Vintage Atlanta Braves baseball cards can be quite valuable depending on the player, year, and condition of the card. Some of the most expensive and sought after Braves cards include rookie cards of Hall of Famers as well as stars from the team’s dominant run in the 1990s. Let’s take a look at some of the top Braves cards that could be worth a significant amount of money depending on their grade.
Hank Aaron 1954 Topps #81 – Hank Aaron is arguably the greatest Brave of all time and his rookie card is one of the most valuable in the hobby. In PSA Gem Mint 10 condition, this card has sold for over $100,000. Even well-centered examples in PSA 8 or 9 condition can fetch thousands. Aaron went on to break Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record and is revered as one of the best hitters in MLB history.
Warren Spahn 1952 Topps #78 – Spahn was a legendary left-handed pitcher who spent most of his career with the Braves. He won 363 games over his career and is considered one of the best pitchers in baseball history. His rookie card is highly sought after by collectors. A PSA 10 can sell for over $50,000 while PSA 8s trade in the multi-thousand dollar range.
Eddie Mathews 1953 Topps #123 – Mathews was a power hitting third baseman who smacked 512 home runs over his career. He played 15 seasons for the Braves and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978. His rookie card is the third most valuable from the 1953 Topps set behind the rookies of Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. High graded examples can sell for thousands.
Tom Glavine 1989 Upper Deck #1 – Glavine is regarded as one of the best pitchers in Braves history and won 305 games over his career. His rookie card is the coveted #1 card from the landmark Upper Deck set. In PSA 10 condition, it has sold for over $15,000 at auction. Even well-centered PSA 8s can fetch $1,000+.
Chipper Jones 1991 Leaf #34 – Jones spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Braves and was the cornerstone of the team during their run of division titles in the 1990s. His scarce and desirable rookie card from the 1991 Leaf set can sell for over $10,000 in a PSA 10 gem. Even lower graded copies trade hands for hundreds on the secondary market.
Greg Maddux 1986 Donruss #162 – Mad Dog Maddux won 355 games and four Cy Young Awards over a brilliant career that saw him spend time with both the Cubs and Braves. His rookie card is a key piece for any Atlanta or Chicago collector. High graded PSA 10 copies have sold for over $5,000.
David Justice 1989 Bowman #456 – Justice was a power hitting outfielder who played a key role on the Braves World Series championship teams of the 1990s. His rookie card is scarce and highly sought after by collectors of the era. PSA 10 examples can bring over $3,000 at auction.
John Smoltz 1989 Fleer Update #U-14 – Smoltz had a Hall of Fame career as both a dominant starter and closer for the Braves. His scarce and desirable rookie card from the 1989 Fleer Update set can sell for over $1,000 in top condition. Even well-centered PSA 8 copies trade hands for hundreds.
Terry Pendleton 1990 Score #675 – Pendleton was the 1991 NL MVP and batted .319 during the Braves’ World Series run that year. His rookie card is one of the keys from the underrated 1990 Score set. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $1,000.
Steve Avery 1989 Bowman #482 – Avery won 18 games and was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1991 as part of the Braves young rotation. His rookie card is a sought after piece from the flagship Bowman set. PSA 10 copies can sell for $500-1000 depending on demand.
In conclusion, Braves cards of franchise icons like Hank Aaron, Warren Spahn and Eddie Mathews hold tremendous value. Cards from the dominant Braves teams of the 1990s including rookies of Glavine, Jones, Maddux, Justice, Smoltz, Pendleton and Avery are also highly sought after and can be worth hundreds or even thousands in top condition to dedicated Atlanta collectors. With the Braves continuing their winning ways today, these vintage cards will remain popular with both investors and fans for years to come.
