Topps has been the premier producer of baseball cards for decades, with their cards being some of the most collectible and holding value best over long periods of time. In 2023, Topps baseball cards continue to be highly sought after by collectors both young and old. Below is an examination of some of the top Topps baseball cards from various years and what their estimated values are heading into the new year.
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (RC) – One of the true Holy Grails of the hobby, the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is considered by many the most valuable baseball card ever printed. Only a handful are known to exist in near-gem mint or higher condition. Recent private sales and public auction prices for high grade examples of this legendary rookie card have ranged from $2-5 million, with $5+ million potential for an absolute perfect gem. Even well-centered, sharp examples in EX-MT condition can bring $500k+.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron (RC) – As one of just a few surviving examples of Hank Aaron’s rookie card from his first Topps issue in 1957, high grade copies of this classic are extremely valuable. Graded NM-MT 7’s have changed hands for $200k+, with an absolute perfect PSA 10 potentially worth $500k+ due to its amazing rarity and significance as one of the all-time great players’ debut card. Significant condition premiums apply based on centering and sharpness.
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan (RC) – Perhaps the most iconic and desired post-war rookie card, Nolan Ryan’s 1968 Topps debut remains highly collectible and holds great value decades later. PSA 8 copies regularly sell for $30-50k, while a true gem PSA 10 in pristine condition could command $150k+ at some point given Ryan’s legendary Hall of Fame career stats and the card’s lovely photographic design and picturing of a young “Ryan Express”.
1975 Topps George Brett (RC) – One of the most visually striking and sharply photographed Topps rookie cards of the 1970s, George Brett’s 1975 issue remains an affordable Gateway for collectors to own a true Hall of Famer’s debut. PSA 8 copies usually sell in the $5-10k range. Top graded PSA 10 pristine examples with perfect edges and centering can theoretically reach $25k+ over time. Even lower graded copies retain good value based on Brett’s career stats and iconic Royals tenure.
1987 Topps Barry Bonds (RC) – As one of the most hyped and anticipated rookie cards during the late 1980s boom, Barry Bond’s rookie card has proven extremely collectible despite Bonds’s controversial post-playing career. PSA 8 copies routinely sell for $3-5k nowadays. The card has potential to approach $15-20k over the long run for a true gem PSA 10 based on Bonds’s all-time great home run and overall production stats achieved through the steroid era.
1991 Topps Derek Jeter (RC) – As one of the most popular players of the 1990s and a career-long Yankee, Derek Jeter’s 1991 Topps rookie remains a highly soughtafter modern card. PSA 9 copies typically sell for $1-2k, with a pristine PSA 10 potentially reaching the $5k+ tier long term. It has staying power as an iconic Yankee card picturing “The Captain” at the start of his prolific MLB tenure, making for a strong potential long term investment card.
1994 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. (RC) – Often considered the best true “rookie” card produced in the modern era by fans old and young alike, the 1994 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. rookie has proven to be extremely collectible and retains great value. PSA 9 copies typically sell for $3-5k nowadays. Gem PSA 10 examples could theoretically push $8-10k+ at some point given Griffey’s enormous popularity and talent on the field during his incredible Mariners/Reds career. It is potentially as iconic and valuable as any modern era card.
1998 Bowman Chrome Juan Soto (RC) – As one of the hobby’s biggest stars today and a modern superstar still in the midst of his amazing career, Juan Soto’s 1998 Bowman Chrome rookie card shows strong potential as one of the top young guns cards to emerge from the past 5-10 years. PSA 10 pop reports remain quite low, allowing top grades copies to fetch $2-3k presently. Over the long haul, this sensational Soto rookie could rival cards from the 90s era stars if he keeps producing Hall of Fame worthy numbers and leading Washington title runs as the face of the franchise for years to come.
Those represent just some of the most notable Topps baseball cards that are showing strong values heading into 2023 based on the players depicted and their on-field accomplishments compared to print runs and population statistics. Whether you’re a casual collector, serious long term investor, or fan simply looking to commemorate some of history’s best players, Topps cards will likely remain staples in the hobby for generations thanks to their historic brand imagery and capturing of beloved athletes at various stages of their careers. With care and proper preservation, Topps cards offer an enjoyable and potentially lucrative avenue for participation in the baseball card collecting world.
