When these cards come up for auction, really take note. A PSA 10 1954 Topps Banks rookie card sold for $142,836 in May 2012. Most Expensive 2022 Topps card list & price guide. The number of chase cards available to collectors may have seemed overwhelming at the time but, in retrospect, it was great to see Topps offer so much variety. Most Expensive But, that doesnt necessarily mean its his most expensive. The 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson rookie card is his most desirable and most expensive card you can find. The Say Hey Kidwas arguably the greatest all-around player to step on the field. Career highlights: Two-time National League Most Valuable Player (1958, 1959), 14 . Poor print quality and focus plague this short print card making high-grade copies nearly unachievable. This instantly recognizable card is easily one of Mathewsons most popular. We are user supported. His record for most games played in a season stood for decades until 1995 when Cal Ripken, Jr. played in his 2,131st straight game. In 2016, seven copies of this card were miraculously found in an old paper bag. On the plus side, Chapman struck out 71 batters and gave up just 24 hits in a variety of high-leverage situations. However, it just isnt as often found in high grade as #53. Two hits shy heading into a July 9th home game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Jeter took his spot as the 28th member of the 3,000-hit club with a 5-for-5 day now etched in Yankees lore. Was it because Wagner wanted to be paid by the tobacco company to use his image? The 1912 Plows Candy E300 Mathewson features a large photographic image of the legendary pitcher of the Dead Ball Era framed by text reading. His career cut short by arthritis in his pitching arm, he went on to become the youngest player ever elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972. This still ranks among the most popular baseball cards of all-time. Prices are updated daily based upon 2020 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. And it can be tough to find in high grade, too. Collectors go wild for it. For some reason, collectors had to send in for the card a year later in 1934 by contacting Goudey if they wanted to complete this set. 30 Most Valuable Topps Tiffany Cards Rankings are based on the online Beckett Price Guide and Database. Prices are updated daily based upon 2005 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Download Price List, SportsCardsPro 2019-2023 Read our methodology. Heritage Auctions sold a copy of this card graded in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition for a jaw-dropping $612,359 in August of 2016. While the "Cobb Back" T206 may be his most expensive card, this one is arguably his most popular among high-end collectors. If so, then please fill out the form below and I'll be in touch right away. M101-5 cards are more difficult to find than the M101-4 cards but pricing of the M101-4 version is also expected to realize around $1 million in PSA 8 condition. Whatever the reason, there are only approximately 50-75 or so known copies in circulation today as a result. Any modern flagship Topps Baseball set has a lot going on. Hoyer had originally drafted Rizzo in the sixth round of the 2007 MLB Draft while he was an assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox and knew that Rizzo's performance in San Diego didn't reflect his true talent and abilities. This isBanks only recognized rookie cardin the hobby and along with the Hank Aaron and Al Kaline rookies, a key to the 1954 Topps set. By Ryan Cracknell. When the infamous T206 set was being produced, Doyle was pitching for the New York Highlanders of the American League. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. During his rookie campaign, Posey slashed .305/.357/.505 with 18 home runs, 67 RBIs and 58 runs scored in 108 games (406 at-bats). The Left Arm of God as he was known, Koufax possessed raw power that helped him once strikeout an astounding 382 batters in a season. Martinez turned out to be the big winners from 2011 Topps Update. His 1951 Bowman issue is his only recognized rookie card and along with the Mantle rookie is the key to the entire set. Matty was on the backside of his career in 1911 but still managed to lead the league in ERA (1.99) and put up 26 wins. Collectors find rookie cards are some of the most valuable baseball cards to collect from any player. The first Dodgers hurler to secure the NL pitching Triple Crown since Sandy Koufax back in 1966, Kershaw led the National League in wins (21), strikeouts (248), and ERA (2.24), the latter serving as the best mark for a starter in all of baseball. This card has been and will likely remain the most valuable baseball card for years to come. He also turned heads with his slick glove work at first, earning the only Gold Glove of his career thus far. If you remember, during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, Babe Ruth made his famous Called Shot. Rizzo soon earned a reputation as a guy capable of smacking 30 home runs and driving in 100 runs to become a fan favorite at Wrigley. Jackson dominated the minors that year and the Naps called him up late in the 1910 season. Or, as most believe, was it because he didnt want to be involved in promoting tobacco use to children? Just be prepared to put up big money if you want one in high grade. 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron RC #7. Ruth was at the tail end of his career in 1933 but he still produced well enough to be named a starter in the All-Star game at Comiskey Park that year. Unfortunately, as with most high-numbered cards in the set, Mantles rookie card often suffers from print lines, poor centering and wax stains on the back. The question is: where do you start on this list? His career ERA of 2.13 proves just how difficult it was to hit off of him. Just a year prior, Sale wasn't even a starter yet. Now that we got that out of the way let's get started Like a few others on this list, this card is technically part of the 2011 Topps Update set. Jose Altuve's relationship with the Houston Astros began in 2007 when the club evaluated him at a camp in Maracay, Venezuela, when he was just a teenager. Any collector lucky enough to get his hands on Mathewsons card is sure to be ecstatic. Over his remarkable career, Aaron made 24 All-Star appearances, a record shared with Mays and Musial and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982. Theres only one single PSA 10 copy currently in circulation, however, which makes it extremely difficult to find even if you have that kind of money to spend. Nevertheless, the annual award for the best pitcher in the Majors does bear his name. The last of the legendary quartet of 1933 Goudey Ruth cards on our list is the #144 Full Body Ruth. Like Jose Altuve, J.D. Though he may not have been MLB's hottest rookie in 1990, he certainly turned into one of the biggest superstars of his era. Bowman did not include him in their 1953 set so that makes his Topps card of that year even more sought after. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Most Expensive, From a design standpoint, I liked how Topps kept things nice and clean without trying to go over the top in celebrating their 60th anniversary. Ungraded & graded values for all '23 Topps Baseball Cards. Only 7 of the Ty Cobb cards have ever been submitted to PSA for grading which speaks to the rarity of them. Not surprisingly, Cobbs card is the cornerstone and to the set. The price would certainly be astronomical. The 1932 U.S. Caramel set is one of the most desirable and challenging prewar sets in the hobby. From autographs and relics to silk cards, glove leather cards and exclusive online cards, there was so much variety for collectors to chase. 1981 Topps #302 Dodgers Future Stars Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $225 When it comes to rookie season debuts, the Dodgers have developed a reputation for some of the finest on record. Collectors will pay big money for either version as long as its in high grade. Mathewson is the only player in both the 1914 and 1915 sets whose poses are entirely different. Without further adieu, then, here are the 25 most valuable 1987 Topps baseball cards in reverse order, and with a couple of bonus runs tagged on for good measure 35 cards in all! Nadja was a brand name of the Blake-Wenneker Candy Co. of St Louis and the set features 62 cards in total. So its no wonder that his 1948 Leaf rookie card is such and important piece of the hobby. Its amazing to think of the stats that Williams could have produced had he not missed nearly five full seasons of his prime to military service. This card is a prime example of an instance where neither being a star nor an error card can bring in big bucks. This is true whether you're looking at the base card, the premium Tiffany variant, or even the Desert Storm version which is limited in number. A PSA Gem Mint 10 #128 Aaron sold for $357,594 in 2012, a price that would easily be overcome in todays market. A fantastic portrait of the Sultan of Swat wearing a tilted Yankees cap is shown atop a bold, red background. Not many baseball cards possess as much elaborate and ornate decoration as those of the 1909 Ramly Cigarette T204 set. As with most early candy or tobacco issues, this card with the image of the Georgia Peach ready to swing is the most valuable and sought after in the set. The sale smashed the record for most valuable baseball card at the time, beating the then-highest sale of a Honus Wagner T206 White Border card at $3.1 million. Identical in imagery to the 1933 Goudey #160 Lou Gehrig that you saw earlier on this list, this card does usually present whiter borders and lighter blue backgrounds than its #92 counterpart. Since starting his professional baseball journey with the Orix Blue Wave of the Nippon Baseball League in 1992, the legendary outfielder posted a .300 batting average or better for 19 straight seasons through the 2010 campaign. In PSA 8 condition, this card would likely sell for $1 million or more. Please note many of these cards have variations, which won't all be listed here. Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto couldn't carry an inconsistent, snake-bitten Cincinnati Reds squad to a second-straight postseason in 2011. Greatest Topps Baseball Cards of All-Time Most Expensive of All-Time #10. Whenever manager Ozzie Guillen needed him to get a few outs, Sale performed. Sammy Sosa, Frank Thomas, Bernie Williams, and Larry Walker all claim Class of '90. The card features a great image of the Sultan of Swat seated in pinstripes looking over his right shoulder atop a green background. PriceIt Game | Over 40 MLB games in 2011, Trout slashed .220/.281/.390 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and 20 runs scored. The E106 cards feature identical artwork on their fronts as the E90-1 and E92 caramel issues but differ by the advertising on their backs. The find has since been dubbed The Lucky 7 find. Possessing an explosive triple-digit fastball with electric movement, Chapman struggled to harness his high-octane stuff in his first full year with the Reds. And he pitched with a tenacious on-mound presence in the toughest of game situations. Within a year, the Mariners would press reset on the whole thing and end the Ichiro era abruptly, trading their longtime face of the franchise to the New York Yankees for a pair of relievers. It's still a very unusual-looking card but is one that many collectors dream of owning. And its one of the most famous error cards in the entire hobby, too. Most expensive baseball cards in history Here is a look at the baseball cards that have exceeded a million-dollar price tag, including two by one of the sport's top active players: 1. He received 20 first place votes in the NL Rookie of the Year vote and his 129 vote points outpaced Atlanta's Jason Heyward who 107 vote points for his impressive debut performance. Shortcuts: Most Expensive , Cheapest , List by Card # Mays could hit, throw, field and run with the best of them. Mays put up monster numbers over his career and shares the record for most All-Star Game appearances (24) with Hank Aaron and Stan Musial. Not many players were as consistent as Musial was over their careers as he went on to win seven batting titles and three MVP awards. There are 30 cards in total and each includes seven different possible color backs. However, the year ended on a bitter note. But it wouldn't take Goldschmidt much longer to mold into the incredible talent he is today. However, he still put together a worthy encore to his 2010 breakthrough. After slumping to start the season, the hulking St. Louis Cardinals first baseman returned to All-Star form before suffering a fractured left wrist in mid-June. But what most usually don't realize is that many pre-War and even high grade post-War vintagebaseball card valuescan be astronomical. Its so rare that only a handful exist and not many collectors have even seen one in person. Mathewson won 30 or more games four different times in his storied career, attributing much of his success to a specialty pitch that was comparable to a screwball. Contact him at [emailprotected]. 3)Many high number cards were famously dumped into the ocean leaving even less of them in existence. Gehrig was one of a long line of Yankee legends and no doubt put up some of the greatest hitting statistics of them all. But, the Great Bambino is the number one card to own out of all of them. Despite singling to right field off San Francisco's Matt Cain in his first at-bat, Goldschmidt stuck out nearly one in every three at-bats in 48 games that season. The card is key for three main reasons: 1) 1952 was the first year Topps entered the sports card market so the set itself is wildly popular and even common cards in mint condition can fetch over $1,000. Anthony Rizzo made his MLB debut for the San Diego Padres on June 9, 2011, against the Washington Nationals, going 1-2 at the plate with a triple and a run scored. He also led the Majors in on-base percentage (.448) and doubles (48) while logging a career-best 7.6 bWAR for Detroit's first division championship squad since 1987. The most valuable baseball cards in the hobby can easily fetch six and seven figure price levels these days. Produced in 1915 by the American Caramel Company of York, Pennsylvania, the E106 set consists of 48 different cards, including two varieties of the legendary Ty Cobb. Wagner, Ruth, Cobb, Mantle and Mays are just several of the baseball greats that reside on this list of cardboard rarities. His 3,000th hit was a solo shot in the 3rd inning that tied the game at one. 1986 Topps Nolan Ryan Card 5. Top athletes from baseball, football, hockey, tennis, golf, boxing, swimming, horse racing and even dog sled racing are showcased in the set. Interestingly, the same image is used on both cards. While currently ranked as the 5th most valuable baseball card, when Trouts 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractors autographed card serial-numbered 1/1 sold in August 2020, it became the most valuable baseball card . After the 2010 campaign, manager Bobby Cox called it a career, leaving a hole in the Braves clubhouse that couldn't be filled. However, there are a handful of his T206 cards that were produced with N.Y. There are four different Babe Ruth cards in the 1933 Goudey set, #s 53, 144, 149 and 181. Read our methodology . The Bat On Shoulder and Bat Off Shoulder would then follow. Average ungraded base card value (excludes parallels) for 2020 Topps In comparison, Suzuki's lowest full-season OPS in the Majors to that point was .747 in 2008, over 100 points better than his 2011 mark. So, although not as desirable as the others, the fact that it exists in such great condition brings a steep price tag. And its extremely rareone of the rarest in the hobby. #15 1966 Topps Ferguson Jenkins (RC) #254 Sold for $8,988 1966 Topps Ferguson Jenkins rookie card on eBay Read our methodology . Two decades of pro ball were catching up to Ichiro. As with the American Caramel Cobb card mentioned just a bit ago, the design of the card isnt unique but it is certainly one of the more desirable Cobb poses in the hobby. In the season's first 46 games, the 24-year-old star slashed .284/.368/.389 with four home runs and 21 RBIs in 162 at-bats. Prices are updated daily based upon 2020 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Caramel cards are usually more scarce than tobacco cards since they were sold to children rather than adults. Hes also the only key player in the 1914 set on a horizontal layout. 10 Most Valuable Sammy Sosa Baseball Cards 10. 2022 Topps Baseball Rookie Cards Guide. This is no doubt one of the most sought after cards of one of the games best pitchers of all time. By 2012, Chapman had it down, fine-tuning his electric pitch repertoire en route to becoming a legit Cy Young candidate. However, Cabrera's top-five finish in the AL MVP race and sixth All-Star campaign was a warning shot of epic proportions, followed by back-to-back MVP years (2012-13). And like Altuve had done by hitting safely in the first seven games of his career to set a club record, Martinez established his own team record in August by driving in 28 runs. The 31-year-old superstar ended the year slashing .299/.366/.541 with 37 home runs, 29 doubles, 105 runs scored, and 99 RBIs in 651 plate appearances (579 at-bats). And I attempted to estimate their current values when graded in PSA 10 condition so their "raw" or ungraded values may be wildly different. The Astros had seen enough and quickly called up Altuve, bypassing AAA entirely, to make his first Major League at-bat on July 20, 2011, against the Washington Nationals. Over time, the Freddie Freeman rookie has remained the key card from the 2011 Topps base run, while rookie cards of Mike Trout, Jose Altuve, Paul Goldschmidt, Anthony Rizzo and J.D. So, whoever says that baseball cards are no longer valuable simply doesn't know what he or she is talking about Sure, the massive print runs during the late 80's and early 90's killed the value of most post-1980's cards. And because it features a close-up of Mantle, print defects on his face can also sometimes turn off collectors. Centering issues, as well as dark print blotches in the yellow background, are usually the two key issues of this card. Because Mantle was exclusively signed with Bowman in 1954 and 1955, you won't find him on any of Topps' cards in either of those two sets. ThisTed Williams card features a superb black and white image of Williams following through on his classic swing. People are spending as much on old pieces of cardboard as most people spend on a house. 0% 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle RC #3. However, as mentioned earlier, the 1914 Cracker Jack cards were packaged directly inside the boxes so theyre usually more difficult to find in good condition. Yet, it was the patient way Big Papi produced in 2011 that kicked off his late-career renaissance in style. Over the first seven games of his MLB career, Altuve had at least one hit, tying him with Russ Johnson for the club record for most consecutive games with a hit to begin a career. The Reds' fall from contention cost Votto at the ballot box, though, as he followed up his 2010 MVP triumph with a sixth-place finish in 2011. It was the first time since 1924 that a pitcher accomplished the feat in both leagues during the same season. By 2014, Rizzo had settled into his role as the Chicago Cubs' everyday first baseman and earned his first trip to the All-Star Game that season. In this video, we go over the top 3 most valuable Topps baseball cards from the year 1985. Not many people outside of the baseball card hobby know who Joe Doyle is. 1. And after striking out 145 times in 518 at-bats the year before, Ortiz K'd just 83 times in 525 at-bats in 2011. If you look at the bottom, Sherry Magees last name is mistakenly spelled Magie. In PSA 4.5 grade, it is estimated this card would reel in over $1 million. Like all Bowman cards, the eye appeal of this card is amazing as a the artwork of the young Mick is simply stunning. Who knows what a high grade example of this card would go for? As with Mantles 1952 Topps card, some still mistake this card as Mays rookie, too. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! But there was plenty to like about their accomplishments before the season's heartbreaking finale. Those that have been found in high grade are thought to have never been packaged and instead left the factory by hand. and one of the best-looking cards of the 1950s in my opinion. 1986 Topps Pete Rose Card 3. Jackie Robinson, Mike Piazza, Hideo Nomo and, you guessed it, Fernando Valenzuela each took the league by storm as soon as they stepped on the field. Both are not cheap but it is this version that is the more desirable and expensive of the two. 1991 Chipper Jones Topps Desert Shield RC #333 Buy on eBay So named because his dad saw him as a "chip off the old block", Chipper Jones has an RC which is the most valuable card from the 1991 Topps set. Demand for Clementes rookie card has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. However, as with any colored borders, the surrounding red borders of this card are susceptible to wear making it very condition sensitive. During the offseason, the Padres traded Rizzo to the Chicago Cubs in a multi-player deal orchestrated by Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' general manager. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. 1986 Barry Bonds Topps Traded Rookie Card 6. That card was later sold for $250,000 in 2007. Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, and Cy Young were also featured in the set but Cobbs issue is undoubtedly the most desired. Error cards like Joe Doyles that make it into circulation usually end up being very popular with collectors and this one is no exception. The glossy coatings of these cards present a bit of an issue with cracking at times but they are nonetheless some terrific cards. In poor condition, this card would fetch hundreds of dollars but if youre lucky enough to land a copy in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition then youre talking big-time money. And with a 20-game hit streak late in the year, Freeman joined Dan Uggla as the first Braves teammates in modern history to have simultaneous hitting streaks of twenty or more. Many in the hobby feel this card is overlooked in importance but what no one can deny is just how rare it is. Most collectors will tell you they prefer the eye appeal of his 1915 Cracker Jack card but his 1914 version is the more rare and valuable of the two. The Green Ruth is the last of the four Babe Ruth cards to appear in the 1933 Goudey set. Ten days after the Houston Astros called up Altuve from the Hooks, the team called up Martinez to make his MLB debut on July 30, 2011, replacing the recently-traded Hunter Pence. Most Expensive 2021 Topps Chrome card list & price guide. Most Expensive 2022 Topps 1st Edition card list & price guide. After 60 years in the hobby, Topps helped celebrate their "Diamond Anniversary" by packing so much into their 2011 Topps baseball card set. Votto reached base in the team's first 27 games, finishing April with an eye-popping .370 batting average. This is the other, less expensive, version of this card in the 1938 Goudey set. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. Cobb turned in an absolute monster of a season in 1911 as he set career highs in batting (.420), hits (248), doubles (47), triples (24), RBI (127), runs (147) and slugging percentage (.621). The 1911 George Close Candy (E94) baseball card set may not be as popular as others of the pre-WWI era but it is still iconic in the hobby. In four starts against Lincecum, Kershaw went 4-0 with a minuscule 0.30 ERA in 30.1 innings pitched. 1984. Card: Willie Mays Team: New York Mets Value: $1,675 In 1950 and 1951, Topps and Bowman were both releasing baseball trading cards with their candy.