The 2021 Topps baseball card set was another highly anticipated release from the longest running and most iconic brand in the industry. Each new Topps flagship baseball card set brings plenty of collector excitement as fans look to build their long-term collections and search for the latest rookie stars and short prints.
While individual card values can vary greatly based on player, parallel, serial number, and condition, here is an overview of general 2021 Topps baseball card values based on PSA 10 pop report data from PWCC Marketplace as of February 2022. It’s important to remember cardboard prices are always fluctuating based on supply and demand forces.
The base flagship Topps cards from 2021 (#1-361) have seen steady interest with most PSA 10 gems in the $5-15 range depending on player. Stars like Fernando Tatis Jr., Juan Soto, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are enjoying strong collector enthusiasm and their rookies/parallels remain in demand. Popular veterans like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and Mookie Betts also command $10-25 for their flagship rookies.
The Chrome refractors parallel from 2021 have added collector appeal and tend to carry a premium compared to base paper. Chrome #250 parallels of top stars can fetch $50-100 in PSA 10, while lower numbered versions (#/299 or less) command upwards of $150-300 depending on the player. Short prints like SP variations are also highly sought and Tatis Jr. examples have exceeded $1,000 PSA 10 sales.
The high-end parallels from 2021 Topps like Negative Refractor (#/10), Gold Refractor (#/2021) and Superfractor (1/1) are where true jewels can be found. Unsurprisingly, stars reign supreme here as well. A PSA 10 Gold Refractor of Fernando Tatis Jr. recently changed hands for over $15,000. Meanwhile, his lone 1/1 Superfractor Platinum Materials parallel could shatter records at auction given his emerging superstar status.
Rookies naturally enjoy added collector attention in flagship Topps sets as fans seek to acquire stars of tomorrow before they explode onto the MLB scene. 2021 saw plenty of promising talents emerge, headlined by Rays shortstop Wander Franco’s dominant campaign. His Topps flagship rookie parallels and short prints have exploded in value, with recent PSA 10 sales topping $2,000. Fellow phenoms like Jarred Kelenic, Jo Adell and Hunter Greene also command $100-500 for their Topps debut cards in pristine condition.
Vintage parallels honoring legends of the past help drive nostalgia collecting. Topps 2021 paid homage to Icons like Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente and Hank Aaron. Their respective vintage cards attract avid collectors and have traded hands for $300-1,000 PSA 10 based on the player. Serialized relic cards featuring swatches and autographs of current stars are also extremely coveted. Examples from Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and others routinely sell in the thousands.
As with any collectible category, condition is king when it comes to Long-term value preservation and appreciation potential. While raw near-mint copies may only garner $5-10 on the secondary market presently, properly graded PSA/BGS Gems can take those values to completely new levels. Savvy collectors understand breaking their cards immediately also allows maximizing potential return down the road if a star player emerges. Topps 2021 offers no shortage of rookie talent to make that bet on.
The 2021 Topps baseball release proved another fantastic modern release showcasing the stars throughout the sport while offering dedicated collectors multiple iconic parallels and inserts to chase after. Values are reflective of that popularity so far, with PSA 10 examples of future HOFers and emerging young talents especially well positioned to retain and build value for decades to come. Condition sensitive collectors embracing professional grading give themselves the best shot at truly scoring jewels with long term blue chip potential from the 2021 Topps flagship baseball set.
