Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over a century and some of the rarest cards from the earliest years of the hobby have sold for astronomical prices. The high-dollar baseball cards that fetch thousands and sometimes millions at auction are usually from the 1950s and prior when production numbers were small and players were unknown, before they became stars.
One of the most valuable baseball cards ever sold was a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card that was graded PSA Authentic AG-3. It sold at auction in August 2016 for $3.12 million, setting a new record. The ultra-rare Wagner card is legendary in the hobby due to its scarcity. It’s estimated only 50-200 were printed but Wagner demanded his card be pulled from production as he didn’t want to promote tobacco to kids.
Another T206 that can earn big money is the 1909-11 Eddie Plank card which has sold for over $100,000 in top grades. High grade examples of other iconic early 20th century tobacco era cards like the 1909-11 T206 cards of Ty Cobb, Nap Lajoie, and Cy Young can also earn five figures. A PSA EX-MT 6 Cobb recently sold for just under $400,000.
Moving into the 1950s, the most valuable common vintage cards are typically the high numbers from the 1952 Topps and 1953 Topps sets which featured young ballplayers before they became household names. A PSA Gem Mint 10 Mickey Mantle from the 1952 set recently sold for $360,000. The 1952 Topps cards of Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente can also earn thousands in top grades as they feature the players in their early MLB careers.
Rookie cards, which feature a player’s first major league card, are also highly sought after by collectors. A PSA 10 grade of Mantle’s 1952 Topps rookie card has sold for over $200,000. A PSA 10 of Clemente’s first card from the same set reached $99,750 at auction. Aaron’s rookie from the 1954 Topps set has also topped $100,000 in pristine condition. Sandy Koufax’s 1955 Topps rookie in a PSA 10 grade is valued around $50,000-$75,000.
The 1968 Topps complete set is considered one of the most valuable modern issues as it includes the rookie cards of superstar pitchers Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver. A PSA 8-9 graded example of Ryan’s rookie is worth $3,000-$5,000 while a PSA 10 has brought over $20,000 at auction. Seaver’s ’68 Topps rookie in top condition can earn $10,000+.
The 1975 Topps set stands out for featuring rookie cards of George Brett, Robin Yount, Dave Parker, and Fred Lynn all in the same set. High graded examples of Brett and Yount’s rookies are valued around $1,000 each while Parker and Lynn rookies can reach $500 in top condition.
The 1987 Topps set is notable for including the rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr. and Barry Bonds. A PSA 10 of Griffey’s iconic first card has sold for over $10,000 while Bonds’ rookie in top shape is valued at $1,000-$2,000. Mark McGwire’s rookie from the same ’87 Topps issue can earn $500-$1,000 in pristine condition as well.
While vintage cards from the early 20th century command the highest prices, there are plenty of valuable modern rookie cards that can earn thousands graded top condition as well. Collectors are always on the hunt for the earliest cards featuring future Hall of Famers that feature them in their rookie season before superstardom. With the right combination of a legendary player, early issue, and high grade, today’s collectors have a shot at owning vintage cardboard treasures worth thousands, or in rare cases, millions.
