Nolan Ryan is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time, holding numerous MLB records including most career strikeouts, no-hitters, and leading the league in strikeouts several times over his 27-year Major League Baseball career spent primarily with the New York Mets, California Angels, and Houston Astros. With such a legendary career on the mound, it’s no surprise that Ryan has some extremely coveted and valuable baseball cards, especially those made of metal during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Metal baseball cards were first introduced in 1986 and became quite popular throughout the late 80s and early 90s before falling out of favor. The cards were made of various metals including aluminum, tin, brass or copper, and featured magnetic backs to allow them to stick to surfaces like refrigerators. Unlike the traditional cardboard baseball cards collectors had become accustomed to, metal cards had a nice durable and premium feel given they were constructed of solid metal. Naturally, prospects, rookies, and superstars from that era such as Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Bonds, and yes, Nolan Ryan, received some truly awe-inspiring metal card issues that have stood the test of time.
One of the most notable and expensive Nolan Ryan metal cards is the 1988 Topps Traded Tiffany foil card. Only 10,000 of these rare Tiffany version cards were produced with special multi-color foil fronts featuring one of Ryan’s classic wind-ups. The cards had a unique “pebbling” texture to the multi-color foil that really made the photographic image on the front pop. These are truly works of artistic baseball card design and remain some of the most visually stunning cards ever created. In gem mint condition, the 1988 Topps Traded Tiffany cards have sold for well over $1000 each online.
Another extremely valuable Nolan Ryan metal issue is the 1989 Upper Deck #56 rookie card. While not technically Ryan’s true rookie season which was way back in 1966, the 1989 Upper Deck set was the first-ever MLB licensed and professional produced baseball card set. As such, it launched the era of the modern premium baseball card industry. Only about 100,000 of these were produced exclusively for opening day packs sold at concession stands of major league ballparks. The hologram on the front and stats on the back authenticated it as a true Upper Deck issue. Mint condition examples have sold for up to $2000 given the iconic status of being Ryan’s first metal card appearance at the dawn of the modern card era.
Perhaps the most recognized and sought-after of all Nolan Ryan’s metal cards is the 1991 Donruss Action All-Star. This card featured a beautiful metallic silver foil image of Ryan mid-windup with an action shot background. Approximately 550,000 were produced but graded gem mint 10 examples are exceedingly rare. The combination of the iconic subject, premium metallic photography, and the ultra-short printed run have helped this become Ryan’s standard “flagship” metal issue. Recently a PSA 10 example sold for nearly $4,000, showing that almost 30 years later it remains one of the most valuable baseball cards of all-time regardless of construction material or player featured.
While not quite as renowned or costly, other notable Nolan Ryan metal cards include the 1990 Fleer Update Triple Crown Leaders copper parallel #46, the 1992 Bowman Draft Picks And Prospects copper parallel #58B, and the 1992 Stadium Club copper parallels #19 and #133 depicting different action shots. Each of these parallel issued copper versions had print runs around 100,000 pieces or less and are highly sought after by advanced collectors looking to rounds out complete Ryan metal card sets. Even in high grades they can commonly sell for $500-700 each online.
The popularity and mystique around Nolan Ryan’s baseball cards is not likely to fade any time soon considering he holds so many hurler records that have seemingly stood the test of time. But it’s especially his collection of late 80s and early 90s metal cards that continue to fascinate collectors decades after their original release. The indulgent premium materials used like copper, brass, and foil distinctly set these issues apart from the traditional cardboard that preceded the era. They also capture Ryan at the absolute apex of his famed pitching prowess. While other legendary players have equally impressive vintage cardboard, Ryan’s small printed run metal pieces remain some of the most visually striking, iconic, and valuable in the entire hobby. As long as collectors continue to seek the rarest, highest quality examples to showcase, Nolan Ryan’s metal cards should remain a fascination of the baseball card collecting world for generations to come.
