The 1960s and 1970s were a golden age for baseball card collecting. During this time, cardboard was king and kids across the country could be found opening packs, trading duplicates, and dreaming of one day finding that elusive rookie card of their favorite player. While not every card from this era would become extremely valuable, there were some notable standouts that have grown to legendary status among collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the most coveted and expensive baseball cards produced between 1960-1979.
Arguably the most iconic and desired card from the entire history of the hobby is the beloved 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. While not technically from the 1960s-70s window, the Mantle rookie remained widely available in the trade and hobby through the early 1960s as kids flocked to buy packs of the then-current year’s Topps issue in search of this treasured piece of cardboard history. Graded high examples in pristine mint condition have eclipsed the $1 million dollar mark in recent years, making the Mantle the first and still one of the only cards to reach such astronomical prices.
Another all-time great that defined an era was Willie Mays. High grade examples of his equally legendary 1952 Bowman rookie are also notoriously pricey, having sold for over $600,000. Cards featuring the Say Hey Kid from the later 1960s continued to gain value as the years passed as well. A PSA 10 copy of his 1965 Topps card reached $494,000 at auction in 2016. His iconic pose and signature make any Mays card a treasured find.
When discussing the holy trinity of 1960s/70s rookie cards, one must also mention the 1966 Topps Rookie Cup Sandy Koufax. Arguably the most famous left-handed pitcher in baseball history, pristine Koufax rookies have exploded in value, with a PSA 10 copy selling for $351,000 back in 2015. The card features a unique design highlighting Koufax’s outstanding rookie season where he won the NL Triple Crown.
Speaking of iconic rookie seasons, another must-have for enthusiasts of this period is the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan. The future strikeout king’s rookie card became enormously popular in the late 80s and early 90s as “The Ryan Express” entered the spotlight in his record-breaking late career. High grade versions now sell in the $20,000 range. The card is particularly desirable due its exciting action shot and the fact it was Ryan’s only Topps RC before he was featured in posters and sets for years to come.
When discussing the most expensive football cards from the 1970s, the name Ohtani inevitably comes up. Graded gems of Shohei Ohtani’s 2018 Topps Football RC have absolutely skyrocketed after his unicorn, two-way playing abilities were on full display in 2021. PSA 10s now sell for well over $10,000 as collectors scramble to own a piece of modern baseball’s biggest phenomenon. The card’s rarity and subject also give it huge potential to continue climbing over time.
Rounding out the upper echelon from the 70s decade is the awe-inspiring 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card. The future Royals star and hit king’s iconic first bowman is a stunning display of pure batting prowess. High grades in the PSA 8-10 range will set someone back $4,000-10,000 depending on condition. Another card that is only becoming more treasured as the years roll on.
A few other 1970s standouts that can still command big money include the 1971 Topps Hank Aaron ($3-4k PSA 10), the 1974 Topps Mike Schmidt RC ( $2-3k PSA 10), and the vintage 1977 Topps Reggie Jackson ($1.5-2k PSA 10). Each represents a living baseball legend and different eras of the sport.
While it may be next to impossible for the average collector to ever own cards like the Mantle or Mays Rookies, there were still many accessible and affordable stars featured throughout the 1960s and 70s that have grown enormously in value. Whether buying to collect, invest long term, or just enjoy reliving baseball history, hunting for any of these former 25 cent cardboard treasures remains an enduring thrill for hobbyists today. The golden age of trading cards lives on.
