The hobby of baseball card collecting has been popular for over 100 years, with some of the earliest cards dating back to the late 1880s. As the hobby grew throughout the 20th century, certain cards started to emerge as particularly rare and sought after. While estimates of value can vary depending on condition and demand, here are generally considered some of the 79 most valuable baseball cards on the collector market today.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The Holy Grail of cards, featuring the legendary Pirate shortstop. Only 50-200 are believed to exist in varying conditions. In pristine shape a T206 Wagner could sell for well over $2 million, with the highest auction price at $3.12 million. The iconic image and rarity has made it the standard bearer for valuable collectibles.

1914 Cracker Jack Lefty Grove – One of the earliest insert cards available commercially in packs of Cracker Jack. Very few are known to survive in high grade. Recently a PSA EX 5 sold for just under $400,000.

1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth – Features an image of Ruth as a starting pitcher for the Red Sox before he became the home run king with the Yankees. Only 2-3 are known to exist. Sold for $5.2 million in 2016.

1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson – “Shoeless Joe” Jackson is one of the most famous figures involved in the 1919 Black Sox gambling scandal. High grade examples can fetch $100,000+.

1915 Baltimore News Lou Gehrig – One of the rarest pre-war baseball cards other than the Babe Ruth. Has sold for over $300,000 in top condition.

1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig – Widely considered the finest baseball card set ever produced due to its vibrant color images. High grades of Gehrig’s dominant season card have exceeded $150,000.

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – As the iconic “called shot” Home Run King, Ruth’s 1933 Goudey card is perhaps second only to his 1914 Baltimore issue in terms of fame and value. Recently brought over $250,000 as a PSA 8.

1909-11 T3 Turkey Red Cabrera, Marquard – Highly sought after due to the bright vibrant images and association with the Deadball Era. In top grades have reached $70,000 each.

1933 Goudey Carl Hubbell – Documents Hubbell’s undefeated 1934 All-Star season for the Giants in which he struck out 5 future Hall of Famers. Top PSA grades eclipse $100,000.

1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean – Captures the charismatic Dean during his breakout 30-win season for the 1934 Cardinals. Rare today above a PSA 5. Recently $55,000 as an 8.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – One of the game’s earliest pitching superstars. Has topped $150,000 as a true gem specimen recently.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – Third baseman was an original infield star. Attracts devoted Phillies collectors. Closely graded versions have topped $65,000.

1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx – Documents Foxx’s hitting prowess and status as one of the game’s early slugging stars. Closely graded high end copies are $45,000+.

1909-11 T206 Chief Wilson – Incredibly rare for a defensive specialist. A PSA 8 has been worth $50,000 in recent memory.

1909-11 T206 Old Mill Tobacco Eddie Cicotte – Features the knuckleballer forever tied to the Black Sox scandal during his peak. Higher grades over $25,000 strong.

1909-11 T206 Swans Down Cakes Ty Cobb – Images Cobbs dynamic flair on the basepaths. Recently $30,000 for an authenticated PSA 5 specimen.

1933 Goudey Mickey Cochrane – Captures the Hall of Fame catcher during his playing days with Connie Mack’s A’s. Higher grades over $15,000.

1909-11 T206 Doc Powers – Unique set depiction of the Athletics third baseman before integration. Collectors pay top dollar for high quality pieces.

1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – Documents the legendary “Knuckler” during his dominant years for the White Sox. Can reach $15,000+ in high grades.

1909-11 T206 Old Mill Tobacco Mathewson – Features one of the era’s most dominant hurlers at his pitching peak. $13,000+ level in quality condition.

1909-11 T206 Brown Waite Mathewson – Strikingly colorful photographic rendition of the legendary Giants hurler. Graded examples exceed $10,000.

1909-11 T206 Old Mill Joe Tinker – Captures the influential Chicago Cubs shortstop during their powerhouse run. Crackling high grades over $12,000.

1933 Goudey Dazzy Vance – Depicts the talented Dodger knuckleballer at his individual peak. Near-collectible pristine copies reach $10,000.

1933 Goudey Mel Ott – Iconic Giants slugger renowned for his home run power. Top grades above $10,000 for early star cards.

1915 Cracker Jack Christy Mathewson – Lessor known but desirable set depiction of Mathewson in his Giants heyday. $7,000+ pristine copies.

1909-11 T206 Germany Schaefer – Portrays the speedy Tigers outfielder during Deadball prime. High quality copies eclipse $6,000.

1909-11 T206 Red Murray – Rarely seen catcher from early National League era. Near-mint authentication brings $5,000+ price tags.

1933 Goudey Lefty O’Doul – Honors erstwhile pitcher’s offensive skills as an outfield slugger. $4,000 range in best of condition.

1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson – Captures Hall of Fame hurler during early Senators days. Close examples bring four-figure sums minimum.

1909-11 T206 Dave Bancroft – Displays Brooklyn infield keystone man at his brilliant best. $3,000+ pristine specimens.

1915 Cracker Jack Tris Speaker – Portrays Red Sox great transitioning to cleats. Top dollar for fine condition rarities.

1915 Cracker Jack Grover Cleveland Alexander – Pre-card boom depictions of Hall of Fame hurler valuable today.

1933 Goudey Frankie Frisch – Captures .300 hitting skills of Cardinals keystone man. Graded gems over $2,500.

1909-11 T206 Two-Finger Brown – Documents Deadball knuckleballer’s individual peak. Near-mint copies eclipse $2,000.

1909-11 T206 Rube Marquard – Early Giants hurler renowned for winning records. Top dollar for close graded pieces.

1933 Goudey Chick Hafey – Honors Cardinal outfielder’s key offensive roles. $2,000+ for high grade rarities.

1909-11 T206 Doc Marshall – Rarely seen representation of Tigers’ third baseman. Close-graded authentic bring money.

1933 Goudey Al Simmons – Honors A’s batting champion during Philly heyday. Top condition gems over $2,000.

1933 Goudey Bill Dickey – Captures Hall of Fame Yankee backstop at dawn of career. Cracking copies eclipse two-grand.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Madden – Seldom sighted shortstop from high minors set. Authenticated examples earn bids.

1909-11 T206 Chief Zinn – Portrays HOF catcher during his peak with the Giants. $1,500+ for finest specimens.

1933 Goudey Hank Greenberg – Depicts future Tigers star at beginning of career with Pittsburgh. High graded examples over $1,500.

1933 Goudey Earl Averill – Features Cleveland outfielder at his pinnacle of stardom. Near-perfect authentic brings bids.

1933 Goudey Red Ruffing – Honors Yankee knuckleballer upon entering pitching prime. Close-graded copies earn bids.

1933 Goudey Rick Ferrell – Displays skills of Red Sox backstop during Boston tenure. Authentication merits over one-grand.

1933 Goudey Gabby Hartnett – Portrays Cubs legend at catcher during heyday with Chicago. Pristine specimens over $1,000.

1933 Goudey Lefty Gomez – Honors Yankee ace southpaw’s key contributions. Close-graded gems eclipse four-figures.

1933 Goudey Earl Webb – Immortalizes 1930s batting champ during Red Sox tenure. Top condition brings bids.

1933 Goudey Leo Durocher – Features fiery infielder during playing prime in Brooklyn. High grade rarities reach $1,000+

Those cover some of the most famous, rare and valuable baseball cards that can be found from the pre-war era up through 1933 Goudey. While conditions and individual collector demand will impact actual sales prices, those 79 cards represent some of the most iconic baseball card investments that true collectors eagerly pursue. With continued interest in the hobby, some of the finest known specimens could sell for increasingly larger sums in the future as interest in sports memorabilia continues long term.