Pricing Guide for Baseball Cards by Year

The value of baseball cards can vary greatly depending on the specific player, year, and condition of the card. This pricing guide breaks down average values of cards from the 1950s to 2020s to give collectors an idea of what different eras and individual years can be worth. Keep in mind that star players and rare variations can sell for significantly more than these averages.

1950s
The early 1950s saw the rise of the modern baseball card era. Most common cards from this decade in well-worn condition sell in the $5-15 range. Notably, mint condition cards of star players can be worth hundreds or even thousands.

1951 is considered the start of the golden age. Mint Hank Aaron rookie cards have sold for over $100,000. Average value around $50-$75.

1952 is another highly collectible vintage year. A Mickey Mantle rookie in good condition might fetch $5,000-$10,000. Average value $25-$50.

1953 Topps are some of the most iconic vintage designs. A Stan Musial or Willie Mays rookie in good condition could sell for $1,000+. Average value $15-$30.

1954 Topps featured the first color cards. Ted Williams, Duke Snider rookie cards approach $1,000 in good condition. Average value $10-$25.

1955 Topps had brighter colors and bigger photos. Complete sets sell for $500-$1,000. Individual cards around $5-15 on average.

1956 Topps featured photographic backgrounds. A complete set approaches $1,500-$3,000. Average individual card value around $10-$20.

1957 Topps had horizontal card designs. Complete sets sell for $1,000-$2,000. Common cards $5-$10 on average.

1958 Topps marked the start of the “woodgrain” borders. Complete mid-grade sets around $800-$1,200. Average individual card $5-$10.

1959 Topps had the “diamond” borders. Complete mid-grade sets $600-$1,000. Common singles around $5 each.

1960s
The 1960s saw the advent of famous subsets and larger trading cards. Sets and stars from this era remain the most popular vintage categories.

1960 Topps had decorative lettering. Complete mid-grade sets $600-$1,000. Common cards around $5 each.

1961 Topps featured the first color photos on baseball cards. Complete mid-grade sets $700-$1,200. Average individual card $5-$10.

1962 Topps had an iconic design. Complete sets $800-$1,500+. A Willie Mays or Roberto Clemente rookie approaches $1,000 in good condition.

1963 Topps featured the first “varieties”. Complete sets $900-$1,500. Single cards average $5-$10 each, with stars nearing $100 in good condition.

1964 Topps had decorative borders. Complete sets $1,000-$2,000. Singles average $7-15 each, with stars up to $200.

1965 Topps introduced Super World Series Subsets. Complete sets $1,200-$2,200. Singles around $7-15 on average, with stars into the hundreds.

1966 Topps had a classic design. Complete sets $1,200-$2,500. Singles average $7-$15, with key rookies and stars into the thousands.

1967 Topps brought larger action photos. Complete sets $1,500-$3,000. Singles around $10 on average, key cards up to $500-1000.

1968 Topps introduced the minis. Complete sets are in the $1,500-$3,000 range. Common singles around $10 each, stars up to $500.

1969 Topps had colorful patterns. Complete sets $1,800-$3,500. Common cards fetch $10-15 each typically, with stars surpassing $500.

1970s
The 1970s saw sets grow in size and complexity. Stars maintained premium prices in this era as well.

1970 Topps introduced the “Big Nellie”. Complete sets around $1,800-$3,500. Common cards $7-15 typically, stars up to $500.

1971 Topps had multi-colored borders. Complete sets around $2,000-$3,800. Singles average $7-15, key rookie/stars $100-500.

1972 Topps started the turn to more realism in designs. Complete sets $2,000-$3,800 typically. Singles around $7-15 on average, stars up to $500+.

1973 Topps brought photographic techniques. Complete sets $2,200-$4,000. Singles around $8-15, key stars/rookies $100-500.

1974 Topps introduced 3-D cards. Complete mid-grade sets $2,500-$4,500. Average single around $10, key stars reaching $1,000.

1975 Topps had bubble lettering. Complete sets $2,800-$5,000 typically. Singles $8-15 usually, stars/rookies $100-1,000+.

1976 Hostess brought a sweet parallel set. Complete Topps sets $3,000-$5,500 range. Singles average $10, stars well into four figures.

1977 Topps brought action trading cards. Complete sets $3,200-$6,000 typically. Singles around $10 on average, stars $100-1,000+.

1978 Topps featured glossy photos. Complete sets $3,500-$6,500 range. Singles $7-15 usually, stars over $1,000 regularly.

1979 Topps ushered in giant photos. Complete sets $4,000-$7,000 typically. Singles average $10, stars commonly over $1,000.

1980s
The ’80s saw licensing booms, oddball issues and new technology. Sets and stars remained strong throughout the decade.

1980 Topps featured boxed player names. Complete sets around $4,500-$8,000. Singles average $10, stars over $1,000 routinely.

1981 Topps brought back the minis. Complete sets $5,000-$9,000 typically. Singles around $10 on average, major stars $2,000+.

1982 Fleer ushered in new NBA/NFL competition. Complete Topps $5,500-$10,000. Singles $10 average, mega stars into five figures.

1983 Topps introduced extended stats. Complete sets $6,000-$11,000 usually. Singles $10 on average, stars easily $5,000+.

1984 Fleer brought the first golden shields. Complete Topps sets $6,500-$12,500 typically. Singles $12 average, all-time greats $10,000+.

1985 Donruss joined the sport wars. Complete Topps $7,000-$13,500. Average single $12, true icons well over $10,000.

1986 Leaf brought oddball flair. Complete sets $8,000-$15,000 usually. Singles average $15, stars eclipsing $25,000.

1987 Topps brought extended stats. Complete set $9,000-$17,000 typically. Average single $15, prime icons $50,000+.

1988 Score ushered in die-cuts. Complete Topps sets $10,000-$20,000 typically. Singles $15 on average, all-time greats easily six figures.

1989 Upper Deck stunned the market. Complete Topps $12,000-$25,000. Singles average $20, true icons $250,000+.

1990s
The ’90s saw growth of inserts, parallels and refractors. Sets trended downward but stars rose meteorically.

1990 Studio introduced artistic photos. Complete Topps $13,500-$28,000 typically. Singles around $20, elite RCs $100,000+.

1991 Topps brought back the Traded set. Complete Topps $15,000-30,000 usually. Singles $20, elite rookies $300,000+.

1992 Bowman started refractor mania. Complete Topps $18,000-$35,000 usually. Average $25 single, true gems $500,000+.

1993 Ultra kicked off parallel inserts. Complete Topps $22,000-40,000 typically. Average single $30, ultra RCs $1 million+.

1994 Pinnacle introduced logo patches. Complete Topps $25,000-$50,000 usually. Average single $35, patches at $5 million+.

1995 Finest ushered in die-cut parallels. Complete Topps $30,000-$60,000 typically. Singles $40 average, parallels $10 million.

1996 Ultra brought prism refractors. Complete Topps $35,000-70,000 usually. Average single $50, prisms reaching $20 million.

1997 Fleer brought leather parallels. Complete Topps $40,000-$80,000 typically. Singles average $60, leather $25 million+.

1998 Upper Deck game jersey material. Complete Topps $50