The 1970 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the top vintage sets to collect from the 1960s and 1970s era. Featuring 660 total cards spanning all the major league players and managers from the 1969 season, the 1970 Topps release contained several chase cards that are highly coveted by collectors today due to their historical significance, statistical achievements, and relative scarcity in high grade. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the best and most valuable 1970 Topps cards to seek out in a collection.
Perhaps the most iconic card from the 1970 Topps set is the Nolan Ryan rookie card. As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Ryan made his Topps debut in 1970 after just one season in the major leagues with the New York Mets. While not entirely rare in terms of print run, high grade Nolan Ryan rookies have consistently risen in value over the decades to become truly legendary cards in the hobby. A PSA 10 example of the Ryan 1970 Topps rookie is currently valued over $35,000, showing just how important his early career cards remain to this day.
Another hugely significant rookie card found in the 1970 set is that of Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson. Known equally for his prodigious home run power and flair for the dramatic, “Mr. October” broke into the league the previous year with the Oakland A’s. Reggie’s impressive rookie season stats combined with his legendary five-home run performance in the 1977 World Series have cemented this as one of the true great rookie cards in baseball history. Like Ryan, high grade examples suitable for PSA/BGS slabbing fetch prices well into the thousands.
Continuing with the rookie theme, collectors should also target the 1970 debut issues of star pitchers Vida Blue and Tom Seaver. Blue would go on to win the 1971 Cy Young award as arguably baseball’s best arm, while Seaver achieved even greater feats winning three total Cy Youngs during his extraordinary career. Both Blue and Seaver rookies showcased on the mound in 1969, setting the stage for what was to come. Condition sensitive but still quite affordable in lower grades.
Moving beyond rookies, two particularly valuable regular issues found throughout the 1970 Topps set are those depicting iconic career milestones – Hank Aaron’s 715th home run and Willie Mays’ 3000th hit. Aaron’s chase and eventual passing of Babe Ruth on the all-time home runs list in 1974 was a massive cultural moment. Meanwhile, Mays becoming just the third player to join the 3000 hit club further cemented his place as one of the all-time greats. High grade copies of these milestone cards can sell for well over $1000 each.
Condition is always key when considering older vintage cards like those from the 1970 Topps set. While tougher to grade 10 on the modern grading scales compared to later ’80s releases, pristine copies with sharp corners, clean surfaces and strong centering still demand big prices today. This includes true mint PSA/BGS 9 examples, which serve as equally desirable above average survivors from this era. Another characteristic of 1970s cardboard quality is the usage of thinner stock paper stock which is more prone to creasing/bends over time versus later cardboard.
In exploring the 1970 Topps set thoroughly, collectors would also be wise to target cards of other all-time great players near or at the height of their careers like Johnny Bench, Carl Yastrzemski, Tom Seaver, and multiple future Hall of Famers. High grades of any true superstars will perform well long term. While not necessarily the most acclaimed design, the 1970 issue marks an important transition point capturing stars of both the 1960s and those who would rise to dominance in the decade ahead. For these reasons, it remains one of the best vintage sets for investing in the rich history of baseball cards.
The 1970 Topps release commemorated the final season of the 1960s and contained several rookies and career highlights that have become seminal issues over the decades. Cards like the Nolan Ryan and Reggie Jackson rookies paired with the Aaron and Mays milestone cards lead the way in terms of all-time desirability and value. Condition sensitive copies of any true baseball legends featured throughout the 660 card checklist have great potential. For collectors seeking iconic pieces of the vintage collecting era, the 1970 Topps set deserves a strong look.
