When it comes to collecting rare baseball cards, there are certain cards that top collectors search decades to find in pristine condition. These vintage cards from the early 1900s are some of the hobby’s greatest treasures worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The cards on any rarest baseball cards list will typically be from the earliest years of the sport when card production was far more limited and quality control was still developing. Fewer of these antique cards survived in high grades compared to modern issues.

Honus Wagner – 1909 T206 (Estimated Value: Over $1 million)

The single most coveted and valuable baseball card in existence is the ultra-rare 1909 Honus Wagner card issued by the American Tobacco Company as part of its famous T206 set. It’s estimated that only 50-200 genuine examples still exist today. Wagner, a true legend of the early game, demanded his likeness be removed from tobacco products. As a result, the card is incredibly scarce to find in any condition. High quality specimens regularly sell at auction for over $1 million, with one mint condition example achieving a record $3.12 million price tag in 2016.

Nap Lajoie – 1910 E90-1 (Estimated Value: $200,000+)

Occupying the second spot on most valuable baseball card rankings is the 1910 Nap Lajoie card from the famous E90-1 Turkey Red Cabinets series. Like Wagner’s T206, only a tiny number of these early Lajoie cards were printed, believed around 10-100 originally. Condition is everything for value, with nice specimens grading PSA MINT 9 condition assessed at over $200,000. Even well-worn copies still sell for five figures due to the extreme rarity. Lajoie was a true star of his era and an American League batting champion five times.

Christy Mathewson – 1911 M101-3 (Estimated Value: $150,000+)

Another one of the premier cards from the 1910s ranks as the #3 rarest is the 1911 Christy Mathewson from the M101-3 series. The “Christian Gentleman” Mathewson was one of the game’s first true pitching aces and had a storied career mostly with the New York Giants. Like the Lajoie, experts believe only 10-100 of these Mathewson cards were made originally. Top condition examples certified gem mint have sold at auction for north of $150,000, with most bring between $75,000-$100,000 even with minor imperfections.

Walter Johnson – 1910 E90-1 (Estimated Value: $100,000+)

Although not quite as scarce as the Lajoie and Mathewson from the same E90-1 series, the 1910 Walter Johnson still ranks among the rarest baseball cards ever made due to the low original print run. “The Big Train” Johnson had one of the most dominant pitching careers in baseball history spanning from 1907 to 1927. Graded examples in pristine condition top out around the $100,000 level currently, with most nice samples fetching $50,000-$75,000 when they surface for sale. Even beat up specimens still pull in five figures given how tough any Johnson from 1910 is to obtain.

Eddie Plank – 1911 B506 Wagner Back (Estimated Value: $75,000+)

The 1911 B506 Wagner Back card showing Hall of Famer Eddie Plank is considered the 5th rarest baseball card in existence. It displays Plank on the front but the back photo shows Honus Wagner. Only 60-100 were believed created, making intact versions exceptionally elusive. Top graded specimens in gem mint grades have sold for $75,000 and up. Even imperfect copies still bring around $40,000-$60,000 or more just based on the very low survival rate after well over 100 years. Plank was a premier pitcher of the deadball era who won 326 games in his career.

Ty Cobb – 1911 T3 Turkey Red (Estimated Value: $50,000+)

Legendary Detroit Tigers star Ty Cobb headlines as the most famous name on the list of rarest early 20th century cards. The 1911 T3 Turkey Red Cabinets issue showing “The Georgia Peach” has an extremely constrained print run estimated at just 50-100 cards issued. Those cherished specimens that surface for collectors today top out around the $50,000 mark. Most quality examples still bring in the $30,000-$40,000 range even with minor imperfections. Cobb is arguably the greatest player in baseball history based on his unmatched career stats and exemplary skill set.

Joe Jackson – 1911 M101-4 (Estimated Value: $50,000+)

The controversial “Shoeless Joe” Jackson makes the rarest baseball cards list with his scarce 1911 M101-4 issue featuring the infamous “Black Sox” scandal participant. Very few of these Jackson cards survived the era given the scandals that surrounded his career after the alleged fixing of the 1919 World Series. The scarceness has certified gem mint specimens assessing above $50,000 at auction. Most intact copies still command $25,000-$35,000 bids regardless of condition due to how few were printed a century ago. Jackson produced huge numbers as a hitter, but had his achievements tarnished by the fallout from the scandal.

That covers some of the most prized vintage cards on any list of rarest baseball cards ever made. The cards from the early 20th century like the T206 and E90-1 issues truly epitomize the high-end collecting segment. While condition is everything, survival alone of 100+ year old cardboard puts even worn specimens into five figure value territory based on the limited original print runs and few estimated remaining today. The names represented like Wagner, Cobb, Mathewson, Lajoie, Johnson and Jackson litter baseball’s all-time pantheon as well, captivating collectors with recognizable legends from the sport’s formative years. Finding any of these highly coveted rarities in pristine condition poised to break auction records.