The 1970s was a transitional decade for baseball cards. The traditional tobacco manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Kellogg’s began losing their monopoly as new manufacturers like Donruss entered the scene. Card designs also started evolving with the times. Perhaps most notably, the transition to modern baseball cards began in the late 70s when cards started including more colorful photographs and stat lines on the back. This led to some extremely collectible and valuable rookie cards being produced in the 1970s that still fetch high prices today. Here are some of the most valuable baseball cards from the 1970s:

Mike Schmidt 1975 Topps Rookie Card (#651) – Schmidt would go on to have a Hall of Fame career as one of the greatest third basemen ever. His rookie card in the traditionally iconic 1975 Topps set is one of the most sought-after from the decade. In near mint condition, examples of Schmidt’s rookie have sold for over $10,000. The card has staying power because it captures Schmidt at the very beginning of his storied career with the Philadelphia Phillies.

George Brett 1975 Topps Rookie Card (#493) – Like Schmidt, Brett cemented his legacy as one of the greatest third basemen in history. His rookie card was also in the flagship 1975 Topps set. In mint condition, examples have sold for around $7,000. What makes Brett’s card almost as valuable as Schmidt’s is that it came in the same highly collectible set during the transition period of the 70s.

Nolan Ryan 1971 Topps Rookie Card (#526) – “The Ryan Express” owns perhaps the most prolific pitching statistic lines in MLB history. His rookie card came a few years earlier in the 1971 Topps set. Mint condition examples have reached $6,000 at auction due to Ryan’s legendary status. The card stands out because it was issued during the early 70s before Topps transitioned to the polybagged format.

Cal Ripken Jr. 1981 Topps Rookie Card (#481) – “Iron Man” Ripken holds the record for consecutive games played at 2,632. His rookie card was a harbinger of the great things to come. In gem mint 10 condition, it has exceeded $4,000 at auction. Not only was Ripken’s career legendary, but his rookie also came during the transition period when 1980s cards started using brighter photographs.

Don Mattingly 1984 Topps Traded Rookie Card (#T79) – Before injuries cut his career short, Mattingly was widely considered the best hitter of the 1980s. His lone rookie card came in the 1984 Topps Traded set after an excellent 1983 cup of coffee. In pristine condition, it has sold for over $3,000. What makes it scarce is that it was only available through the traded set towards the tail end of Mattingly’s first full season.

Fernando Valenzuela 1981 Topps Traded Rookie Card (#T61) – “El Toro” took baseball by storm in 1981 by winning Rookie of the Year playing for the Dodgers. His lone rookie was in the 1981 Topps Traded set released after his scintillating rookie campaign. In gem mint condition, examples have reached $3,000 due to Valenzuela’s popularity and the card’s scarcity in only being available through the traded set after 1981.

Ozzie Smith 1978 Topps Rookie Card (#569) – As arguably the greatest defensive shortstop ever, Ozzie Smith transcended the field with his acrobatics. His rookie card in the popular 1978 Topps set foretold an elite career. Pristine specimens have sold for $2,500 based on Smith’s Hall of Fame play combined with the widespread appeal of the 1970s Topps issues.

Mark Fidrych 1976 SSPC Rookie Card (#42) – “The Bird” burst onto the scene in 1976 by winning Rookie of the Year and becoming the AL’s first 10-game winner since 1954. His lone true rookie is in the coveted but short printed 1976 SSPC set. In perfect condition, a Fidrych SSPC rookie has achieved $2,000 at auction due to his infamous one-year wonder status.

Dave Parker 1975 Topps Traded Roisted Card (#T8) – Before injuries hampered him, Parker was a perennial All-Star and won back-to-back NL batting titles in 1977-78. His sole rookie card was in the scarce 1975 Topps Traded set released after his 1974 debut season. In pristine condition its reached $1,800 since Parker’s talents were apparent early despite the card’s limited availability in the mid-70s traded issues.

Rich Gossage 1973 Topps (#578) – “Goose” established himself as one of the greatest relievers ever across the 70s-80s. His rookie card came in the ever-iconic 1973 Topps set. High graded examples in the $1,500 range attest to both Gossage’s high standing plus the 1970s Topps sets’ enduring popularity across multiple generations of collectors.

This decade saw some true legends establish themselves early in their careers, with their rookie cards forever memorializing those beginnings. From superstars like Schmidt, Brett and Ripken, to one-year wonders like Fidrych and Parker’s valuable traded card, the 1970s launched some highly sought collectibles that still demand big money whenever pristine specimens come available for sale. The transition to colorful photography on the cards added to their appeal which, combined with the players’ massive on-field accomplishments, keep these among the most iconic and valuable rookie cards in the entire baseball collecting hobby.