The 1970s was a seminal decade for the baseball card collecting hobby. During this time, advances in color printing technology allowed for more vivid and detailed card designs compared to previous eras. Some of the most iconic hobby brands like Topps, Fleer, and Kellogg’s issued their first baseball cards in full color. As the baby boom generation came of age, baseball card collecting exploded in popularity. Today, the rarest and most coveted cards from the 1970s can sell for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable baseball cards issued during this collector golden age.

1973 Topps Mike Schmidt Rookie Card (#484) – Often regarded as the crown jewel of 1970s baseball cards, Schmidt’s rookie is the undisputed king when it comes to seven-decade cardboard. His imposing image – square jaw set, intense staring down at the camera – is a perfect encapsulation of the Hall of Fame third baseman’s legendary intensity on the field. Schmidt would go on to win 10 Gold Glove Awards and 3 MVP trophies, cementing his status as one of the game’s all-time greats. With a record selling price of over $2.5 million, high grade Schmidt rookies frequently trade hands for well into the six figures.

1975 Topps Reggie Jackson (#126) – “Mr. October” etched his name into baseball lore in October of 1977, winning World Series MVP honors for the New York Yankees by blasting three home runs in a single World Series game. Demand for his rookie card skyrocketed accordingly. The iconic action image shows the slugger winding up for a big swing. Near mint copies have sold for over $150,000, with most graded examples bringing $30,000-$50,000.

1974 Topps Nolan Ryan (#507) – Nolan Ryan’s career spans from 1966-1993, during which time he racked up a mind-boggling 5,714 strikeouts – a record that still stands today. As one of the games all-time great power pitchers, his rookie card created significant buzz even back in the 1970s. High grade copies in today’s market consistently trade hands for $15,000-$30,000. Even well-centered but lower graded copies still demand five figures.

1973 Topps Rodriguez Brothers (#36) – Perhaps the single rarest card of the entire decade, the Rodriguez Brothers features future All-Stars Bernie Williams and Jesse Barfield. Only 11 are believed to exist in all grades. One was consigned by SCP Auctions in 2015 for a then-record price of over $360,000. Condition is everything for this unique 1-of-1, as even lower grades still sell for six figures.

1976 SSPC Will McEnaney (#152) – Issued by Sportflics/SSPC, this is considered one of the true oddball gems from the ’70s. Like the 1973 Kellogg’s 3-D cards, they featured die-cut designs meant to be viewed with red/blue glasses. McEnaney’s image depicts his distinctive toothless grin with the included lenses. Fewer than 10 are known, and one of the highest graded recently sold for over $150,000.

1978 Topps Pete Rose (#99) – No discussion of 1970s baseball cards is complete without mentioning Charlie Hustle himself. As the all-time MLB hits king with 4,256, Rose was one of the biggest stars of the 1970s. High grade copies of his last flagship issue Topps card as an active player command $2,000-5,000. Even well-worn low grade examples still sell for hundreds on the secondary market.

1977 Topps Ozzie Smith (#274) – Known as “The Wizard” for his dazzling defensive exploits at shortstop, Smith was a staple of the 1980s Cardinals teams. His first Topps issue shows him making an acrobatic play. Graded Gem Mint copies change hands for $3,000+, with lower grades still worth well over $1,000 even today.

1972 Topps Steve Carlton (#105) – Often overlooked due to Schmidt mania, no pitcher had a better decade than Steve Carlton in the 1970s. The 1972 issue perfectly captures the menacing 6’4 southpaw in his delivery. Higher grades bring $2,000-4,000, cementing this as one of the more affordable key rookie cards from the era.

1975 Topps George Brett (#591) – “Stud” George Brett was a perennial batting champion and the ace of the Kansas City Royals for much of the ’70s and ’80s. His rookie depicts him in the on deck circle waiting to hit. Graded mint examples trade between $2,000-$3,000 on today’s market depending on conditions.

1970 Topps Johnny Bench (#230) – Widely considered the greatest catcher of all time, Bench captured the NL Rookie of the Year and MVP awards during the decade’s earliest years. Higher graded copies still demand $1,000+ after 50 years due to his iconic status.

The combination of new color printing technologies, surging collector interest, and future all-time great ballplayers breaking into the majors defined the 1970s as a seminal era for baseball cards. Many of these cards remain widely collectible and hold value today due to the memorable players and photos they feature from one of the sport’s most storied eras.