The 1969 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the history of the hobby. Containing 714 total cards, the ’69 Topps set saw many future Hall of Famers in their baseball primes and captured memorable moments from that late 1960s MLB season. While common cards from the set today sell for around $1-3 ungraded, there are certain highly coveted rookie and star cards that have appreciated greatly over the years to become some of the most valuable 1969 Topps baseball cards. Let’s take a look at the top five:

Nolan Ryan Rookie Card (Card #526)

Widely considered the most desirable card from the 1969 set, Nolan Ryan’s rookie is the undisputed heavyweight champion. Ryan would go on to have one of the greatest pitching careers in MLB history, setting numerous strikeout records and retiring with a mind-boggling 5,714 strikeouts. His rookie card has steadily climbed in value since the 1990s due to his Hall of Fame induction and status as perhaps the greatest strikeout pitcher ever. In PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, examples have sold for over $100,000 in recent years. Even lower graded copies in PSA 8 or 9 bring thousands. What makes it such an important card is that it captures “The Ryan Express” at the very beginning of his journey, before fans knew he would evolve into a true pitching legend.

Reggie Jackson Rookie Card (Card #250)

Another legendary slugger with arguably the best power swing ever, Reggie Jackson’s rookie is the clear number two card on this list. Like Ryan, Jackson enjoyed huge success in his playing career including five World Series rings and three MVP awards. He also was an instrumental force on some of baseball’s most famous championship teams of the 1970s. Jackson’s popularity as a charismatic superstar has driven values of his ‘69 rookie much higher over the decades since issue. High-grade copies have sold in the $15,000-$25,000 range depending on condition. Even well-centered but lower graded PSA 6s can bring over $1,000 due to strong collector demand for this significant issue.

Tom Seaver Rookie Card (Card #503)

The indisputable king of the New York Mets’ franchise for many years, Tom Seaver is acclaimed as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball annals. His twelve All-Star selections and three Cy Young Awards stand among the most impressive pitching accolades ever. Seaver’s rookie card is an iconic issue from the 1969 set as it portrays “Tom Terrific” in his early glory days with a full head of curly hair. High-grade copies in PSA 9-10 quality are valuable at $10,000 up due to Seaver’s place among the game’s all-time great hurlers. Even well-worn PSA 5 examples still sell for over $1,000.

Johnny Bench Rookie Card (Card #93)

Future Hall of Famer Johnny Bench burst onto the scene in 1967 and quickly established himself as arguably the greatest catcher in baseball history. His record-setting career included two MVPs and ten Gold Gloves. Bench’s dominance behind the plate made him a icon of Cincinnati Reds baseball. His rookie card portrays the youthful face of the future “Burger King” in his second season. High-grade PSA 9-10 versions are priced around $5,000-$7,500 given Bench’s legendary status. Even low-grade copies in PSA 5 condition still pull over $500 due to strong demand for this barrier-breaking rookie issue.

Willie McCovey Rookie Card (Card #74)

Often considered the most underrated player of his generation, Willie McCovey was a intimidating power threat for the San Francisco Giants for decades. His career .270 average and 521 home runs are all the more impressive considering he lost almost five full seasons to military service and injury. “Stretch” McCovey’s rookie card is a iconic piece of baseball Americana portraying the slugger early in his Hall of Fame tenure. PSA 8-9 quality copies currently sell in the $2,000-$3,000 range. Even beaten-up but identifiable PSA 3-4 versions can bring a few hundred dollars due to McCovey’s status among the game’s all-time premier left-handed bats.

While the great majority of 1969 Topps have long since lost their original retail prices of a quarter apiece, this legendary set endures because it captures so many immortal players in their prime earning years before their place in history was fully realized. The top rookie cards of Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench, and Willie McCovey stand above as remarkably preserved links to defining bygone baseball eras. Fuelled by intense collector demand and the illustrious careers of their featured players, these five issues remain the most valuable gemstones from the entire breathtaking 714-card 1969 Topps baseball release.