When it comes to collecting vintage baseball cards, certain years tend to stand out as being more desirable among collectors. This is usually due to the star players featured in the sets during those years or significant events that occurred. Here’s a look at some of the best years for baseball cards to collect based on the quality and value of the cards released.

1909-1911 T206 – Often considered the pinnacle of vintage baseball card collecting. The T206 set featured stars like Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Walter Johnson and more during baseball’s deadball era. What makes these cards so coveted is their rarity and condition. Over 100 years old, finding high quality examples in grades of PSA 8 or above can demand prices in the tens or even hundreds of thousands. Even common players can have value in nice condition. The iconic images and history behind these early 20th century tobacco cards make them extremely collectible.

1952 Topps – The first true “modern” design that would come to define the post-WWII era of baseball cards. This inaugural Topps set that began their long run featured stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roy Campanella and Whitey Ford. The 1952s also had a much larger print run compared to the scarce pre-war issues. This makes higher grade examples still attainable for most collectors. Mantle and Mays rookies in particular are always in high demand.

1956 Topps – Oozing with nostalgia and considered a true “wax pack era” design. The ’56s are just iconic with their team logo designs. This was the set that had rookie cards for future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson and Bob Gibson. High grades of Aaron and Gibson are especially valuable today. Also the last Topps issue to feature the iconic “Bat” logo on the back.

1957 Topps – The final Topps design change before their long-running “vertical backs.” This set is highlighted by Mickey Mantle’s career-defining 52 home run season and MVP year captured on his card. The ’57s also had rookie cards for future stars like Willie McCovey, Billy Williams and Don Drysdale. Mantle and the rookie cards are the most in-demand.

1969 Topps – Marked a turning point with its focus on active player photos over team action shots. This set had the first cards featuring Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench and Tom Seaver in their true rookie seasons after debuting late the prior year. Also had rookie cards for Hall of Famers like Reggie Jackson. The ’69s were the last cardboard issue before the transition to the modern plastic era of the 1970s. High grades of the star rookies are very valuable.

1974 Topps – Considered the pinnacle of 1970s baseball cards and the start of the “wax era.” This was the true rookie card year for superstars like George Brett, Mike Schmidt, Dave Parker, Bert Blyleven and others. The designs were colorful and iconic of the disco decade. High grades of the star rookies can demand thousands. Also the last Topps set without player photos, instead featuring action shot collages.

1977 Topps – Often cited as having the best overall design aesthetic of any issue. Bright and colorful with team logo fronts. This set had the true rookie cards of Donruss holdouts like Cal Ripken Jr. and Wade Boggs for the first time. Also rookie cards for Andre Dawson, Ozzie Smith, Dave Stieb and others. The ’77s perfectly captured the late 1970s baseball era. High grades of the rookie stars are pricey.

1987 Topps – Marked the start of the “Junk Wax” era of mass produced cards but also had some all-time rookies. This was the year Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Ben McDonald debuted. Even with the huge print runs, high grades of the Griffey and Maddux rookies remain quite valuable today. The ’87s also had nice action shot designs befitting the late 1980s.

1989 Bowman – While not a “flagship” set like Topps, the 1989 Bowman issue stands out for introducing baseball card collectors to the likes of Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, Todd Helton and others in their true rookie seasons. The designs were colorful and featured great action shots. High grades of the star rookies can still hold significant value despite the large production numbers.

1994 Upper Deck – Marked the start of a new era as the premium card brand gained the MLB license from Topps. This set had the rookie cards of Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, Jason Varitek and others who would become stars of the late 1990s-2000s. Despite huge print runs, the Jeter and other star rookies in high grades still demand thousands due to their iconic status. Great design as well.

2001 SP Authentic – While produced in the post-boom era, this set stands out for featuring some of the game’s biggest stars in their true rookie seasons. That includes Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi, and Curt Schilling autographed rookie cards. While not as scarce as older issues, high grades of the star autographed rookies can still command four-figure prices.

2003 Topps Chrome – Marked the start of the “refractor” parallel craze and had rookies like Dontrelle Willis, Jason Bay, Mark Prior and others. But it’s best known for having the rookie cards of Jeter, A-Rod and Pujols still in their playing primes on the Yankees and Cardinals. High-end parallels like the 1/1 Jeter refractor can demand six figures. Iconic of the early 2000s baseball boom.

2007 Topps Update – While not a true “rookie” set, the 2007 Update stood out for having some of the biggest young stars at the time like Ryan Braun, Tim Lincecum, Dustin Pedroia, Troy Tulowitzki and others in their post-rookie seasons after debuting late the prior year. In particular, high grades of the Braun and Lincecum “Uprs” are still quite valuable.

2009 Topps – Featured rookies like Buster Posey, Andrew McCutchen, Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton and others who would go on to become superstars. While Trout’s true rookie season was in 2011 Bowman, his 2009 Topps card was his true “flagship” rookie and remains one of the most iconic modern cards. High grades of the star rookies from this set are highly sought after.

While there are many other great years of baseball cards to collect, these tend to stand out as particularly desirable based on the star players and Hall of Famers featured in their rookie seasons or at the height of their careers. Condition is always key, but even well-worn examples from these classic sets hold nostalgia and value for collectors. The history, designs and players captured make these amongst the best years for vintage baseball card collecting.