most valuable topps baseball cards

Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. 1952 Topps #1 Andy Pafko #8. The most valuable baseball cards in the hobby can easily fetch six and seven figure price levels these days. A PSA Gem Mint 10 #128 Aaron sold for $357,594 in 2012, a price that would easily be overcome in todays market. Average ungraded base card value (excludes parallels) for 2020 Topps 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. That card was later sold for $250,000 in 2007. Read our methodology . Mike Trout made his Major League debut on July 8, 2011, when the Los Angeles Angels called him up to replace speedy centerfielder Peter Bourjos who had injured his hamstring the day before. In fact, his 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany card can be worth over $2,000 in PSA condition. But, that doesnt necessarily mean its his most expensive. This card is often thought to be Jacksons most attractive and popular baseball card. Estimated PSA 4.5 VG-EX+ Value: $1,100,000. Since they are both card #151 in their respective sets, it is nearly impossible to tell which set the card belongs to unless the back of the card features an ad unique to either of the sets. If you look at the bottom, Sherry Magees last name is mistakenly spelled Magie. His 3,003rd hit (and last of the day) was an RBI single that put the Yankees ahead for good in the 8th. But since we are talking about "The Home Run King" in the year after he passed Babe Ruth on the all-time list, the odd, side-view photo cannot take away from the card's historical . The future first-ballot Hall of Famer finished the year at 19-6 with a career-high 220 strikeouts and his best ERA since 1998 (2.35). 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth: $4.212 million Here are the most expensive baseball cards right now Most Valuable Rookie Card in Every Topps Baseball Set, 1952-2020 Most Valuable Baseball Cards of All Time - msn.com These are the Top 3 Most Valuable Baseball Cards Worth Money. 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. Posey suffered torn ligaments in his left ankle and a fractured fibula in a violent collision that reverberated for years. Best 2022 Topps Series 2 Valuable Cards & Best Rookie List | Witt Six hits away from 3,000 in mid-June, New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter suffered a calf strain that sidelined him for 18 games. Both of theDiMaggio cards in this set feature a caricature of the Yankee legend, the only difference between the two versions is that this one features small cartoons and information in the background while the other has a blank background. But whats not up for debate is whether its one of his most important. 1986 Topps Nolan Ryan Card 5. Wander Franco 2022 Topps Heritage Chrome Gold Refractor RC Rookie /5 (sold for $1,400) Wander Franco 2022 Wander Franco Heritage Real One Auto Red Ink (sold for $1375) Buy on: eBay 1964 Topps Phil Niekro RC/Phil Roof RC #541 The Rookie Cards in 1964 Topps Baseball are led by a. 1986 Topps Pete Rose Card 3. Napoleon Lajoie was considered the best defensive second baseman of his day and won three batting titles, had 3,242 total hits and a .338 average. Try finding something to not like about this card! 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. Because of its position on the print sheet and the fact that many kids wrapped rubber bands around their stacks of cards (this one on the top), finding Pafko centered and in good shape is very tough. While Ty Cobb might be the most desired player in the entire set, there is no doubt that Honus Wagner is also an incredibly sought after player as well. 1. Trout didn't exactly raise any eyebrows in his first game, finishing 0-3 at the plate. So, if you can get your hands on one of these cards in high grade then you are looking at some big bucks. Most Valuable Baseball Cards All the information and details has been compiled from the trusted sites including Wikipedia, New York Post, and Forbes. Big names like Albert Pujols, Ichiro, David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera and Clayton Kershaw help round out a solid checklist. Two great images of Banks are show atop a white border than can be notorious for showing print defects. And if you remember, the 1952 Mantle card is relatively more expensive than his 1951 Bowman card. 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. He also turned heads with his slick glove work at first, earning the only Gold Glove of his career thus far. The legendary Cap Anson appears on two different cards with the uniform version being the rarer of the two. Like the 1997 Bowman, Donruss, Fleer, Leaf, Score and Upper Deck sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values. Goldschmidt also scored 106 runs and led the National League in slugging percentage (.578), OPS (.981), and OPS+ (180), solidifying himself as one of the greatest hitters in the game. Mays could hit, throw, field and run with the best of them. Sammy Sosa, Frank Thomas, Bernie Williams, and Larry Walker all claim Class of '90. Late into the 2022 season, Paul Goldschmidt had a legitimate chance at winning the Triple Crown. 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. The bright yellow background makes this card pop and the portrait of the young Big Train makes for an unforgettable baseball card. Most Expensive [2006 Topps] Baseball Cards - SportsCardsPro 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax #123 #9. Most Expensive 2022 Topps card list & price guide. However, the year ended on a bitter note. So, to build this list, I only focused on the base cards from 2011 Topps and included some from 2011 Topps Update as well. The White Cap variation is considered to be the most difficult of the three Mathewson cards, but the Portrait is the most popular. In 2016, seven copies of this card were miraculously found in an old paper bag. But in 2011, the 37-year-old superstar hit just .272 with an uncharacteristic .645 OPS. However, at the beginning of his career, things didn't go so smoothly for Goldschmidt after he made his MLB debut on August 1, 2011, against the San Francisco Giants. So those that remain are some of the most sought after in the hobby. And with cameras rolling from every angle, Jeter made sure to give HBO a show worth airing. The young Florida native made 58 appearances out of the bullpen, finishing 17 games and saving eight. Cheapest, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, and Cy Young were also featured in the set but Cobbs issue is undoubtedly the most desired. Though he may not have been MLB's hottest rookie in 1990, he certainly turned into one of the biggest superstars of his era. The last of the legendary quartet of 1933 Goudey Ruth cards on our list is the #144 Full Body Ruth. Halladay was given the ball for Games 1 and 5. With Mays, the opposite is true: his Bowman rookie card is worth more than his 1952 Topps card. And its one of the most famous error cards in the entire hobby, too. By 2008, Altuve moved from Venezuela to Tennessee to play for the Greeneville Astros, who were the Houston Astros' Rookie-level Appalachian League affiliate until 2017. 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. The most important post-war card in the hobby, price movements of the 1952 Topps #311Mickey Mantle baseball cardare often seen as an indicator of the health of the sports card market overall. The Green Ruth is the last of the four Babe Ruth cards to appear in the 1933 Goudey set. Not only did he help the team to a World Series title, but Martinez also became the first and only player in MLB history to win two Silver Sluggers in the same season, one as an outfielder and the other as a DH. The base set from Bowman holds little value. Ungraded & graded values for all '05 Topps Baseball Cards. One of the rarest pre-WWI candy issues ever distributed is the 1912 Plows Boy Candy set that included 69 different baseball players. Many believe the 1887 N172 Old Judge set to be the most important 19th Century set in existence. Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner also appear in this set but Jacksons card is easily the most important and most valuable card in the set. But the value between the two isnt affected. Most Valuable. While the #144 Full Body Ruth was double-printed and isnt as scarce, it is harder to find in high-grade than the #181 Green Ruth. Fresh off a Rookie of the Year campaign and the first of three World Series titles in five years, young San Francisco Giants backstop Buster Posey was riding high by the Bay in early 2011. Rookie Cards. And yes, that includes those famously priceless Mickey Mantles. However, there are a handful of his T206 cards that were produced with N.Y. So, although not as desirable as the others, the fact that it exists in such great condition brings a steep price tag. Whether you can find one in high grade or not, though, its a superb card for any collector to own. After winning 61 games in 2010, Seattle finished at 67-95 in 2011 for the franchise's sixth losing season in eight years. Altuve was hitting an incredible .423 at that point but eventually cooled to finish with a .276/.297/.357 slash line. Considered to be one of the more obscure Honus Wagner type cards its value continues to remain strong. 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. Baseball Cards. 10 Most Valuable Sammy Sosa Baseball Cards As a result, there werent manyJoe Jackson baseball cardsproduced. Natl along the bottom before the error was corrected. Collectors find rookie cards are some of the most valuable baseball cards to collect from any player. It was the first time since 1924 that a pitcher accomplished the feat in both leagues during the same season. 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. 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). The 1914 Cracker Jack Mathewson is one of the great rarities in the hobby and easily the most difficult card to find in this amazing set. Most players on this list only have one recognized rookie card to their name. 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. The postseason drought would only get longer, but Sale's transition to a starting role in 2012 was the dawning of a new ace on the Southside. From autographs and relics to silk cards, glove leather cards and exclusive online cards, there was so much variety for collectors to chase. By the way check out the best Wander Franco Rookie Cards #2. Surprisingly, many dont even consider him the best pitcher ever, though. 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. totaled an incredible 511 wins over his career. And it can be tough to find in high grade, too. The reality was that Pujols was good to go. Identical in imagery as its 1915 Cracker Jack counterpart, the 1914 version is equally as visually pleasing. 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. While the Dodgers failed to make the playoffs at 83-78, Kershaw made a second-straight playoff miss easier to stomach in Chavez Ravine. PriceIt Game | Key to the 1953 Topps set is the #244 Willie Mays baseball card. Unlike the other example that features cartoons in the background, DiMaggio is shown all by himself atop a blank background. That story is enough to make any collector cringe. Between the Reggie and Rollie rookie cards, Bench and Ryan's second-year cards, the variations, the variety of stars and Hall of Famers, and Mantle's last card, there is just so much to appreciate. 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. In 49 games for Padres that season, Rizzo slashed a less-than-impressive .141/.281/.242 with one home run, nine RBIs, and nine runs scored in 128 at-bats. Its arguably the most visually pleasing and desirable of all the Ted Williams baseball cards in the hobby. The 35-year-old slugger posted an OPS over .900 for the first time since 2008 (.953), exhibiting a much more discerning eye at the dish. 1990 Topps #414 Frank Thomas Rookie Card Estimated PSA 10 Value: $175 Check prices on: Amazon Now, this is what Thomas's rookie card is supposed to look like when his full name appears at the bottom of the card. Babe Ruths card is the key and most valuable of the 32 card set. Read our methodology . Before I get started, I just want to clarify some of the criteria I used in creating this list. The 1963 ToppsPete Rose rookie cardshows the all-time hit king along with Pedro Gonzalez, Ken McMullen, and Al Weis as one of 1963s most promising youngsters. 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. If you remember, during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, Babe Ruth made his famous Called Shot. 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. Also, many of the known examples are found with poor centering from top to bottom. Prices are updated daily based upon 2005 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. In true Jeter fashion, the Yankees shortstop went above and beyond the moment at hand. But, there are two major glaring differences overall between Mathewsons cards. 2022 Topps Series 1 Wander Franco Photo Variation SP RC #215 Even in poor condition, they routinely sell for over $1 million. This instantly recognizable card is easily one of Mathewsons most popular. 30 Most Valuable Topps Tiffany Cards - Beckett News As with pretty much any pre-war set that features Cobb, his card is the heart and soul of this legendary set. Most Expensive 2021 Topps Chrome card list & price guide. A record that is pretty safe to say will never be broken,Cy Youngtotaled an incredible 511 wins over his career. The Iron Horseappears twice in the 1933 Goudey setwith card #s 92 and 160 to his credit. Nadja was a brand name of the Blake-Wenneker Candy Co. of St Louis and the set features 62 cards in total. 15 Most Valuable 1978 Topps Baseball Cards Worth Money Over twelve seasons, Martinez has played for the Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox, with whom he's been since 2018. Theres just something about this card that makes it visually stunning. By 1954, printing quality had improved greatly so even though centering is still a challenge with this card, finding high-end copies is not as tough as some of the others on this list. During the year, Jones passed Yankees legend Mickey Mantle with his 1,510th RBI, placing him second only to Eddie Murray for the most runs batted in by a switch hitter in MLB history. Yet, packed within all of that excitement was a run of base cards that featured big-name stars and promising rookies. 1986 Barry Bonds Topps Traded Rookie Card 6. 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 card features a great image of Ruth and it remains one of his most desirable cards. 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. Although it features identical imagery as his 1914 Cracker Jack issue, most high-end examples of these two issues are of the 1915. There are only a handful of known copies of this card in the hobby making it a rare and highly demanded issue. Issued by the Mayo and Brother Tobacco Works of Richmond, VA, the set contains 48 different cards overall but Anson's is undoubtedly the most coveted. Collectors will pay big money for either version as long as its in high grade. What's worse was that his (relative) struggles were coming at a low point for the Mariners organization. His aggressive play on the field and his generous ways off the field made him a special individual. By Ryan Cracknell. Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto couldn't carry an inconsistent, snake-bitten Cincinnati Reds squad to a second-straight postseason in 2011. It is one of the most difficult cards to find overall, making it one of the most important cards on this list. Top athletes from baseball, football, hockey, tennis, golf, boxing, swimming, horse racing and even dog sled racing are showcased in the set. 1987 Topps Baseball Cards - 25 Most Valuable - Wax Pack Gods Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 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. It is by far the most important of allHank Aaron baseball cards. There arent manySatchel Paige baseball cards in the hobby but this is a great looking card of the legendary pitcher. 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. The glossy coatings of these cards present a bit of an issue with cracking at times but they are nonetheless some terrific cards. 17 Most Valuable 1973 Topps Baseball Cards Worth Money - Rob Paulsen These 5 by 8 cards were part of a redemption program where collectors sent in coupons in exchange for them. If youre a collector, just stick to what you love and collect only what you love. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 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). A fantastic portrait of the Sultan of Swat wearing a tilted Yankees cap is shown atop a bold, red background. Considered one of the toughest post-war cards to collect, Leroy Satchel Paiges rookie card is a key to this set along with rookie cards of Jackie Robinson and Stan Musial. Babe Ruth rookie cardsare also part of the 1916 M101-4 Sporting News set that is believed to have been printed shortly after the M101-5 set.