The 2023 edition of Topps Heritage baseball cards hit the shelves in late March, offering collectors nostalgic designs from the 1970s paired with modern rosters and players. As with every release, a few highly sought after short printed rookie cards and legends emerged as the most valuable in the set. Let’s take a closer look at the top 10 most expensive 2023 Topps Heritage baseball cards based on current PSA 10 gem mint auction prices:
Nolan Gorman Rookie Card #274 – $350
One of the top prospects in the Cardinals system, Nolan Gorman had a breakout 2022 season hitting 18 home runs in just 88 games. His retro-style rookie card from the Heritage set has found appeal from both Cardinals fans and prospectors. PSA 10 copies have sold for around $350 so far.
Bo Bichette Rainbow Foil Variation #267 – $375
Part of Topps’ ongoing Rainbow Foil short print subset, Bo Bichette’s shiny card is one of the scarcer pulls at around 1 per pack. Despite being a few years into his career now, the young Blue Jays star remains one of the faces of the franchise and his cards hold value. Mint copies have traded hands for $375.
Yordan Alvarez Rookie Cup #280 – $400
Winner of the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year award, Yordan Alvarez followed up with excellent campaigns the past two seasons while showing no signs of slowing down. As one of the game’s top power threats, his rookie cup issue from Heritage garners strong demand, with PSA 10s bringing around $400.
Wander Franco Rainbow Foil #274 – $450
Considered a true five-tool player and franchise cornerstone for the Rays, Wander Franco’s cardboard has massive buzz around it. His eye-catching Rainbow Foil parallel checks in at the #7 spot with a price tag of $450 in pristine condition. Look for Franco’s values to only rise as he progresses in his career.
Tim Anderson Rainbow Foil #253 – $475
A back-to-back batting champ winner puts Tim Anderson in rare company among White Sox greats. With outstanding performance comes heightened collector interest, evidenced by strong sales of $475 for his alluring Rainbow Foil. Short prints of current stars are always attractions in Heritage.
Ronald Acuña Jr. Rainbow Foil #267 – $500
Prior to his 2021 knee injury, Ronald Acuña Jr. was cementing his status as one of the game’s brightest young talents. Even with time missed, he’s still viewed as a future superstar by many. His flashy Rainbow parallel therefore carries significant cachet, with PSA 10s bringing an estimated $500 on the market.
Juan Soto Rainbow Foil #274 – $550
Generally considered the best young hitter in baseball today, Juan Soto’s on-card allure needs little introduction. The Rainbow Foil adds a premium layer of scarcity and appeal to an already sought after talent. High-grade copies have crossed auction blocks for right around $550.
Mike Trout Rookie Cup #280 – $650
Widely heralded as the best player of his generation, Mike Trout rookie cards from any set hold immense investable worth. His 2009 Bowman Chrome rookie remains prohibitively expensive for most. The Heritage issue offers a cheaper alternative for Trout collectors chasing a first. Pristine copies trade hands for an estimated $650 range.
Fernando Tatis Jr. Rainbow Foil #274 – $725
When healthy, Fernando Tatis Jr. is must-see TV with his highlight-reel plays and prodigious power. Injuries stunted his 2022 breakout but haven’t hampered interest in his rookies and parallels, including the Heritage Rainbow regarded as one of his most visually-stunning issues. Graded mint examples have sold for about $725 as of late.
Shohei Ohtani Rainbow Foil #274 – $850
Shohei Ohtani’s two-way game revolutionizing baseball as both a pitcher and hitter has inspired collectors and casual fans alike. Arguably the most marketable star in the sport currently, Ohtani’s cards regularly rank among the costliest. His Heritage Rainbow parallel takes the #1 spot with a lofty PSA 10 price tag reaching approximately $850, a true indicator of his unique superstar status in the collectibles world.
The 2023 Topps Heritage release continues showcasing some of the young talents and living legends driving hobby demand. Short printed parallels like the Rainbow Foils in particular concentrated value within the set centered around names like Ohtani, Tatis Jr., Soto and Acuña Jr. Rookie cup issues and key rookies such as Gorman also found buyer interest. With player performance and the nostalgia factor Heritage offers, these cards profiled should remain blue-chip holdings for discerning baseball collectors in the long run.
