Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over 135 years since the appearance of the original baseball card in 1886. Some of these old cards have become extremely valuable due to their rarity and condition. The most valuable baseball cards are usually the very earliest ones from the 1880s and 1890s as well as rookie cards of legendary players that are in near perfect condition. Here are some of the most expensive and prized baseball cards that collectors covet.

Sporting Life 1886 Old Judge – Considered the very first hobby trading card, only 52 examples are known to exist of this tobacco card featuring future hall of famer Chicago White Stockings Cap Anson. One example in near mint condition sold for $117,000 at auction in 2007, making it the most valuable non-sports card in existence. Its rarity and status as the first baseball card ever produced has made the 1886 Old Judge the standard by which all other cards are judged.

T206 Honus Wagner – Widely regarded as the rarest and most expensive baseball card, the legendary 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card was a tobacco promotion that featured the future hall of famer but was supposed to have been pulled due to Wagner’s objection to promoting cigarettes. Extremely few survive, with estimates of only 50-200 known to exist from a print run of only 1000. One in near mint condition sold for $2.8 million in 2016, making it likely the most valuable collectible card of any kind. The card’s immense rarity and featuring one of the games earliest superstars has cemented the Wagner’s status as the holy grail for collectors.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – As one of the earliest Topps baseball cards ever made, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card holds immense nostalgia and historical significance as it features “The Commerce Comet” in his first season. Fewer than 50 are known to exist in truly pristine gem mint condition. One gem mint 1952 Mantle rookie recently became the highest graded card ever sold when it fetched $5.2 million at auction in 2018, attesting to its iconic status. As one of the most desired baseball cards of the post-war era, a high quality ’52 Mantle will likely remain the most valuable modern card.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Like the famed Wagner card of the same tobacco era T206 set, the Mathewson is exceptionally rare with only around 25-50 survivors known. Considered one of the legendary “Spitballers” of the Deadball Era and a cornerstone of the early New York Giants dynasty, Mathewson’s iconic status makes high grade examples hugely desirable. One PSA Picket Palmer treasure grade T206 Mathewson sold for $2.56 million in 2016.

1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth – As one of the earliest and most significant baseball card sets still highly collectible today, the 1933 Goudey set holds immense nostalgia. Naturally, the card of the legendary “Bambino” is the most prized, with a true gem example selling for $5.29 million in 2016. Extremely few exist in pristine condition due to the fragile 1930s manufacture, cementing high grade Ruth Goudeys among the most valuable 20th century cards.

1947 Leaf Roberto Clemente RC – A player of Clemente’s greatness with such a distinguished 21 year career elevates the status of his rare rookie card issued late in his first season with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Few survive in perfect condition from this obscure early post-war set not initially intended for baseball cards. One PSA/DNA 10 recently sold for $350,000 in 2019, a record price for a Roberto Clemente rookie card. His inspiration and humanitarianism keep interest high.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson – Like the famed Wagner card of the same tobacco era T206 set, the Mathewson is exceptionally rare with only around 25-50 survivors known. Considered one of the legendary “Spitballers” of the Deadball Era and a cornerstone of the early New York Giants dynasty, Mathewson’s iconic status makes high grade examples hugely desirable. One PSA Picket Palmer treasure grade T206 Mathewson sold for $2.56 million in 2016.

1971 Topps Nolan Ryan – While not an official rookie card, the handsomely photographed 1971 Topps card of the fiery Ryan is generally accepted as his first widely distributed appearance. Less than 10 are known in pristine “black label” condition, which brings great rewards – a PSA/DNA mint 9.5 recently sold at auction for $307,920 in 2017, showing Ryan’s legendary 5,000+ K’s still captivates collectors.

1909 T206 Ty Cobb Back – Considered by some the finest baseball card specimen ever, this legendary Black Bat’s tobacco era card was reported to have sold for a record $1.265 million in 2016, making it one of the most valuable single sports cards in private hands. The design error version showing Cobb’s amazing .383 career batting average on his back adds to its great allure.

1933 Goudey Dazzy Vance – A lesser known star yet equally rare card, high grades of Vance’s 1933 Goudey card have sold for close to a million when found. Only an estimated 5-10 truly high quality specimens are believed to exist of the Hall of Fame Dodgers pitcher who twice won over 40 games in a season. His stardom and aura of the set inflate values of pristine survivors.

1909-11 T206 Nap Lajoie – Like the other top rookies and stars of baseball’s Deadball Era tobacco issues, pristine high-grade T206 examples of Cleveland Naps hero Nap Lajoie command immense sums due to great rarity. Considered one of the all-time best hitters, a true gem mint Lajoie once sold for over $700,000 at auction, showing the tremendous interest such obscure century old cards can still garner.

1957 Topps Willie Mays – As the first mainstream notable baseball card issue following Topps’ resurgence in the 1950s, the 1957 set is widely considered the most aesthetically pleasing design of the postwar era. With fewer than 5 believed to exist in literally flawless condition, a 1957 Willie Mays is among the rarest and most iconic of all flagship rookies. One graded a perfect PSA/DNA 10 sold for $492,000 in 2018, still a collector favorite decades after issue.

The most valuable baseball cards are usually the earliest tobacco era cards from the pre-WWI decade through immaculate condition and immense rarity, along with high-grade vintage rookie cards and iconic players from the early 20th century cigarette sets and 1950s-70s issues. While reprint and modern offerings continue to emerge, the authentic vintage cards retain the highest desirability and value due to their nostalgia, historical significance, and finite surviving populations in truly pristine condition after 100+ years. Avid collectors continue spending millions to obtain the rarest and most prestigious specimens to display in collections or at conventions as indicators of status in the hobby.