Baseball cards are a timeless American pastime. Many people collect cards purely for fun and nostalgia, while others see cards as an investment and take the hobby very seriously from a monetary standpoint. Rare and high-value baseball cards bring collectors immense joy but also come at a hefty price. As we move into 2023, here are some of the rarest and most desirable baseball cards on the market this upcoming year.
One of the true holy grails of baseball card collecting is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card. Only around 60 authentic examples are known to exist today in varying conditions. Little is known about how the original large print run of Wagner cards came to be, but for whatever reason, a small batch without Wagner’s approval made it into circulation. Due to Wagner’s adamant request that his likeness not appear on tobacco cards, American Tobacco swiftly pulled the series and Honus Wagner instantly became the most iconic and sought-after card in the hobby’s history.
In 2021, a PSA NM-MT 8 example of the legendary Wagner card sold at auction for $6.6 million, setting records. While it’s unlikely a Wagner will change hands in 2023 for such an astronomical figure, if a mid-range example were to surface it could still easily fetch $2-3 million today. Another iconic early 20th century card that is equally as difficult to acquire is the 1909 Erie Caramel Eddie Plank card, with only 2-3 graded copies known. Like the Wagner, it would beworth millions if one came up for public sale.
Moving into the post-WWII era, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is considered the holy grail of post-war baseball cards. As arguably the greatest switch-hitter of all time and one of baseball’s true icons, Mantle’s towering presence and popularity makes his rookie card extremely desirable for collectors and investors. High-grade examples regularly sell forsix figures, with a PSA NM 7 copy selling for $360,000 in 2021. Like the Wagner, a PSA Gem Mint 9+ example could potentially sell for $750k-1M if it ever became available.
Still in the 1950s, the incredibly rare 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee subset blank back error card is only believed to have around 3-5 authentic copies in existence. Not much is known about this major misprint, but each new discovery sends shockwaves through the hobby. Given its statistical rarity and historical oddity, this would likely join rarities like the Wagner and Mantle at 7 figures instantly if a new discovery were to surface and go public in the coming year.
Jumping ahead to the 1970s, one of the most impossible modern cards to locate is the 1975 Frank Thomas rookie produced by TCMA. Due to licensing issues, less than a dozen are believed to exist, putting it easily on par with the rarity of a vintage Wagner. Like mint Wagners or ’52 Mantles, finding a pristine graded copy of this unique oddball issue would redefine what’s possible in the modern collector marketplace, likely reaching new record territory at well over $1 million.
To continue into the ’80s, the 1989 UD Ken Griffey Jr. rookie is universally hailed as one of the most iconic in hobby history. High grades typically sell between $50,000-$150,000 depending on condition, but a true gem quality PSA 10 is worth far more due to rarity, last trading hands for around $480,000 in 2022. Given Griffey’s enduring popularity and the incredible demand for his rookie, a copy approaching perfect condition could breach 6 figures with the right bidding competition and find a new home for $750,000 or more in the coming year.
One of the most noteworthy new rarities on the block is the 2013 Topps Finest Refractor Mike Trout rookie card. With the Angels star cementing his case as one of the greatest of all time, his prized rookie has skyrocketed in value, with a PSA 10 reaching a record $912,000 at auction this year. Trout collectors and high-end investors are rapidly scouring the marketplace for pristine copies, so a true perfect candidate emerging in 2023 could potentially threaten $1 million all on its own based on today’s trends. With Trout’s ongoing excellence on the field showing no signs of slowing, his singular rookie card looks positioned to keep pushing new heightson the all-time great collectibles list.
Those were some of the true billionaire dollar cards and rarest specimens that experienced collectors worldwide will surely have their eyes on as new developments unfold in 2023. While most collectors can only hope to afford mid-range vintage gems or modern stars’ rookies in top grades, the ongoing chase for the rarest and most valuable cards is what makes this hobby so alluring for its devoted community. With new condition census upgrades, unforeseen donations to museums, and the occasional surprise appearances from cards long thought vanished, the rare card market continues to capture our imaginations and drive new record prices. 2023 is sure to bring more excitement and history-making discoveries for collectors of these true liquid antiquities we know as baseball cards.
