Nolan Ryan is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time and collectibles from his legendary career are highly sought after. Some of Ryan’s rookie and unique cards have sold for astronomical prices, with his most valuable and rare cards breaking records.
Ryan played from 1966-1993 over 27 seasons, primarily for the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers. The hard throwing right hander holds numerous pitching records including career strikeouts (5,714), no-hitters (7), and pitching a record 27 career one-hitters. His iconic blazing fastball and incredible longevity have made Ryan one of the most collectible players in baseball card history.
One of Ryan’s most valuable rookie cards is his 1968 Topps card #526. In pristine mint condition with a Gem Mint grade of 10, one of these ultra-rare cards sold in August 2021 for $459,000, setting a new record price for any Nolan Ryan card. Only about 50 of these gems are known to exist in a PSA 10 grade. Even low graded examples still fetch thousands due to the card’s incredible scarcity and significance as Ryan’s first Topps issue.
Another coveted rookie card is Ryan’s 1969 Topps card #619. Graded PSA 10, one of these sold in January 2022 for $361,000, showing the strong ongoing demand. Similar to the 1968, only a small number are known to be in perfect mint condition. Low graded examples in Good to Very Good condition still sell for $3,000-$10,000 depending on centering and quality.
One of Ryan’s most historically important and difficult to acquire cards is his 1973 Topps Traded #73T. Only five copies are confirmed to have been printed with Ryan in an Angels uniform, as he was traded to the Angels after regular production of the ’73 Topps set had finished. One Gem Mint PSA 10 copy was privately sold in mid-2021 for a staggering $900,000, by far the highest price ever paid for a Ryan card. Even low graded copies in Poor-Fair condition have sold for over $100,000 given the superlative rarity and intriguing story behind this issue.
Ryan’s 1974 Topps #138 card is another highly significant rarity. Due to an unusual photo variation, the card was issued with two different poses of Ryan on the front. The standard version shows him in an Angels uniform with an over-the-head pitch delivery. The scarce variation has Ryan in a Rangers uniform during his underhand windup motion. PSA has graded only nine copies of this variation across all grades. A PSA 9 sold in late 2021 for $117,500, underscoring the immense demand for this obscure photo switch parallel.
As a member of the dominant Houston Astros pitching staffs of the late 1970s and early 80s, Ryan’s Astros cards also carry tremendous collectible value. His 1979 Topps #143 and 1981 Topps #144 are two of his most visually striking and recognized issues ever. High graded mint copies in PSA 8-10 condition routinely sell for $1,000-$5,000 depending on centering, surfaces and popularity at auction.
For Rangers fans and collectors, Ryan’s cards during his later career in Texas are also incredibly sought after pieces of memorabilia. His last base Topps card from 1993 is a true icon of the sport. A PSA 10 of this #128 card was privately sold in 2021 for over $15,000, triple or more of similar grades of other comparable ’90s stars like Ken Griffey Jr.
While some of Ryan’s rarest vintage rookie and unique error cards may never be attainable for most collectors, there are still many affordable options to own a piece of his legendary pitching career. Even lower graded copies of his later common issues can be found in the $10-$50 range. For diehard Ryan fans, the pleasure is in the hunt to expand a collection with each new addition, regardless of condition or price point. As one of the most celebrated athletes in baseball annals, Nolan Ryan’s cards have proven to stand the test of time as classic pieces of sports memorabilia collecting history.
In summarizing Nolan Ryan’s most valuable baseball cards, the three rarest and highest selling issues would have to be:
1973 Topps Traded #73T PSA 10 – $900,000
1968 Topps Rookie #526 PSA 10 – $459,000
1969 Topps Rookie #619 PSA 10 – $361,000
While the astronomical prices achieved for these superseded other players, Ryan’s entire collecting spectrum holds immense worth due to his singular greatness and extensive 27 year MLB career. Whether a true Ryan card investment or simply a historic collectible, owning a piece of the flamethrower’s on-field excellence brings joy and memories to fans worldwide.
