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Learn how to find out if your old baseball cards are worth anything
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Collecting baseball cards has been a popular hobby since the first cards began to be mass-produced by tobacco companies in the mid-1880s. The baseball card craze really peaked in the 1980s, but it’s seeing a resurgence today. Whether you’re trying to get a sense of what your collection is worth or you’re just starting out as a collector, we have everything you need to know about which baseball cards are actually worth money.

5 Most Valuable Baseball Cards

  1. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311: $12.6 million
  2. 1909 American Tobacco Company Honus Wagner (White Border) T206: $7.5 million
  3. 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth #9: $7.2 million
  4. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #43: $4.2 million
  5. 2009 Bowman Draft Mike Trout Superfractor BDPP89: $3.9 million
Section 1 of 7:

The Most Valuable Baseball Cards of All Time

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  1. Mickey Mantle is considered the best switch-hitter in baseball history, scoring 536 home runs in his 17-year career. Although it’s often referred to as Mantle’s rookie card, the 1952 card is actually from his sophomore year. It features a close-up of Mantle against a blue sky, and his signature is printed on the bottom. [1]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This card is particularly rare (and therefore valuable) because the owner of Topps cards threw away as many as 500 cases of unsold cards in 1960, including these Mantle cards. In 2022, a card graded 9.5 sold for $12.6 million. [2]
  2. 2
    1909 American Tobacco Company - Honus Wagner T206 (White Border) ($7,500,000) This card from 1911 features “The Flying Dutchman” Honus Wagner wearing a collared, button-down Pittsburgh Pirates jersey on a yellow background. Wagner was in the first group of players admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. [3]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This card is very rare—it’s believed that there are only around 60 in circulation today. Some people believe the limited run was due to Wagner’s objection to his image being used to sell tobacco, although others think it was because Wagner wanted to be paid in return for being featured on the card.
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  3. 3
    1914 Baltimore News - Babe Ruth #9 ($7,200,000) This card features Babe Ruth for the Baltimore Orioles. On the card, Ruth stands against a plain background. It’s ringed with a thick border in either blue or red. Ruth—also known as “The Great Bambino” and “The Sultan of Swat”—was in the first class admitted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. [4]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This is considered a “pre-rookie” card—Ruth was originally signed to the Baltimore Orioles, but his contract was sold to the Boston Red Sox. There are only 10 known copies of the card, one of which sold for over $7 million in 1914.
  4. 4
    1933 Goudey - Babe Ruth #53 ($4,212,000) This card, produced in 1933 by the Goudey Gum Company, features Babe Ruth with a bat on his shoulder against a yellow background. Ruth held the MLB’s home run record until it was broken by Hank Aaron in 1974. [5]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This is an iconic card. Its colorful design is eye-catching, making it the gold standard for collectors. A mint-condition card sold for over $4.2 million at auction in 2021. Other versions of the card, including the Red Ruth #149, are also valuable.
  5. 5
    2009 Bowman Draft - Mike Trout BDPP89 Superfractor ($3,936,000) Mike Trout is an outfielder who has been an all-star 9 times and still plays for the Los Angeles Angels today. This is an autographed copy of his rookie card—it’s a Superfractor card, meaning it has a shimmery surface with a gold spiral design in the background. [6]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Only one copy of this card was produced, and it was graded as a 9.5 Gem Mint. In 2020, it sold for $3.9 million, which at the time was the record for the most expensive baseball card ever sold.
  6. 6
    1951 Bowman - Mickey Mantle #253 ($3,192,000) Although not quite as valuable as the 1952 Topps card, Mickey Mantle’s 1951 rookie card is still highly collectible. It features Mantle in his batting stance against a cloud-filled blue sky. [7]
    • Why’s it so valuable? As we mentioned before, Mantle was a hugely successful player, so it’s only natural that his rookie card would be desirable to collectors. A PSA 9 version of this card sold for $750,000 in 2018.
  7. 7
    1916 Sporting News - Babe Ruth M101-4 ($2,400,000) The 1916 Babe Ruth card was considered a “collectible business card.” It was printed with a blank reverse, so businesses could add advertisements to the back. Over a dozen businesses used the cards, but the version with “Sporting News” on the back is considered the most desirable. [8]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Not only is this Babe Ruth’s rookie card, but the advertisements on the back make this a really unique collector’s item. In 2016, a Sporting News version rated PSA 7 was sold for $717,000.
  8. 8
    1933 Goudey - Babe Ruth #181 ($1,272,000) This is a similar version to the yellow Goudey Babe Ruth card that appeared earlier in the list. But this one shows Ruth looking over his shoulder against a green background. [9]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Any of the 4 cards included in the 1933 Goudey set are considered valuable.
  9. 9
    1925 Goudey - Lou Gehrig #160 ($1,032,000) Lou Gehrig’s rookie card shows a black-and-white picture of the first baseman in pinstripes with a bat over his shoulder. Gehrig played for 17 seasons with the Yankees. He played for 2,130 consecutive games, setting a record that he held until 1995. [10]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Despite Gehrig’s legendary status, this card didn’t become valuable until 2018. In 2012, a copy rated PSA 5 sold for only $7,000, but in 2021, another card also rated PSA sold for over $1 million. [11]
  10. 10
    1955 Topps - Roberto Clemente #164 ($960,000) Roberto Clemente played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955 to 1972. His card features both a close-up and a full-body shot of the outfielder, along with an elaborate signature and the Pirates’ mascot. Clemente was unfortunately killed in a plane crash in 1972 while on a mission to help earthquake victims in Nicaragua. [12]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Clemente is admired for his accomplishments both on and off the field. Over the years, his popularity has only grown—and the value of his cards has continued to increase.
  11. 11
    1909–1911 American Tobacco Company - Ty Cobb T206 ($894,250) This card features Ty Cobb in a Detroit jersey against a red background. The text reads, “Ty Cobb, King of the Smoking Tobacco World.” [13] Cobb was an excellent all-around player, and he received the most votes out of the players in the first class of Baseball Hall of Fame nominees. [14]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This is a very rare card, with only 22 known copies in existence. The most expensive sold for nearly $900,000, and it’s estimated that a copy in PSA 4.5 condition would be worth over $1 million.
  12. 12
    1909 American Tobacco Company - Eddie Plank T206 ($850,000) This card features early Hall of Fame Pitcher Eddie Plank (who was nicknamed “Gettysburg Eddie”). He wears a Philadelphia Athletics jersey and is silhouetted against a blue background. [15]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Like Wagner’s 1909 T206 card, this is a very valuable card, and there’s some speculation as to why. No matter the reason, there are only about 75 known copies of this card around today.
  13. 13
    1963 Topps - Pete Rose #537 ($717,000) Although “The Hit King” Pete Rose was banned from baseball because he was caught gambling, his cards are still very collectible. His rookie card also features fellow rookies Pedro Gonzalez, Ken McMullen, and Al Weis. [16]
    • Why’s it so valuable? The condition matters a lot here—over 3,700 of Rose’s rookie cards have been graded, but only one Gem Mint card has been found. In 2016, that card sold for $717,000.
  14. 14
    1933 Goudey - Lou Gehrig #92 ($672,000) The 1933 Lou Gehrig #92 Goudey card is identical to the 1933 Lou Gehrig #160 Goudey card earlier on the list. However, the #160 tends to have a slightly brighter blue background and brighter white border, which may be why it usually fetches a higher premium. [17]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Like the #160 version of this card, the Gehrig cards are highly collectible, and they’re only increasing in popularity.
  15. 15
    1909–1911 American Tobacco Company - Sherry Magie T206 ($660,000) The Sherry Magie card is another highly collectible option from the T206 set. This one is notable because it contains an error—Sherwood “Sherry” Magee’s name was mistakenly misspelled as Sherry Magie. [18]
    • Why’s it so valuable? While all of the T206 cards are collectible, the error makes this one especially valuable. And because the misspelling was ide
  16. 16
    1909 American Caramel - Joe Jackson E90-1 ($667,149) Better known as “Shoeless Joe,” Jackson was an outfielder who played for the Black Sox, and Babe Ruth once said that he copied his swing after Jackson’s. Unfortunately, his legacy was marred by scandal after he admitted to throwing the World Series in return for a bribe. [19] That said, his American Caramel rookie card is still highly desirable by collectors.
    • Why’s it so valuable? Because Jackson was involved in a fixing scandal, not many of his cards have been produced. That makes the existing cards very valuable. [20]
  17. 17
    1954 Topps - Hank Aaron #128 ($615,000) “Hammerin’ Hank” Aaron was a legend in the game. He received three Gold Glove Awards and was named an all-star 25 times across 21 seasons (four seasons held two All-Star games apiece). He also broke Babe Ruth’s home-run record, ending his career with 755 homers. [21] His rookie card is a must-have for serious collectors.
    • Why’s it so valuable? Hank Aaron’s rookie card is colorful and crisp, showcasing an improvement in printing technology. Between the attractiveness of the card and Aaron’s impressive career, it’s no wonder this card is highly collectible. [22]
  18. 18
    1916 Sporting News - Babe Ruth M101-5 ($612,000) This card is identical to the Sporting News M101-4 that appeared earlier on this list. It’s a little less valuable because it was printed a year after the M101-4, but it’s still considered extremely collectible. [23]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This is an extremely difficult card to find, so collectors are willing to pay a premium for it.
  19. 19
    1968 Topps - Nolan Ryan #177 ($612,000) Nolan Ryan pitched for 27 years, striking out 5,714 batters in his career. He shares his rookie card with fellow pitcher Jerry Koosman—Koosman actually gets top billing on the card. [24]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Copies of this card are hard to find in good condition—only one has been graded as a PSA 10 Gem Mint. [25]
  20. 20
    1910 Old Mill - Joe Jackson T210 ($600,000) This card features Joe Jackson in the minor leagues playing for the New Orleans Pelicans. He played there for 1908 and 1909 before being traded to the Cleveland Naps in 1910. [26]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This minor league card is extremely rare. Moreover, the red borders of the card are extremely susceptible to damage, so copies in good condition can fetch a lot of money.
  21. 21
    1909–1911 American Tobacco Company - Joe Doyle T206 ($550,000) Another entry from the T206 set, the Joe Doyle card features the pitcher against a blue background. However, an error at the bottom of the card mistakenly attributes Doyle to the New York Nationals team—he actually played for the New York Highlanders. [27]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Only a few cards were released with this printing error, so they’re very rare and highly collectible.
  22. 22
    1933 Goudey - Babe Ruth #144 ($528,000) This is another of the 4 Babe Ruth cards included in the 1933 Goudey set. This one shows a full-body portrait of Ruth at the plate. The green field and yellow sky make this an especially striking piece. [28]
    • Why’s it so valuable? Like the other 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth’s, this one is rare and highly desired by collectors.
  23. 23
    1914 Cracker Jack - Ty Cobb ($514,000) This card, included in boxes of Cracker Jacks, shows Cobb holding a bat against a bold red background. The top says “Cracker Jack Ball Players,” and the bottom says “Cobb, Detroit - Americans.” [29]
    • Why’s it so valuable: Cracker Jack cards are extremely collectible, especially when they feature a player as popular as Ty Cobb. His 1915 Cracker Jack card is also very valuable.
  24. 24
    1939 Play Ball - Ted Williams #92 ($480,000) Ted Williams, also known as the “Splendid Splinter,” was one of the best hitters in baseball. It’s widely believed that he could have broken Babe Ruth’s record before Hank Aaron, but he missed 5 seasons while serving in the military. [30]
    • Why’s it so valuable? The 1939 Play Ball card is Williams’ rookie card. Williams’ popularity and the crisp image on the card make this one a collector’s dream.
  25. 25
    1948 Leaf - Jackie Robinson #79 ($468,000) Jackie Robinson is as famous for breaking the MLB’s color barrier as he is for his incredible athleticism. He was named an all-star 6 times and won MVP in 1949. His number—42—was retired by every team in the MLB. [31]
    • Why’s it so valuable? This card is part of a set full of baseball greats like Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams—but the Robinson card is the most desired by collectors. A version rated PSA 7 (out of 10) was sold in 2021 for nearly $400,000.
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Section 2 of 7:

More Baseball Cards That Are Worth Money

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  1. These cards didn’t crack the top 25, but they’re still extremely valuable. With more than a million unique baseball cards released through the years, it’s impossible to catalog a list of every baseball card that could be worth money. [32] Each year, new break-out stars dazzle fans, and their cards are added to collectors’ wish lists. Here are a few more Holy Grail baseball cards that can be worth big money:
    • 1958 Topps - Sandy Koufax #187 ($449,389)
    • 1932 U.S. Caramel - Babe Ruth #32 ($432,000) [33]
    • 1948 Leaf - Satchel Paige #8 ($432,000)
    • 1933 Goudey - Babe Ruth #149 ($420,000)
    • 1911 Gold Border - Ty Cobb T205 ($420,000)
    • 1953 Topps - Mickey Mantle #82 ($396,000)
    • 1956 Topps - Mickey Mantle #135 (Gray Back) ($382,400)
    • 1961 Topps Dice Game - Mickey Mantle ($372,000)
    • 1903 Breisch-Williams - Honus Wagner E107 ($348,000) [34]
    • 1967 Topps - Tom Seaver #581 ($344,400)
    • 1921 American Caramel - Babe Ruth E121 ($337,906)
    • 1915 Cracker Jack - Joe Jackson ($336,000)
    • 1909–1911 American Tobacco Company - Ty Cobb T206 (Bat Off Shoulder) ($324,000)
    • 1959 Topps - Bob Gibson #514 ($324,000)
    • 1962 Topps - Mickey Mantle #200 ($314,579)
    • 1912 Plow’s Candy - Honus Wagner E300 ($312,000)
    • 1902–1911 Sporting Life Cabinets - Ty Cobb W600 ($300,000)
    • 1938 Goudey - Joe DiMaggio #274 ($288,000)
    • 1909–1911 T206 - Christy Mathewson (White Cap) ($264,000)
    • 1902 Sporting Life - Honus Wagner W600 (Street Clothes) ($264,000)
    • 1963 Topps - Pete Rose #537 ($264,000)
    • 1973 Topps - Mike Schmidt #615 ($234,000)
    • 1915 Cracker Jack - Joe Jackson #103 ($228,000)
    • 1979 Topps - Ozzie Smith #116 ($222,000)
    • 1934 Goudey - Hank Greenberg #62 ($218,579)
    • 1911 American Tobacco Company - Christy Mathewson (Gold Border) ($215,000)
    • 1957 Topps - Mickey Mantle #95 ($209,794)
    • 1996 Select Certified - Derek Jeter Mirror Gold #100 ($202,102)
    • 1971 Topps - Thurman Munson #5 ($199,999)
    • 1980 Topps - Rickey Henderson ($180,100)
    • 1975 Topps - George Brett #228 ($186,000)
    • 1965 Topps - Joe Morgan #16 ($144,000)
    • 1970 Topps - Nolan Ryan #712 ($132,000)
    • 1950 Bowman - Jackie Robinson $22 ($122,547)
    • 1936 World Wide Gum - Joe DiMaggio V355 ($117,604)
    • 1994 Upper Deck - Alex Rodriguiez Foil Die-Cut #15 ($115,200)
    • 1972 Topps - Reggie Jackson #435 ($114,000)
    • 1888 Allen & Ginter - Cap Anson N28 ($111,000)
    • 1887 Old Judge Cigarettes - Tim Keefe N167 ($104,000)
    • 1937 O-Pee-Chee - Joe DiMaggio #118 ($99,630)
    • 1922 Neilson’s Chocolate - Babe Ruth V61 (Type II) ($92,294)
    • 1872 Mort Rogers Photographic Scorecard - Harry Wright ($83,650)
    • 1919 Hand Cut - Joe Jackson #15 ($79,800)
    • 1908 Rose Company Postcards - Ty Cobb ($72,000)
    • 1907 Dietsche Postcards - Ty Cobb Fielding ($69,000)
Section 3 of 7:

What makes a baseball card valuable?

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  1. A highly valuable card will perfectly blend each of these characteristics. For instance, valuable cards are typically:
    • Rare: There may have only been a limited run of that particular card, for example. Or, the card may be fairly common, but rare in Mint Gem condition.
    • In Demand: This will usually be due to the player on the card, although sometimes cards can be collectible because they have a unique design or are needed to complete a set.
    • In Good Condition: A card can sometimes fetch a good price in less-than-perfect condition, but that usually means that examples in better condition aren’t available.
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Section 4 of 7:

How do I know if my baseball card is worth money?

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  1. Evaluate the card itself, its condition, and the market. Finding extremely valuable baseball cards is rare, but not unheard of—and that’s what makes the search so much fun. If you have a stack of baseball cards and you’re wondering if any of them are worth money, here’s what to keep an eye out for:
    • Look for Hall of Famers: If you have a card belonging to a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame—or a current player who’s widely regarded as a future Hall of Famer—it’s likely going to be worth more than a card belonging to a random player most people haven’t heard of.
    • Prioritize Topps cards for current players: Topps is the official card brand of the MLB (although they’re set to be replaced by Fanatics in 2026). [35] These cards tend to be worth more for current players.
    • Check the price of recently sold cards online. When you’re researching the value of cards, auction sites like eBay are a great resource. Just be sure to check what cards have actually sold for—not just the price they’re listed for, since the asking price doesn’t necessarily reflect what someone will pay.
    • Check the condition: Like any other collectible, the condition can have a huge impact on the value of a baseball card. Collectors want to see a centered image (not offset in printing), crisp corners, and smooth, unbent edges. Cards that are faded, worn, or torn probably aren’t worth as much.
    • Have potentially-valuable cards graded. If you have a card that you think might be worth something, it’s usually worth having it graded by a professional service like Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), Beckett Grading Services (BGS), or the Sportscard Guaranty Company (SGC).
Section 5 of 7:

What’s the most valuable year for baseball cards?

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  1. The most valuable cards tend to be from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Cards featuring the sport of baseball first appeared in the 1860s, typically as advertisements or promotional items. Around the turn of the 20th century, tobacco companies began producing cards featuring baseball players. The T206 Set, produced by the American Tobacco Company between 1909 and 1911, is especially valuable. [36]
    • Baseball cards from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s also tend to be highly collectible. Baseball was hugely popular during this time, and many of the stars were household names. Topps began offering bubble gum with its cards to appeal to children.
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Section 6 of 7:

Are ‘80s and ‘90s baseball cards worthless?

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  1. Most baseball cards from the 1980s and 1990s aren’t worth much. Baseball cards were produced in huge numbers during this time—these years are commonly called the “Junk Wax era.” Because the cards are easy to find, interested collectors can find them easily, and they’re not usually very valuable. That said, there’s still a nostalgia-fueled market, and there are a few hidden gems from these years. Popular 80s and 90s baseball cards include:
    • 1989 Upper Deck - Ken Griffey Jr. #1: Griffey Jr’s rookie card is one of the most desirable from the Junk Wax era.
    • 1003 SP - Derek Jeter #279: Jeter’s rookie card from SP didn’t hold up well to wear, so good-quality versions are highly valuable. [37]
    • 1987 Topps - Ricky Wright (signed): Wright’s reluctance to sign these cards makes them hard to find, so they’re prized by collectors who want a complete signed set. [38]
    • 1990 Topps - George H.W. Bush #USA1: Topps produced 100 copies of this card, which features the future President in a Yale baseball uniform, while Bush was in office.
    • 1989 Upper Deck - Dale Murphy (error card): A few of these cards were printed in reverse—if the Braves’ tomahawk points to the left, this one is worth money.
    • 1990 Topps - Frank Thomas (no name error): Copies of Thomas’ rookie card that are missing his name are highly collectible.
    • 1989 Fleer - Randy Johnson #381 (Marlboro background): The background of this card shows an ad for Marlboro—Fleer covered up the ad in later versions, making the Marlboro version more collectible.
    • 1989 Fleer - Bill Ripken (FF error): In 1989, Bill Ripken wrote a cheeky obscenity on his bat as a joke before his photograph was taken. But the printers at Fleer missed the message, and the cards were released to the public. Later versions had a black box, white scribble, or black scribble over the bat—but the unedited version is a favorite with collectors. [39]
Section 7 of 7:

Which current players’ cards are valuable?

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  1. But players who have challenged or broken records or who have been named an all-star or MVP are a good start. Some players to watch for might include: [40]
    • Shohei Ohtani
    • Mookie Betts
    • Mike Trout
    • Aaron Judge
    • Ronald Acuna Jr.
    • Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
    • Bryce Harper
    • Juan Soto
    • Freddie Freeman
    • Fernando Tatis Jr.
    • Michael Harris II
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      29. https://www.si.com/collectibles/hobby-101/five-impossible-baseball-cards-of-the-junk-wax
      30. https://www.si.com/collectibles/inside-the-hobby/1989-fleer-bill-ripken-error-card-sets-record-scribbled-out-in-white-psa-10-sells-for-4-915
      31. https://legendsondeck.com/most-collectible-baseball-cards-2025-preseason/

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