most valuable topps baseball cards

Nadja was a brand name of the Blake-Wenneker Candy Co. of St Louis and the set features 62 cards in total. That is a fact not likely to end any time soon. National League manager Bruce Bochy was not looped in on Pujols' condition heading into the All-Star Game selection deadline, leaving the San Francisco Giants skipper little choice but to look elsewhere to round out the depth chart. Honus. 1986 Barry Bonds Topps Traded Rookie Card 6. 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. DiMaggio appeared twice in the 1938 Goudey set but this is the more valuable of the two. But, Joe Jackson is instantly recognizable on this card depicting him as a member of the Cleveland Naps minor league team, the New Orleans Pelicans. In fact, with PSA 10s in such short supply for the set's top cards, we elected to go with PSA 9 prices for this list. So its no wonder that his 1948 Leaf rookie card is such and important piece of the hobby. This card has been and will likely remain the most valuable baseball card for years to come. 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. Top 26 Most Valuable 1986 Topps Baseball Cards In The World 1. Its an extremely tough card to find in high grade. The 1917 Collins-McCarthy candy cards are some of the few card issues that were printed during the mid-teens of the 20th century. 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. Some collectors go for the base set. The White Cap variation is considered to be the most difficult of the three Mathewson cards, but the Portrait is the most popular. 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. Most players on this list only have one recognized rookie card to their name. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Hes also the only key player in the 1914 set on a horizontal layout. And come the postseason, he was on another level, leading St. Louis from a 90-win Wild Card berth to a second World Series title in six years. The card is key for three main reasons: And this is one of the few Ruth cards overall that show him in a Boston Red Sox uniform. 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. 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). Its pretty much identical to his 1915 Cracker Jack issue except for the fact that the back of the 1915 version is turned upside down and was printed on thicker paper stock. Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto couldn't carry an inconsistent, snake-bitten Cincinnati Reds squad to a second-straight postseason in 2011. 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. Because they were distributed in packages of hot dogs, its extremely difficult to find them in high grade. The Braves had an 8.5-game lead in the NL Wild Card race at the beginning of September. Ryans rookie card appears in the 1968 O-Pee-Chee, Topps Milton Bradleyand Venezuela Topps sets as well but its the regular ToppsNolan Ryan rookie cardthat stands apart in value from the rest. 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. 25) 1987 Topps Wade Boggs (#150) In the postseason, Cabrera was predictably excellent. Financial problems would cause Dunn to sell Ruths contract to the Boston Red Sox later that year, however. 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. Many believe the 1887 N172 Old Judge set to be the most important 19th Century set in existence. His .250 batting average reflected the lack of discipline and experience but his .474 slugging percentage hinted at the kind of power he could bring to the Arizona Diamondbacks. 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. Larry Doyle, a second baseman, played for the New York Giants of the NL at the time so most likely that is the reason for the mix-up. In 2016, seven copies of this card were miraculously found in an old paper bag. The card is subtle in design and imagery but remains a truly majestic card for any serious collector to consider. There arent manySatchel Paige baseball cards in the hobby but this is a great looking card of the legendary pitcher. Kimbrel led all NL relievers with 46 saves, pitching to a 2.10 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 77.0 innings. Many collectors are happy to just be able to own one of these legendary cards in the first place, though. Was it because Wagner wanted to be paid by the tobacco company to use his image? After a rough start at the plate, 21-year-old first baseman Freddie Freeman found his footing in the seasons final five months or so. This also is not including 1/1s. Remarkably, he still only finished fifth in the MVP race! It should be no surprise that Ty Cobb's 1915 Cracker Jack card carries an enormous price tag with it, given his iconic status in baseball history. 2010 and 2011 were two of the most emotionally draining years of Chipper Jones' Hall of Fame career. 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. Jackson dominated the minors that year and the Naps called him up late in the 1910 season. 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. 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. When these cards come up for auction, really take note. Many collectors prefer the portrait versions of Cobbs T206 card and specifically the Green Portrait. 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. Not surprisingly, Cobbs card is the cornerstone and to the set. With so many greats, how do you choose between them? That story is enough to make any collector cringe. But, there are two major glaring differences overall between Mathewsons cards. By 2012, Chapman had it down, fine-tuning his electric pitch repertoire en route to becoming a legit Cy Young candidate. 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. If you remember, during Game 3 of the 1932 World Series against the Chicago Cubs, Babe Ruth made his famous Called Shot. Track your collection for free. Centering can also be a challenge as with most cards of the era. His career ERA of 2.13 proves just how difficult it was to hit off of him. 1984. 1. 1952 Topps Willie Mays RC #261 #5. In one of the great stories about this card, a collector once purchased an unopened five-card pack of1952 Topps baseball cardsand pulled the only Pafko to ever be graded PSA Gem Mint 10. 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. In four starts against Lincecum, Kershaw went 4-0 with a minuscule 0.30 ERA in 30.1 innings pitched. 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. But, that doesnt necessarily mean its his most expensive. 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. Considered to be one of the more obscure Honus Wagner type cards its value continues to remain strong. The most expensive 2022 Topps Heritage baseball cards feature the likes of Wander Franco, Shohei Ohtani, Julio Rodriguez, and even Nolan Ryan making an appearance. After spending 1908 and 1909 with the Philadelphia Athletics, they quickly gave up on him and traded him to the Cleveland Naps for the 1910 season. Error cards like Joe Doyles that make it into circulation usually end up being very popular with collectors and this one is no exception. 1986 Topps Nolan Ryan Card 5. 1952 Topps #1 Andy Pafko #8. The card shows a young Ruth in a Boston Red Sox uniform before they traded him to the rival New York Yankees. Most Expensive 2020 Topps card list & price guide. Considered the Holy Grail of all trading cards, the 1909 American Tobacco CompanyT206 Honus Wagner cardremains the symbol of trading card collecting today. During the offseason, the Padres traded Rizzo to the Chicago Cubs in a multi-player deal orchestrated by Jed Hoyer, the Cubs' general manager. In the deciding Game 5, Halladay squared off with his former Toronto Blue Jays teammate and close friend Chris Carpenter. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. It's so rare that no complete set has ever been assembled. His five complete games and epic, generation-defining showdowns with San Francisco's Tim Lincecum were jolts of electricity for a Dodgers fan base desperate for a winner. 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. The 1954 Wilson Franks Ted Williams baseball card is one of if not the most important regional card ever produced. This card is as visually stunning as it is rare. And he pitched with a tenacious on-mound presence in the toughest of game situations. 2020 Topps card list & price guide. This is the keyJackie Robinson baseball card you should add to your collection. Mathewson appears three times in the T206 set with the Portrait, White Cap and Dark Cap variations. 1953 Topps #82 Mickey Mantle RC #3. That tells you how much the prices of Clementes rookie card have increased. Ungraded & graded values for all '21 Topps Chrome Baseball Cards. Please note many of these cards have variations, which won't all be listed here. However, there are a handful of his T206 cards that were produced with N.Y. An SGC 2 Example Sold in August 2022 for $7,250,000. The E300 issue is one of the scarcest prewar sets and had relatively been unknown until the 1960s. 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. 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. In Game 1, the Phillies picked Doc up after he gave up a three-run shot to Lance Berkman in the 1st inning, scoring 11 unanswered runs as Halladay settled in to retire 21 straight in a convincing Philly win. In 11 playoff contests against the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers, he slashed a blistering .314/.489/.771 with four home runs, 12 walks, four doubles, seven runs scored, ten RBIs, and two stolen bases. 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. The potential for caramel stains doesnt bode well for collectors of this card. Trout didn't exactly raise any eyebrows in his first game, finishing 0-3 at the plate. 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135 #6. So, if you can get your hands on one of these cards in high grade then you are looking at some big bucks. Mays could hit, throw, field and run with the best of them. Over twelve seasons, Martinez has played for the Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox, with whom he's been since 2018. Shortcuts: His massive upside in the future made his wildness in the present less worrisome. The most valuable baseball cards in the hobby can easily fetch six and seven figure price levels these days. However, he still put together a worthy encore to his 2010 breakthrough. He also topped 100 runs scored (111) and 100 RBIs (105) while playing in an AL-best 161 of 162 regular-season games. Like Jose Altuve, J.D. On the plus side, Chapman struck out 71 batters and gave up just 24 hits in a variety of high-leverage situations. Cobb is pictured is his Detroit Tigers uniform leaning on his bat atop a multi-colored background. He was also clutch, maintaining a sub-1.00 World Series ERA and twice being named series MVP in 1963 and 1965. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth: $4.212 million A record that is pretty safe to say will never be broken. Prices continue to climb on them, so keep your eye out for these baseball cards! Read our methodology . While the "Cobb Back" T206 may be his most expensive card, this one is arguably his most popular among high-end collectors. The Yellow Ruth, #53, is considered to be the toughest, closely followed by the #149 Red Ruth that shows the legendary slugger in an identical pose. His legendary career and life were cut short on December 31, 1972, when he died in a plane crash while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Even though it is not Mickey Mantles official rookie card it is definitely his most important. 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. 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. #1. The card features a great image of Ruth and it remains one of his most desirable cards. 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. As with Mantles 1952 Topps card, some still mistake this card as Mays rookie, too. 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. And if you remember, the 1952 Mantle card is relatively more expensive than his 1951 Bowman card. Nevertheless, the annual award for the best pitcher in the Majors does bear his name. 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. 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. 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. 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. It would fetch much more than that today. His aggressive play on the field and his generous ways off the field made him a special individual. 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. 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. Whatever the reason, there are only approximately 50-75 or so known copies in circulation today as a result. There are only a handful of known copies of this card in the hobby making it a rare and highly demanded issue. 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). Two decades of pro ball were catching up to Ichiro. Theyre undoubtedly very condition sensitive. 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. In PSA 8 condition, this card would likely sell for $1 million or more. The Wagner soon reclaimed its title, but the 2009 Bowman Draft Trout remains a big deal in the baseball card world. Who did Freeman finish runner-up to in the leagues RotY race, you ask? Whether you can find one in high grade or not, though, its a superb card for any collector to own. This is the other, less expensive, version of this card in the 1938 Goudey set. Of all theTy Cobb baseball cards, this is by far his most expensive. 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. Collectors will pay big money for either version as long as its in high grade. However, the gold borders of the T205 cards leave them vulnerable to chipping and wear. While the Dodgers failed to make the playoffs at 83-78, Kershaw made a second-straight playoff miss easier to stomach in Chavez Ravine. 1909 T-206 Honus Wagner: $7.25 million 3. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Who knows what a high grade example of this card would go for? Career highlights: Two-time National League Most Valuable Player (1958, 1959), 14 . Votto led the National League in doubles (40), on-base percentage (.416), and walks (110). 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. That was the most any Houston Astros rookie had ever driven in during one month as a rookie. Ungraded & graded values for all '22 Topps 1st Edition Baseball Cards. This card is a prime example of an instance where neither being a star nor an error card can bring in big bucks. Caramel cards are usually more scarce than tobacco cards since they were sold to children rather than adults. 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. Late into the 2022 season, Paul Goldschmidt had a legitimate chance at winning the Triple Crown. And it can be tough to find in high grade, too. Although past his prime, he still achieved success in the Majors and was twice named an All-Star. That card was later sold for $250,000 in 2007. Each of the 30 unnumbered cards in the set feature an artist rendering of players atop colored backgrounds. Identical in imagery as its 1915 Cracker Jack counterpart, the 1914 version is equally as visually pleasing. Nothing against Bourjos, but many Angels fans had been eagerly awaiting a chance to see Trout since many considered him the number-one prospect heading into the 2011 season. I think it's safe to say that Topps did a great job of commemorating an incredible 60 years in the business with this set. However, Carpenter was better, tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout to oust the two-time defending NL champs, 1-0. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. Distracting print lines usually hold this card back from higher grades, though. This incredibly important card is beautiful in design, depicting nice artwork of Mantle ready at the bat. As with pretty much any pre-war set that features Cobb, his card is the heart and soul of this legendary set. The Say Hey Kidwas arguably the greatest all-around player to step on the field. Whos the most desired player in the set? The 1969 Topps baseball card set is well-loved in this hobby by many collectors for several different reasons. | Compare vs. 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. By his third season in 2013, Goldschmidt had developed into a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. Big names like Albert Pujols, Ichiro, David Ortiz, Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera and Clayton Kershaw help round out a solid checklist. Although kind of normal for Gehrig, his offensive production was extraordinary in 1934. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 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. It is one of the most difficult cards to find overall, making it one of the most important cards on this list. Ungraded & graded values for all '20 Topps Baseball Cards. On July 18th, he became the quickest Atlanta rookie to 50 RBIs since Hank Aaron in 1954. 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. Premium: Yet, it was the patient way Big Papi produced in 2011 that kicked off his late-career renaissance in style. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Those that have been found in high grade are thought to have never been packaged and instead left the factory by hand. Even in poor condition, they routinely sell for over $1 million. An SGC 9.5 Example Sold in August 2022 for $12,600,000. Not many baseball cards possess as much elaborate and ornate decoration as those of the 1909 Ramly Cigarette T204 set. That would be his teammate, 23-year-old closer Craig Kimbrel. 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. 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. Prices are updated daily based upon 2023 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. From Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Famer Honus Wagner to Los Angeles Angels standout Mike Trout, here are nine iconic cards of star players that were sold or auctioned for significant sums: 1. Ungraded & graded values for all '06 Topps Baseball Cards. The Angels recalled him for a home stand against the Baltimore Orioles on August 19, 2011, and he would finish the remainder of the season in the Majors. He also turned heads with his slick glove work at first, earning the only Gold Glove of his career thus far. But, the fact that his is the last card in the iconic 407 card set gives it an extra bump due to the inherent difficulty in collecting the card. With their one-two finish in the NLs Rookie of the Year vote, Kimbrel and Freeman became the first teammates to do so since Chicago Cubs rookies Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith in 1989. Top athletes from baseball, football, hockey, tennis, golf, boxing, swimming, horse racing and even dog sled racing are showcased in the set. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: $12.6 million 2. Another obscure and rarely seen card, the 1915 E106 American Caramel Honus Wagner Throwing variation is just as much of a classic. 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. Remember, the Tiffany versions were produced in much smaller quantities and were printed on premium card stock. 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. 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. Posey suffered torn ligaments in his left ankle and a fractured fibula in a violent collision that reverberated for years. 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. 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. 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. With that strategy, you can never go wrong! The last of the legendary quartet of 1933 Goudey Ruth cards on our list is the #144 Full Body Ruth. To this day, there is no clear explanation for the rarity of this card, a card that is nearly as tough as the Honus Wagner from the same set. List by Card #, You own: 0 / 9496 items We believe the following 10 cards will be tops in short-term return on investment over the next 1 to 2 years. Download Price List, SportsCardsPro 2019-2023 Most Expensive If so, then please fill out the form below and I'll be in touch right away. This still ranks among the most popular baseball cards of all-time. After hitting .363 with 49 home runs and 166 RBI he would go on to win the Triple Crown. Altuve went 1-5 that game, but little did he know then he had kicked off a piece of Houston Astros history. His 3,003rd hit (and last of the day) was an RBI single that put the Yankees ahead for good in the 8th. Altuve dominated in the Minor Leagues and, by 2011, found himself slashing .361/.388/.569 with five home runs and 25 RBIs in 35 games for the Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks. The 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson rookie card is his most desirable and most expensive card you can find. Unlike the other example that features cartoons in the background, DiMaggio is shown all by himself atop a blank background. 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. The Green Ruth is the last of the four Babe Ruth cards to appear in the 1933 Goudey set. 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). When the infamous T206 set was being produced, Doyle was pitching for the New York Highlanders of the American League. What's wackier is that Detroit's Justin Verlander, on the AL side, also earned a pitching Triple Crown in 2011. 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. Ortiz's 29 home runs and 96 RBIs were pretty on-brand compared to recent years. 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron RC #7. 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. Just be prepared to put up big money if you want one in high grade. Halladay finished with four first-place votes to Clayton Kershaws 27, finishing as the leagues Cy Young runner-up for the second time in four years. The set is one of if not the most condition sensitive of the early E class era. But whats not up for debate is whether its one of his most important. 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. 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. Halladay was given the ball for Games 1 and 5. The famous Pittsburg Pirate shortstop is shown ready at the bat with his name Hans along the bottom border of the card. Not many people outside of the baseball card hobby know who Joe Doyle is. And then, his season came to a screeching halt with a play that changed the game of baseball forever. 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.

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