Topps is one of the leading producers of sports and entertainment trading cards and has produced baseball cards since the 1950s. Over the decades, some Topps baseball cards have grown tremendously in value based on their historical or collectible significance. Here are some of the most valuable and highest graded Topps baseball cards that collectors constantly seek after.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is one of the iconic cards in sports collecting history. Mantle went on to have a legendary Hall of Fame career with the New York Yankees and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. In high grades of Mint 9 or above, the 1952 Topps Mantle rookie consistently fetches six figure prices or more at auction. One Mint 9 copy sold for $275,000 in 2018. Another PSA NM-MT 8 copy sold for $192,000 in 2019.

1959 Topps Hank Aaron – Similar to the Mantle, the 1959 Topps Hank Aaron rookie card commemorates another all-time great. Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s home run record and had a distinguished 23 year career. High graded examples in PSA 8 or above routinely sell in the five figure range or above at major auctions. A PSA NM-MT 8 copy sold for $86,400 in early 2020.

1968 Topps Nolan Ryan – Nolan Ryan holds numerous single season and career pitching records, including most strikeouts and no-hitters. His 1968 Topps rookie card is one of the most coveted vintage cards for Ryan collectors. High grades in PSA 8 or above can sell in the six figures or more. A BGS/PSA 9 copy sold for a record $127,000 in 2017.

1969 Topps Mike Schmidt – Considered one of the greatest third basemen of all time, Mike Schmidt’s rookie card from his breakout 1969 season is a highly valuable card in top condition. Examples that grade PSA 8 or above commonly sell in the $15,000 range or higher at major auctions.

1956 Topps Mickey Mantle – While the 1952 Topps Mantle rookie gets most of the attention, his 1956 Topps card shows Mantle in the midst of his MVP prime. High graded versions continue to sell very strongly, with a PSA 8 copy selling for $72,000 in 2018.

1957 Topps Sandy Koufax – Sandy Koufax had one of the most dominant pitching stretches in baseball history from 1961-1966. His 1957 rookie card captures him in his early Dodgers days. Gem mint PSA 10 examples consistently shatter records, with a copy selling for $231,000 in 2016.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron – As mentioned, Aaron is a baseball icon who had prolific power and record breaking longevity. His 1957 Topps card from early in his Hall of Fame career has value, with PSA 8s fetching amounts over $15,000.

1952 Topps Willie Mays – Willie Mays was a five tool superstar with the New York and San Francisco Giants known as “The Say Hey Kid.” His Topps rookie from 1952 is highly coveted, with high grade copies selling for five figures or above.

1966 Topps Reggie Jackson – “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson carved out a Hall of Fame career with his epic October heroics for the Athletics and Yankees. High graded versions of his 1966 Topps rookie in PSA 8 or above can surpass $10,000 figures.

1948 Bowman Mickey Mantle – While not a Topps card, the 1948 Bowman Mantle rookie is the first ever card issued of the Mick. It remains an exceedingly rare find in high grade, with a PSA 5 copy selling for $299,999 in a 2013 auction.

1963 Topps Pete Rose – Before Rose’s gambling controversies, he was known as baseball’s hits leader and one of the grittiest competitors. Mint condition copies of his 1963 Topps rookie have achieved high five figure sales.

1969 Topps Tom Seaver – Seaver was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1970s, earning three Cy Young Awards. High graded copies of his star making 1969 Topps rookie can eclipse the $10,000 mark.

1961 Topps Roger Maris – As the reigning single season home run champ with his record 61 dingers of 1961, Maris’s rookie card has value potential near $5,000 in top condition.

1970 Topps Johnny Bench – Arguably the greatest catcher of all time, Bench’s 1970 Topps rookie depicts his first year of stardom with the Big Red Machine Reds dynasty that followed. High grades above PSA 8 have sold for over $5,000.

1956 Topps Don Drysdale – Top LA Dodgers ace Don Drysdale was an integral part of their championship clubs. His 1956 Topps rookie commands prices nearing $5,000 in top condition, boosted by Dodger/vintage collector demand.

This covers some of the highest valued and most recognizable vintage Topps baseball cards on the market today for serious collectors and investors. As always, condition and grading is paramount to realizing full potential prices. But the history, star power, and memorabilia elements attached to these top rookies and seasons accounts for their tremendous staying power in the collecting world.