The 1960s and 1970s were a golden age for baseball card collecting. During this time, many of the game’s biggest stars burst onto the scene and had explosive rookie seasons that have made their corresponding baseball cards extremely valuable today. While condition and rarity obviously play a huge role in determining value, the cards of players like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and Nolan Ryan frequently sell for thousands—sometimes even tens of thousands—of dollars when high graded examples come up for auction. Let’s take a look at some of the most coveted and expensive baseball cards issued during the 1960s and 1970s.
1963 Topps Hank Aaron (#5) – Arguably the most famous baseball card of all time, Hank Aaron’s 1963 Topps rookie is universally recognized as the single most valuable card from the entire 1960s. Only a tiny fraction of Aaron rookie cards are known to exist in high grades like PSA 8 or 9 condition, and every once in a while a truly pristine PSA 10 specimen will cross the auction block for a record setting price. In 2021, a PSA 9.5 example sold for $2.88 million, marking a new auction high for any sports card. Even well-worn low-grade copies still sell for thousands due to the card’s incredible historical significance.
1961 Topps Roger Maris (#312) – During his legendary 1961 season where he broke Babe Ruth’s single season home run record with 61 round trippers, Roger Maris became a national celebrity and superstar. His rookie card from that iconic ’61 Topps set is one of the most coveted from the entire decade. High grade Maris rookies have sold for well over $100,000, with a PSA 9 bringing over $286,000 back in 2017. Even lower graded copies still sell for multiple thousands.
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan (#500) – Nolan Ryan authored one of the most decorated and record-breaking careers in baseball history, making his 1968 Topps rookie card an intense chase for collectors. High graded examples have topped $50,000 at auction, with a PSA 9 example breaking the $107,000 mark back in 2015. There’s immense interest in this card due to Ryan’s hallowed status in the sport.
1969 Topps Willie Mays (#279) – The “Say Hey Kid” was in the latter stages of his Hall of Fame career by 1969, but his iconic swinging pose and charismatic image on his 1969 Topps card have made it an extremely sought after vintage issue. Only the most pristine PSA 10 examples have cracked the $100,000 threshold, but even lower grades still command five figures. Finding a high quality Mays ’69 rookie in a collector’s box today would be akin to striking gold.
1972 Topps Johnny Bench (#1) – As the number one pick in the entire 1972 Topps set, Johnny Bench’s iconic rookie card is undoubtedly one of the most significant issues from the 1970s. Bench went on to have a Cooperstown career defined by power and excellence behind the plate. Super high graded copies in PSA 9-10 condition have topped $150,000 at auction, marking this as one of the elite rookie cards from the decade.
1977 Topps Joe Montana (#630) – While not exactly a “baseball” card, Joe Montana’s rookie card from his days as a New Orleans Saints prospect is one of the most valuable football cards ever due to his future accomplishments in the NFL. High grades bring astronomical prices, with a PSA 9 example surpassing $422,500 back in 2013. Even very low graded copies still sell for thousands.
1975 Topps Mike Schmidt (#660) – Over the course of his career, Mike Schmidt would establish himself as perhaps the greatest third baseman in MLB history. His formidable rookie season in ’74 made his ’75 Topps issue a hot commodity. PSA 10 examples have cracked six figures, while lower graded copies still demand serious four-figure prices. Schmidt’s iconic and fearsome Home Run Queen design adds tremendous visual appeal.
1972 Topps Dave Kingman (#681) – Big efforts in small sample sizes as both a Met and Giants rookie made Dave Kingman’s ’72 Topps issue wildly popular at the time. Decades later, high end Kingman rookies remain coveted trophies for vintage collectors. PSA 10s have brought over $20,000, indicative of this flashy slugger’s lasting legacy in the collecting world.
1967 Topps Tom Seaver (#250) – The smooth slinging “Franchise” burst onto the scene in 1967 and immediately established himself as the ace of the Miracle Mets staff. His brilliant rookie season made his ’67 Topps card a must-have. Tom Seaver rookies in pristine PSA 10 condition have sold for well over $50,000 in recent years, cementing this as one the true blue chip issues from the late ’60s.
1970 Topps Reggie Jackson (#494) – After destroying American League pitching in 1969, Reggie Jackson’s iconic Home Run King pose on his 1970 Topps rookie further cemented his status as a budding superstar. High grade Reggie rookie cards in PSA 9-10 condition have cracked the $100,000 barrier multiple times at auction. Even very low grade copies still attract bids in the low four figures. This is undoubtedly one of the most financially prolific baseball cards of the 1970s.
As you can see, the 1960s and 1970s generated countless iconic baseball cards that have grown exponentially in value as the years have passed. The era produced true legends of the game like Aaron, Mays, Bench, and Seaver, whose rookie seasons made their earliest baseball cards incredibly sought after collector’s items. Condition is critical, but even well-worn copies of the above mentioned cards command substantial prices due to their legendary subjects and the intangible nostalgia they provoke. These issues represent some of the most prized possessions in the entire collecting world.
