The 1972 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the company’s storied history. While it lacked some of the true star power of earlier decades, the ’72 Topps set featured several cards that have become highly sought after by collectors in the decades since. With 714 total cards in the base set, the 1972 Topps offering highlighted a transition period in the sport during a time of societal change in America. Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout cards collectors love from this vintage release.
The most coveted card from the 1972 Topps set is generally considered to be the Nolan Ryan rookie card. As one of the greatest power pitchers of all-time, Ryan’s rookie is an extremely valuable piece of memorabilia. While he had debuted in 1966, Ryan’s inclusion in the 1972 Topps set marked his first appearance in the flagship Topps issue. Known for his 100 mph heat and record 5,714 career strikeouts, Ryan went on to have a Hall of Fame career. In high grade, mint condition examples of his 1972 Topps rookie card can fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
Another highly sought after card from ’72 Topps is Thurman Munson’s rookie. The Yankees catcher had a breakout 1971 season, batting .302 with 15 home runs and 79 RBI en route to being named American League Rookie of the Year. His inclusion in the ’72 set was thus timely. Sadly, Munson suffered an untimely death in a plane crash in 1979 at age 32. This adds to the nostalgia and demand for his rookie card today. High-grade Munson rookies have sold for over $10,000 in recent years.
Aside from rookie cards, the 1972 Topps set featured several other notable future Hall of Famers in their baseball card primes. One of the most iconic is card #1 – Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves. Having broken Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record just two years prior in ’74, Aaron remained one of the game’s biggest stars. His perfectly centered ’72 Topps card is a standout in the set. Other Hall of Fame greats well-represented include Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, and Tom Seaver.
The 1972 Topps set also marked the final cards for several legends wrapping up their careers. The most notable of these is arguably Willie Mays’ card showing him with the New York Mets. Having spent nearly two decades with the Giants, Mays finished his career in New York in 1973. His Mets card from ’72 Topps serves as a nice bookend to his legendary career. Other final cards include Hank Aaron’s brother Tommie with the Braves and Hoyt Wilhelm’s last card before retirement.
Beyond the star power of rookie cards and Hall of Famers, the 1972 Topps set featured several other unique and interesting parallel inserts that are favorites with collectors today. The most popular of these are the “3-D” cards produced using a lenticular printing process that creates a three-dimensional or holographic effect. Only 78 of these special parallel cards were produced, making each one an ultra-rare chase item today. Other fun parallel subsets include team-colored bordered cards and “fielding” cards highlighting defensive plays.
While it may lack the true star power of the 1960s, the 1972 Topps baseball card set remains a highly collectible vintage issue prized by hobbyists. Headlined by the legendary rookie cards of Nolan Ryan and Thurman Munson, the set also features baseball icons like Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench, and Reggie Jackson in their primes. Parallel inserts like the rare “3-D” cards add to the excitement of the release. For both nostalgia and investment potential, the 1972 Topps cards, especially the standouts profiled here, will likely remain hugely popular with collectors for decades to come.
