Nolan Ryan is considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time and his baseball cards from his 27-year career spanning the late 1960s to early 1990s can be quite valuable, particularly his early-career rookie and star rookie cards from his days with the New York Mets and California Angels organizations. Let’s take a deeper look at some of Ryan’s top cards and what they can sell for depending on condition:
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan Rookie Card (Card #516): This is arguably Ryan’s most coveted and valuable card as it captures his true rookie season with the Mets. High grade specimens of this iconic rookie card in Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) condition can fetch over $20,000. Well-centered copies in excellent shape routinely sell for $5,000-$10,000. Lower grade copies still in decent shape around Fair-Good condition sell in the $1,000 range.
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan Mets Star Rookie Card (un-numbered variation): Essentially an rookie “star” version without a number, this parallel issue to the standard ’68 Topps rookie is equally as scarce. NM-MT examples can reach $15,000-$25,000. Around $2,500-$5,000 in Fair-Good condition.
1969 Topps Nolan Ryan Card (Card #540): Ryan’s second major issue card captures him as an up-and-coming young Mets starter. High grades around NM-MT condition bring $3,000-$5,000. Around $500-$1,000 for well-worn Fair-Good copies.
1971 Topps Nolan Ryan Card (Card #498): His first as an Angel after being traded from the Mets. Near Gem Mint to Gem Mint 10 copies have sold for over $6,000. Expect $1,000-$2,000 for clean lower grade copies.
1972 Topps Nolan Ryan Card (Card #587): Another key early Angels issue of the legend. NM-MT specimens reach $4,000. Fine grade copies sell around $500.
1973 Topps Nolan Ryan Card (Card #534): Captures Ryan’s record-setting season with 383 strikeouts. Near-perfect Gem Mint PSA 10 examples have reached $15,000. Clean lower grades around $1,000-$3,000 depending.
Nolan Ryan Astros Minor League Card (1970): Extremely rare pre-Ryan Astros years minor league issue. Just a handful are known to exist. An ungraded example sold recently for over $38,000.
1974 Topps Nolan Ryan Card (Card #234): First as an Astro. High grade PSA/BGS specimens around $2,000-$4,000.
1975 Topps Nolan Ryan Card (Card #178): Marks Ryan’s phenomenal season with 268 strikeouts. Top-graded PSA 10 Gems have reached $8,000 in recent auctions. Clean lower grades around $1,000.
1976 SSPC Nolan Ryan Card: Scarce pre-playoffs Sporting News issue. High grades around $3,000.
1977 Topps Nolan Ryan Card (Card #181): The first depicting Ryan in an Astros uniform without a cap. Top-pop PSA 10 Gems have surpassed $5,000. Lower grades range $500-12,000.
In addition to these flagship rookies and early career issues, Ryan cards from his later seasons with the Astros, Angels again in the late 1970s and 1980s, and even his final season as a Texas Ranger in 1993 can hold Signature value depending on the issue, year, and condition. Any Nolan Ryan card that captures one of his major statistical milestones, no-hitters, strikeout records in high grade is always in demand among serious baseball card collectors. With perfection, value can skyrocket into the five- and even six-figure range for his true holy grails like the ’68 Topps rookie. Condition is absolutely critical, and will make or break the potential sales price for any specimen from the illustrious career of one of baseball’s all-time greats.
