The most valuable baseball cards in the world can sell for millions of dollars. These rare and historic cards capture some of the most iconic players, sets and moments from the early days of baseball card collecting. The hobby has grown exponentially over the decades with a dedicated collector base always on the hunt for the rarest finds. Here’s a look at some of the top 200 most valuable baseball cards that have sold at auction:
1909 T206 Honus Wagner – The crown jewel of the hobby, fewer than 60 examples are known to exist of this iconic Wagner card. In mint condition, a T206 Wagner regularly tops six figures and the finest specimens have sold for millions, including a PSA Gem Mint example that sold for $6.6 million in 2016.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – One of just a handful grading a perfect Gem Mint PSA 10, a 1952 Topps Mantle is considered the most valuable post-war card. In 2018 a PSA 10 example sold for $2.88 million, setting records at the time.
1913 T206 Mathewson – Another rare and early tobacco card, the T206 Mathewson features Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson. An example in PSA 4.5 condition sold for $672,000 in 2015.
1954 Topps Roberto Clemente – A key rookie card for this Pirates legend, high-graded 1954 Clementes have topped six figures. A PSA 9 brought $108,000 at auction in 2010.
1951 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle – The first color card of the Mick’s rookie season, graded examples in high grade routinely sell for over $100,000. A PSA 8 went for $109,200 in 2018.
1909 T206 Ty Cobb – A T206 of Cobb in the same league of rarity as the Wagner, around 60 are known. The Tyrus sold at auction in 2016 for $686,500 in VG condition.
1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson – One of the rarest pre-war cards at under 10 known, and featuring controversial Shoeless Joe Jackson. A PSA 2.5 copy brought $364,500 in 2010.
1913 T206 Cy Young – High grades of this early tobacco issue of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young are scarce. A PSA 5 copy sold for $136,800 in 2010.
1960 Topps Roberto Clemente Rookie – The key first-year card of the Pittsburgh Pirate, a PSA 9 copy sold for $108,000 in 2018.
1952 Topps Willie Mays – An early Mays card from his rookie season that has risen significantly in value in recent years. A high-graded PSA 9 sold for $197,280 in 2013.
1963 Topps Sandy Koufax – One of the toughest cards to find in high grade from the ’60s, especially for the Hall of Fame lefty’s career year. A PSA 9 sold for $80,400 in 2019.
1914 Cracker Jack Napoleon Lajoie – Less than 10 are believed to exist of this super-rare pre-war issue of Naps Lajoie. A PSA-graded 4 copy sold for $96,000 in 2015.
1915 Cracker Jack Walter Johnson – A key early vintage card of Hall of Famer Walter Johnson. A PSA 3.5 copy commanded $79,200 in 2010.
1910-11 T206 Eddie Plank – Highly conditioned examples of this rare American Tobacco issue of A’s pitcher Eddie Plank rarely appear. A PSA 4.5 sold for $82,800 in 2011.
1949 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle Rookie – One of the most iconic and beautiful vintage baseball cards, graded copies in high grade regularly sell for over $50,000.
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig – A pre-war sportrait of the Iron Horse in high demand. A PSA 8 sold for $69,600 in 2013.
1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx – Sportraits of this A’s slugger also remain scarce and valuable. A PSA 8 example brought $51,840 in 2013.
1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean – Hard to find earlier Dean cards in top shape, before he moved over to Goudey. A PSA 5 copy sold for $66,000 in 2013.
1951 Bowman Color Don Newcombe Rookie – Highly collectible rookie card of Dodgers’ star pitcher. A PSA 7 example sold for $37,440 in 2018.
1972 Topps Johnny Bench – A true icon of ’70s cards, especially in pristine condition. A PSA 10 of Bench’s key 1972 design brought $55,200 in 2018.
1910-11 T206 Rube Marquard – Under 20 examples are known of this very rare American Tobacco pitcher issue. A PSA 4 copy realized $44,000 in 2005.
1914 Cracker Jack Eddie Plank – Another of the rare Plank tobacco-era issues, just a handful are known. A PSA 5.5 sold for $40,320 in 2008.
1914 Cracker Jack Tris Speaker – Extremely rare Cracker Jack issue of Hall of Fame outfielder Tris Speaker. A PSA 4 copy brought $30,240 in 2015.
1915 Cracker Jack Home Run Baker – Less than 10 are believed to exist of this Jack Lapp-era card of Frank “Home Run” Baker. A PSA-graded 6 sold for $37,440 in 2010.
1933 Goudey Mel Ott – Early glossy sportrait card of Giants star is highly coveted by collectors in top condition. A PSA 8 sold for $27,360 in 2013.
1967 Topps Nolan Ryan Rookie – Iconic and valuable rookie card for the Express. Graded examples routinely sell in the five figures.
1947 Leaf Bill Voiselle – Among the rarest and most desired cards, only around a half dozen “pebbles” are believed to exist. A 7 sold for $33,600 in 2016.
1911 T206 Sherry Magee – Extremely rare early tobacco card, around 20 are known from this issue. A VG 5 example fetched $27,000 in 2005.
1916 M101-1 Walter Johnson – One of the earliest 20th century card sets, Washington Senator ace Johnson has keys in high demand. A 6 sold for $39,120 in 2007.
1933 Goudey Lefty Gomez – Key ’30s sportrait of Lefty Gomez a pricey find in choice condition. A PSA-graded 8 sold for $24,960 in 2013.
1914 Cracker Jack Grover Cleveland Alexander – Historic early card of Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. A PSA-graded 3.5 sold for $24,000 in 2010.
1957 Topps Mel Ott – Ott’s 1957 design is one of the scarcest and most collectible designs from that decade. A PSA 9 sold for $18,960 in 2011.
1968 Topps Reggie Jackson Rookie – Iconic rookie from ’68 set of Mr. October. PSA 10s bring over $15,000.
1973 Topps Nolan Ryan – Ryan ‘turned back the clock’ a few times during a Hall of Fame career. PSA 10s top $10,000.
1916 T206 Joe Jackson – One of the most recognizable names stained by the Black Sox scandal. A PSA 4.5 sold for $23,040 in 2016.
1933 Goudey Billy Herman – Scarce ’30s sportrait issue of the Cubs’ second baseman. A PSA 8 sold for $19,200 in 2018.
1964 Topps Sandy Koufax – Key to the superstar hurler’s prime years, especially in top shape. A PSA 9 sold for $16,320 in 2016.
2006 SP Legendary Cuts Reggie Jackson – Extremely rare autograph parallel, fewer than 10 are known. A PSA 10 sold for $16,800 in 2016.
1960 Topps Pete Rose Rookie – Iconic first card of Charlie Hustle from his Rookie Cup days. PSA 10s sell for $15,000+.
1952 Topps Billy Martin Rookie – Scarce first card of irascible Yankees second baseman and manager. A PSA 8 sold for $15,120 in 2014.
1974 Topps Nolan Ryan (no. 1) – Iconic ‘first card’ for Ryan’s record-setting career. Top graded examples top $6-7,000.
1918 Cracker Jack Eddie Collins – Key early vintage card of Hall of Famer Eddie Collins. A PSA 3.5 sold for $11,520 in 2007.
1975 Topps Carl Yastrzemski – Yaz’s final rookie-style card before retirement, highly regarded issue. PSA 10s bring $6,000-7,000.
1933 Goudey Carl Hubbell – Early sportrait of Hall of Fame Giants pitcher Carl Hubbell is a pricey rarity. A PSA 8 sold for $13,600 in 2013.
1916 T206 Walter Johnson – Iconic early tobacco issue of Walter Johnson amongst the most desirable. A 4.5 copy sold for $13,440 in 2012.
1954 Topps Ernie Banks Rookie – Scarce first card of Mr. Cub from his rookie season with the Cubs. A PSA 8 brought $12,480 in 2011.
1968 SSPC Jim Palmer Rookie