Reggie Jackson, also known as “Mr. October” due to his prolific playoff heroics, is one of the most iconic players in baseball history. As a power hitter who played for both the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees from 1967 to 1987, Jackson smashed 563 home runs over his 21-year career. His legendary postseason performances helped lead the Athletics to three straight World Series titles from 1972 to 1974 and the Yankees to two championships in 1977 and 1978. Given his tremendous on-field success and popularity, Reggie Jackson cards from the 1970s are among the most sought-after and valuable in the hobby.
Jackson’s rookie cards were issued in 1967 when he was with the A’s. Some of the top Reggie Jackson rookie cards include his 1967 Topps, 1967 Fleer, and 1967 Basketball wax box cardboard. In high grade, near-mint condition or better, examples can fetch thousands of dollars. A PSA 9 grade 1967 Topps Reggie Jackson in an auction recently sold for over $12,000. Lower grade copies of his rookie season typically sell for a few hundred dollars.
The cards that command the highest prices are from Jackson’s Yankees years when he was at the height of his popularity winning back-to-back World Series MVP awards. His most valuable and iconic card is widely considered to be his 1977 Topps card, issued during his “1977 World Series MVP” season with the Bronx Bombers. In pristine mint condition graded PSA 10, 1977 Topps Reggie Jacksons have sold for well over $100,000 at auction. Even PSA 9 graded copies trade hands for $10,000 or more due to the combo of its era, player, and the card’s aesthetically pleasing design which depicts Jackson at the plate in pinstripes.
Other prime 1970s Yankees Reggie Jackson cardboard that often fetch five figures include his high-grade copies of the 1972 Topps, 1975 Topps, 1976 SSPC, and 1978 Topps issues. The 1972 release marks Jackson’s first season with the A’s club that began their dynasty run. His 1975 issue captures him in an Athletics uniform during the twilight of his Oakland years. The 1976 Sporting Sports Promotions Card depicts Jackson at the plate as a Yankee. And his 1978 Topps is one of his last flagship cards before beginning to wind down his career.
In addition to his main Topps issues, Jackson’s cards from other contemporaneous sets from the ’70s that can carry value include examples from 1970 and 1971 Kellogg’s, 1972 and 1974 Kellogg’s/OPC, 1972 and 1976 Post Cereal/Post, and 1972 and 1973 Hostess/Super Bubble. Other subset cards like 1974 Topps Deckle Edge photocards and 1975 and 1976 Topps Traded can also reach solid prices, especially in high grades.
Modern reprint sets from the late 1980s and 1990s containing reimagined Reggie Jackson cards like 1990 Topps Traded, 1992 Leaf, and 1997 Fleer Tradition have found collector demand in recent years too. Nontraditional releases such as 2003 Topps Tribute Ticket Stubs Refractors parallel this interest as well. The true blue vintage cardboard remains the most significant when assessing value.
Condition is critical, as with any collectible card. Only examples that are carefully preserved and grade highly on independent company like PSA or BGS scales will yield the peaks outlined above. Even small flaws can devalue a card dramatically. Common defects that negatively impact value include bad centering, creases, edge wear, discolorations or stains. It’s crucial baseball card investors understand the nuances of grades.
Beyond his flagship Topps issues, certain unlicensed baseball releases have also proven significant in the Jackson memorabilia arena. His rare unproduced 1969 Curtiss Candy Company card prototype tops the esoteric field. Plus lesser-known innovations like 1972 Salada Trading Cards from Canada or 1973 Arco/Red Bird Trading Cards could carry four figures in the right setting.
Whether due to his “Mr. October” aura, Bronx Bomber heritage, or straightforward rarity, pristine Reggie Jackson cards remain a textbook example of blue-chip baseball memorabilia for avid collectors. As one of the sport’s most accomplished sluggers and postseason performers, his iconic cardboard becomes even more desirable with each passing year. Though condition sensitive, prime examples could continue appreciating for serious investors looking to stake a claim in an all-time great’s collectible portfolio.
