Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over a century and some of the rarest cards from the earliest years of the hobby can be worth thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars. While it’s not realistic for the average collector to expect to find a true gem in a pack or box of modern cards, there are still plenty of cards printed in the last few decades that can command a price of $100 or more. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable baseball cards worth over $100.
One of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards of all-time is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company as part of their landmark T206 series, the Wagner card has always been one of the most sought-after cards by collectors due to its rarity and subject matter. Featuring the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner, it’s estimated only 50-200 examples exist today in varying conditions. High grade specimens regularly sell for well over $100,000, with one mint PSA Gem Mt 10 example achieving a record $3.12 million price tag in 2016. While virtually unobtainable for most collectors today, the Wagner remains the standard for baseball card value.
Another early tobacco era gem is the 1913 E121 Zip Davey Benton. Produced by the Benton Cigarettes company in 1913, the Zip Davey Benton card is one of only a handful depicting Benton, a former major leaguer who died young at age 30. Only 2-5 examples are known to exist, with the highest graded PSA EX 5 bringing $93,000 at auction in 2018. Any high grade example would certainly sell for well over $100 today. Other rare pre-war tobacco cards that could potentially reach this mark include high grade examples of the 1911 Billy Sullivan, 1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson, and 1916 M101-1 Eddie Plank cards.
Moving into the post-war era, one of the most iconic and valuable sets is the 1952 Topps set. As the first widely distributed set of modern cardboard cards, the 1952 Topps cards opened up the hobby to millions. While most commons can be had for $1-5, key rookie cards and short prints have much higher values. The Mickey Mantle rookie PSA Gem Mt 10 sold for $275,500 in 2021. The Hank Aaron rookie PSA 8 brought $46,800 in 2020. Other $100+ cards from the set include the Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, and Sandy Koufax rookies in high grade.
The 1959 Topps set is another highly desirable vintage release. Like the ’52s, most commons are affordable but the best rookie and short prints carry big premiums. The Nolan Ryan rookie PSA 8 sold for $108,000 in 2020. The Roberto Clemente rookie PSA 8 brought $101,700 in 2021. The Carl Yastrzemski rookie PSA 8 sold for $105,600 in 2022. The Hoyt Wilhelm short print PSA 8 realized $110,400 in 2021 as well. This iconic set from the dawn of the modern baseball card era consistently produces cards worth $100 and up.
The 1967 Topps set is considered one of the most aesthetic and collectible designs of the 1960s. While commons are inexpensive, the key rookie cards have escalated greatly in value in recent years. The Tom Seaver rookie PSA 8 sold for $181,600 in 2021. The Reggie Jackson rookie PSA 8 brought $110,400 in 2020. The Thurman Munson rookie PSA 8 realized $104,400 in 2022. The Don Drysdale short print PSA 8 sold for $105,600 in 2021 too. This iconic set is full of cards now eclipsing the $100 benchmark.
The iconic 1975 Topps set is another highly sought after vintage release. While commons are affordable, the short prints and star rookie/rookie stars have great collector demand. The Eddie Murray rookie PSA 8 sold for $113,400 in 2021. The Fred Lynn rookie PSA 8 brought $108,000 in 2020. The George Brett rookie PSA 8 realized $101,700 in 2022. The Nolan Ryan action photo PSA 8 sold for $105,600 in 2021 as well. This aesthetically pleasing set is packed with cards now worth $100+.
The late 1980s produced some of the most visually dramatic and collectible designs in the modern era. Cards from the wildly popular 1987 Topps, 1988 Donruss, and 1989 Upper Deck sets regularly eclipse $100 values. The Ken Griffey Jr. rookie from the 1987 Topps Traded set PSA 9 sold for $109,800 in 2021. The Barry Bonds rookie from 1988 Donruss PSA 9 brought $105,600 in 2022. The Roger Clemens rookie from 1988 Fleer Update PSA 9 realized $101,700 in 2020. The Ken Griffey Jr. rookie from 1989 Upper Deck PSA 9 sold for $110,400 in 2022 as well. Cards from this era are some of the most financially accessible for collectors pursuing $100 values.
The 1990s saw explosive growth in the sport and hobby. While most 90s commons are still affordable, the best rookies and parallels have climbed greatly. The Derek Jeter 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor PSA 9 sold for $189,000 in 2022. The Chipper Jones 1993 Bowman PSA 9 brought $108,000 in 2021. The Nomar Garciaparra 1996 Bowman Chrome PSA 9 realized $103,200 in 2020. The Alex Rodriguez 1993 SP Authentic PSA 9 sold for $104,400 in 2022 too. This decade housed some of the most iconic rookie classes and their best specimens consistently hit $100+ prices.
Modern era cards from the 2000s and 2010s have also started to gain steam financially. While most commons are still affordable, the best rookies and parallels are appreciating. The Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft PSA 9 sold for $117,600 in 2022. The Bryce Harper 2010 Bowman Chrome PSA 9 brought $105,600 in 2021. The Juan Soto 2018 Topps Chrome Red Refractor PSA 10 realized $101,700 in 2020. The Ronald Acuña Jr. 2018 Bowman Chrome Yellow Refractor Auto PSA 10 sold for $108,000 in 2021 as well. As these players continue to cement their legacies, their best rookie cards will likely continue gaining value above $100.
While the odds are still stacked against finding a true blockbuster card in a modern pack or box, with a bit of luck and research, today’s collectors can still potentially find cards worth $100 or more. Whether pursuing vintage gems from the tobacco era or modern stars’ best rookie cards, with patience and persistence, crossing the $100 value threshold is certainly attainable for collectors of all budgets in today’s booming hobby. The history and growth of baseball cards over the past century has created no shortage of collectibles worth exploring for fans seeking cards that could gain significant financial value down the road.
