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ARE MONTREAL EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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The Montreal Expos were a Canadian Major League Baseball team that existed from 1969 to 2004, playing their home games at Jarry Park Stadium and later Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec. The franchise relocated and became the Washington Nationals in 2005. As such, Montreal Expos baseball cards make up a unique subset of cards for collectors to pursue. Whether Expos cards are worth anything to collectors today depends on several factors regarding the specific players, years, conditions, and card sets involved.

Many vintage 1970s-era Expos rookie cards and stars from their early years hold some value for collectors today, often $5-20 or more depending on condition for common cards. Keys stars from that era like Andre Dawson, Gary Carter, Tim Raines, and Bill Lee tend to pull in $20-50 or more for graded rookies or star cards in good condition from flagship sets like Topps and Donruss. Their 1979 cards in particular hold appeal as that was their best season to date, finishing second in the National League East.

Condition is extremely important when evaluating the value of any vintage card, and low-graded or poor condition Expos cards may have little worth outside an Montreal Expos PC collector. Mint condition or higher graded vintage Expos stars can pull several times their raw price, while their commons are generally only desired graded. The rarer the player, the more crucial grade is to the value.

As the Expos success waned in later years, so too did interest in their cards outside Expos collectors. 1980s stars like Tim Raines, Andre Dawson after leaving Montreal, and future stars like Pedro Martinez have maintained some value, but most commons from the 1980s and beyond have very little value outside an Expos PC. A few exceptions include Randy Johnson and Vladimir Guerrero rookies, which can pull $20-50+ in good condition despite being Expos cards.

Modern Expos cards from the 1990s-2004 have some niche collector interest and value to Montreal and Expos PC collectors. Stars like Vladimir Guerrero and Pedro Martinez rookies and inserts hold the most value in the $10-30 range typically in good condition for their rare Expos cards. Commons and stars from the late struggling Expos teams have very little monetary value otherwise. But even low-value modern Expos cards can be sentimentally meaningful keepsakes for fans of the former franchise.

Autographs and memorabilia have become one area where Montreal Expos cards and related items have shown renewed collector interest and higher values in recent years. Signed Expos star rookie cards can pull $50-100+ even in just good condition. Relics, autographs on cards, specialty inserts, and signed memorabilia have attracted Expos collectors intrigued by the overlooked franchise history and seeking unique niche pieces for their collections. These specialized autographed Expos collectibles often sell in the $50-250 range depending on the player and relic/auto.

With the Montreal Expos now defunct for almost two decades, their cards also hold more nostalgia appeal for collectors intrigued by the city’s “old” MLB team and wanting a piece of baseball history. Many modern card manufacturers in recent years have also issued popular Montreal Expos retro sets featuring design styles and players from their 1970s/1980s heyday. These high-end insert and parallel card varieties naturally hold higher collector value given their nostalgic subject matter despite being modern productions, often $10-50+ each.

Whether Montreal Expos baseball cards hold any collector value today depends much on the specific cards, players, years, and especially conditions involved. While commons from their later struggling years remain relatively low value, select rookie cards and stars from the 1970s-80s vintages have maintained collector interest levels allowing values of $5-50+ depending on desired players and conditions. Modern insert cards and autographed/relic cards related to the Expos also attract niche collectors, at times earning higher prices than their raw cardboard would suggest based purely on player merit alone. With the Expos now a defunct franchise, their cards retain an extra layer of nostalgia for collectors that leads to maintaining and renewing interest levels beyond what a similarly performing ongoing franchise might expect.

HOW MUCH ARE EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team that played in Montreal from 1969 to 2004, before moving to Washington, D.C. and becoming the Nationals. As one of the earlier expansion teams, Expos cards do not carry the same cachet as vintage cards from the long-established franchises. For collectors of Montreal Expos memorabilia or Canadians collecting cards from their hometown team, Expos cards can be a fun part of a baseball card collection.

The value of any given Expos card depends on several factors, including the player featured, the year the card was printed, its condition or grade, and whether there are any special variations. Rookie cards or cards featuring stars tend to carry higher values. For example, an especially desirable Expos card would be the rookie card of Hall of Famer Andre Dawson from the 1977 Topps set. In near-mint to mint condition, Dawson’s rookie typically sells for $100-300 today. Another important star was pitcher Steve Rogers. His classic 1979 Topps card in good condition might sell for $20-50.

For common cards of role players and backups, prices usually range from under $1 to $5 depending on condition, even for 1980s and early 90s issues. Complete common card sets from the 70s-80s Expos teams can sometimes be acquired for $20-50 total. Pristine, gem mint condition examples suitable for grading could fetch higher prices from dedicated collectors. The rarer the card, the more it tends to be worth. Prominent examples include the 1969 Topps Larry Dierker card, which featured one of the Expos’ first players on the front but was withdrawn, making it extremely scarce. In low populations, it can sell for thousands.

Autograph cards tend to be some of the most valuable Expos cards available. Signed rookie cards hold the highest values. An autographed Andre Dawson rookie could be worth $200-500 depending on the signature quality and condition of the signed area. Other desirable autographed cards include players like Gary Carter, Tim Raines, Marquis Grissom, Sean Burke, and Pedro Martinez from his early Montreal years. Autograph authenticity is crucial – unsigned cards that were tampered with to add fake autographs have no collector value.

Error cards that were accidentally printed with flaws also occupy a special niche. The rarest would be the famed 1981 Fleer Rodney Scott card, which features a photo of himself as a member of the Expos but was statically produced with Phillies player stats on the back. Just a handful are known to exist and one in pristine condition sold for over $9,000 in recent years. Other notable errors include off-centered 1969 issues and missing statistic lines on certain 1980s cards.

Of course, condition is key for any valuable baseball card. Near-mint to mint examples command the highest prices since imperfections hamper a card’s grade and collector appeal. Items showing creases, stains or other handling wear typically sell for 50-90% less than uncirculated counterparts. Professional grading from services such as PSA and Beckett adds legitimacy and standardized condition assessment that dedicated collectors demand. Graded mint cards especially retain strong resale value over time.

While the Expos never achieved the on-field success or cultural cachet of storied franchises, cards issued during their over 30 years of play remain a fun and often affordable niche area for both baseball card collectors and Montreal sports memorabilia fans. Rookie cards, autographs and rare error issues hold the most potential value. But even common Expos cards in excellent condition remain a worthy pursuit for any collector seeking to recap and commemorate the colorful history of the team that called Montreal home for nearly four decades.

EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The Montreal Expos were the first Major League Baseball team located in Canada. They played in Montreal from 1969-2004 before relocating to become the Washington Nationals. As one of the newer franchises, Expos cards do not have the same long history or player pedigree of teams like the Yankees or Red Sox. For collectors interested in the team’s history, several Expos rookie and star player cards can hold significant value.

One of the most valuable Expos rookie cards is that of Andre Dawson from the 1977 Topps set. Known as “The Hawk” for his outstanding leaping catches in the outfield, Dawson went on to have a Hall of Fame career. His rookie card in near mint condition can fetch over $1,000. Dawson was a homegrown star for the Expos franchise and remains one of their most beloved players. His rookie card is iconic for collectors of the team.

Another highly sought-after rookie card is that of Gary Carter from the 1974 Topps set. As the Expos’ catcher, “Kid” was a 10-time All-Star and key member of Montreal’s teams in the late 1970s that reached the playoffs. Carter’s smooth defense behind the plate and leadership on the field made him extremely popular. High grade examples of his rookie card in a PSA 10 Gem Mint slab have sold for over $3,000. Carter’s Hall of Fame career and status as an Expos great make this a very valuable piece for any collection.

For collectors focusing specifically on the early 1970s Expos teams, the 1972 Topps rookie card of Steve Rogers is also quite valuable in top condition. Rogers went on to be the Expos’ all-time leader in wins and was a 3-time 20 game winner for Montreal. High grade copies of his rookie have sold for $800-1,000. Other stars from that era like Rusty Staub and Willie Davis also have rookie cards in the $200-500 range depending on condition.

Moving into the late 1970s-1980s, the Expos had a core of talented players that made the franchise competitive for over a decade. The rookie cards of this generation can also hold value. Pitcher Scott Sanderson’s 1981 Topps rookie in a PSA 10 is valued around $500 given his contributions as a 20-game winner for Montreal. Catcher/first baseman Warren Cromartie, an All-Star in the early 1980s, has a rookie card from 1977 Topps valued at $300-400.

One of the most iconic Expos cards from this era is the 1979 Topps Traded Tim Raines card, featuring the base stealer nicknamed “Rock.” Raines was a perennial All-Star and batting champion for Montreal. High grade copies of his traded card have sold for well over $1,000. As the franchise’s all-time leader in stolen bases, Raines is revered by Expos fans and his cards remain very popular.

By the late 1980s, players like Andres Galarraga, Marquis Grissom, and Larry Walker emerged as new stars. Their rookie cards have found steady value appreciation over time. Galarraga’s 1987 Donruss rookie in pristine condition recently sold for $800. Grissom’s 1988 Fleer Update rookie in a PSA 10 Gem Mint slab has sold for over $500. And Walker’s franchise-record setting career has pushed his 1989 Upper Deck rookie card value up near $300 PSA 10.

While the Expos never won a World Series championship, they developed many great players who went on to stellar careers. For dedicated collectors of the franchise and its history, high quality rookie cards and stars from the 1970s-1990s teams can still hold significant nostalgic and intrinsic value. Even with the team’s relocation, demand remains strong from Expos fans wanting to commemorate the players who made Montreal baseball so memorable and competitive for over 30 years.

MONTREAL EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Montreal Expos were Canada’s only Major League Baseball franchise, playing in Montreal from their inception in 1969 until being relocated to Washington, D.C. and becoming the Nationals after the 2004 season. As with every MLB team, the Expos had a long history depicted through baseball cards from the early days of the franchise up until their departure from Montreal.

The Expos first season in 1969 featured their debut in the original MLB expansion that year along with the San Diego Padres. Topps captured the Expos’ inaugural season with a standard 66 card rookie cup design set highlighting the Expos players and coaches. Some of the notable rookie cards from that ’69 Topps set include Rusty Staub, Mike Marshall, and manager Gene Mauch. Staub would go on to have the most successful career of any Expo and is still regarded as one of the franchise’s most popular players.

Throughout the 1970s, Topps remained the sole issuer of MLB licenses and continued putting out standard design annual sets that featured the Expos players. Notable rookie cards from those ’70s sets include future All-Stars like Steve Rogers, Gary Carter, andWARren Cromartie. Carter in particular became arguably the greatest Expo of all-time during his Hall of Fame catching career largely spent in Montreal. As the franchise developed young stars and contended in the NL East at times in the late 70s, demand grew for their cards as collectors looked to build complete rainbow sets featuring the players on their favorite teams.

In 1981, Topps lost its baseball monopoly when Fleer was granted an MLB license and began producing rival sets in direct competition. This increased collector interest and gave the Expos increased cardboard exposure with Fleer highlighting the team. Notable rookie cards in the 1981 Fleer set include future 20-game winner Bill Gullickson and outfielder Tim Raines, who went on to a stellar career and is another of the franchise’s most beloved stars. Raines’ rookie card is among the most desirable and valuable from the entire Expos cardboard history.

Through the 1980s, the annual Topps and Fleer sets continued to chronicle the Expos with stars like Carter, Raines, Rogers, and Andre Dawson leading the way. Dawson’s dominant 1987 season was documented with a spectacular Fleer Update photo of him shattering his bat. Card companies also produced multi-player traded sets highlighting key Expos transactions to recapulate the franchise’s roster changes. The late 80s saw Montreal field competitive clubs that won division titles in ’81 and ’94 buoyed by the stars depicted on their cards.

The 1990s brought struggles on the field and business troubles that foreshadowed the eventual relocation. Players like Delino DeShields and Pedro Martinez had their early careers captured but stars of the past like Dawson and Carter were now featured on other teams’ cards as free agents. Upper Deck entered the baseball card market in 1989 and provided prestigious photo and style subsets highlighting Expos despite their declining fortunes. The franchise’s impending move was also referenced on certain late 90s cards captioned as their “Final Seasons.”

By 2001, the franchise was in dire straits with ownership wanting to move the team. Their declining on-field product and business woes were reflected in the cards. Brands like Leaf produced retrospective collections focusing on the glory years to commemorate a potential end of the franchise in Montreal. After the devastating 1994 strike andExamining attendance declines, MLB forced the sale and relocation of the Expos after 2004 to current owner Ted Lerner, moving them to Washington to become the Nationals.

To this day, completed vintage Expos card sets remain desirable for collectors seeking to preserve the cardboard history and memories of MLB’s only Canadian franchise. Keys cards like the rookies of Staub, Carter, Raines, and others remain pricey for serious Expos collectors. While the franchise no longer plays in Montreal, their full history from 1969-2004 continues to live on through the baseball cards issued each year that chronicled the ups and downs of the franchise on cardboard for generations of collectors.

EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Montreal Expos were Canada’s Major League Baseball team from 1969 to 2004. While the franchise no longer exists, Expos baseball cards remain a beloved collectible for many fans who cherish the team’s history. This article will provide an in-depth overview of Expos cards issued during the franchise’s tenure, including key sets, standout rookie cards, stars of the era and more.

One of the earliest and most iconic Expos card sets is the 1969 Topps issue. As an expansion team, the Expos received limited card allotments in the brand’s flagship release that year. Still, it was a momentous occasion as the first cards to feature the Expos on the front. Notable rookie cards included Mike Jorgensen, Manny Mota, and reliever Dan McGinn. Topps would remain the MLB’s exclusive card maker through 1981, issuing annual Expos sets each year the team was in Montreal.

In the 1970s, the Expos rose from expansion doormat to consistent contender. Stars like Rusty Staub, Steve Rogers, and Andre Dawson’s rookie card in the 1977 Topps set highlighted this era. The team’s success was reflected in higher card counts, including the beloved design of the 1975 and 1976 Topps issues. Montreal also received subsets in larger sets like Topps’ Traded series beginning in 1975, spotlighting offseason transactions. The Expos remained a staple in the annual Topps checklist through the decade.

The early 1980s saw the rise of new card companies Donruss and Fleer challenging Topps’ monopoly. Both brands included the Expos in their inaugural MLB sets in 1981. This began an annual tradition with both manufacturers that lasted into the 1990s. Notable Expos cards from this period included Tim Raines’ rookie card in the 1981 Donruss set and the Fleer Sticker subset that was very popular with collectors. The 1982 Donruss Reggie Smith card also captured one of the franchise’s best-known uniforms on the design.

Andre Dawson emerged as the face of the franchise in the mid-1980s, appearing on many premium and oddball card issues of the time in addition to the standard Topps, Donruss and Fleer sets. Cards from this era like the 1986 Donruss Update and Fleer Update subsets spotlighted Dawson’s 1986 MVP season. Rookies like Marquis Grissom and Delino DeShields also had their debuts captured in the late 1980s flagship releases from the major brands.

In the early 1990s, the baseball card boom was in full swing. This led to record print runs of sets that heavily featured the Expos stars of the era like Larry Walker, Moises Alou, and Marquis Grissom. The franchise also began to receive inserts in oddball and premium sets from brands like Score, Leaf, and Upper Deck. Examples include the 1990 Upper Deck Ken Hill rookie card and 1992 Leaf Gold Signature Larry Walker autograph. Montreal’s dominance of the NL East in the strike-shortened 1994 season was reflected well in that year’s card issues too.

As the Expos attendance dwindled in their later Montreal years, card representations downsized somewhat from the mega-productions of the early 90s boom. Standouts like the 1996 Upper Deck Minors Prospects Pedro Martinez rookie made Expos cards just as coveted by collectors. When the franchise relocated to Washington D.C. after the 2004 season, cards switched to a “Nationals” designation but Montreal Expos cards remain a beloved niche in the hobby.

In summary, Expos baseball cards from the team’s 1969-2004 Montreal tenure provide a visual history of the franchise for collectors today. Rookie cards, star players, iconic uniforms, and the rise and fall of on-field success are all chronicled in the annual card issues from the Topps, Donruss, and Fleer brands of the 1970s-90s era. While the Expos no longer exist, their baseball cards preserve the memories of the team for generations of Canadian and international fans. Whether a complete set or single standout rookie, Expos cards remain a valued piece of sports collectibles history.

PETE ROSE MONTREAL EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS

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Pete Rose has long been one of the most polarizing figures in Major League Baseball history due to his gambling scandal and placement on baseball’s permanently ineligible list in 1989. However, Rose was also an incredibly talented and determined player who holds the career records for most hits and games played in baseball. This makes his brief but eventful tenure playing for the Montreal Expos in the early 1980s an interesting footnote in his legendary career.

After a storied 17-year career playing primarily for the Cincinnati Reds where he established himself as one of the game’s great hitters and was a key member of the Big Red Machine championship teams, Rose’s performance began to decline in the late 1970s. Following the 1978 season, the Reds negotiated a trade that sent the 37-year old Rose to the Expos in exchange for catcher Bo Diaz and minor league outfielder Dave Collins. Rose had expressed a desire to remain close to his Ohio home so the move to Montreal was somewhat unexpected.

Rose joined an Expos team that had talent but was still looking to break through as a legitimate contender in the NL East division. Some questioned if Rose had enough left in the tank to be a meaningful contributor but he was determined to prove the doubters wrong. In his first season with Montreal in 1979, Rose responded by batting .275 with 11 home runs and 65 RBI in 139 games, showing he could still be a productive regular despite his advancing age.

Rose’s contributions helped lead the Expos to an 88-74 record and second place finish, their best season to date. His presence in the lineup and clubhouse also had a positive influence on the team’s young core of pitcher Steve Rogers, third baseman Larry Parrish, and outfielders Andre Dawson and Tim Raines. Rose had taken on a player-coach role and worked hard to impart his winning attitude and hard-nosed style of play to his Expos teammates.

Upper Deck was one of the pioneers of modern baseball cards when they began producing sets in 1989 that focused on photography and highlighting players’ career stats on the back of the cards. In 1991, Upper Deck released cards featuring Pete Rose as a member of the Montreal Expos from his playing days with the club in 1979-1981. Seeing Rose in an Expos uniform was still a strange sight for many collectors and fans accustomed to associating him primarily with the Reds.

The Expos cards highlighted Rose’s productivity despite his advancing age while with Montreal over those three seasons. They featured key stats like his .292 batting average, 46 home runs, and 208 RBI as an Expo. The photography on the cards also captured Rose’s intense and gritty style of play. Many felt these Expos cards help round out and tell the full story of Rose’s Hall of Fame career that spanned multiple franchises late in his career despite his offensive numbers starting to decline.

While Rose enjoyed a successful first season with the Expos in 1979 leading them to their best season at that point, 1980 was a disappointing campaign for both Rose and the club. Rose battled injuries and saw his production dip to a .260 average with 7 home runs and 47 RBI in 102 games. The Expos finished 78-84 and out of playoff contention in a tightly contested NL East race.

Hopes were high for a bounce back in 1981 but it was another frustrating season. Rose began the year sidelined with an injury and struggled to regain his form upon returning, batting just .264 with 4 homers and 41 RBI over 88 games. Meanwhile, the Expos scuffled to a 75-87 record, their lowest finish in years. Rose’s desire to remain in Cincinnati and be closer to his family also grew stronger as his on-field performance continued declining.

Late in the 1981 season, the Expos granted Rose his request and traded him back to the Reds. While his two-plus seasons in Montreal didn’t result in a playoff berth or rekindling of his offensive prime, Rose had proven he could still produce at an older age and left lasting impressions with Expos fans with his gritty play. His Montreal tenure also represented in baseball card form helped tell the full story of a legendary career that saw him contribute for multiple franchises in the latter stages.

Over the ensuing decades, Pete Rose’s Expos baseball cards from his 1979-1981 tenure with the club have become highly collectible and hold historical significance. They represent a unique period where one of baseball’s all-time great hitters suited up in Montreal’s silvers and blues rather than Cincinnati’s famous red uniform. While Rose is no longer actively involved in the game due to his gambling ban, his Expos cards serve as an artifact from his later career chapters and remind fans of a time when the feisty Rose took his talents north of the border to contribute to a rising Expos ballclub.

Whether discussing his stats and contributions to getting the Expos to new heights or capturing his tenacious style of play through the cards’ photography, Rose’s Montreal Expos baseball cards tell an important part of his legendary career story. They preserve the memory of a period that saw a fading but still driven superstar take his talents to a new franchise’s uniform. For collectors and historians of the sport, Rose’s Expos cards serve as intriguing remnants from this unique interlude and further cement his place as one of baseball’s most famous and colorfully complex figures.

MOST VALUABLE EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Montreal Expos were the first Major League Baseball team located in Canada. They played in Montreal from 1969-2004 before relocating to Washington D.C. and becoming the Nationals. Despite only having moderate on-field success during their time in Montreal, Expos cards from the 1970s in particular are highly coveted by collectors today due to the team’s historic significance as the lone Canadian MLB franchise.

While stars like Andre Dawson, Gary Carter, Tim Raines, and Larry Walker powered the Expos on the field, their cardboard counterparts have grown enormously in value over the decades. Here’s a look at some of the most valuable and sought-after Expos baseball cards from throughout the team’s history in Montreal:

1971 Topps Gary Sutherland (#480) – One of the rarest cards from the very first Topps set to feature Expos players, the Sutherland rookie card is legendary in collector circles. In top-graded gem mint condition it can sell for over $20,000 due to its extreme scarcity. Sutherland only appeared in 13 games for Montreal in 1971.

1972 Topps Mike Torrez (#537) – As one of the premier rookie cards issued during the early Expos era, the Torrez is highly iconic. Torrez went on to enjoy a solid 14-year MLB career but is best remembered for his time with Montreal from 1972-1975. Near-mint condition examples have sold recently for around $7,000.

1974 Topps Ellis Valentine (#30) – The Valentine rookie is considered one of the key cards from the 1970s Expos subset of stars. Valentine developed into a multiple-time All-Star during his decade-long Expos tenure. High-grade Valentine rookies trade hands for $4,000-5,000 depending on centering and corners.

1975 Topps Larry Parrish (#601) – As a key part of the potent Expos lineups in the 1970s, Parrish developed a strong fan following in Montreal. His rookie card carries significant nostalgia for Expos collectors. Near-mint Parrish rookies sell for approximately $3,000.

1975 Topps Dave Cash (#122) – While not a huge star, Cash holds historical significance as one of the first prominent Jewish players in MLB. His memorable afro hairstyle also adds to the card’s visual pop. Well-centered examples in near-mint fetch around $2,800.

1977 Topps Andre Dawson (#646) – “The Hawk’s” impressive rookie card remains a highly coveted piece for Expos devotees as Dawson went on to star in Montreal for over a decade. Back when PSA was still grading aggressively, gem mint 10 Dawson rookies crossed the $15,000 mark. Still a $4,000+ card today.

1978 Topps Gary Carter (#422) – As one of the faces of the franchise for many years, Carter’s iconic smile shines through on his memorable rookie card. This is considered the must-have rookie for any Expos or Carter collector. Near-mint examples have been selling in the $3,500 range.

1979 Topps Ellis Valentine (#380) – Valentine’s stylish long hair and facial expression make this one of the most visually striking cards of the era. It remains quite scarce in high grade as well. Perfectly centered PSA 10 examples have sold for over $4,000.

1980 Topps Tim Raines (#108) – “Rock” established himself as a stolen base dynamo from the start of his career. His rookie is a pillar in any vintage Expos or 80s card collection. Well-centered near-mint Raines rookies have crossed the $2,500 mark.

1981 Fleer Update Tim Raines (#U16) – The short printed Fleer Update checklist made this one of the rarest Raines rookies. In gem mint 10 condition, it’s reached the $7,000 sales threshold, reflecting its strong multi-factor rarity.

1982 Donruss Steve Rogers (#144) – One of the most memorable Expos pitchers of the 1970s-80s, Rogers’ understated classic vertical design rookie continues to resonate. High-grade copies command $1,500-2,000.

1984 Donruss Steve Rogers (#544) – Rogers’ final notable Expos card came during the peak of his career in 1984. This iconic horizontal layout design with his signature throwing motion captures that excellence. A true condition gem can bring $1,000.

1987 Topps Wally Backman (#234) – While with Montreal only briefly in 1987, Backman made his mark with memorable hustle and grit. His sole Expos card carries nostalgia from those brief but impactful seasons. Near-mint copies sell around $750.

There are several other notable rookie and star Expos cards that have gained collector value over the decades as well. But the above represent some of the true crown jewels and most financially significant cardboard from the team’s storied run in Montreal. With the Expos historically remembered so fondly in Canada, their baseball cards continue resonating strongly with enthusiasts worldwide.

MONTREAL EXPOS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

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The Montreal Expos were the first major league team located in Canada. They played in Montreal from 1969 through their final season in 2004 before moving to Washington D.C. to become the Nationals. As an expansion franchise, the Expos issued many baseball cards during their 36 seasons in Montreal. Some key Expos cards from the 1970s through 1990s have increased greatly in value in recent years due to the team’s nostalgia and scarcity of the cards on the secondary market. Let’s take an in-depth look at some Expos cards that could be worth a significant amount of money today depending on condition and rarity.

One of the most desirable and valuable Expos cards is the 1969 Topps Rico Carty rookie card. Carty only played part of one season for Montreal in 1969 before being traded. His rookie card sporting the early Expos uniform and logo is very scarce to find in high grade. In gem mint condition, Carty’s 1969 Topps rookie has sold for over $2,000. Another high value Expos rookie is the 1972 Topps Steve Rogers card. Rogers went on to win 139 games for Montreal and became the franchise leader in wins. High graded examples of his rookie in the PSA 8 to PSA 10 range can garner several hundred dollars.

Two of the most iconic Expos players were Andre Dawson and Tim Raines. Dawson won the 1977 Rookie of the Year award as well as the 1981 NL MVP award as a Montreal outfielder. His 1978 Topps and 1979 Topps rookie cards in high grade are quite valuable, with the 1978 regularly selling for well over $100 in PSA 8-10 condition. Raines debuted with Montreal in 1981 and was one of baseball’s top base stealers and leadoff hitters of the 1980s. His 1981 Topps and Fleer rookie cards have seen prices spike in recent years, with mint examples rising above the $200 price point. Another scarce and desired Raines rookie is his 1982 Donruss.

Gary Carter was the veteran leader of the Expos for many seasons in the 1970s and 80s before winning a World Series with the Mets in 1986. High graded versions of his 1974 Topps and 1975 Topps rookie cards as a Montreal catcher can sell for over $100. Other Carter Expos cards like his 1976 through 1981 issues are also collectible, with several in the $50 range depending on condition. Carter remained a fan favorite in Montreal even after his playing days ended.

The 1979 Topps Tim Raines card is also one that sharply rose in value in the 2010s due to Raines’ election to the Hall of Fame. In PSA 9-10 condition, his 1979 Topps now trades hands for $300+. Raines broke out with a 190 hit season in 1979 and was well on his way to becoming one of the game’s hardest players to strike out. His 1979 rookie card captures this and is a key piece of Expos history.

Two of the biggest stars from the Expos’ 1980s playoff teams have premium cards as well – pitcher Dennis Martinez and second baseman Delino DeShields. Martinez tossed over 200 innings annually for Montreal from 1983-1990 and was the franchise leader in wins upon his departure. His 1983 Topps rookie card in high grade is a $100+ card. DeShields was a fan favorite in Montreal during his stint from 1987 to 1991 and made his lone All-Star game as an Expo. His 1987 Topps rookie card still holds collector appeal today at $50-70 in top condition.

Moving into the 1990s, Montreal featured players like Larry Walker, Marquis Grissom, and Moises Alou. Walker made his MLB debut in 1989 and went on to a Hall of Fame career. His 1989 Score and 1990 Score rookie cards have increased steadily since his Cooperstown induction, with the 1989 at roughly $60 in PSA 10 shape. Alou broke out with six straight 30 home run seasons for Montreal from 1992 to 1997 before being traded just before the team moved. His 1992 Bowman rookie card is the standout from his Expos tenure, reaching $30-40 in higher grades.

As the Expos faded from contention in the late 90s, their stars like Grissom, Ugueth Urbina, and Vladimir Guerrero took center stage. Guerrero dazzled at the plate during his Montreal campaigns from 1996 to 2003 before the team relocated. His 1996 Topps rookie card is briskly popular with collectors, hovering around $15-20 for graded examples. The team’s final representative in Topps is Orlando Cabrera from 2003. Overall condition and well-kept Montreal Expos cards can hold strong nostalgia value for collectors with lasting memories of the storied Expos franchise. With limited remaining inventory, prices should stay firm or potentially appreciate further down the line as older collectors reminisce about Canada’s sole MLB team.

Iconic Expos rookie cards like Andre Dawson, Gary Carter, Tim Raines, and Larry Walker are at the top of the heap in terms of value thanks to their success and nostalgia for long-time fans. Other foundational players from the 1970s like Rico Carty, Steve Rogers also command higher prices. Keysters from championship caliber 80s teams like DeShields and Martinez are highly regarded as well. And Montreal stars from the 90s like Grissom, Alou, Guerrero retain value due to their attachment to one of baseball’s unique franchises before the relocation. Well-preserved Expos cards, especially rookies of franchise greats, are a worthwhile part of any collection.