The world of baseball cards is hugely popular and collecting some of the most valuable and rare cards can be very profitable. Here is a look at some of the most coveted and expensive baseball cards on the market today:

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – This is considered the holy grail of baseball cards as it is the rarest of the early 20th century tobacco era cards. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company, it is estimated only 50-200 of these were ever printed making it extremely scarce. The card features the legendary Pirate shortstop Honus Wagner who was upset over tobacco being marketed to children so production was halted. This is what drives the hype and value up so much with specimens regularly selling for upwards of $2 million.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The first Topps baseball card set from 1952 is highly regarded and Mantle’s rookie card holds incredible value as one of the all-time great Yankee outfielders. In near mint condition, it has sold for over $1 million as it was printed during Mantle’s MVP rookie season with the Yankees. Plenty were produced but high grades in excellent condition command big money.

1948 Bowman Mickey Mantle RC – While not as valuable as the ’52 Topps, this is still the first ever Mickey Mantle card produced and considered his true rookie card from Bowman Gum. Extremely scarce in high grades, a PSA 9 sold for over $375,000 showing Mantle in his Kansas City Blues minor league uniform before joining the Yankees.

2003 Exquisite Patch Autograph LeBron James RC /23 – The most expensive basketball card ever sold, this ultra-rare LeBron James rookie patch autograph from 2003 Exquisite increased exponentially in value as King James became an all-time great. With a serial number of 23/23, it sold for a record $5.2 million in January 2021.

1998 Bowman Chrome Refractor Miguel Cabrera RC – Cabrera became one of the best hitters of all time and this uber-short printed refractor from his true rookie year is one of the most coveted MLB cards out there. High grades regularly sell for well over $10,000 as demand is huge for this Tigers great.

2004-05 Exquisite Collection Patch Autograph LeBron James #6/10 – Another huge LeBron patch auto that sold for over $1 million in January 2021, this parallel version is numbered to just 10 copies and captured LBJ at the start of his historic NBA career.

2009 Bowman Sterling Johnny Depp autograph 1/1 – A one-of-a-kind gem signed by the Hollywood icon, this rare card combines Depp’s autograph with a photo of him playing baseball. It sold for over $15,000 showing crossover collecting appeal.

1909-1911 T206 Joe Jackson – “Shoeless Joe” Jackson is one of the most infamous figures in baseball history due to the Black Sox Scandal. His tobacco era cards are immensely sought after, with high grades topping $100,000 at auction.

1913-1914 Cracker Jack Honus Wagner – Essentially an imitation of the ultra-rare T206 Wagner, these cards were produced decades after the original run and still hold tremendous rarity and value nearing six figures for best quality.

1941 Play Ball Hank Aaron RC – Produced by Play Ball gum, this is considered the true first rookie card of Hammerin’ Hank during his early years with the Boston/Milwaukee Braves. It skyrocketed after Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record, with examples topping $100,000.

2007 Exquisite Patch Autograph Mike Trout RC /99 – Some of the priciest modern cards feature swoosh logoman patch autographs of budding superstars like Trout. This rare serial numbered rookie holds value as Trout ascended into an all-timer for the Angels.

1993 SP Derek Jeter Update RC – Jeter’s official Topps rookie debuted in the flagship set but this coveted SP update issue comes with far lower print runs and more eye appeal. High grades hit $10,000-plus with Jeter’s legendary Yankee success.

2004 Bowman Chrome Blue Refractor Albert Pujols RC /250 – One of the biggest stars of his generation, Pujols’ sought after chrome rookie refractor parallels are serial numbered to just 250 copies. Examples graded Mint 9 have topped the $5,000 price point.

2006 Topps Chrome Refractors Alex Gordon /Ryan Braun RCs – High-end double rookie chromes of these former top prospects offer crossover MLB/Chrome collectors a chance at two star players for the price of one higher end card.

2012 Topps Mike Trout Autograph Blue Wave /25 – Trout mania has defined the new vintage collecting market, with this short print parallel auto topping $5,000 plus as one of the most visually striking cards of his early career years.

2003 Topps Chrome Red Refractor Clayton Kershaw RC /150 – Predicted to go down as one of the all-time great Dodgers pitchers, Kershaw’s chrome rookie refractor parallels hold premium value, especially with about a decade of dominance under his belt so far.

1949 Leaf Ted Williams – One of the early post-WW2 issues to feature the Great Ted during his batting title years with the Boston Red Sox. Highly collectible examples in pristine condition sell for upwards of $10,000.

1998 Bowman’s Best Refractors Chipper Jones /Randy Johnson – Another two great Hall of Famers included in this high-value parallel/refractor pairing from the late 90s boom era of Bowman.

1956 Topps Mickey Mantle – Considered by many to be the apex of Mantle’s iconic Topps card designs during his Yankee dynasty years. Grading a pristine Mint 9, it sold for over $100,000 in late 2020.

1963 Topps Harmon Killebrew – Iconic snapshot of one of the great sluggers of the 1960s AL playing for the Minnesota Twins. High grades approach 5 figures.

1948 Leaf Minnie Minoso – Captured the Cuban Comet during his early years breaking in with the White Sox. Highly collectible for fans of the pioneering Minoso.

2014 Topps Tribute Mike Trout Autograph 1/1 – Ultra-exclusive private signing 1-of-1 featuring a stunning artistic collage photo of Trout. Sold at auction for over $20,000.

2006 SP Legendary Cuts Game Used Jerseys Chipper Jones / Greg Maddux – Dual memorabilia card mixing patches from these esteemed Atlanta Braves stars is a must-have for true memorabilia collectors.

2011 Topps Update All-Star Game Used Bat Albert Pujols – Pujols was at his peak with this high-end piece containing an actual game-used bat splinter. Grading pristine adds substantial value near $2,000.

There are countless other vintage and modern basketball cards that could be included on this list as stars like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and more have generated plenty of lucrative modern cards as well. These represent some of the most exciting, rare, and valuables cards that serious collectors covet in the never-ending world of sports card investing and collecting. Condition and scarcity will always be crucial in determining the ultimate value of these prized pieces of memorabilia chronicling many of baseball’s, and sports’, immortal greats.