Baseball cards have been popular collectibles since the late 19th century. Some of the earliest and rarest baseball cards can be worth a small fortune today. As with many collectibles, the condition and scarcity of a card plays a major role in determining its value. Here are 10 of the most valuable and expensive baseball cards that could fetch hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars if they are in pristine condition:
1909 T206 Honus Wagner: Often cited as the most valuable baseball card in existence, the 1909 T206 Wagner is the holy grail for collectors. Produced by American Tobacco Company, it is estimated only 50-200 examples exist in all grades. The scarcity is attributed to Wagner refusing inclusion in the original issue due to his opposition to tobacco. In 2009, one gem mint condition example sold at auction for $2.8 million, setting a new record. Other high grade specimens have sold for over $1 million. Even moderately played copies can sell for six figures.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: As perhaps the most iconic player in baseball history, Mantle’s rookie card from Topps’ first modern issues is extremely coveted. Production miscues led to the Mantle card having a far lower print run than others in the set, increasing its cachet. High grade Mantle rookies have sold for well over $100,000, with one graded gem mint 10 fetching $275,000 in 2007. Well-centered, sharp examples in the 7-9 range can still pull in $30,000-$70,000.
1933 Goudey Babe Ruth: Considered the king of all vintage cards, the Goudey Ruth features “The Bambino” in profile wearing his trademark collar and cap. It’s estimated only 50-100 high grade copies exist of the 500,000 originally printed due to the fragile gum-backed construction. One mint 9 copy sold for $201,000 in 2007. Other superb specimens have sold for $90,000-$150,000. Even heavily played copies in the 2-3 range can sell for over $10,000.
1957 Topps Sandy Koufax: Koufax’s rookie card from Topps’ first post-WWII design holds incredible value due to his Hall of Fame career and legendary status. Only about 50 graded copies exist in a gem mint 10, making it one of the toughest 1960s cards to find pristine. One 10 copy sold at auction in 2021 for $309,120, setting a new record. Others in the 9.5-10 range have sold for $80,000-$200,000 recently. Even in an 8-9, a collector would pay $10,000-$30,000.
1909 E90-1 Johnny Evers: The ultra-rare Evers card was issued during the infancy of the hobby. It pictured future Hall of Famer Evers as a member of the Cubs during the 1909 season. Produced by the E90-1 company (aka Baltimore News), experts believe only 10-50 survive. In 2011, a PSA Mint 9 copy sold for $79,425. Others have sold for anywhere from $60,000 to well over $100,000 when graded 8 or higher. Even in a 6/6.5, this card can pull $10,000-$15,000.
1916 M101-8 Hal Chase: Third baseman Hal Chase’s lone baseball card was issued by the U.S. Playing Card Company as part of their rarely seen M101-8 series. Due to the fragile cigarette style design and low original print run, very few survive in any condition. A PSA Authentic 5 sold in a 2015 auction for $73,875. Other high grade specimens have sold for over $50,000. Even in lower 3-4 grades, it can fetch $10,000-$20,000 when authenticated.
1909 E120 T206 Christy Mathewson: Mathewson is one of the biggest stars of the legendary T206 set produced by American Tobacco. His imposing photo and storied career have made “Big Six’s” card an all-time favorite. Around 500-1000 examples exist across all grades according to experts. A PSA Authentic 7 copy once sold for $60,500 in a 2009 auction. Other high grade copies regularly change hands for $30,000 up to $50,000 based on condition.
1952 Topps Willie Mays: While not quite as scarce as the Mantle, cards featuring soon-to-be Hall of Famer Willie Mays are extremely desirable. Topps greatly undershipped the ’52 set, making any high grade Mays difficult to locate. A PSA Gem Mint 10 realized $63,500 at auction in 2006. Others in the 7-9 range have sold for $20,000 up to as much as $50,000 depending on centering and sharpness.
1973 Topps Nolan Ryan: Ryan’s only rookie card issued by Topps during the start of his record-setting career. Due to small original print run, finding one flawless is a monumental challenge. The single PSA 10 graded copy sold for $50,000 in 2014. Elsewhere, ungraded copies in EX+/NM condition have sold for $12,000-$30,000. Even in a 7-8, it could fetch $5,000-$10,000 based on eye appeal.
1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth: Long before Ruth established the home run record, he starred as a pitching phenom for the Red Sox on this rare insert card from a Boston newspaper. Fewer than 10 graded examples exist according to the top third party graders. In 2016, a respectable VG-EX 4 sold for $46,500 through auction. Others confirmed by authentication have sold for $30,000-$45,000 when graded 5-7.
Condition is everything when determining value of vintage cards more than a century old like Wagner, Ruth and others on this list. Even incremental differences in centering, corners and surface defects between grades can represents thousands if not tens of thousands of dollars. For the ultra-rare pre-war cards featuring all-time legends, a high grade example could be a million-dollar asset. Modern superstar rookie cards like Koufax or Ryan also have incredible appreciating value particularly in pristine mint condition. With scarcity and demand constantly surging for vintage cardboard, these 10 cards should only increase in value over time.
