As baseball card collectors look ahead to the new year, scouring through their collections to see what hidden gems might be worth significant money in 2023, there are certain Topps baseball cards that consistently hold strong value. The hot rookie cards of star players that debuted in recent years will certainly retain and potentially increase in worth, but vintage cards from the 1950s and 1960s will always remain hugely desirable among collectors. Let’s take a look at some Topps baseball cards that could be poised to bring in good money if sold in the new year.
One of the most historic and valuable baseball cards ever printed is the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. In near-mint condition, examples of this ultra-rare Mantle rookie have sold for well over $2 million, making it one of the crown jewels of the hobby. Even in lower grades, Mantle’s ’52 Topps still commands big six-figure prices. As one of the all-time fan favorites and arguably the greatest switch hitter of all time, demand for Mantle’s rookie is unwavering, and with fewer high-grade copies in existence every year, its price potential seems unlimited. No collection is truly complete without it.
Another 1950s rookie sure to continue its ascent in 2023 is the Bowman PSA 8 example of the 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax. The legendary lefty’s sole rookie card from his amateur days gained tremendous value in the 2010s, and PSA 8s recently sold in the $125,000 range. With his playing career cut short but accomplishments like 3 Cy Youngs cemented in history books, Koufax mania proves no signs of slowing down. As condition census figures shrink, nine-figure prices may not be far off for pristine PSA 10 Koufax rookies. Even low-grade copies retain value compared to peers from his era.
Rookie cards of superstar players from the 1960s will remain very collectible and monetarily rewarding as well. The 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan RC has seen PSA 9 prices eclipse $20,000 recently, and as Ryan’s single season strikeout records stand the test of time, why wouldn’t demand stay robust? His 1974 Topps and other vintage Ryan cards hold value too. A 1968 Topps Johnny Bench RC in PSA 9 shape also hit five-figures last year. Bench was a career .267 hitter but defined his position for a generation of fans. Both were workhorses whose impact carried beyond statistics.
The 1970s cards that were produced during baseball’s revival bring out heavy nostalgia and serious cash. But the undisputed king is the 1979 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. rookie that broke $100,000 in a PSA 9 sale last year. ’79 Topps Kirby Puckett RCs and Puckett’s ’84 Donruss rookie have seen gains as well with Hall of Fame honors. George Brett’s iconic swinging 1978 Topps RC remains wildly collectible, as do 1975 Topps Fred Lynn and Dave Parker rookies from their ROY award seasons. Brett’s sunny smile and no-nonsense play style, Lynn’s sweet lefty swing, and Parker’s fluid yet burly physique live on in fans’ minds.
The junk wax era of the 1980s is notorious for overproduction, but Gwynn and Maddux rookie cards remain favorites. Tony Gwynn’s 1982 Topps traded card hits the $2,000 mark consistently as collectors respect his career .338 average. Meanwhile, 1984 Topps Traded Griffey Jr. and Puckett RCs hold ground near $1,000 each due to timeless, shining talent displayed within. The late Greg Hibbard’s rare 1986 Fleer Update rookie is beloved by Cubs diehards. After years in the doldrums, ’80s rookie cards and stars like Brett Saberhagen and Dwight Gooden are rising again among collectors valuing the players, not just mint condition.
We reach the modern era where freshly minted stars emerge. Of course, superstar rookie campaigns like 2015 Topps Update Kris Bryant and 2016 Topps Update Cody Bellinger will likely endure for decades. But 2013 Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and 2020 Bowman Juan Soto RCs shine brightest – Vladdy’s autographed version just shattered records at $470,000. Fernando Tatis Jr’s Topps projects top out near $4,000, with his stellar skill, flair, and youth boding very well longterm. Wander Franco’s varied 2021 rookies from Topps, Bowman and Chrome sell briskly despite a slightly diminished age 20 debut. A rare Acuña Jr. National Baseball Card Day variation pulled a breathtaking $368,000 in October. These hyper-talented, hyper-promoted stars drive today’s hottest cards. With an entire career of legend-building ahead, their rookies’ upward trajectories may know few limits.
While many other Topps cards from the late 80s through today can deliver sizable returns to sharp investors too, the cards highlighted here aim towards dependability and passion for the players themselves, the main drivers of long-term value in the complex hobby. Whether a ’52 Mantle, ’68 Bench, ’79 Ripken, or ’21 Franco, these time-tested and recent headliners should provide their owners optimism heading into 2023’s trading card market and beyond. For avid collectors, the appeal of rare gems from Topps’ unparalleled seven decades in the sport is truly ageless.
