The 2007 Topps baseball card set featured some of the greatest players of the generation. While most packs and boxes of 2007 Topps could still be found for under $100 a decade later, several key rookies and hall of famers emerged as highly valuable rarities. With a standard 52-card base set and additional inserts, parallels, and rookie cards, the 2007 Topps release highlighted future stars and all-time legends poised to make history. Several factors contributed to certain 2007 Topps cards achieving record prices in subsequent years.
The biggest name and most valuable 2007 Topps card is Derek Jeter’s tier one autographed parallel (#150). As arguably the greatest shortstop of all time and longtime face of the New York Yankees, Jeter was iconic even before retiring after the 2014 season. His autographed parallels from 2007 Topps are exceptionally rare, with experts estimating fewer than 10 were produced. At population levels that low, any Jeter auto from that set was destined for huge prices. In January 2017, one eBay seller broke records when a PSA Gem Mint 10 graded example sold for an astounding $99,125, making it the most valuable 2007 Topps card.
Another Yankees legend, Mariano Rivera, also commanded huge sums for his 2007 Topps autographed parallels. As the greatest closer in MLB history with 652 career saves and 5 World Series rings all with New York, Rivera left an indelible mark. Less than 10 examples of his 2007 Topps autographed parallel are believed to exist as well. In July 2016, a PSA 10 gem specimen went for $72,900, representing a true piece of history for any Rivera collection. His iconic cutter will live on forever in pinstripes lore, immortalized by rare cards like these.
Staying in the rare auto parallel territory, Josh Hamilton’s 2007 Topps Issue Kings parallel autograph (#66) also set a record. As one of the most naturally gifted yet complex players of his era, Hamilton enjoyed early success with Tampa Bay before personal troubles waylaid his career. He then made an improbable MLB comeback with the Texas Rangers in 2008. Even in his rookie 2007 Topps set the year prior, fewer than a dozen autograph parallels are believed to exist. In January 2015, one PSA 9 example sold for $18,500, underscoring Hamilton’s potential and the parallel’s rarity a decade earlier.
Shifting to young star rookies without autographs, Evan Longoria’s impressive career and status as a Tampa Bay Ray led his 2007 Topps rookie card (#391) to achieve stratospheric prices. Widely considered the most talented third baseman of his generation alongside Chipper Jones, Longoria won Rookie of the Year honors in 2008 and helped lead Tampa to several playoff appearances and one World Series appearance over his decade-plus tenure. At PSA 10 condition, his rookie regularly topped $1,000 since 2014. In August 2018, one pristine specimen sold for an all-time high of $5,700. With continued production, 3 Gold Gloves, and 3 All-Star nods later, Longoria’s humble 2007 rookie remains a standout.
Perhaps the greatest young talent of the 2007 class was Washington Nationals phenom Stephen Strasburg, selected first overall in the 2009 draft. While injuries kept him from reaching his full potential, Strasburg still amassed an impressive 87-51 record and 1,695 career strikeouts over 11 seasons with Washington and San Diego. Due to his immense hype coming out of San Diego State, even his common 2007 Topps base rookie card (#390) as an unrelated draft-eligible player turned heads. In PSA 10 condition, examples regularly sell for $400-600 today simply due to his legendary status from that era. For the most conditioned specimens, over $1,000 has been achieved on occasion.
Another young star who went on to great accolades was Ryan Braun, then of the Milwaukee Brewers organization in 2007. Though PED use tarnished his legacy eventually, the 5-time All-Star put together an impressive career statistically with 352 home runs, 4 top-5 MVP finishes, and a 2011 NL MVP award. His excellence kept interest in his common 2007 Topps rookie card (#304) quite strong over the years. In PSA 10 condition, Braun rookies remained steady in the $200-350 range from 2017-2019. One ultra-sharp example hit $561 in February 2019. Though PED issues lingered, statistically Braun proved one of the game’s most potent left-handed sluggers.
Aside from star rookies and prospects, some valuable veterans emerged from the 2007 Topps set as well. As a lifelong member of the New York Mets beloved for his glovework and clutch hits, David Wright became one of the franchise’s all-time fan favorites from 2001-2017. While injury ended his career prematurely, Wright totaled 1,583 hits, 292 home runs, and aided the Mets’ 2006 NL East title and 2015 World Series appearance. In PSA 9-10 condition, his base 2007 Topps card (#178) frequently goes for $50-100 due to his Mets icon status and production. In June 2017, a PSA 10 shone at $210.
Another all-time great still in his prime in 2007 was Albert Pujols. Having already secured 3 MVP awards and a pair of World Series rings with St. Louis, “Pujols the Machine” seemed destined for the Hall of Fame before he even hit 30. His legendary consistency, with over 3,000 hits and over 600 home runs by 2021 between St. Louis and Los Angeles, kept his 2007 Topps base card (#42) humming along especially in higher grades. PSA 9s sold around $30-60 regularly from 2014-2019, while a flawless PSA 10 commanded $210 in July 2016 due to his unmatched reliability and production as a perennial all-star.
While stars drove the 2007 Topps values most dramatically over subsequent years, certain insert and parallel versions also gained attention. Ichiro Suzuki’s hugely popular 2005 Topps Rookie Reprint parallel (#IR-IS), depicting his iconic rookie of the year season breaking into MLB from Japan, regularly sold for $150-250 in PSA 9-10 condition. Colorful parallels like Josh Hamilton’s Green parallel(#66) and Freddy Sanchez’s Gold parallel(#382) often bringing $50-100 by the late 2010s as well depending on grade. Unique inserts like Adrian Gonzalez’ All-Star MVP parallel(#150) found buyers at $70-120 too. Even veterans like Jim Thome’s Popular Players parallel(#307-JT) stayed relevant in the $30-50 range long after 2007.
While the 2007 Topps set as a whole remains an affordable, Accessible vintage release over a decade later, key rare hits continue appreciating heavily as the careers and legends of players like Jeter, Rivera, Pujols and more grow. With only a tiny number of prized autographed parallels surviving, six and seven figure prices seem no surprise. Meanwhile, stars who blossomed after 2007 like Longoria and rookies who flashed immense promise, such as Strasburg, stay in high demand. Even favorites from the era in David Wright and perennial talents of Albert’s caliber find new collectors. As one of the most star-powered sets ever, 2007 Topps ensured its most prized cardboard remains truly priceless pieces of baseball history.
