 19-year career, mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers, winning an NL MVP award and being selected to 10 All-Star teams. In pristine condition, his rookie card can sell for over $5,000. More played copies still sell in the $1,000-$2,000 range. The card captures Garvey’s smooth fielding abilities and helped cement him as a fan favorite during his playing days in Los Angeles.
Nolan Ryan’s second-year card from the 1973 Topps set also holds tremendous value since it features one of his record seven career no-hitters. The card depicts Ryan mowing down the Detroit Tigers on May 15, 1973, making it one of the most iconic baseball cards ever produced. In mint condition, it can sell for over $10,000. More moderate copies still bring $3,000-$5,000. The historic no-hitter photo and Ryan’s pitching dominance combine to make this one of the most desirable 1970s cards.
Fernando Valenzuela’s 1981 Topps Traded rookie card is also highly coveted, as the Mexican pitcher and Dodgers sensation became a fan favorite. He won both the NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards that season. In pristine condition, his rookie card can sell for over $4,000. More played copies still fetch $1,000-$2,000 given his popularity and success early in his career. The card captures the joyful Valenzuela helped bring to baseball in the early 1980s.
Ozzie Smith’s 1978 Topps rookie card is another consistently valuable 1970s issue. Of course, “The Wizard” went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the St. Louis Cardinals, winning 13 Gold Gloves at shortstop. Near mint copies can sell for $3,000-$4,000, with well-loved versions still bringing $500-$1,000. The card depicts Smith’s elite defense that made him a fan favorite for over a decade in St. Louis.
In summary, 1970s baseball cards provide an excellent investment opportunity for collectors, as there are several stars from the decade with cards holding four- and even five-figure values. Condition is extremely important, but even played copies of the best 1970s rookies like Ryan, Brett, Jackson, Garvey, and Smith can still yield profits with the right buyer. The combination of star power, aesthetically pleasing designs, and the dawn of the modern baseball card era all contribute to the enduring value of 1970s issues. With prices often rising year over year, these classic cards make for a sound collectible to consider adding to a portfolio.
