Some of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards were printed in 1970 as players’ popularity grew and card collecting became a widespread hobby. The 1970 Topps set features several crucial rookie cards that command high prices in the collector market even today.
One of the most well-known rare 1970 cards is Nolan Ryan’s rookie card. Only about 300 of these cards are believed to be in gem mint condition with a pristine centering, corners, edges and surface. Ryan went on to become one of the game’s greatest pitchers, recording a record 5,714 strikeouts and holding numerous career records. His rookie card routinely fetches prices over $20,000 when graded 10 on the PSA scale.
Another highly valuable rookie is Johnny Bench’s 1970 card. Bench was a phenomenon as a rookie catcher for the Cincinnati Reds, winning the NL Rookie of the Year award and helping lead the Reds to the World Series title that year. His defensive prowess and hitting abilities helped revive interest in the catcher position. Only 500 or fewer mint condition Bench rookies are thought to exist. Graded flawlessly, one recently sold for $93,000.
For Angels fans, the premier rare card is Jim Fregosi’s 1970 issue. Fregosi was an All-Star shortstop who became player-manager of the Angels in the late 1960s. His rookie card shows him in an Angels uniform and fewer than 50 are believed to exist in pristine condition. One of these sold at auction in 2020 for over $22,000. The extreme scarcity of the Fregosi rookie makes it highly favored among West Coast collectors.
Moving to other positions, Reggie Jackson’s 1970 Oakland A’s RC holds immense intrigue. Known as “Mr. October” for his postseason heroics, Jackson slugged over 500 career home runs. Only about 250 PSA 10 Jackson rookies are accounted for today. At auction, a perfect example changed hands for $104,000 in 2018. For A’s fans and vintage ball collectors, the Jackson rookie remains the holy grail.
High-flying prospect Rick Monday also has a coveted 1970 card. Acquired from Kansas City in a multiplayer trade, Monday blossomed into an outstanding defensive outfielder for the Chicago Cubs. Due to an injury his rookie season was abbreviated. This scarcity makes high-grade Monday rookies quite rare, with less than 50 pristine specimens believed extant. Condition-conscious collectors celebrate unearthing a flawless Monday card.
The 1970 checklist also debuts big league cards of future Hall of Famers like Joe Morgan, Bill Madlock, Joe Torre, and Vada Pinson. For fans of the underdog Montreal Expos franchise, the rarest card might be Rusty Staub’s rookie. The Expos original is considered one of the key cards from their early years in Montreal. Staub went on to become a six-time All-Star and only approximately 125 mint Staub rookies can still be accounted for, making each find a momentous occasion for Expos collectors.
Lastly, two particularly special 1970 issues are considered among the most prized by vintage investors. One is Hank Aaron’s final Topps card from the year of his record-breaking 715th home run. Aaron’s impact on the game cannot be overstated and roughly 150 BGS/PSA 10 examples are known to exist. Another scarce card is Roberto Clemente’s lone 1970 issue. Tragically, this was also Clemente’s final baseball card printed before his death in a plane crash at the young age of 38 on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Due to the circumstances, pristine Clemente 1970 cards are exceptionally rare with perhaps 75 or fewer in top-tier condition. Both the Aaron and Clemente 1970s represent iconic players and important pop culture touchstones that drive value higher than any others from the set.
The star rookies and legendary veterans featured in the 1970 Topps set established the foundation for what is considered one of the most valuable vintage issues. Today, with populations dwindling and the nostalgia having grown immensely since the early 70s, rare 1970 cards are prized possessions for dedicated collectors. While realistically out of reach for most fans, a perfect example from this defining year in the hobby’s history courted by the most serious investors would provide a true thrill.
