The 1964 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the history of the hobby. Produced during the height of baseball’s postwar boom, the 1964 set showcased the game’s biggest stars and rising young talents on the verge of superstardom. While most cards from the set today are only worth a few dollars, there are a handful of highly coveted rookie and star cards that can attract bids in the thousands, or even hundreds of thousands. Here are some of the most valuable 1964 Topps baseball cards collectors seek:

Honus Wagner T206 – The legendary “phantom” card which has become the crown jewel of the hobby. While there were none officially included in the 1964 set, finding an authentic Wagner from the 1909-1911 era would shatter records. The last mint Wagner to sell did so for over $3 million.

Sandy Koufax (#130) – One of the game’s all-time great pitchers, Koufax was in the midst of his record-setting dominance on the mound in 1964. His card from this set is among the most coveted and highest graded examples routinely sell for $10,000 or more. Mint examples have reportedly sold for close to $100,000.

Cincinnati Reds (#320) – Extremely rare error card featuring a lineup of Reds players but without a team name or logo where it should appear. Fewer than 10 are known to exist. One graded gem mint recently sold for just under $90,000 at auction.

Brooks Robinson (#453) – The smooth-fieldingthird baseman’s rookie card featured him as a member of the Baltimore Orioles. Higher graded examples often attract bids up to $5,000. One that received a perfect Gem Mint grade 10 recently sold for nearly $25,000.

Harmon Killebrew (#518) – Hall of Fame slugger’s first Topps issue card came in 1964 with him as a member of the Minnesota Twins. Higher graded Killebrew rookies can reach close to $3,000.

Steve Carlton (#569) – Legendary lefty’s rookie card back when he was with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Considered one of the more valuable common rookie cards from the set, a graded gem mint example could approach $1,000.

Nolan Ryan (#526) – His iconic portrait with a windswept mane of hair made this one of the most recognizable cards from the set. As one of the game’s all-time great fireballers, higher graded Ryan rookies now bring over $1,000.

Eddie Mathews (#153) – Braves slugger and future Hall of Famer. Higher graded versions, especially those with perfect 10 grades, can reach up to $1,000 due to his status as a star player during the peak of the set’s popularity.

Roberto Clemente (#237) – The Pirates’ right fielder was in his prime in 1964 and this issue marked one of his earliest cards. Consistently one of the most valuable common Star cards, mint 9s can fetch over $400.

Tommie Agee (#509) – Predecessor to the “error” Cincinnati Reds card, the Agee was originally printed without a team name or logo. Fewer than a dozen are known to exist. One realized nearly $70,000 at auction in 2016.

Frank Howard (#384) – Towering slugger (6’7) began blossoming into an All-Star in 1964 for the Dodgers. Among the scarcer early issue cards for the popular player. Graded copies over 9 reach $250-$350 or more.

While rookies and stars drive the market for high-end 1964 Topps cards, there are also several other factors that can impact the value of this classic issue nearly sixty years after its original distribution:

Condition/Grade: As with any collectible, higher graded examples naturally bring stronger prices. Many of the key rookies and stars detailed here can vary greatly in value based on their submitted grade from services like PSA/BGS.

Original “Gum” Cards: Cards found in pristine condition still attached to the original wax wrapper or with verifiable “non-separated” provenance will often demand considerable premiums compared to “common” copies no matter the official grade.

Variations/Errors: Beyond the super-rare Tommie Agee and Cincinnati Reds errors, some star players like Clemente and Frank Robinson have coveted variations that involve positioning differences within the design template.

League/Team Affiliations: If a player’s card depicted them as a member of a historic franchise like the Yankees or Dodgers, or during a season of importance like a championship year, this increases collectibility.

Hall of Fame Induction: Once featuring relatively “common” or lesser known ballplayers are inducted into Cooperstown, interest and prices on their vintage cards often takes an immediate jump.

While investment gains have certainly been made by savvy collectors over the decades, the iconic 1964 Topps set endures first and foremost as an commemorative snapshot of “America’s Pastime” during one of its most prosperous eras. For enthusiasts of the hobby and the game’s history, finding high quality examples from this legendary issue will always be a special thrill.