In the NLDS, the 102-win AL East champion Phillies faced a molten-hot St. Louis Cardinals squad that had fought back from a massive Wild Card deficit in September. Ungraded & graded values for all '22 Topps Baseball Cards. Whos the most desired player in the set? A year away from taking over the Cincinnati Reds closer role and simultaneously becoming a perennial All-Star, Aroldis Chapman showed flashes of his forthcoming game-breaking dominance in 2011. Theres only one single PSA 10 copy currently in circulation, however, which makes it extremely difficult to find even if you have that kind of money to spend. The Green Ruth is the last of the four Babe Ruth cards to appear in the 1933 Goudey set. Because they were distributed in packages of hot dogs, its extremely difficult to find them in high grade. His aggressive play on the field and his generous ways off the field made him a special individual. This is one of them. Ungraded & graded values for all '05 Topps Baseball Cards. 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. 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. We may earn an affiliate commission if you . People are spending as much on old pieces of cardboard as most people spend on a house. It's so rare that no complete set has ever been assembled. When the infamous T206 set was being produced, Doyle was pitching for the New York Highlanders of the American League. And like Altuve, Martinez started with the Greeneville Astros and worked his way up to the Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks. Kimbrel led all NL relievers with 46 saves, pitching to a 2.10 ERA with 127 strikeouts in 77.0 innings. 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. But, the Great Bambino is the number one card to own out of all of them. A PSA Gem Mint 10 #128 Aaron sold for $357,594 in 2012, a price that would easily be overcome in todays market. 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. 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. Try finding something to not like about this card! Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 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. Babe Ruths card is the key and most valuable of the 32 card set. 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. Even though it is not Mickey Mantles official rookie card it is definitely his most important. 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. His 3,000th hit was a solo shot in the 3rd inning that tied the game at one. Read our methodology. And their continued popularity and demand prove that baseball cards still do hold great value. 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. 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. The 1915 version was part of a redemption program, however, thus better preserving their condition. The 1912 Plows Candy E300 Mathewson features a large photographic image of the legendary pitcher of the Dead Ball Era framed by text readingPlows Candy CollectionandMathewson, New York Nationals.. Most Expensive 2020 Topps card list & price guide. With so many greats, how do you choose between them? 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. And with those five prime seasons back, he quite possibly couldve added enough home runs to his career 521 total to challenge Ruths record of 714 before Aaron did. #1: 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle An SGC 9.5 Example Sold in August 2022 for $12,600,000 Dimensions: 2-5/8" x 3-3/4" The most important post-war card in the hobby, price movements of the 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle baseball card are often seen as an indicator of the health of the sports card market overall. Baseball Cards. Financial problems would cause Dunn to sell Ruths contract to the Boston Red Sox later that year, however. Not many people outside of the baseball card hobby know who Joe Doyle is. 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. And if you remember, the 1952 Mantle card is relatively more expensive than his 1951 Bowman card. Their glossy obverse surface usually results in creasing and cracking issues making it tough to find these in high grade. The bright yellow background makes this card pop and the portrait of the young Big Train makes for an unforgettable baseball card. However, Carpenter was better, tossing a complete-game three-hit shutout to oust the two-time defending NL champs, 1-0. The question is: where do you start on this list? Collectors love the eye appeal of this beautiful pre-war set. It was a brutal way for the season to end for the 90-win Red Sox. That would be his teammate, 23-year-old closer Craig Kimbrel. But, that doesnt necessarily mean its his most expensive. 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). 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. 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. Both are not cheap but it is this version that is the more desirable and expensive of the two. Many baseball historians still consider Cobb the greatest all-around player that ever graced a baseball diamond. Jackson dominated the minors that year and the Naps called him up late in the 1910 season. While not his most expensive baseball card, its arguably the most visually pleasing of them all. 1981 Topps #302 Dodgers Future Stars Estimated PSA 9 Mint Value: $225 When it comes to rookie season debuts, the Dodgers have developed a reputation for some of the finest on record. 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. While the Dodgers failed to make the playoffs at 83-78, Kershaw made a second-straight playoff miss easier to stomach in Chavez Ravine. 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. As with Mantles 1952 Topps card, some still mistake this card as Mays rookie, too. Also, many of the known examples are found with poor centering from top to bottom. and one of the best-looking cards of the 1950s in my opinion. In early 1914, Jack Dunn of the minor league Baltimore Orioles signed Ruth to a professional baseball contract. I like Posey's rookie cup card #198 from Series One better than this card that appeared in Series Two from an aesthetic standpoint. Another obscure and rarely seen card, the 1915 E106 American Caramel Honus Wagner Throwing variation is just as much of a classic. 1986 Topps Reggie Jackson Card 8. 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. 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. Caramel cards are usually more scarce than tobacco cards since they were sold to children rather than adults. That determination and consistency led to a phenomenal career and eye-popping stats that made him a no-brainer to be one of the first five players inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. One of the rarest pre-WWI candy issues ever distributed is the 1912 Plows Boy Candy set that included 69 different baseball players. With that strategy, you can never go wrong! Please note many of these cards have variations, which won't all be listed here. Any modern flagship Topps Baseball set has a lot going on. Error cards like Joe Doyles that make it into circulation usually end up being very popular with collectors and this one is no exception. It just goes to show that scarcity and condition can have just as much of an impact on the value of a card as the player who is on it. You could argue the imagery isn't the nicest in the hobby but it makes for an unforgettable card design. One of his most important, the card shows some beautiful artwork of a young Mays fielding a baseball in his New York Giants uniform. In the season's first 46 games, the 24-year-old star slashed .284/.368/.389 with four home runs and 21 RBIs in 162 at-bats. He also topped 100 runs scored (111) and 100 RBIs (105) while playing in an AL-best 161 of 162 regular-season games. Centering that favors the bottom and slight angular cuts are usually the factors that prevent these cards from reaching higher grades. Not many baseball cards possess as much elaborate and ornate decoration as those of the 1909 Ramly Cigarette T204 set. The number of chase cards available to collectors may have seemed overwhelming at the time but, in retrospect, it was great to see Topps offer so much variety. Read our methodology . He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. Moreover, the Mathewson Portrait is one of the toughest HOF portraits in the entire set. Natl along the bottom before the error was corrected. The Big Train is a true legend of the game and this card is a great tribute to him. 30. While his 1952 Topps card gets all the limelight, the 1951 Bowman card is Mickey Mantle's true rookie card and a fine one to behold. Exact prices are available to subscribers. 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. 1909 T-206 Honus Wagner: $7.25 million 3. Then they went 9-18 in the campaign's final month, losing out on a playoff spot by a game to St. Louis with a season-ending five-game losing streak. 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. Gehrig again appeared on two different cards, #37 and #61, in the 1934 Goudey set. After hitting .363 with 49 home runs and 166 RBI he would go on to win the Triple Crown. The Wagner soon reclaimed its title, but the 2009 Bowman Draft Trout remains a big deal in the baseball card world. Prices are updated daily based upon 2023 Topps listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. Possessing an explosive triple-digit fastball with electric movement, Chapman struggled to harness his high-octane stuff in his first full year with the Reds. Whether you can find one in high grade or not, though, its a superb card for any collector to own. 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. 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. Overall, Votto hit .309 with a .947 OPS, 29 home runs, and 101 runs scored. Most Expensive 2023 Topps Baseball Cards Most Expensive 2023 Topps card list & price guide. Its arguably the most visually pleasing and desirable of all the Ted Williams baseball cards in the hobby. But its also one of the issues more difficult cards since it typically suffers from poor print quality and coloration. Especially his American Caramel E90-1 rookie card on which he is shown leaning on his bat against a purple backdrop. Altuve was hitting an incredible .423 at that point but eventually cooled to finish with a .276/.297/.357 slash line. While collectors could pull 1914 Cracker Jack cards directly from the box, that also meant they usually had caramel stains on them. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC. It is by far the most important of allHank Aaron baseball cards. This instantly recognizable card is easily one of Mathewsons most popular. 15 Most Valuable 2011 Topps Baseball Cards More. Reigning NL MVP Joey Votto couldn't carry an inconsistent, snake-bitten Cincinnati Reds squad to a second-straight postseason in 2011. But what puts the Bat Off Shoulder relatively much higher on this list than the others is that you can find this card in PSA 9 Mint condition, unlike the others. | Compare vs. However, it just isnt as often found in high grade as #53. He ended the year with a 2.79 ERA, striking out 79 batters in 71.0 innings pitched. The young Florida native made 58 appearances out of the bullpen, finishing 17 games and saving eight. #15 1966 Topps Ferguson Jenkins (RC) #254 Sold for $8,988 1966 Topps Ferguson Jenkins rookie card on eBay There arent manySatchel Paige baseball cards in the hobby but this is a great looking card of the legendary pitcher. So, although not as desirable as the others, the fact that it exists in such great condition brings a steep price tag. Trout didn't exactly raise any eyebrows in his first game, finishing 0-3 at the plate. Average ungraded base card value (excludes parallels) for 2020 Topps Prices continue to climb on them, so keep your eye out for these baseball cards! 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. 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. While he cooled off from that torrid pace, the now two-time All-Star was still one of the game's most feared hitters. Ungraded & graded values for all '20 Topps Baseball Cards. Greatest Topps Baseball Cards of All-Time Most Expensive of All-Time #10. 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. Yet, packed within all of that excitement was a run of base cards that featured big-name stars and promising rookies. Over 40 MLB games in 2011, Trout slashed .220/.281/.390 with five home runs, 16 RBIs and 20 runs scored. His career ERA of 2.13 proves just how difficult it was to hit off of him. This still ranks among the most popular baseball cards of all-time. 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. And yes, that includes those famously priceless Mickey Mantles. And while they are keys to the set and arguably the most popularLou Gehrig baseball cards, they are still overshadowed by the Ruth quartet. He ultimately fell short of the incredible feat but still finished the season batting .317 with 35 home runs and 115 RBIs. Most Expensive 2021 Topps Chrome card list & price guide. 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. 3. As with most early candy or tobacco issues, this card with the image of the Georgia Peach ready to swing is the most valuable and sought after in the set. The T206 set is special for many reasons but one of them is no doubt the numerous brand advertisements on the backs16 different backs in total. We believe the following 10 cards will be tops in short-term return on investment over the next 1 to 2 years. If you asked collectors, most would probably say they prefer the portrait poses with the green portrait more preferred to the red due to its scarcity. 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. Centering can also be a challenge as with most cards of the era. Surprisingly, many dont even consider him the best pitcher ever, though. 30 Most Valuable Topps Tiffany Cards Rankings are based on the online Beckett Price Guide and Database. 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. 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. 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. PriceIt Game | 1986 Barry Bonds Topps Traded Rookie Card 6. When these cards come up for auction, really take note. Because of his alleged participation in the Black Sox Scandal during the 1919 World Series, Jackson was banned from baseball during his prime. 1952 Topps Willie Mays RC #261 #5. 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. The card is subtle in design and imagery but remains a truly majestic card for any serious collector to consider. 3)Many high number cards were famously dumped into the ocean leaving even less of them in existence. 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 most expensive 2022 Topps Heritage baseball cards feature the likes of Wander Franco, Shohei Ohtani, Julio Rodriguez, and even Nolan Ryan making an appearance. Gehrig was one of a long line of Yankee legends and no doubt put up some of the greatest hitting statistics of them all. Cobb is pictured is his Detroit Tigers uniform leaning on his bat atop a multi-colored background. Centering is also a tough issue for this card. A truly great baseball card of the legendary icon. In the postseason, Cabrera was predictably excellent. 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. After seeing his batting average dip considerably in the previous three seasons, Ortiz posted the second-best full-season mark of his career thus far with a .309 finish. By the way check out the best Wander Franco Rookie Cards #2. 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. Or, as most believe, was it because he didnt want to be involved in promoting tobacco use to children? 1952 Topps #1 Andy Pafko #8. List by Card #, You own: 0 / 9496 items The base set from Bowman holds little value. 2022 Topps Baseball Rookie Cards Guide. The fancy gold borders that surround Walter Johnsons black and white portrait are a thing of beauty. Followed by HBO documentary cameras during his rehab process, Jeter opened up about himself and his pursuit of baseball immortality in a way he'd never done before. This is the other, less expensive, version of this card in the 1938 Goudey set. 1978 Topps Andre Dawson 72 PSA 10 Rookie Cup PSA 10 Image Credit: ebay While most of these newer A&G Topps cards were baseball players, you can also find other sports represented (wrestling, soccer, MMA, basketball, softball, beach volleyball, boxing, and car racing). Career highlights: Two-time National League Most Valuable Player (1958, 1959), 14 . 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. Nevertheless, the annual award for the best pitcher in the Majors does bear his name. There are 30 cards in total and each includes seven different possible color backs. But what most usually don't realize is that many pre-War and even high grade post-War vintagebaseball card valuescan be astronomical. 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) While his 1952 Topps card is more popular and more expensive, some collectors forget that this is the only recognizedMantle rookie card. Bowman did not include him in their 1953 set so that makes his Topps card of that year even more sought after. These 5 by 8 cards were part of a redemption program where collectors sent in coupons in exchange for them. 1986 Topps Tiffany Ryne Sandberg Chicago Cubs Card 7. It was clear that Topps wanted to do something special for their 60th anniversary and they certainly delivered. Again, the biggest condition issues with this card will arise from the glossy coating on the obverse that usually ends up cracking or creasing. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Just a year prior, Sale wasn't even a starter yet. There are four different Babe Ruth cards in the 1933 Goudey set, #s 53, 144, 149 and 181. A PSA 10 1954 Topps Banks rookie card sold for $142,836 in May 2012. 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. 2022 Topps Series 1 Wander Franco RC #215 VIEW ON EBAY Winner, winner chicken dinner. Although not as popular as his 1948 Bowman rookie card, his 1948 Leaf rookie card is the tougher of the two. 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. Rookie Cards. The 1986 Topps Traded Bo Jackson rookie card is his most desirable and most expensive card you can find. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Top 26 Most Valuable 1986 Topps Baseball Cards In The World 1. If you look closely at each of the double prints of this card, youll notice that one version shows better clarity and focus than the other. Anthony Rizzo made his MLB debut for the San Diego Padres on June 9, 2011, against the Washington Nationals, going 1-2 at the plate with a triple and a run scored.