The 1960s was a transformative decade for baseball cards. Following the boom of the post-World War 2 era that saw the rise of Topps as the dominant brand, the 1960s saw new competitors enter the market and new technologies that changed the hobby forever. While some of the biggest stars of the era like Willie Mays and Sandy Koufax had been featured on cards for years, the 1960s saw rookie cards introduced for legends like Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Tom Seaver. It was also a time when oddball and regional issues flourished. If you’re a collector looking to assemble the best baseball cards of the 1960s, here are some of the top choices to seek out:

1961 Topps Willie Mays: Widely considered one of the most iconic baseball cards of all-time, Mays’ 1961 Topps card earns its place among the hobby’s elite. The simple yet striking design highlights Mays perfectly in the midst of his career year when he won his third and final MVP award. In high grade, it has sold for over $100,000, a true holy grail for collectors.

1964 Topps Hank Aaron: Aaron’s iconic 1964 Topps card marks the first appearance of “Hammerin’ Hank” in a Braves uniform after being traded from Milwaukee. It captures Aaron in the prime of his career at age 30 and for many remains the definitive visual representation of one of baseball’s all-time great hitters. Highly sought after by collectors.

1968 Topps Roberto Clemente: Tragically, Clemente’s career and life were cut short in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972, making his 1968 Topps card one that captures “The Great One” in his absolute prime. Over 1500 hits, 12 straight Gold Gloves, and the 1966 World Series MVP adorn his impressive resume at this point in his career. A true star of the era.

1964 Topps Tom Seaver RC: Seaver’s rookie card is one of the most iconic and valuable in the hobby. It pictures “Tom Terrific” as a member of the Mets during his first season in 1964 where he went 2-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 13 appearances. In pristine condition it can sell for over $50,000, a true blue chip card for 60s collectors.

1961 Fleer Willie Mays: While Topps reigned supreme, Fleer entered the market in 1961 and featured Mays on one of its early issue cards. Not nearly as plentiful as Topps, the colorful Fleer Mays stands out as a key oddball issue from the decade.

1961 Post Cereal Hank Aaron: Produced as a mail-in premium, these colorful Aaron cards showcase another major star of the era on a hugely scarce regional issue. Fewer than 10 are known to exist in high grade, making it a true prize for dedicated collectors.

1968 Topps Nolan Ryan RC: Ryan’s rookie card came relatively late in his career with the Mets but remains a key piece for any collection. It marks the first appearance of the future strikeout king who would go on to rack up over 5000 in his career. A true Holy Grail for many collectors.

1962 Topps Sandy Koufax: Arguably the single greatest left-handed pitcher ever, Koufax’s 1962 Topps card captures him at the absolute pinnacle of his Hall of Fame career. That season he would win his first Cy Young and MVP award while leading the Dodgers to a World Series title. A true icon of the era.

1966 Topps Joe DiMaggio: While past his playing days, DiMaggio’s iconic 1966 Topps card is a favorite of collectors. It features a regal portrait of the Yankee Clipper years after his record-setting 56 game hitting streak. His playing career ended in 1951 but he remained a revered figure in the game throughout the 1960s.

1963 Topps Mickey Mantle: The Mick’s 1963 Topps issue came during the twilight of his Hall of Fame career but remained one of the most iconic players in baseball. This card is a favorite of collectors looking for a key Mantle issue from the decade when he was still patrolling centerfield in pinstripes.

While there were many other amazing cards produced in the 1960s like those featuring Koufax, Aaron, Clemente and Mays in action poses, the above issues stand out as some of the true heavy hitters for collectors seeking to assemble the best baseball cards from the decade that changed the hobby forever. From iconic rookies to all-time greats in their prime, the 1960s had no shortage of memorable cardboard to fuel collectors for generations.