The Montreal Expos were the first major league team located in Canada. They played in Montreal from 1969 through their final season in 2004 before moving to Washington D.C. to become the Nationals. As an expansion franchise, the Expos issued many baseball cards during their 36 seasons in Montreal. Some key Expos cards from the 1970s through 1990s have increased greatly in value in recent years due to the team’s nostalgia and scarcity of the cards on the secondary market. Let’s take an in-depth look at some Expos cards that could be worth a significant amount of money today depending on condition and rarity.
One of the most desirable and valuable Expos cards is the 1969 Topps Rico Carty rookie card. Carty only played part of one season for Montreal in 1969 before being traded. His rookie card sporting the early Expos uniform and logo is very scarce to find in high grade. In gem mint condition, Carty’s 1969 Topps rookie has sold for over $2,000. Another high value Expos rookie is the 1972 Topps Steve Rogers card. Rogers went on to win 139 games for Montreal and became the franchise leader in wins. High graded examples of his rookie in the PSA 8 to PSA 10 range can garner several hundred dollars.
Two of the most iconic Expos players were Andre Dawson and Tim Raines. Dawson won the 1977 Rookie of the Year award as well as the 1981 NL MVP award as a Montreal outfielder. His 1978 Topps and 1979 Topps rookie cards in high grade are quite valuable, with the 1978 regularly selling for well over $100 in PSA 8-10 condition. Raines debuted with Montreal in 1981 and was one of baseball’s top base stealers and leadoff hitters of the 1980s. His 1981 Topps and Fleer rookie cards have seen prices spike in recent years, with mint examples rising above the $200 price point. Another scarce and desired Raines rookie is his 1982 Donruss.
Gary Carter was the veteran leader of the Expos for many seasons in the 1970s and 80s before winning a World Series with the Mets in 1986. High graded versions of his 1974 Topps and 1975 Topps rookie cards as a Montreal catcher can sell for over $100. Other Carter Expos cards like his 1976 through 1981 issues are also collectible, with several in the $50 range depending on condition. Carter remained a fan favorite in Montreal even after his playing days ended.
The 1979 Topps Tim Raines card is also one that sharply rose in value in the 2010s due to Raines’ election to the Hall of Fame. In PSA 9-10 condition, his 1979 Topps now trades hands for $300+. Raines broke out with a 190 hit season in 1979 and was well on his way to becoming one of the game’s hardest players to strike out. His 1979 rookie card captures this and is a key piece of Expos history.
Two of the biggest stars from the Expos’ 1980s playoff teams have premium cards as well – pitcher Dennis Martinez and second baseman Delino DeShields. Martinez tossed over 200 innings annually for Montreal from 1983-1990 and was the franchise leader in wins upon his departure. His 1983 Topps rookie card in high grade is a $100+ card. DeShields was a fan favorite in Montreal during his stint from 1987 to 1991 and made his lone All-Star game as an Expo. His 1987 Topps rookie card still holds collector appeal today at $50-70 in top condition.
Moving into the 1990s, Montreal featured players like Larry Walker, Marquis Grissom, and Moises Alou. Walker made his MLB debut in 1989 and went on to a Hall of Fame career. His 1989 Score and 1990 Score rookie cards have increased steadily since his Cooperstown induction, with the 1989 at roughly $60 in PSA 10 shape. Alou broke out with six straight 30 home run seasons for Montreal from 1992 to 1997 before being traded just before the team moved. His 1992 Bowman rookie card is the standout from his Expos tenure, reaching $30-40 in higher grades.
As the Expos faded from contention in the late 90s, their stars like Grissom, Ugueth Urbina, and Vladimir Guerrero took center stage. Guerrero dazzled at the plate during his Montreal campaigns from 1996 to 2003 before the team relocated. His 1996 Topps rookie card is briskly popular with collectors, hovering around $15-20 for graded examples. The team’s final representative in Topps is Orlando Cabrera from 2003. Overall condition and well-kept Montreal Expos cards can hold strong nostalgia value for collectors with lasting memories of the storied Expos franchise. With limited remaining inventory, prices should stay firm or potentially appreciate further down the line as older collectors reminisce about Canada’s sole MLB team.
Iconic Expos rookie cards like Andre Dawson, Gary Carter, Tim Raines, and Larry Walker are at the top of the heap in terms of value thanks to their success and nostalgia for long-time fans. Other foundational players from the 1970s like Rico Carty, Steve Rogers also command higher prices. Keysters from championship caliber 80s teams like DeShields and Martinez are highly regarded as well. And Montreal stars from the 90s like Grissom, Alou, Guerrero retain value due to their attachment to one of baseball’s unique franchises before the relocation. Well-preserved Expos cards, especially rookies of franchise greats, are a worthwhile part of any collection.
