The 2013 baseball season produced some of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards in recent history. While every year sees new rookie stars and popular veterans that drive collector interest, the 2013 set had several factors that make some of its chase cards particularly noteworthy.
Perhaps the single rarest and most coveted 2013 card is the Mike Trout autograph rookie card from Topps Update. Trout had already emerged as one of the game’s rising stars the prior two seasons, and in 2013 he cemented his status as one of the elite players in baseball by winning the American League MVP award. Any autographed Trout rookie card is highly sought after, but the scarcity and timing of the Topps Update release made that parallel rare. Only 99 of the autograph parallels were produced, and demand exploded after Trout’s MVP win. Mint condition copies now routinely sell for over $10,000, with the highest sale to date reaching almost $23,000.
Another incredibly rare Trout card from 2013 is the Topps Allen & Ginter mini autographed card. Produced on a much smaller scale than typical baseball cards, the mini format always makes for lower print runs. Trout’s status meant strong demand for any autographed cards, and the limited quantity of the Allen & Ginter minis has helped drive prices upwards of $4,000 for gem mint 10 versions. While not technically a rookie card, 2013 was still early enough in Trout’s career to capture the excitement of his breakout star potential.
Staying with Topps Update, another hugely coveted 2013 parallel is the five-star Mookie Betts autograph parallel. As with Trout in 2012, Betts’ star exploded onto the scene with a fantastic debut season in 2013. His autograph parallel in Topps Update was limited to an astounding run of only 5 cards. High-grade PSA 10 copies have changed hands for $20,000 when available. Even low-population PSA 9 examples with flaws demand over $10,000.
Another rookie who had collectors buzzing in 2013 was cardboard fixture and budding superstar Bryce Harper. His Topps Series 1 base card remained widely available, but several parallel and autographed versions proved short-printed and skyrocketed in value. The Topps Complete Set parallel autographed to 25 copies is the true blockbuster, with examples crossing the $10,000 mark. The Topps 52 card autograph parallel is also extremely rare at only 52 produced, with PSA/BGS 10 gems now valued north of $5,000.
While rookies and stars captured most attention, some veterans from 2013 also produced historic rarities. Miguel Cabrera’s quest for an elusive Triple Crown in 2012 had collectors frenzied for any of his parallels the following year. The Topps Chrome Triple Crown Credentials parallel commemorating his feat was limited to an astounding 3 card run. With Cabinet status as the sole example known to exist with perfect gem grades, it’s doubtfully any single card from 2013 will surpass its rarity and six-figure auction prices.
Another veteran standout is Clayton Kershaw, who further cemented himself as the game’s best pitcher in 2013. An incredibly lucky collector pulled his Topps Finest Red refractor 1/1 parallel, making it the sole copy in existence. While Kershaw remains active, status as his lone 1/1 from such a modern and desirable set hands it well into the five-figure range alone on rarity.
Beyond rookies and stars, collectors seek some key vintage player parallels too. A Mariano Rivera autograph on-card parallel from Topps Tribute stands out, limited to an honored 59 copy print run as a nod to the great closer’s Jersey number. Near-mint PSA 9 versions trade privately over $1,000 now. Meanwhile, for collectors focusing on a single franchise, ultra-short prints like the 5 card Ichiro Suzuki Captain’s Collection parallel bring five figures due to unique Mariners theme.
In short, 2013 provided an abundance of short-printed parallels, valuable autographs, and rookieyear gems that have developed almost mythic status among today’s collectors just five years later. With so many formative careers and achievements captured, the market remains very active for these influential cards, especially in pristine grades. Investment savvy collectors started early recognizing potential legends, while lucky packs kept some fans richly rewarded. 2013 continues to represent a true high water mark in the modern collectibles boom.
