Nolan Ryan is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time thanks to his legendary fastball and longevity pitching well into his 40s. As such, Topps baseball cards featuring the flamethrower are highly sought after by collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at some of Ryan’s iconic Topps cards and what they may be worth today.
Ryan debuted as a pro in 1966 and made his Topps rookie card debut the following year in the 1967 set. While not overly rare with around 4.5 million printed, high-grade versions of this iconic first card can still fetch impressive prices. A PSA Gem Mint 10 copy recently sold for over $20,000, while most NM-MT 8s trade hands in the $300-500 range. Even well-centered low-grade copies in the PSA 6-7 range can pull $50-100. So while not super valuable, this early card remains a key piece for any Ryan PC.
Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, Ryan dominated on the mound and regularly appeared in Topps sets yearly. Some notable issues include his 1968, 1971, and 1974 designs, which usually sell for $10-50 in high grades. But two really stand out – his 1972 and 1975 offerings. The 1972 is Ryan’s first with the California Angels after leaving the Mets and features a classic action shot. Graded copies above a PSA 8 can fetch $200-500. Meanwhile, his iconic 1975, where he’s depicted in an Angels home uniforms with glasses on, holds extra cache. Higher grades change hands for $300-1000 due to the card’s memorability.
Ryan entered his prime in the early 1980s. Two massive highlights were the magical 1981 season where he struck out a record 383 batters and 1983 when he tossed his 5th career no-hitter. Reflecting this, his 1981 and 1983 Topps are very valuable in gem condition today. A PSA 10 of the ’81, which has him poised on the mound for the Astros backs, has sold for over $10,000. As for the iconic ’83 no-hitter issue where he’s frozen in his windup for the Angels, a true Gem is worth $3000-5000. Near-Mint PSA 8s go for $300-700 still. They’re must-owns for any major Nolan PC.
As Ryan incredibly continued his career deep into his 40s, he appeared in Topps sets through the late 1980s and early 1990s as player-manager. His 1987 and 1991 issues stand out among these late prime examples. Graded versions of the ’87, where he’s photographed from behind as an Astro, trade between $50-200 depending on condition. While a pristine PSA 10 1991 as player-manager for the Rangers brought nearly $800 at auction recently. Otherwise, expect to pay $10-30 for common high-grade copies from this late stage of his playing days.
In the twilight of his career, Ryan’s stats and accolades cemented his status as a true icon. As such, special Topps issues honoring his legacy hold value today. His last true regular season card in 1993 as an executive certainly qualifies. Another is his 1994 Topps Gold Medallion Retired committee-selected card pulling in around $100 PSA 8. But the true blue-chip in group is the 2009 Topps Tribute card cut in memory of The Ryan Express. Just 150 were produced and feature a regal artist rendering. One ungraded sold for a staggering $2800 back in 2010, showing the card’s immense collectors’ appeal even years later.
While not all of Nolan Ryan’s countless Topps issues are exceedingly rare or wildly expensive, some truly stand out reflecting signature moments from his HOF career. Key early rookie and star-studded 1970s/1980s designs along with special commemoratives fetch impressive prices today when certified mint. For hardcore collectors, owning gems from each stage of The Express’s career sealed in plastic remains an incredible feat. With no signs of slowing either, it’s clear Nolan’s on-field dominance and longevity continues captivating collectors decades later through sought-after vintage cardboard.
