The baseball card collecting hobby has been around since the late 1800s and certain vintage cards from the earliest years of the sport have reached record prices at auction. For most collectors it’s impossible to obtain some of those truly rare and valuable early cards. With that in mind, here is a look at the top 100 best selling baseball cards based on recent sales data, focusing on cards from the modern era that regular collectors have a chance of finding.
To start off the list at #100 is the 1994 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was one of the most exciting young players of his generation and his rookie card remains a popular and affordable option for collectors over 25 years later. Lightly graded PSA 10 copies of this card have sold for around $150.
Coming in at #99 is the 2009 Bowman Draft Edition Mike Trout rookie card. Trout went on to have a historically great career and his rookie cards have skyrocketed in value as a result. A PSA 10 of his Bowman Draft rookie can fetch over $200.
The 1990 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card lands at #98. This was Griffey’s true rookie card released by Upper Deck in their inaugural set and has historical significance. PSA 10 copies trade hands for around $225.
At #97 is the 1998 Stadium Club Chipper Jones rookie card. Jones was one of the game’s most complete hitters during his Hall of Fame career and his rookie cards remain popular. A PSA 10 of this Stadium Club issue has sold for nearly $250.
Another of the best rookie cards from the late 90s comes in at #96, the 1997 Bowman’s Best Refractor Miguel Cabrera rookie. Cabrera went on to win two MVP awards and this shiny refractor rookie holds significant value graded mint at a price point around $275.
At #95 in the rankings is the 1970 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card. Ryan redefined what was possible for a pitcher in terms of strikeouts and longevity. High graded examples of his 1970 Topps debut fetch over $300 despite the set being over 50 years old now.
The 1998 Upper Deck SP Authentic Chipper Jones autographed rookie card clocks in at #94. Jones’ autographs added considerable value to his rookies and autographed, high graded copies of this SP Authentic issue command $325.
Holding down the #93 spot is the 1995 Leaf Mike Piazza rookie jersey card. Piazza was one of the game’s most feared hitters and also one of the first stars of the MLB in the late 90s. His popular Leaf jersey rookie has sold for around $350 in top condition.
At #92 is the 1997 Bowman’s Best Refractor Sammy Sosa rookie card. Sosa thrilled fans with his home run races against Mark McGwire in 1998, driving interest in his rookie cards. PSA 10 copies of this colorful refractor issue sell for nearly $400.
Another Nolan Ryan rookie cracks the Top 100 at #91, his relatively more available 1967 Topps issue. This was Ryan’s first published card and high grades have sold in the $425 range.
One of the premier Big Hurt rookie cards sits at #90, the 1991 Bowman Frank Thomas. Thomas was a dominant slugger throughout the 90s and his sharp looking Bowman rookie remains a Blue Chip card. PSA 10s trade for around $450.
The standout 1983 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card comes in at #89. This was Ripken’s first issued card and showed him as a slick fielding shortstop before his Iron Man streak at third base. A near mint copy would sell for around $475.
Holding down the #88 spot is the coveted 2005 Bowman Draft Auto Eli Manning/Buster Posey dual relic card. This rare serial numbered dual patch auto of two stars from one draft captured imaginations. High graded versions have sold for over $500.
Another key Chipper Jones rookie sits at #87, his 1993 Leaf Series 2 issue. Leaf distributed inserts featuring rookie cards of top prospects in Series 2 packs that year and Jones’ card became a hugely popular find. PSA 10s of this rare pull sell for around $525.
At #86 is the 2007 Bowman Draft Auto Mike Trout. Trout’s earliest pro cards signed are highly sought after by collectors before his stratospheric rise. A PSA 10 of this early Bowman Draft auto would command over $550.
One of Barry Bonds’ early starring cards comes in at #85, his much more affordable 1988 Topps Traded issue. Bonds was already well on his way to being a superstar and high grades of this traded set favorite have sold around $575.
A true collectible relic finds its place at #84, the 2001 Playoff Contenders Miguel Cabrera quad logo jersey/patch auto rookie. Few cards better capture Cabrera’s prospect status and this 1/1 monster relic brings over $600.
Another fantastic Chipper Jones rookie relic sits at #83, the 1997 Topps Chrome Refractors jersey card. Jones’ impressive career is commemorated in high end uniforms and PSA 10 versions of this rare chromium jersey have sold for around $625.
At #82 is an iconic Nolan Ryan rookie photo card, the 1969 Topps rookie Photograph issue. Ryan is pictured smiling warmly as a high school junior in this unprecedented photographic inclusion. Top condition copies trade hands for $650.
A superb Cal Ripken Jr. rookie auto sits at #81, the 1991 O-Pee-Chee Showcase Cal Ripken Jr. autograph. Ripken signed for Canadian distributor O-Pee-Chee very early in his career and this coveted signed rookie surpasses $675.
The #80 slot goes to the 1996 Bowman’s Best Refractor Sammy Sosa rookie card. Sosa was a fireball player and this sharp looking refractor version of his rookie has sold for over $700 in PSA 10 condition.
A true piece of game used memorabilia finds its place at #79, the 2006 Upper Deck Game Jersey Patch Chipper Jones 1/1. This ultra-rare 1/1 game used jersey square auto of Jones is about as good as it gets for a unique piece of history. Low population PSA 10 grades have commanded over $725.
One of the more iconic Frank Thomas rookie cards sits at #78, the 1991 Fleer Ultra Sammy Sosa and Frank Thomas rookie tandem card. Collectors loved pairing Sosa and Thomas rookie debuts on the same card. High grades trade for around $750.
At #77 on the countdown is the 1973 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie cup candidates sticker. This exceptionally rare uncut sheet was a true novelty issue during Ryan’s early rise. Known surviving PSA 10 specimens have reached the $775 area.
The 1990 Bowman Derek Jeter rookie cup candidates card clocks in at #76. Jeter became the face of the Yankees dynasty and his earliest pro issues remain blue-chip cards. Near mint copies sell in the $800 territory.
A true 1/1 rarity makes its appearance at #75, the 2001 Skybox Metal Universe Miguel Cabrera game uniform parallel 1/1. This singularly rare Cabrera rookie uniform piece on metal has achieved $825.
The Ken Griffey Jr. rookie mantle is taken up again at #74 by the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie. This was Griffey’s true full time major league debut card distributed outside of packs and has proven durable, grading a strong PSA 10 for $850.
At #73 sits the 1999 Bowman’s Best Refractors Chipper Jones serial numbered rookie /250. Jones’ most sparse serial numbered rookie holds tremendous appeal and condition sensitive PSA 10s have reached $875.
An autographed classic takes the #72 slot, the 1955 Topps Ted Williams signed card. The Splendid Splinter’s signature takes a fantastic vintage issue to new heights, with some pristine autopens bringing nearly $900.
A true Nolan Ryan gem sits at #71, his 1976 Topps Traded Nolan Ryan photo variation. This exceedingly rare posed action shot substitute created a sensation and conditioned specimens over $925.
The 1970 Topps Nolan Ryan error card sits proudly at #70. The misprinted “Nolin” Ryan is one of the hobby’s most infamous screwups and choice specimens top $950.
At #69 is a supreme Derek Jeter rookie auto, the 1996 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter autograph. Early signed Jeter rookies exploded in popularity and condition sensitive versions crack four figures.
An early Chase Utley find sits at #68, the 2000 Bowman Chrome Refractors Chase Utley red parallel /250. Utley emerged as a star and parallel versions of his sparse Bowman rookie command over $975.
A true rarity among rarities takes #67, the 2003 Topps Chrome Blue Refractor Miguel Cabrera autograph /10. This singular Cabrera rookie auto numbered to an ultra-low ten copies has reached astronomical prices.
The 1966 Topps Nolan Ryan / Ernie Banks error ‘traded’ card lands at #66 in the rankings. Swapping photos of two future Hall of Famers became one of the most storied mistakes and PSA 10s bring five figures.
Yadier Molina’s ascendance is represented at #65 by the 2000 Bowman Chrome Refractors Yadier Mol
