The rarest and most sought-after baseball cards in existence can fetch hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars at auction. These vintage cards from the early 20th century are iconic pieces of sports memorabilia history that only the most dedicated collectors ever hope to obtain. Here’s a look at 20 of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards ever printed:

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – Estimated value: $3,000,000+
The poster boy for rare and valuable cards, the T206 Honus Wagner is arguably the most prized trading card of all time. Only around 60 are known to exist in various conditions. The card has achieved several world record sales prices in the millions at auction.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – Estimated value: $500,000+
The legendary Mickey Mantle’s rookie card is undoubtedly one of the most desirable in the hobby. High grade 1952 Topps Mantles can demand prices well over half a million dollars. Condition is critical, as with most vintage cards.

1933 Goudey Billy Jurges – Estimated value: $400,000+
An extremely rare pre-war issue, the 1933 Goudey Billy Jurges card has seen at least two reach around the $400k price point in recent years. Fewer than 10 are believed to still exist in collectors’ hands worldwide.

1916 M101-8 Jim Thorpe – Estimated value: $250,000+
One of the earliest documented American football and Olympic champion Jim Thorpe’s likeness, the M101-8 from 1916 is a true prize for any collection. Fewer than 10 in all are accounted for in a range of conditions.

2007 Bowman Draft Auto Mike Trout RC /99 – Estimated value: $250,000+
Perhaps no modern card holds more potential value than Mike Trout’s ultra-rare autographed rookie card from 2007 Bowman Draft, serial numbered to just 99 copies. An absolute must-have for Angels fans and prospect hounds.

1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – Estimated value: $175,000+
One of the more easily recognizable T206 players after Honus Wagner, Sherry Magee’s issue remains quite rare in its own right. Considered the “poor man’s Wagner,” high grades can still fetch six figures or more on today’s market.

1922 E121 Babe Ruth – Estimated value: $150,000+
An early Bambino issue while with the Red Sox, the aggressively designed 1922 E121 Babe Ruth card stands out as one of the rarest pre-war singles. Only a handful are known to exist in collectors’ hands to date.

1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig – Estimated value: $125,000+
The Iron Horse’s first ever baseball card appearance came courtesy of 1933 Goudey, making this one of the most revered issues for Yankees fans and Gehrig admirers. Even well-worn copies command big bucks based on renown alone.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank – Estimated value: $100,000+
Though not in the same universe as Wagner, top condition examples of solid ballplayers like Eddie Plank from the hallowed T206 set can still break six figures. Plank’s smooth smiling portrait remains a standout.

1909-11 T206 Cy Young – Estimated value: $90,000+
The famed winningest pitcher of all-time, Cy Young, graces one of the most recognizable T206 images. High grade copies continue rising in value as one of the key veteran cards from that era-defining release.

1954 Topps Roberto Clemente RC – Estimated value: $85,000+
Still one of the most iconic rookie cards in the hobby, finding a true gem mint condition 1954 Topps Roberto Clemente is next to impossible. An exemplar of just how much stronger foreign-born stars’ cards have gotten over the decades.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Estimated value: $80,000+
Like Plank and Young before it, high grade examples of pitching great Christy Mathewson’s equally handsome and storied T206 offering can push towards and above the $80k boundary with the right marketplace context.

1951 Bowman Color Ted Williams – Estimated value: $75,000+
One of the true whales of the post-war era, a superb 1951 Bowman Color Ted Williams in its vibrant Reds-dominated design is a true condition-sensitive masterpiece worth landmark money to the right collector.

1933 Goudey Dazzy Vance – Estimated value: $70,000+
Few 1930s issues can rival the aura of Dazzy Vance’s solo 1933 Goudey offering. One of the scarcest Dodger and NL pitching stars of the Deadball period, with less than 10 survivors industry-wide.

1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson – Estimated value: $65,000+
The infamous “Shoeless Joe” Jackson appeared in several rare sets prior to his legendary Black Sox involvement. High grades of his earliest published cardboard continue appreciating strongly given his controversially enduring fanbase.

1933 Goudey Lefty Grove – Estimated value: $60,000+
One of the truly dominate pitchers of the 1930s, multi-time champion Lefty Grove’s lone 1933 Goudey depiction is among the most acclaimed and valuable pre-war cigarettes issues outside of the true elites.

1948 Leaf Roberto Clemente RC – Estimated value: $55,000+
While overshadowed by his ’54 Topps debut, finding the aggressively colored 1948 Leaf Roberto Clemente in pristine condition represents one of the true crown jewels for collectors of Latin baseball history.

1953 Topps Willie Mays RC – Estimated value: $50,000+
Arguably the most skilled all-around player ever, superstar Willie Mays’ first Topps issue makes for an epic chase card for collectors, though high grades beyond 8s remain very scarce.

1916 M101-4 Cobb/Speaker – Estimated value: $45,000+
One of the earliest known dual rookie cards, showcasing baseball immortals Ty Cobb and Tris Speaker, whose legendary careers had only just begun at the time of printing. A key piece of deadball period history.

1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx – Estimated value: $40,000+
The last great slugger of the deadball transition period, Jimmie Foxx’s lone 1933 Goudey rendition leaves few of its kind behind in the hands of collectors today. A true one-of-a-kind piece for Hall of Fame completists.

Vintage baseball cards from the early 20th century truly represent the pinnacle of the collecting hobby. These iconic images showcase the legends who built the national pastime into the American institution it is today. With conditions and populations dwindling by the decades, pristine examples of the above 20 rarest pre-war issues may someday achieve even higher prices than seen before. For dedicated collectors, finding any one of these true “holy grails” would be a monumental achievement.