This one was double-printed meaning there were more of them in circulation but its still surprisingly tougher to find in high grade than the #181 Green Ruth. The Say Hey Kidwas arguably the greatest all-around player to step on the field. And this is one of the few Ruth cards overall that show him in a Boston Red Sox uniform. So its no wonder that his 1948 Leaf rookie card is such and important piece of the hobby. 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson Rookie Card 4. It should come as no surprise that the rookie card of the greatest player who ever lived would be on this list. A fantastic portrait of the Sultan of Swat wearing a tilted Yankees cap is shown atop a bold, red background. A mixture of bad timing, poor communication, and an always-controversial roster rule kept Albert Pujols out of the 2011 MLB All-Star Game, ending his streak of consecutive Midsummer Classics at eight. Collectors will pay big money for either version as long as its in high grade. Theres just something about this card that makes it visually stunning. And their continued popularity and demand prove that baseball cards still do hold great value. And by 2016, he'd solidified his place as a Cubs legend when he helped the franchise win its first World Series title since 1980, finally breaking the "curse" that had haunted them for over 100 years. The potential for caramel stains doesnt bode well for collectors of this card. Prices are updated daily based upon 2022 Topps 1st Edition listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Neither makes a difference when it comes to value, though. 2022 Topps Baseball Rookie Cards Guide. And because it features a close-up of Mantle, print defects on his face can also sometimes turn off collectors. Many baseball historians still consider Cobb the greatest all-around player that ever graced a baseball diamond. 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. 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle RC #3. Thus, Pujols was left out in a season where he finished fifth in the NL's MVP balloting. We are user supported. And its one of the most famous error cards in the entire hobby, too. Even though it is not Mickey Mantles official rookie card it is definitely his most important. Given all of the variations, parallels, inserts, autograph, and memorabilia cards included in the set, developing a definitive "most valuable" list can be quite difficult. The young Florida native made 58 appearances out of the bullpen, finishing 17 games and saving eight. Collectors got a glimpse of what it was like to be a pitcher in that era with Cobb intensely staring them down before the pitch. After signing a three-year, $38 million deal in the offseason to remain in Cincy, the 27-year-old first baseman busted out of the gates in a full sprint in 2011. Ungraded & graded values for all '21 Topps Chrome Baseball Cards. 2005 Topps card list & price guide. Like all Bowman cards, the eye appeal of this card is amazing as a the artwork of the young Mick is simply stunning. There are only a handful of known copies of this card in the hobby making it a rare and highly demanded issue. The card features a great image of the Sultan of Swat seated in pinstripes looking over his right shoulder atop a green background. Greatest Topps Baseball Cards of All-Time Most Expensive of All-Time #10. However, Carpenter was better, tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout to oust the two-time defending NL champs, 1-0. totaled an incredible 511 wins over his career. Prices are updated daily based upon 2023 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Votto reached base in the team's first 27 games, finishing April with an eye-popping .370 batting average. 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. The find has since been dubbed The Lucky 7 find. And then, his season came to a screeching halt with a play that changed the game of baseball forever. 2010 and 2011 were two of the most emotionally draining years of Chipper Jones' Hall of Fame career. 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. 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente RC #4. Natl along the bottom before the error was corrected. Theres only one copy of the card currently graded in that condition, however. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: $12.6 million 2. (Note: The following sections contain affiliate links to current eBay and Amazon listings for the cards being discussed.) 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. There are four different Babe Ruth cards in the 1933 Goudey set, #s 53, 144, 149 and 181. Cheapest, 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. Several player variations exist, some with as many as 12, so the series boasts well over 3,000 different cards in total. This card is often thought to be Jacksons most attractive and popular baseball card. Poor print quality and focus plague this short print card making high-grade copies nearly unachievable. Collectors find rookie cards are some of the most valuable baseball cards to collect from any player. Read our methodology . Honus. After winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2010 and leading the Philadelphia Phillies to within two games of a third-straight World Series appearance, Roy Halladay was a man on a mission in 2011. Whatever the reason, there are only approximately 50-75 or so known copies in circulation today as a result. Late into the 2022 season, Paul Goldschmidt had a legitimate chance at winning the Triple Crown. Most Valuable. It should be no surprise that this card is the key to the entire set with the Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson cards coming in second and third place, respectively. But, that doesnt necessarily mean its his most expensive. With five Silver Sluggers and three batting titles to his name in twelve MLB seasons, Altuve continues to be one of the best hitters in the game. 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. Most Expensive 2022 Topps 1st Edition card list & price guide. Contact him at [emailprotected]. 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135 #6. To commemorate Posey's 2010 Rookie of the Year honor, Topps released this card in Series One packs and you can see the "2010 Rookie of the Year" along the bottom just above his name. Mathewson appears three times in the T206 set with the Portrait, White Cap and Dark Cap variations. And it can be tough to find in high grade, too. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. 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. Prices are updated daily based upon 2005 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Please note many of these cards have variations, which won't all be listed here. By his third season in 2013, Goldschmidt had developed into a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. Of all theTy Cobb baseball cards, this is by far his most expensive. Prices are updated daily based upon 2020 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. These 5 by 8 cards were part of a redemption program where collectors sent in coupons in exchange for them. But, the Great Bambino is the number one card to own out of all of them. Votto led the National League in doubles (40), on-base percentage (.416), and walks (110). Being card #261 in the set, its not a high number card (#311 407) which means it is not as scarce as Mantles #311 card. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What's wackier is that Detroit's Justin Verlander, on the AL side, also earned a pitching Triple Crown in 2011. Nadja was a brand name of the Blake-Wenneker Candy Co. of St Louis and the set features 62 cards in total. While Posey would recover and play an MVP-caliber role for San Francisco's 2012 and 2014 title teams, his injury in 2011 forced the hands of baseball's decision-makers. Shortcuts: 1955 Topps Sandy Koufax #123 #9. Centering and chipping along the red bottom border are usually obstacles to achieving a higher grade. It would fetch much more than that today. That was the most any Houston Astros rookie had ever driven in during one month as a rookie. 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. Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto couldn't carry an inconsistent, snake-bitten Cincinnati Reds squad to a second-straight postseason in 2011. 30. Any modern flagship Topps Baseball set has a lot going on. Five Hall of Famers made their rookie card debut in the T206 set and Walter Johnson is one of them, a fact that makes this card even more interesting. And with 103 RBIs on the year, he became the first Reds player since Dave Parker to post back-to-back 100-RBI seasons (1985-86). Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Most Expensive, Cobb is pictured is his Detroit Tigers uniform leaning on his bat atop a multi-colored background. Both are not cheap but it is this version that is the more desirable and expensive of the two. The Giants were 27-19 heading into a home series with the Florida Marlins, looking every bit the contender for a repeat World Series engagement. The base set from Bowman holds little value. 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. Theyre undoubtedly very condition sensitive. Milwaukee's Prince Fielder earned the first base start for the Senior Circuit, and Cincinnati's Joey Votto was a no-doubt pick as a backup. And he pitched with a tenacious on-mound presence in the toughest of game situations. Collectors go wild for it. Halladay was great, giving up just one run on four hits in eight innings. Kershaw was more than up to the task, bringing home the Dodgers' first Cy Young trophy since Eric Gagne in 2003 with a banner year. Of all theWillie Mays baseball cards out there, this is his most important. There arent manySatchel Paige baseball cards in the hobby but this is a great looking card of the legendary pitcher. Remarkably, he still only finished fifth in the MVP race! . And like Altuve, Martinez started with the Greeneville Astros and worked his way up to the Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks. In 2014, MLB instituted rules that prevented a runner from initiating "an avoidable collision" at home plate. However, there are a handful of his T206 cards that were produced with N.Y. The 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson rookie card is his most desirable and most expensive card you can find. Martinez turned out to be the big winners from 2011 Topps Update. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! Demand for Clementes rookie card has skyrocketed over the past couple of years. However, #160 is the more difficult of the two to find in high grade so it generally fetches higher prices. Although past his prime, he still achieved success in the Majors and was twice named an All-Star. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. 2. Although kind of normal for Gehrig, his offensive production was extraordinary in 1934. | Compare vs. Or, feel free to call/text me at 305-684-6680! Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. The Big Train is a true legend of the game and this card is a great tribute to him. He also amassed less than 200 hits (184) and posted an OPS+ under 100 (86) for the first time in eleven MLB seasons. But there was plenty to like about their accomplishments before the season's heartbreaking finale. Especially for high condition copies of the card. However, since it's one of the most iconic cards of the modern era, I made an exception to include it (and some other 2011 Topps Update cards) on this list. The centering can be so severe that it will cut into the text along the bottom. 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 . Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. The last of the legendary quartet of 1933 Goudey Ruth cards on our list is the #144 Full Body Ruth. Just be prepared to put up big money if you want one in high grade. 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. It is by far the most important of allHank Aaron baseball cards. 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. The price would certainly be astronomical. buy stuff after clicking links on our site That card was later sold for $250,000 in 2007. Like Jose Altuve, J.D. 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. This card can be quite challenging and is the key to the set. No More Secrets Puzzle Game, Ungraded 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. Prices continue to climb on them, so keep your eye out for these baseball cards! This card is a key classic in the hobby and is Aarons only recognized rookie card. Whenever manager Ozzie Guillen needed him to get a few outs, Sale performed. , Bo Bichette, Luis Robert, Yordan Alvarez [SSP] #392, Fernando Tatis Jr. [Memorial Day Camo] #168, Fernando Tatis Jr. [Mother's Day Pink] #168, Fernando Tatis Jr. [Independence Day] #168, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. [Independence Day] #182, Fernando Tatis Jr. [Father's Day Blue] #168. The four Ty Cobb cards in the T206 all differ in popularity, scarcity, and appearance but they are all just as important to the hobby as the 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth quartet. Moreover, the Mathewson Portrait is one of the toughest HOF portraits in the entire set. In high grade, this card can fetch big bucks. Centering issues, as well as dark print blotches in the yellow background, are usually the two key issues of this card. Download Price List, SportsCardsPro 2019-2023 This is the second most desirable card in the famed T206 set and the only pose of the HOF pitcher. The 1939 Play Ball #92 issue is the Splendid Splinters only recognized rookie card. In his fourth year with the club, Miguel Cabrera helped Detroit silence those laughs. However, it just isnt as often found in high grade as #53. This is the first Topps card to feature Willie Mays, putting it high on Mays collectors wish lists and making it a key card in the hobby overall. 2022 Topps Series 1 Wander Franco Photo Variation SP RC #215 Shortcuts: Most Expensive , Cheapest , List by Card # Any collector lucky enough to get his hands on Mathewsons card is sure to be ecstatic. For example, one easy way to tell if youve got an M101-4 Ruth rookie is if the Sporting News ad is on the back of the card as no M101-5 Ruths featured that ad. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? And with cameras rolling from every angle, Jeter made sure to give HBO a show worth airing. Considered the Holy Grail of all trading cards, the 1909 American Tobacco CompanyT206 Honus Wagner cardremains the symbol of trading card collecting today. The 48-card 1915 American Caramel E106 shows some nice artistic renderings of players of the National, American and Federal Leagues. If youre a collector, just stick to what you love and collect only what you love. And in this guide, we'll take a look at the 15 most valuable. However, as with any colored borders, the surrounding red borders of this card are susceptible to wear making it very condition sensitive. Martinez's career began with the Houston Astros when they drafted him in the 20th round of the 2009 MLB Draft out of Nova Southeastern University. In fact, his 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany card can be worth over $2,000 in PSA condition. Gehrig again appeared on two different cards, #37 and #61, in the 1934 Goudey set. From autographs and relics to silk cards, glove leather cards and exclusive online cards, there was so much variety for collectors to chase. Interestingly, the same image is used on both cards. Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, and Cy Young were also featured in the set but Cobbs issue is undoubtedly the most desired. These are the Top 3 Most Valuable Baseball Cards Worth Money. Not many baseball cards possess as much elaborate and ornate decoration as those of the 1909 Ramly Cigarette T204 set. Ungraded & graded values for all '23 Topps Baseball Cards. Johnson is considered by many to be the best pitcher of all time after turning in an amazing 12 seasons of 20 or more victories, including two with more than 30. As one of the most clutch players in Yankees history, Derek Jeter seized the moment perfectly with a dramatic introduction to baseball's 3,000-hit club. Most Expensive 2023 Topps Baseball Cards Most Expensive 2023 Topps card list & price guide. While he cooled off from that torrid pace, the now two-time All-Star was still one of the game's most feared hitters. As the reigning NL Central champs sputtered to a 79-83 record and failed to make the playoffs, Chapman worked out the kinks in his delivery in 53 relief appearances. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. While a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy sold for $432,690 in 2012 a PSA 9 copy sold for an even higher amount, $478k, in 2016. While the Dodgers failed to make the playoffs at 83-78, Kershaw made a second-straight playoff miss easier to stomach in Chavez Ravine. 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. So, if you're looking tosell baseball cards then you might want to check this list to see if you're sitting on something special. The fancy gold borders that surround Walter Johnsons black and white portrait are a thing of beauty. Altuve went 1-5 that game, but little did he know then he had kicked off a piece of Houston Astros history. Especially his American Caramel E90-1 rookie card on which he is shown leaning on his bat against a purple backdrop. Buy on: eBay 1964 Topps Phil Niekro RC/Phil Roof RC #541 The Rookie Cards in 1964 Topps Baseball are led by a. Some argue that this is Mickey Mantles most beautiful card. George Close Candy cards are among the scarcer pre-WWI caramel issues and the Honus Wagner is one of the keys to the set. Centering is also a tough issue for this card. A PSA Gem Mint 10 #128 Aaron sold for $357,594 in 2012, a price that would easily be overcome in todays market. Surprisingly, many dont even consider him the best pitcher ever, though. I remember seeing one of these in abaseball card shop near where I grew up and I would just stare in awe. And, unfortunately, Goudey mailed the card with a paper clip on it that left indentations on the card. Read our methodology. Centering that favors the bottom and slight angular cuts are usually the factors that prevent these cards from reaching higher grades. 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) Though he may not have been MLB's hottest rookie in 1990, he certainly turned into one of the biggest superstars of his era. 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. 10 Most Valuable Sammy Sosa Baseball Cards 10. 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. 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron RC #7. After 60 years in the hobby, Topps helped celebrate their "Diamond Anniversary" by packing so much into their 2011 Topps baseball card set. 2011 was the year that Ichiro finally looked mortal at the plate. inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. 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. The Tigers couldn't capitalize on Cabrera's otherworldly October and lost to the Rangers in the ALCS in six. 1986 Topps Nolan Ryan Card 5. And if you remember, the 1952 Mantle card is relatively more expensive than his 1951 Bowman card. Mathews had a prolific career as a feared power hitter and spent many years alongside Hank Aaron to form one of the greatest home run hitting duos the game has ever seen. Along with the Killebrew and Koufax rookies, theRoberto Clemente rookie card is an anchor in the 1955 Topps baseball card set and the most expensive of the three. Most players on this list only have one recognized rookie card to their name. 4 Hank Aaron #660. Caramel cards are usually more scarce than tobacco cards since they were sold to children rather than adults. Track your collection for free. In 2010, Jones blew out his left knee in mid-August and could not help his Braves teammates in a tense five-game NLDS loss to the eventual World Series champion Giants. Seldom seen at auction, the 48 card set distributed by the American Caramel Co. of York, Pa. released some of the rarest type cards in existence. That means there are also many fakes out there, so considerPSA grading services or other reputable third party graders before buying or selling one of these. Estimated PSA 4.5 VG-EX+ Value: $1,100,000. Only 7 of the Ty Cobb cards have ever been submitted to PSA for grading which speaks to the rarity of them. 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. A high number card, Mathews rookie is extra tough to collect since it was positioned at the bottom corner of print sheets and usually is found off-center as a result.