The 1970s was a revolutionary time for the baseball card industry. Several huge brands like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss were cranking out new sets on an annual basis and experimenting with different sizes, designs, and materials. More and more players were having their own rookie cards in this era, memorializing the early years of future Hall of Famers. With so many great cards printed in the 1970s, narrowing it down to the top 100 is a tall task, but here is my analysis of the most coveted and valuable baseball cards from that memorable decade:

1975 Nolan Ryan (#96) – Widely considered the “Mona Lisa” of baseball cards due to its rarity, condition sensitivity, and being one of the first true “superstar” pictures of a modern ace. PSA 10s routinely sell for $25K+.

1971 Nolan Ryan (#166) – Ryan’s first true rookie card (although he debuted in 1966) and the finest example of his early “stuff” years with the Angels. Still highly sought among collectors.

1972 Donruss Reggie Jackson (#76) – His first major brand issue and one of the most aesthetically pleasing cards of the decade captured in mid-stride. High grades are tough to find.

1969 Jim Palmer (#531) – One of the scarcest Oriole rookie cards ever produced and an early window into Palmer’s incredible control as he racked up 20+ wins many years.

1972 Topps Johnny Bench (#31) – Perhaps the most iconic baseball card photo ever taken, with Bench poised to unleash the power of his cannon. A true artifact of the era.

1975 Cal Ripken Jr. (#81) – Widely considered the single finest example of a pre-rookie card, with Ripken’s tools perfectly encapsulated just before the start of his legendary career.

1974 Nolan Ryan (#480) – The final issued Angels card of Ryan and one of the earliest to capture the raw heat of his 100 mph fastball in its infancy.

1971 Juan Marichal (#522) – One of the most aesthetically beautiful cards of the decade highlighting Marichal’s smooth delivery and joy for the game.

1976 George Brett (#481) – Brett’s true rookie card during his early years in Kansas City before his stardom fully blossomed in the late 70s/early 80s.

1977 Ozzie Smith (#648) – A true “needle in a haystack” card that was severely underproduced and now highly demanded due to Smith’s electrifying wizardry at shortstop.

1976 Eddie Murray (#528) – Murray was poised for greatness from the very start as shown by this iconic early Birds rookie card.

1973 Rod Carew (#551) – Capturing Carew mid-swing during his hitting prime when he won 7 batting titles and steals home constantly.

1977 Andre Dawson (#686) – One of the scarcest Expos’ rookies ever and a true gem encapsulating Dawson’s five-tool talents early on.

1978 Jim Rice (#480) – Rice’s breakout 1977 season is captured perfectly in this flagship Red Sox rookie from his Triple Crown season.

1979 Nolan Ryan (#500) – The final Angels card before his trade to the Mets, showcasing the raw ferocity that once struck out 19 in a game.

1979 Cal Ripken Jr. (#534) – Ripken’s true sophomore season issue and right before the start of his consecutive games streak. A benchmark Orioles card.

1970 Don Ross Nolan Ryan (#48) – His major league debut card and one of the most important in Angels franchise history from Donruss’ premiere year.

1974 Hank Aaron (#531) – Capturing Hammerin’ Hank’s poise and precision at the plate during the final years of his prolific career spent with Milwaukee and Atlanta.

1978 Dave Parker (#511) – With Parker having won the ’78 NL MVP/batting title, this rook card shows why he was so dominant at the plate for over a decade.

1972 Rod Carew (#72) – The centering on this early 70s Topps issue makes it one of the finest examples from the height of Carew’s batting titles with Minnesota.

1972 Billy Williams (#541) – One of Topps’ most aesthetically pleasing designs highlighting Billy “Sweet Swing” during his final season as a full-time Cub.

1972 Nolan Ryan (#91) – Perhaps the most famous “fireball” card showing Ryan’s once in a lifetime heater during the ferocious years that made him a superstar.

1978 Ron Guidry (#465) – Gator’s breakout 1977 season that saw him go 25-3 is perfectly captured here in Topps’ huge want list that year.

1971 Johnny Bench (#500) – The first true “superstar” card of Bench during his early years as the heart and soul of the Big Red Machine.

1971 Fergie Jenkins (#527) – Jenkins’ intense wind-up is on full display highlighting the peak of his Cy Young career with the Cubs in the early 70s.

1971 Greg Nettles (#397) – Nettles’ glove and power are evident very early on in his career with this outstanding Yankees rookie issue.

1976 Carlton Fisk (#629) – Arguably the most visually stunning Reds card highlighting Fisk right before his trade to the Sox and “Fisk Waves it Fair!” moment.

1977 George Brett (#92) – A true “short print” that was overshadowed by other big name rookies but shows Brett’s raw promise before stardom.

1972 Willie Mays (#546) – Capturing Say Hey in the orange and black of the Mets during the final sunset of his incredible 24-year career.

1978 Eddie Murray (#682) – An simply iconic Orioles rookie card showcasing a glimpsing of Murray’s elite talents before his Hall of Fame performance.

1979 Mike Schmidt (#687) – One of the scarcest Phillies rookies ever made, perfectly capturing a young #20’s wrists and hands which produced 500+ HRs.

1979 Nolan Ryan (#660) – Ryan’s debut with the Mets and beginning of his second act in New York before breaking pitching records is captured perfectly.

1979 Cal Ripken Jr. (#714) – Ripken’s true rookie exhibited his superb talents in the field and at the plate which defined his Hall of Fame career.

1980 Mike Schmidt (#450) – Issued card of Schmidt during the peak of his MVP/HR years, considered one of the finest examples ever produced.

1979 Goose Gossage (#695) – As a Yankee reliever, this rookie shows why Goose’s mid-90s heater made him the premier closer and sparked the one-inning closer role.

1973 Johnny Bench (#36) – One of the most aesthetically beautiful cards of the early 1970s during Bench’s defensive prime behind the dish for Cincinnati.

1974 Brooks Robinson (#629) – Perhaps the finest defensive card ever produced highlighting Robinson’s iconic pivot during the height of his defensive wizardry at 3B for the O’s.

1974 Ron Cey (#576) – Early window into Cey’s impressive combination of pop and durability that fueled the Dodgers for over a decade in the 1970s-80s.

1974 Tom Seaver (#608) – Capturing Seaver’s intense focus and pinpoint control during the peak of his Cy Young dominance as ace of the mid-70s Mets staff.

1973 Pete Rose (#590) – The intensity and relentlessness which propelled Rose to his record for hits is evident very early on in this Reds issue.

1971 Reggie Jackson (#585) – One of the finest Athletics cards highlighting Reggie’s Gold Glove caliber play in right field during his early Oakland dynasty years.

1978 Dave Parker (#461) – A true “short print” exhibiting Parker’s ability with the glove to go along with his MVP level talents at the plate.

1977 Carlton Fisk (#493) – Highlighting Fisk’s cannon for an arm during the early peak of his White Sox years that eventually led to a Hall of Fame career.

1970 Willie McCovey (#550) – A quintessential “McCovey Stance” card encapsulates his iconic left-handed swing that produced 500+ HR for SF.

1978 George Brett (#699) – Brett’s breakout 1977 season is perfectly captured during his emergence as the face of the Royals franchise for over a decade.

1972 Greg Nettles (#629) – Arguably Nettles’ most aesthetically pleasing Topps issue during his defensive prime years as anchor of the Yankees infield.

1978 Jim Rice (#738) – Capturing the combination of raw power and plate discipline that earned Rice MVP honors and so many clutch RBIs for Boston.

1975 Phil Niekro (#671) – The knuckleballer’s intensity and ability to induce weak contact is on full display during his years anchoring Atlanta’s