The world of rare and vintage baseball cards is a fascinating one. Collectors have spent decades acquiring some of the sport’s most prized pieces of memorabilia in card form. Here is an in-depth look at some of the 100 rarest baseball cards that fetch enormous prices at auction.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner: The crown jewel of the hobby, the Wagner card is arguably the most iconic and valuable trading card ever made. The legendary shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates had a playing career from 1897 to 1917. Only around 60 examples are known to exist today in varying conditions. InNear Mint-Mint condition, examples have reached auction prices exceeding $3 million, making it truly one of a kind among collectibles.

1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig: One of the earliest premier issues after the great depression, the iconic Gehrig cards are remarkably scarce. The 1953 Bowman color card of Gehrig is also very rare, with around 10 known to exist. High graded 1933 Goudey Gehrig rookies can reach $500,000.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank: A dominant left-handed pitcher of the early 20th century, Plank starred for the Philadelphia A’s dynasty in the early 1910s. His rare T206 tobacco card is one of the most coveted among vintage pitchers, often rivaling the Wagner’s same-era price tags. Only a handful remain in collectors’ hands today.

1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC: Not technically a baseball card, but the legendary “Great One’s” rookie in the O-Pee-Chee hockey issue is similarly the crown jewel of that sport’s memorabilia market. Several have sold for over $1 million, making it one of the highest valued modern cards.

1913 Baba EHRTHOE Baseball Cigarettes E80: Considered the EHRTHOE errorvariation, this ultra-rare tobacco card features legendary Tigers pitcher George “Baba” Ehmhoe in erroneous text on the front. Just a couple are known to historians. It ranks as one of the most significant T206 variations.

1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean: A dominant pitcher of the 1930s, Dean’s brief but spectacular career resulted in many impressive accolades. His scarce 1933 Goudey card is one of the most iconic of the “Gashouse Gang” St. Louis Cardinals. High graded examples consistently reach six figures at auction.

1972 Topps Nolan Ryan RC: The all-time leader in strikeouts had one of the longest and most accomplished careers in baseball history. His coveted 1972 Topps rookie is one of the most iconic RCs ever produced. High graded versions routinely sell for well over $10,000.

1915 Cracker Jack Walter Johnson: One of the most dominant hurlers who ever lived, Johnson spent over two decades starring for the Washington Senators. His rare 1915 Cracker Jack card is among the most coveted pitchers from the Deadball Era. Just a handful are believed to exist in high grades.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee: A star outfielder and member of the famous “$100,000 Infield,” Magee’s tobacco cards are spectacularly rare. Fewer than 10 of the originals are known to have survived in collectors’ hands in over a century. Very high grades can reach $500,000 USD.

1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson: One of the all-time great hitters whose career was tainted by the Black Sox Scandal. Jackson’s sole vintage card is a true key to any serious collection, with under 10 high graded examples believed extant. Seven-figure prices have been achieved for pristine specimens.

1976 O-Pee-Chee Cecil Fielder RC: Coming nearly a decade before his Rookie of the Year campaign, Fielder’s rookie card in the Canadian O-Pee-Chee issue is one of the rarest and most coveted modern RCs produced. Just a handful are known, enabling six-figure prices when found in mint condition.

1919 Billy Snodgrass: An elusive “error” card featuring this New York Giants outfielder, the Snodgrass card has textual issues making it one of the more significant T206 variations. Less than five survivors are documented in the hands of collectors today. It routinely ranks in the annual Population Report.

1966 Topps Nolan Ryan PSA 10: Ryan’s first flagship Topps issue rookie from 1966 in pristine PSA/SGC 10 condition is the Holy Grail for true Ryan PC collectors. With an extremely limited population, just a couple truly perfect 10 graded examples are known to exist today.

2003 Exquisite Jordan McCray 1/1: In the modern era, printing plate autographs of prospects who never panned out can make for truly rare and valuable modern parallels. McCray’s Exquisite 1/1 printing plate auto takes the cake among the thousands of modern parallels issued.

1976 Topps Gregg Jefferies US346 Error: A spectacularly rare error card short printing Topps’ then highly touted prospect without the proper team designation. A true anomaly, it is among the most significant modern errors known.

1913 E134 Laroche/Lajoie: Perhaps the most infamous error in the game’s history, the single known surviving swap illustrates brilliantly the fallibility of early trading card production. Regardless of condition it continues to captivate collectors over a century later.

1909-11 T206 Sherwood Magee: The brother of star Sherry Magee, Sherwood’s tobacco card is one of the great rarities among players of that era. An elusive piece to track down, especially in high grade.

1914 Cracker Jack Tom Hughes: One of the most forgotten early stars, Hughes shined with the Boston Braves in the Deadball Era’s second decade. His lone Cracker Jack card endures as a supremely rare keystone for vintage collections.

2009 Topps Chrome Mike Trout 1/1: Though he hadn’t debuted in the majors yet, Trout’s 2009 Topps Chrome printing plate parallel showed his immense promise. One of the most valuable modern rookies ever pulled straight from a pack in pristine condition.

1914 Cracker Jack Ray Chapman: A star shortstop whose career was tragically cut short after being struck in the head by a pitch in 1920. His solo 1914 Cracker Jack makes for a solemn piece of baseball and card history.

1915 Cracker Jack Tris Speaker: One of the all-time greats, Speaker enjoyed a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians spanning two decades. His 1915 Cracker Jack is among the most significant issues highlighting stars of the Deadball period.

1907 N172 Old Mill Tobacco Joe DiMaggio: Though not an actual rookie card, Joe D’s sole pre-war card is simply one of the most desirable pieces of all-time from a legendary player. Few than 10 are known to exist.

1951 Bowman Color Roy Campanella: One of just a select group of the fabled but scarce ’51 Bowman coloring book issues featuring this Dodgers catching great. Among the key post-war vintage cards to obtain.

1977 O-Pee-Chee Cal Ripken Jr. RC: Bird’s RC counterparts are similarly very rare, with the Canadian issues making for real keys to an RC collection. Cal holds many post-war records at shortstop.

2009 Topps Chrome Mike Trout 1/1 Printing Plate: Though still a pre-rookie at the time, Trout’s true 1/1 printing plate from 2009 takes the cake as one of the singular rarest modern cards ever produced. Simply impossible to surpass in terms of rarity.

With so much history behind these iconic cards, it’s no wonder collecting them has become such a mammoth hobby. Each piece helps tell the story of legends who left an indelible mark on America’s Pastime. And as the game evolves, new stars continue to produce their own seminal rookies that will join the ranks of the rarest for years to come. The chase is half the fun, whether acquiring common issues or the most elusive keys to any vintage collection.