pop culture
Jason Koeppel // ONE37pm
By: Jonathan Torrey
Published Aug 11, 2021
Out of the top 10 most expensive trading cards ever sold, baseball has 5 on the list due to its rich history as a sport and strong collector base. The nostalgia for these cards spans the history of the sport, and brings some fascinating stories and the rediscovery of MLB legends.
Below is a list of the 25 most valuable baseball rookie cards spanning Babe Ruth and Mike Trout. Each card tells a story about the player and his accomplishments, as well as imagery that can sweep holders back to a specific time period of the sport.
1. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps #311 $24,731 - $15.71 million
CardLadder
A 1952 Topps PSA 10 Mickey Mantle is the holy grail rookie card in baseball card collecting. There are only 3 PSA 10s in existence and are estimated to be worth anywhere between $15,000,000 and $30,000,000. There have been no recent sales of this card despite a PSA 9 copy selling for $5.2 million in January 2021.
A PSA 1 copy of the card is valued at just over $24,000.
Originally, many more copies of this card had been produced, but due to lack of interest, the producers dumped an estimated 300-500 cases of the 1952 Topps set into the ocean.
Technically, the 1951 Bowman #253 is the first Mickey Mantle card, but this is the first Topps produced Mante card, it is widely recognized as his key rookie card and is valued accordingly.
Mantle, a Hall of Famer, played 18 seasons for the New York Yankees and is a 7-time World Series champion.
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is rare across its population - there are just 3 PSA 10s in existence, 6 PSA 9’s and only 35 PSA 8 copies.
Recent sales:
PSA 7: $350,000
PSA 2: $60,000
PSA 1: $24,700
2. Hank Aaron 1954 Topps #128 $1,800 - $7.09 million
CardLadder
Hank Aaron played in the MLB for 23 seasons and is second all-time in home runs. He’s won 1 World Series and made a record 24 All-star appearances.
There are just 2 PSA 10 copies of his rookie card in existence and it’s projected to be valued at just over $7 million. A PSA 1 copy is valued at $1,792.
There are 25 PSA 9s in existence and 193 PSA 8 copies.
Recent Sales:
PSA 8: $52,021
PSA 7: $15,200
PSA 6: $16,211
3. Babe Ruth 1914 Baltimore News $600,000 - $5.9 million
PSA
Before there was Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron, there was Babe Ruth who played 22 seasons, his 714 home runs and is a 7-time World Series Champion.
Ruth’s style of play also had a lasting impact on the game of baseball and the fan experience. He was the first player to hit 60 home runs in a season, and his power-hitting style helped put the Yankees franchise on the map. Attendance doubled after Ruth came to the Yankees.
Ruth arrived in New York by way of the trade from the Boston Red Sox, the 2nd worst trade in MLB history.
Ruth’s “prospects” card from 1914 features him during his time in the minor leagues. The Baltimore News card depicts him as a member of the Baltimore Orioles, which is valued at $5.94 million and is being offered by Collectable as a fractionalized investment opportunity.
A PSA 1 copy of the card is valued at $600,000.
There’s just 1 copy each of a PSA 1, PSA 2, and PSA 4.
4. Mike Trout 2009 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects #BDPP80 1/1 Superfractors $5.56 million
CardLadder
Mike Trout has played 11 seasons so far in the MLB, and while he hasn’t yet won a world series, there’s data to support him being the best player in history. He’s under 30 years old and has an astonishing .305 batting average with 310 Home Runs and 816 RBIs so far in his career.
He’s a 9-time MLB all-star and has won the American League MVP 3 times, finishing second in four other seasons.
Trout is the first modern player on the list, which means an introduction of rookie cards with parallels. Parallels are shorter print cards that have different visual characteristics. In this case, we have a population of 1 Superfractor card.
The card last sold for $3.84 million but is currently valued at $5.56 million.
The base version of this card is worth $10,587 in its lowest grade of a BGS 9.
Recent sale: $3.84 million
5. Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey #53 $5,075 - $4.22 million
CardLadder
The 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth is widely recognized as his professional rookie card despite other cards released prior to this set.
There are no PSA 10 copies of Ruth’s 1933 Goudey card, there’s just 1 PSA 9 copy and 14 PSA 8 copies.
Recent Sales:
PSA 4: $19,000
PSA 2: $15,350
PSA 1: $5,000
6. Jackie Robinson 1948 Leaf #79 $6,886 - $2.98 million
CardLadder
Jackie Robinson was the first African American to play in the MLB, winning the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1947 and the most valuable player in the National League in 1949. He also won 1 world series and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962.
There aren’t any copies of this card in a PSA 10 grade. There are 7 copies in a PSA 9, and 40 copies in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 4: $25,000 (best offer accepted)
PSA 5: $29,750 (best offer accepted)
PSA 2: $10,351
7. Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey Action #144 $6,978 - $2.71 million
CardLadder
The 1933 Goudey set, widely recognized as Ruth’s official rookie card (despite it being released later in his career) contains four Ruth cards. Some variations are rarer and more desirable than others.
There aren’t any PSA 10 copies of this card, there are 4 PSA 9s and 32 PSA 8s.
Recent Sales:
PSA 4: $18,655
PSA 3: $13,200
PSA 1: $5,600
8. Roberto Clemente 1955 Topps #164 $1,984 - $1.51 million
Curio Cards
Roberto Clemente played 18 seasons of major league baseball, all for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente died at a young age in a plane crash, and shortly after his death, he was elected into the Hall of Fame. The mandatory 5-year waiting period for the hall of fame inductions was waived for Clemente given his on-field accomplishments and tragic death.
Clemente won two World Series, was the National League MVP, won 12 gold gloves, and had 3,000 career hits.
There are 0 copies in a PSA 10 grade of his 1955 Topps rookie card, 11 copies in a PSA 9, and 123 copies in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 7: $21,100
PSA 7: $19,750
PSA 6.5: $9,409
9. Willie Mays 1951 Bowman #305 $2,896 - $1.43 million
CardLadder
This 1951 Bowman Willie Mays card comes from the same set as Mickey Mantle's first card. It is Mays’ only rookie card.
Mays had a highly accomplished career and was the first player in MLB history to smash 50 home runs and steal 20 bases in one season. He’s also just one of 18 players to hit four home runs in one game.
He’s a 24-time All-star, 2-time MVP, and a one-time world series champion and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
There aren’t any PSA 10 copies of this card, and there are just 8 copies in a PSA 9 grade and 76 copies in a PSA 8 grade.
Recent Sales:
PSA 6: $18,100
PSA 5: $16,978
PSA 5: $14,878
10. Nolan Ryan & Jerry Koosman 1968 Topps #177 $400 - $1.34 million
CardLadder
Nolan Ryan is the first pitcher on this list (unless you count Babe Ruth’s 17 games as a pitcher) and holds the record for most strikeouts in a career all-time. He also holds the record for the most no-hitters pitched (7), most wins as a pitcher (324), and has thrown 100 MPH fastballs.
The Hall of Famer has a storied career and there’s just 1 copy of his 1968 Topps rookie in a PSA 10 grade, 66 in a PSA 9 grade, and 737 copies in a PSA 8.
There’s just 1 copy of this card in a PSA 10, 66 in a PSA 9, and 737 in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 8: $5,499
PSA 7: $3,054
PSA 7: $3,000
11. Pete Rose 1963 Topps #537 $828.15 - $561,130
CardLadder
Pete Rose played the most games of any player in the MLB (3,562) and holds the record for most hits (4,256). He was a 17-time NL All-star and won 3 World Series. He is not a Hall of Famer, as he was banned from the game of baseball due to gambling.
There’s just 1 copy of this card in a PSA 10, 30 copies in a PSA 9, and 421 copies in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 9: $77,114
PSA 8: $14,800
PSA 8: $12,313
12. Reggie Jackson 1969 Topps #260 $161 - $515,963
CardLadder
Reggie Jackson is a two-time World Series MVP, and a five-time World Series winner. Over his 21-year career, his teams have won 11 divisions and 6 pennants.
He also led the AL in home runs in 4 seasons and won league MVP in 1973.
There is 1 PSA 10 copy of his rookie card, 41 copies in a PSA 9 grade, and 559 copies in a PSA 8.
A PSA 1 copy of this card is currently valued at $161.76.
Recent Sales:
PSA 8.5: $9,750
PSA 8.5: $8,300
PSA 8.5: $7,852
13. Yogi Berra 1948 Bowman #6 $325.90 - $489,346
CardLadder
Yogi Berra played 19 seasons, was an 18-time All-Star and won 10 World Series. He spent 18 seasons with the New York Yankees and has the most World Series rings of any Major League baseball player.
There is 1 copy of this card in a PSA 10 grade, 10 copies in a PSA 9, and 108 copies in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 8: $11,012
PSA 8: $7,700
PSA 7: $3,263
14. Derek Jeter 1993 SP Foil #279 $250 - $483,888
CardLadder
Derek Jeter is a 5-time world series champion (including 1 World Series MVP award) and had over 3,000 hits during his career with the New York Yankees. Jeter was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2020 and is currently the CEO of the Miami Marlins.
There are 21 copies of this card in a PSA 10 grade, 611 in a PSA 9 grade, and 9,077 in a PSA 8 grade.
Recent Sales:
PSA 9: $18,600
PSA 9: $16,300
PSA 9: $15,000
15. Harmon Killebrew 1955 Topps #124 $100 - $378,729
CardLadder
Harmon Killebrew spent the majority of his 22-year career with the Minnesota Twins and is 12th all-time for Home Runs. The Hall of Fame first baseman played in one World Series, but the Twins lost to the Dodgers in that series.
There’s just 1 PSA 10 copy of his rookie card, 66 copies in a PSA 9 grade and 737 copies in a PSA 8 grade. A PSA 1 copy of this card is valued at $101.04 currently.
Recent Sales:
PSA 8: $2,895
PSA 7: $1,133
PSA 5: $475 best offer accepted
16. Mike Schmidt, Ron Cey, & John Hilton 1973 Topps #615 $95.52 - $369.410.47
CardLadder
Mike Schmidt played 18 seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies as a 3rd baseman, was a 12-time All-Star and a one-time NL MVP. He also led the National League in home runs 8 times. He was also the World Series MVP in the Phillies’ first-ever franchise World Series Victory.
There are 6 PSA 10 copies of this card, 250 PSA 9 copies and 1,509 PSA 8 copies.
Recent Sales:
PSA 9: $10,000 (best offer accepted)
PSA 9: $6,999
PSA 9: $6,600
17. Bob Gibson 1959 Topps #514 $342 - $363,576
CardLadder
Bob Gibson played 17 seasons for the St. Louis Cardinals and is the second pitcher on our list. He’s a 9-time All-Star and a 2-time World Series champion with a 2.91 career ERA.
He’s also known for his 1968 season, where he had a 22-9 record, 13 shutouts, 268 strikeouts and an astonishingly low 1.12 ERA. It’s recognized as the best statistical full season for a pitcher of all-time.
There are 3 copies of this card in a PSA 10 grade, 31 copies in a PSA 9, and 381 copies in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 9 (OC): $5,855 best offer accepted
PSA 7: $2,486
PSA 4: $800
18. Roy Campanella 1949 Bowman #84 $977 - $357.594
CardLadder
Roy Campanella played for the Brooklyn Dodgers for 10 seasons as a catcher and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1969. His career was tragically cut short after being paralyzed in a car accident.
Campanella is also credited for paving the way for the MLB to break the color barrier.
There are 2 PSA 10 copies of this card, 18 PSA 9 copies, and 122 PSA 8 copies.
Recent Sales:
PSA 5: $1,474
PSA 5: $1,385 best offer accepted
PSA 4: $849.95 best offer accepted
19. Tom Seaver & Bill Denehy 1967 Topps #581 $716 - $348,780
CardLadder
Tom Seaver was a Hall of Famer pitcher for the New York Mets finishing his career with 311 wins, 3,640 strikeouts, 61 shutouts and a 2.86 earned run average.
Seaver was part of the 1969 Miracle Mets World Series winning team and holds the record for consecutive strikeouts (10) in a single game.
There are 3 copies of this card in a PSA 10, 91 copies in a PSA 9 and 583 copies in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 8: $5,300
PSA 8: $4,091
PSA 3: $900
20. Shohei Ohtani 2018 Topps Chrome #150 1/1 Superfractor $301,048
CardLadder
Ohtani is in just his 5th season in the MLB but is making waves as a successful two-way player.
He’s currently batting .269 with 37 home runs and is 6-1 with a 2.93 ERA as a pitcher. Ohtani is breaking records on the mount and at the plate.
This card is just a population of 1 and recently sold at Goldin Auctions. A base version of this card in a PSA 9 (pop 214) is valued at $99.96 and has sold for as low as $50 raw (ungraded).
21. Mike Trout 2011 Bowman Chrome #175 Superfractor 1/1 $299,578
CardLadder
This card was released in 2011, two years after his 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects card, but is still considered to be a rookie card (and is branded as such on the top left of the card).
This is another 1/1 Superfractor and is graded in mint 10 condition.
The base version of this card is valued at $398.66 in a PSA 8 grade (pop 203), $783.01 in a PSA 9 grade (pop 1,127) and $2,521 in a PSA 10 (457 copies).
22. Ted Williams 1939 Play Ball #92 $2,702 - $295,331
CardLadder
Ted Williams played 19 seasons for the Boston Red Sox despite missing seasons in his prime due to military service. He’s sometimes referred to as the “greatest hitter of all time”. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1966 and finished his career with 521 Home Runs (20th) .344 batting average (11th) and was a 2-time MVP and 19-time All Star.
There aren’t any PSA 10 copies of this card, there are just 12 PSA 9s and 88 PSA 8 copies.
Recent Sales:
PSA 4: $6,975 best offer accepted
PSA 3: $5,495
PSA 1: $2,999
23. Sandy Koufax 1955 Topps #123 $539 - $272,416
CardLadder
Sandy Koufax compiled a 165-87 record over his 12-year career with an earned run average of just 2.76 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1972. He had to end his career early due to an elbow injury. In 1963, Koufax won 25 games with a 1.88 era and 11 shutouts. He won the Cy Young Award and NL MVP that season. Koufax won 2 World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers and put up phenomenal performances in each series.
There aren’t any copies of this card in a PSA 10, and just 23 copies of this card in a PSA 9 and 240 copies in a PSA 8.
Recently Sold:
PSA 4: $1,553
PSA 2: $749
PSA 2: $750
24. George Brett 1975 Topps #228 $121 - $162,568
CardLadder
George Brett is a Hall of Fame 3rd baseman who played 21 seasons with the Kansas City Royals. He helped the Kansas City Royals win its first World Series in 1985 (he homered 3 times and hit for an average of .348). He’s a 13-time All Star and holds the 2nd highest batting average (.390) for a single season.
There are 10 copies of this card in a PSA 10 grade, 307 copies in a PSA 9 and 2,784 copies in a PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 8: $660
PSA 8: $529 best offer accepted
PSA 7: $284
25. Ernie Banks 1954 Topps #94 $418 - $144,624
CardLadder
Ernie Banks was a 14-time All Star, 2 time NL MVP and 2 time NL home run leader for the Chicago Cubs. Although Banks never won a world series with the Cubs, he was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1977 and was named to the MLBs All-Century team in 1999.
There aren’t any copies of this card in a PSA 10, there are 14 copies graded PSA 9 and 145 copies graded PSA 8.
Recent Sales:
PSA 7: $12,000 best offer accepted
PSA 4: $1,499
PSA 1.5 (MC): $409
The article you provided delves into the realm of sports trading cards, specifically focusing on the most valuable baseball rookie cards in history. As an enthusiast and expert in sports memorabilia, particularly baseball trading cards, I'll analyze and provide information on the various concepts and key elements discussed in the article.
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Pop Culture and Collectibles: The article delves into the world of baseball trading cards, which are a significant part of pop culture and sports collectibles. These cards have gained immense value and interest among collectors due to their rarity, historical significance, and association with iconic players.
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Top 10 Most Expensive Baseball Cards: The article highlights the top 25 most valuable baseball rookie cards, showcasing their worth based on recent sales and their historical significance. The prices are influenced by factors such as rarity, player legacy, card condition, and collector demand.
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Rookie Cards: Rookie cards are the first cards issued for a particular player in a major card set. These cards are highly sought after by collectors because they mark the inception of a player's professional career and are often more valuable than subsequent cards.
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PSA Grading: The cards' conditions are graded by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest quality (Gem Mint) and 1 indicating a poor condition card. The higher the grade, the more valuable the card tends to be.
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Player Histories: The article touches upon the careers and achievements of legendary baseball players like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, Mike Trout, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, Nolan Ryan, Pete Rose, and others. It outlines their contributions to the sport, accolades, and impact on baseball history.
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Card Values: The value of these cards varies significantly based on factors such as the player's legacy, rarity of the card, its condition, and the market demand. For instance, the Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps #311 PSA 10 card is considered the "holy grail" of baseball cards, valued between $15 million to $30 million.
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Card Sets and Variations: Different card sets and variations, such as parallels and subsets, exist for various players, adding complexity and rarity to the collecting field. Some cards have specific versions or subsets that are rarer and more desirable to collectors.
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Player Impact: The article discusses the impact players like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, and others had on the sport of baseball, not only in terms of their on-field performances but also their influence on the game's popularity and culture.
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Investment Opportunities: Some companies or platforms offer fractionalized investment opportunities in high-value cards, allowing multiple investors to own a portion of these rare cards.
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Recent Sales and Market Trends: The article provides recent sales data and market trends, showcasing the ongoing interest and value fluctuations in baseball card collecting.
In summary, the article covers the historical significance, rarity, value, and fascination surrounding valuable baseball rookie cards, shedding light on the intriguing world of sports memorabilia and collectibles.