Top 10 Most Valuable Baseball Cards Of All Time

September 21, 2021 By Sourav

Are you planning to buy any baseball cards now or in the future? Are you curious about the most valuable baseball cards of all time and their prices? That's great; then, you're on the right track.

There are thousands of people out there who spend millions of dollars on baseball cards. Those who said it was pointless to buy these cards don't know what they are talking about or are ignorant about them.

By reading this article, you will learn about the best baseball cards that will help you make an informed decision on whether to buy or get interested in them. Let's dive right in!

Most Valuable Baseball Cards | All-Time Ranking

10. Jackie Robinson - 1948 Leaf #79
9. Babe Ruth - 1933 Goudey #144
8. Eddie Plank - 1909-11 T206 White Border
7. Willie Mays - 1951 Bowman #305
6. Ty Cobb - 1909-11 T206
5. Joe Jackson - 1915 Cracker Jack
4. Mickey Mantle - 1951 Bowman #253
3. Lou Gehrig - 1933 Goudey #160
2. Christy Mathewson - 1914 Cracker Jack
1. Cy Young - 1909-11 T206 White Border

Don’t Miss

• Costliest Baseball Cards | Infographics
• FAQs Regarding Costliest MLB Cards

Baseball is not just one of the most popular sports in the USA but also one of the highest-paying sports of all time. And fans of basketball never hesitate to put massive money at stake when it comes to vintage cards. So, here are the costliest baseball cards of all time.

10. Jackie Robinson - 1948 Leaf #79

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was the first African American to play professional baseball in Major League Baseball in the modern era. The Brooklyn Dodgers' Robertson made history on April 15, 1947, when he started at their first base.

Jackie Robinson's baseball card is on the 10th spot out of the most valuable baseball cards of all time. However, the 1948 Leaf Robinson's card is considered one of the most expensive baseball and recognizable cards.

Moreover, the design is decent and features the smiling face of Jackie Robinson wearing a blue cap with a yellow background. One of the greatest multitalented athletes, Robinson, truly deserves this honor in his card.

Due to his significance to baseball and American history, Robinson's cards are regarded as one of the hobby's most prestigious and expensive cards. However, his genuine rookie cards were launched by Bond Bread in 1947. The most recent price of Robinson's card is about $675.00.

9. Babe Ruth - 1933 Goudey #144

On number 9 out of the top 10 most valuable baseball cards, we've ranked Babe Ruth. From 1914 through 1935, Babe Ruth played professional baseball for the New York Yankees in the Major League Baseball.

Due to the high career reputation of Babe Ruth, the baseball card featuring him is in high grade than other key rookies in the set. Furthermore, these iconic card details include Ruth's pose backed by vivid yellow, green and red hues.

The card is much appreciated because its sophisticated design features clean white borders, strong corners, and high print quality. Besides, it gives perfect tribute to one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Additionally, Ruth's cards are considered some of the most devoted baseball cards in the entire hobby and sell for an estimated $10,000 on average.

8. Eddie Plank - 1909-11 T206 White Border

Edward Stewart Plank was a former American professional baseball player. From 1901 through 1914, Plank played for the Philadelphia Athletics, the St. Louis Terriers, and the St. Louis Browns in Major League Baseball.

Eddie is still known for having one of the highest career batting averages in MLB. And out of the top ten most valuable baseball cards of all time, Eddie Plank's baseball card is ranked 8th.

Besides, this card is regarded as the second most straightforward, most valuable baseball card of the 1990s and rarest card behind Wagner. The card design is so clean with the grey background, the team info is placed at the top, and the picture of Eddie Plank occupies 20% of the card volume.

Moreover, the white-bordered tobacco insert card of Eddie Plank was recently loaned by the owner of Arizona Diamondbacks for an amount of $400,000.

7. Willie Mays - 1951 Bowman #305

A former professional baseball center fielder, Willie Howard Mays Jr., is known as "The Say Hey Kid." Before finishing his Major League Baseball career with the New York Mets, he spent almost his entire 22-year career playing for the New York/San Francisco Giants.

He is still regarded by many as one of the greatest home run champions in MLB. Willie Mays's baseball card is worthy to rank on the top 7th spot out of 10 most valuable baseball cards of all time.

Looking at the card, we can justify an effort to ensure the integrity of the featuring player Willie Mays. The card design includes the team info at the top and the posing picture of Willie Mays in a fury with a grey background that occupies the 40% volume of the card.

Moreover, Willie's card is considered one of the most expensive baseball cards and coveted cards issued by Bowman Gum Company that sold out for an estimating amount of $65,725.00.

6. Ty Cobb - 1909-11 T206

The Georgia Peach's nickname was "The Georgia Peach," and he played outfield for the Atlanta Braves of the Major League Baseball. Originally from rural Narrows, Georgia, he now lives in Atlanta.

The former Detroit Tigers player-manager spent 22 seasons with the Tigers, the last six as the team's manager, before finishing his career with the Athletics. And he still has one of the most outstanding hitting records in MLB history.

In addition to his achievements, Cobb Tobacco's card is ranked 6th position in the list of the most valuable baseball cards of all time. Cobb's cards were designed to conform to the packages they contributed with their American Tobacco Company products.

Moreover, the card contains a distinctly unique "White Border" player portrait covering 20% of the card. The Ty Cobb cards are consistently in the list of the key cards of entire key pre-War sets. Therefore, the considerable amount estimates of nearly $300,000 for a mint condition paradigm.

5. Joe Jackson - 1915 Cracker Jack

We have ranked Cracker Jack Joe Jackson on the 5th spot out of the top 10 most valuable cards of all time. In the early 1900s, shoeless Joe Jackson, an American outfielder playing Major League Baseball, was known as 'Shoeless Joe.

Jackson, during his heydays, was widely regarded as one of the fittest male athletes on the baseball field. The present card is a spectacular example of the legendary Joe Jackson from the 1915 Cracker Jack set.

Besides, the card is available in an acceptable size, and other details include the featured face of Jack Joe Jackson having the bold red background with the team info at the top. Joe Jackson's card came directly from an original "Factory Set" with a definite stunning appearance and is an excellent addition to Joe Jackson's cards set.

Allotting it the distinction of the most valuable and expensive baseball card, the Joe Jackson's card sold for $350,000. Which is an exploit within itself.

4. Mickey Mantle - 1951 Bowman #253

An American professional baseball player is known as The Mick and The Commerce Comet; Mickey Charles Mantle played baseball. As a center fielder, right fielder, and first baseman, Mantle spent all his time with the New York Yankees during his Major League Baseball career.

Mickey Mantle's baseball card is ranked 4th in the list of the most valuable baseball cards of all time. In addition, the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle card is considered one of the few finer and most desirable rookie cards of history.

Moreover, the card features the painted face of Mantle on the front with his bat raised against a cloudy backdrop. It is not just one of the costliest MLB cards but is also one of the most valuable sports memorabilia of all time.

This visually outstanding card that collectors can go crazy for is regarded as one of the most expensive cards in the hobby. Besides being among the most iconic and costly cards, Mantle's cards sell anywhere between $2000 and $1 million.

3. Lou Gehrig - 1933 Goudey #160

Henry Louis Gehrig played first base for the New York Yankees over 17 seasons in Major League Baseball. In addition to his ability to hit, Gehrig was also known for his durability, for which he earned the nickname "The Iron Horse."

Out of the ten most valuable baseball cards of all time, Lou Gehrig's card is in 3rd position in the list. And interestingly, he is also the subject of several best baseball movies of all time.

Looking at the card's design, we can see the legendary pose of Gehrig in his Yankee pinstripes in mid-swing. This stunning artwork on the card, inspired by a Charles Conlon photograph taken in the 1927 season, is regarded as one of the most iconic rookie cards in the entire hobby.

Besides, depending on its condition, the price of the 1933 Goudey #160 Lou Gehrig card is nearly $1000. Hence, if you find this card in more delicate print, you're looking at the massive profits.

2. Christy Mathewson - 1914 Cracker Jack

A right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, Christopher Mathewson was nicknamed "Big Six," "The Christian Gentleman," "Matty," and "The Gentleman's Hurler." Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing 195 pounds, he was among the slimmest men in town.

During his heydays, he is widely regarded as one of the best baseball players in MLB. Mathewson's baseball card is ranked 2nd in the list of most valuable baseball cards of all time.

Mathewson's card is visually stunning and an iconic example of vintage cards collection of the most appreciated classics. Moreover, this card is the most unique and attractive set with a horizontal design, and the Mathewson is featured in the action pose.

The bold red and light green background gives it an incredibly professional look, with the team info at the top. Further, being among the most visually appealing cards in the hobby, the Cracker Jack baseball card is valued at $750,000. Nevertheless, one of the most valuable MLB cards.

1. Cy Young - 1909-11 T206 White Border

A Major League Baseball pitcher named Denton True "Cy" Young played for the Los Angeles Angels. As a child, he helped his family with the farm at Gilmore before beginning his professional baseball career. From 1890 to 1898, Young pitched for the National League's Cleveland Spiders.

Cy Young's baseball card is ranked in the list of the most valuable baseball cards of all time. Besides, he is widely known as one of the greatest baseball pitchers in MLB, even after so many years have gone by!

In addition, Cy Young's baseball card is regarded as more challenging than most other Hall of Fame cards in the set. Furthermore, this card features the portrait image of Young officially created by the famous photographer Carl Horner.

This is one of the most expensive and desirable iconic cards you'll come across. Additionally, Young’s portrait is one of the stricter portraits in the T206 set to find, and its recent price is $15,000.00; even in poor condition, this card sells like a hotcake.

Conclusion

There you have it! Thanks for reading! The information about the most valuable baseball card of all time is sure to have been very helpful to you. In this article, we have discussed the card holder's history and the significance of cards, including the price.

Let us know if we missed any other deserving valuable cards in the comment box below, or even send us an email if you'd like. We look forward to responding to your inquiry.

Costliest Baseball Cards | Infographics

FAQs Regarding Costliest MLB Cards

Q. Who is featured on the most expensive baseball card ever sold in the auction?

According to Robert Edwards Auctions, which handled the auction, a T206 Honus Wagner baseball card sold at auction for $6.6 million, making it the most expensive sports card of all time.

Q. What are the most valuable baseball cards of all time?

Cy Young's baseball card is regarded as the most valuable baseball card of all time. Furthermore, this card features the portrait image of Young officially created by the famous photographer Carl Horner.�