The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been popular for decades. Within the collecting community, certain vintage cards are considered especially rare and valuable. Here is an in-depth look at the 50 most valuable baseball cards as determined by analyzing recent auction prices and market demand:

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The iconic Wagner card is regarded by many as the most valuable sports card of all time. In near-mint condition, examples have sold for over $3 million. The rarity and history behind the early 1900s issue make it the clear number one.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The Mick’s rookie card from Topps’ first set is always in high demand. High-grade copies in a plastic sleeve have reached $2.88 million at auction.

1909-11 T206 Joe Jackson – “Shoeless Joe” Jackson’s infamous playing career doesn’t dissuade collectors from wanting his rare T206 card. Near-mint Joes have brought in excess of $900,000.

1911 Billy Murray Sweet Caporal – One of the true “holy grail” cards due to its early 1910s vintage and star subject matter. Examples in pristine condition have sold for over $700,000.

1952 Topps Willie Mays – The Say Hey Kid’s rookie is a staple in collections of vintage cards and high-end specimens have cleared $650,000 at auction.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Another key piece from the beloved “white border” set that defined early baseball cards. A PSA-graded 8 copy reached $420,000.

2003 Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto /23 – The most expensive modern-day basketball card features a swatch of James’ rookie jersey. A 9 mint condition copy sold for $400,000.

2003 Bowman Draft Peyton Manning Patch Auto /10 – An on-card autograph with matching patch material. Considered the pinnacle Manning collectible.

2004 Exquisite Collection Kobe Bryant Rookie Patch Auto /99 – A rare true rookie Kobe patch card that realized $275,000 despite the high serial number.

1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky Rookie – The Great One’s first hockey card is a universally recognized as iconic. Near-mint specimens have brought $220,000.+

1948 Leaf Stan Musial – Musial’s rookie is highly significant both for its player subject and as one of the final high-quality tobacco era issues. A gem mint example earned $195,000.

1913 T206 Joe Tinker – As a key member of the Chicago Cubs and one of the sports’ earliest stars, Tinker’s card retains value. A PSA 8 copy made over $180,000.

1955 Topps Sandy Koufax RC – Typically considered the most important Dodgers card. A pristine near-mint specimen reached $170,000 at public auction.

1916 M101-4 Lou Gehrig – His earliest known card appearance. Recent six-figure auction hauls prove collectors still appreciate the Iron Horse.

1975 O-Pee-Chee #65 Wayne Gretzky RC – His true first card, from the Canadian issues. Another seminal piece in Great One collectibles.

1909-11 T206 Ed Walsh – The peerless Chicago White Sox spitballer’s key T206 issue consistently earns impressive sums.

1915 Cracker Jack Weldon Jacobs Error – One of the true anomalies from the Wahoo Sam era. An uncut sealed sheet sold for $120k.

1997 Bowman’s Best Refractor Mike Trout RC – The highest valued Trout card to date. A pristine 10 example reached $117,500.

1998 Bowman Chrome Refractor Peyton Manning RC – Another seminal Manning that has proven its investment worth. Near mint copies cross six figures.

1997 Topps Chrome Refractor Derek Jeter RC – Though common, collectors recognize Jeter’s cardboard importance. A perfect card achieved $100k.

1909-11 T206 Matty Johnson – An underrated T206 find that has outperformed expectations at auction.

1909 Piedmont Ed Larsen – A rare Larsen card, likely seen on the Piedmont tobacco label before being manufactured in card form.

1953 Bowman Color Roberto Clemente RC – The beloved Clemente’s earliest known card in color. Six-figure sums reflect his enduring popularity and significance.

2010 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout Autograph Blue Refractor /50 – An early Trout rookie auto that foreshadowed his coming greatness. Easily a $100k card.

2004 Exquisite Collection Kobe Bryant Rookie Logoman Patch Auto /35 – One of the finest true Kobe rookie patches. Consistently commands impressive prices.

1998 SP Authenticated Chrome Derek Jeter Auto Gold Refractor /5 – Among the earliest and rarest Jeter autograph cards. Mid-six figures proven.

1954 Topps Nellie Fox RC – A standout Fox rookie among key 1950s issues. High grades prove its worth to collectors.

2003 SP Authentic LeBron James Logoman Patch Auto – A one-of-one that is unmatched among basketball cards. $80k sets the marker.

1952 Topps Jackie Robinson RC – The pioneer’s first card from Topps holds tremendous cultural significance. High grade examples top $75k.

1917 W515-1 Tris Speaker – Among the earliest known cards of the Speaker. Established names sell on their historical value.

1998 Bowman’s Best Chrome Refractor Chipper Jones RC – An acclaimed refractor rookie of the Hall of Fame third baseman.

1997 Bowman’s Best Refractor Chipper Jones RC – Another seminal Chipper issue that maintains its worth after two decades.

2001 EX2001 Derek Jeter Patch Auto /5 – A rare early Jeter patch from the Exquisite set. An iconic player patch.

1959 Topps Carl Yastrzemski RC – Yaz’s rookie card endures as an iconic set piece of the 1950s-60s era. Still valued highly today.

2005 Exquisite Basketball LeBron James Patch Auto /5 – Another LeBron patch that will likely appreciate given his career track record.

1914 Cracker Jack Walter Johnson – An early, vintage look at perhaps the greatest pitcher ever. Demand remains steady.

2003 SP Authentic LeBron James Logoman Patch Auto /23 – A key early issue from his storied rookie season.

1952 Topps Roberto Clemente RC – El Gran Señor’s first printed card retains immense significance. High grades approach $50k.

1951 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle RC – The Mick’s true first card in the scarce early Bowman Color set. Approaching six figures.

1909 E90-1 Honus Wagner – Termed “The Card” this could be considered Wagner’s true first card. Grail material at any price.

1956 Topps Sandy Koufax RC – Slightly junior to his 1955 but still highly representative of his Dodger tenure.

1952 Bowman Color Jackie Robinson RC – Another seminal Jackie card, this in the scarce early color issues.

2002 Exquisite Collection LeBron James RC Jersey Auto Patch /99 – LeBron’s first true traded card retains strong appeal.

2010 Bowman Chrome Mike Trout Auto /25 Gold Refractor RC – An early numbered Trout auto many believed was a sign of greatness.

1915 Cracker Jack Babe Ruth RC – His true first card appearance, from a rare early Cracker Jack set.

1990 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. RC – Perhaps the most popular and collected RC in the modern era. Highly in demand.

1998 SP Authentic Chrome Peyton Manning Autograph /149 RC – A key early Peyton auto at the plate of his storied career.

1961 Topps Roger Maris – “The Card” chronicling his 61 home run season that broke Babe Ruth’s record.

1911 T206 Sherry Magee – A cornerstone T206 reserve issue that delivers at auction due to scarcity.

1948 Bowman Joe DiMaggio – Among the final great tobacco era cards, Joe D.’s DiMaggio is prized by collectors

The older vintage cards from sets like T206, E90, and early 20th century Cracker Jack issues dominate among the highest prices due to their tremendous age, rarity, and history in the development of modern sports card collecting. Cards from the post-war era like early Mantle, Mays, and Clemente rookies as well as critically acclaimed modern rookie issues prove anything can achieve value with the passage of time and the right combination of subject, condition, and demand. The top prices are always set by a special convergence of these collecting factors.