The 1968 Topps baseball card set marked the seventh year of Topps’ prestigious run as the sole producer of gum-backed trading cards following their purchase of the Bowman Gum company in 1956. 1968 saw many stories unfold on the baseball diamond from Hank Aaron’s pursuit of Babe Ruth’s home run record to the “Cardiac Cards” magical run to the World Series championship. This highly collectible vintage card set featured 660 total cards including biographies, team checklists and league leaders alongside the standard player issue cards. While not the most valuable Topps set of all-time, 1968 Topps cards continue to be big hits at auctions and collectibles shops due to the iconic players and memorable moments featured from that baseball season. Here’s a ranking of the top 10 rarest and most valuable 1968 Topps baseball cards based on condition, storylines and sales data from authenticated collector auctions:
N.L. Rookie Stars (#660) – This memorable card highlights some of the top rookie performers from the 1967 season in the National League including Johnny Bench, Gary Nolan and Pat Dobson. It’s a unique checklist-style card but doesn’t command huge prices. High grade PSA 10 copies have sold for around $150.
Willie Mays (#1) – You can’t go wrong featuring the iconic “Say Hey Kid” as the number one card in any vintage set. Mays was in his age 36 season and still managed to hit .281 with 12 home runs. High-end PSA 10 copies have sold for around $200 as one of the more affordable stars from the decade.
Bob Gibson (#22) – One of the most intimidating and dominant pitchers of his generation, Gibson posted a staggering 1.12 ERA in 1968 to capture his first National League Cy Young Award. PSA 10 examples have topped $250 at auction as one of the most identifiable pitcher cards in the entire set.
Tom Seaver (#250) – Seaver’s sensational rookie season where he went 16-13 with a 2.76 ERA and finished second in N.L. Rookie of the Year voting created immediate buzz around his Topps issue. Among the most popular Rookie Cards, a pristine PSA 10 has sold for over $400.
N.L. Rookie Stars Back (#661) – The back of this card features a young Johnny Bench in his rookie season where he batted .275 in 75 games. High grade copies have sold for around $500 due to Bench’s status as a Hall of Fame catcher and this being one of the scarcer variations from the set.
Hank Aaron (#250) – “Hammerin’ Hank” was in the midst of shattering Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. He blasted 24 homers in 1968 to bring his career total to 361 at the time of this issue. Mint condition PSA 10 examples have topped $600 at auction.
Reggie Jackson (#250) – “Mr. October’s” impressive rookie season is captured on this card where he batted .253 with 10 homers in only 89 games. Few rookie cards hold as much nostalgia and value as Reggie’s which has exceeded $750 for pristine specimens.
Nolan Ryan (#479) – Ryan’s electric arm is highlighted on this card from his second MLB season prior to becoming arguably the greatest power pitcher of all-time. Low population PSA 10 examples of his first Topps issue have reached well over $1,000.
Ted Williams (#1) – One of the classiest and most complete hitters in baseball history. Williams managed 10 homers in his final season at age 40 with the Washington Senators. His first card in the set commands absolute top dollar with PSA 10’s surpassing $1,500.
1968 World Series (#660) – This treasured card promotes the St. Louis Cardinals celebrating their 1967 World Series championship. Widely regarded as one of the scarcest cards from any 1960’s Topps set with conservative PSA 10 estimates under 10 copies in existence. Record sales prices range from between $2,000 to well over $3,000 in pristine condition.
The 1968 Topps baseball card set offers an amazing time portal back to memories on the diamond from 50 years ago. Led by standouts like Aaron, Gibson, Seaver, Ryan and Williams alongside the ultra-rare World Series card variation, this vintage issue remains of peak interest to collectors. Condition sensitive 1968s continue to exchange hands in profitable auctions as enthusiasts seek out their favorite players from a special time in baseball history.
