Check Your Collection – These Baseball Cards Could Be Very Valuable

Adults and kids have always enjoyed collecting baseball cards. However, you may not realize that some of them could be worth a lot of money. If you’ve got some tucked away in an attic, you might want to dig them out and check them because they could be very valuable.

If you have never thought of that before, consider trying it now. You never know what you might find hiding in your stash. In fact, pause a moment, grab your binders of baseball cards, and have them ready while you read. That way, you can see if you’ve got a treasure!

Mickey Mantle – The 1952 Topps

All baby boomers are sure to appreciate a baseball player like Mickey Mantle. You could sell your 1952 card for about $3 million! The price goes to a new high for those on-Honus Wagner cards. In fact, a 6th or 7th graded copy of it could get you $700,000!

Derek Jetter – The 93 Upper Deck SP Foil

For the last 30 years, Derek Jetter has been the baseball icon. He’s got so many cards, but the 1993 version has the highest worth. Though it changes based on the card’s condition, mid-grade options sell for up to $400, with a perfect card reaching as high as $1,000!

Dwight Gooden – The 1984 Fleer Update

Dwight Gooden became synonymous with baseball in the 1940s when he became a rookie. In fact, he was called Doctor K and featured in the 1985 set in his Mets uniform. If you’ve got this card in your house, it might be worth $200!

Stan Musial – The 1948 Bowman

Overall, the 1948 Bowman card for Stan Musial is the oldest out there. This icon was honored during this set, and you might not be able to find it in stores. However, if you already have one, it might be worth $1,000 or more!

Babe Ruth – The 1914 Baltimore News

While it was a grade 2 card, the 1914 Babe Ruth baseball card sold in 2012 for $575,000. The reason is that it’s so rare. Sources claim that there were only 10 copies still out in the world, which adds to its value!

Al Weis-Ken McMullen-Pedro Gonzalez-Pete Rose – The 1963 Tops

Overall, this four-player rookie card is so popular because it contained Pete Rose, who had many record hits. One card sold in 2016 for $717,700. That’s because it was a grade-10 version and very rare to find or have.

Albert Pujols – The 2001 Bowman (Autographed)

Baseball became more of a novelty in the early 2000s, but that changed when Albert Pujols came on the scene. In fact, if you have an autographed Pujols card from the 2001 Bowman set, you could be sitting on a lot of money. If it’s in perfect condition, you’re golden!

Cal Ripken Jr. – The 1982 Topps Traded

Though there are many rookie cards from 1982, the highest valued one is likely Cal Ripken Jr. If it’s in good condition, you could sell it for $200. However, the back easily chips off, so you should be careful when handling it or moving it.

Honus Wagner – The T206

Overall, the Honus Wagner card in the T206 set is likely to be the most valuable card ever. It was made by a tobacco company to boost cigarette sales. However, Wagner didn’t like that and stopped distribution. One sold for about $3.3 million back in 2016!

Chipper Jones – The 1991 Desert Shield

In the 1990s, Chipper Jones was the third baseman for the Atlanta Braves. Then, in 1991, he got a base set for the season, leading to Desert Shield holograms. It was only available to the military in Operation Desert Storm, so it’s rare. Generally, they sell for a couple of hundred bucks!

Babe Ruth – The 1916 Sporting News

During the height of Babe Ruth’s career, he was a famous singer. To honor that legacy, people don’t mind paying big bucks to grab a 1916 baseball card. In 2016, one copy sold for $717,000, and another went for $550,000 around the same time.

Ken Griffey Jr. – The 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card

Throughout the 1990s, most assumed that Ken Griffey, Jr.’s rookie card might become the most valuable of all time. However, that’s not what happened. Still, it’s iconic, and you could make about $400 from it if it’s got a good grade.

Willie Mays – The 1952 Topps

Along with the Mantle card, Willie Mays also appears in the 1952 Topps set as the New York center fielder. Overall, this man was a Hall of Famer at the time, so his card sells for about $478,000. At least, it did at an auction in 2016!

Kirby Puckett – The 1984 Fleer Update

Those who have the 1984 Fleer Update set might also have Kirby Puckett in there. The Hall of Famer can go for a lot, but it depends primarily on the grade. Generally, this Minnesota player sells for $200 to $500 (perfect condition).

Shoeless Joe Jackson – The 1909 American Caramel

As with the Wagner card, the 1909 Joe Jackson card was made by American Caramel to increase sales for the cigarette brand. Jackson actually got banned from the sport for being involved in a gambling controversy with the Chicago Black Sox. Therefore, his cards are very rare, and you can expect to shell out $660,000 to buy one.

Joe Doyle – The 1911 ATC T206

Most of the players on the list are Hall of Famers. However, Joe Doyle isn’t. He wasn’t the best player in the world, but this card goes for $414,750. Overall, the first edition listed him as a New York National League player instead of for the Yankees.

Hank Aaron – The 1954 Topps Card

Hank Aaron is a home-run master, so his card is worth some money. The 1954 Topps card is a rookie one, and they’re often in great condition. In 2012, a perfect card sold for roughly $357,000, and it’s likely worth much more today!

Ty Cobb – The 1909 T-206 Off Shoulder

Most of the cards in the 1909 to 1911 T206 set are worth something. However, the Ty Cobb one is less successful than the others. There are many high-quality copies of this man with his bat off his shoulder, and they often sell for about six figures!

Mickey Mantle – The 1951 Bowman

Mickey Mantle actually makes the list twice. While the 1951 Bowman isn’t worth as much as the Topps, it’s the only official rookie card for the man. If you have one in good condition, it might bring $500,000 because the baby boomer generation wants it!

Eddie Plank – The 1909 T209

In the T209 set, the Eddie Plank card is a top-rated option and the most valuable in the deck. Some people theorize why it’s so popular, and the consensus is because of the rarity. Most of the cards were actually destroyed during the printing process.

Cap Anson – The 1887 Old Judge

The 1887 Old Judge set is the oldest on the list, and Cap Anson is a top option. In fact, it’s called the most valuable card for the 19th century. Out of them all, the one with him in uniform is a top contender, and everyone seems to want it for their collection.

Jackie Robinson – The 1948 Leaf

During the 20th century, most people knew Jackie Robinson’s name. He broke the MLB’s racial divide and changed sports history. Overall, his 1948 Leaf card is the most remembered and is rarer than other cards. In 2019, a grade-8 card sold for about $75,000!

Joe DiMaggio – The Goudie 1948

The Goudie 1948 card of Joe DiMaggio looks different than normal ones because it’s a cartoon drawing. It’s one of the first cards for the player and released about two years into his career. Though the set contains another card of him, it’s not so valuable.

Duke Snider – The 1948 Bowman

Though you’ve learned of Willie May’s and Mickey Mantle’s rookie cards, you need to understand the Duke of Flatbush. In the 40s and 50s, Edwin Snider (Duke) was a Dodgers center fielder. He was only second to Jackie Robinson, and his card could go for $232,750 if it’s in good condition.

Andy Pafko – The 1952 Topps

While Pafko isn’t a Hall of Famer, that doesn’t mean he’s not worth something. A grade-10 copy of Andy’s card went for roughly $250,000. It had no errors in it, so why was it a high price? The card was the first one for the 1952 set, making it famous to collectors.

Sherry Magee – The 1909 T206 (Error)

Though Sherry Magee was in the National League for RBI about four times, that can’t explain why his baseball card sold at auction for $660,000 back in 2018. The reason it was so popular is because of the mistake. Before fixing it in later issues, the name read Magie.

Old Mill Joe Jackson – The 1910 T210

Joe Jackson’s career was long, but this is the only card still in existence today. About 30 years have passed since the “Field of Dreams,” and 100 years have gone by since the Black Sox scandal. However, people are intrigued by him. In 2019, it sold for $600,000!

Cracker Jack Ty Cobb – 1915

Cracker Jack snacks have been around just as long as baseball, and fans go crazy for the special baseball game song. While Ty Cobb has been retired for 90 years, he still has the highest batting average (.366) for all MLB players. In 1016, the Cracker Jack card sold for $432,000!

Satchel Paige – The 1948 Leaf

It’s not common for a rookie card of a 42-year-old player to be in high demand. However, Leroy “Satchel” Paige isn’t an average pitcher. He took over the game in 1948, making his card sell for $432,000 in 2018.

Babe Ruth – 1932 U.S. Caramel

Everyone knows who Babe Ruth is, but it’s hard to find a U.S. Caramel version of his card. A PSA 9 copy of it sold for $432,000 in 2019. The cards had been packaged with caramels, so they got stained easily. Those that made it through unscathed are worth a lot!

Ty Cobb Back – 1909 T206

In the T206 set, there were four Cobb cards. However, one’s so rare that it surpasses the T206 Wagner. In fact, there are only 19 Cobb-Cobb variations that the PSA has graded, and this one sold in 2018 for $408,000!

Mickey Mantle – 1956 Topps

Of the many Mantle cards out there, this one is highly popular. You see the smiling face, which is because he got the Triple Crown in 1956. The same year, he became a baseball celebrity. A grade 10 card like this sold for about $382,000!

Stan Musial – 1948 Leaf

There are only two cards showing Stan Musial. This one is hard to find, and people like the bright colors instead of the black-and-white backdrop. In fact, Musial was a seven-time champion and memorialized into the Hall of Fame in 1969. This grade-9 card sold for $312,000 in 2018!

Goudey Lou Gehrig – 1933

Goudey Lou Gehrig actually retired in 1939, holding the record for playing the most consecutive games. While Cal Ripken, Jr. went on to break that record, a pristine condition card could go for $33,000. In fact, a grade-10 was auctioned off in 2007 for $274,950!

Ty Cobb – 1911 General Baking

Baseball cards were often packed with cigarettes, gum, candy, and other items. One Ty Cobb version was sold with bread loaves. In 2008, it went for $272,980, and it’s actually the highest-graded Cobb card. If you have one, you’ve got a gold mine!

Ty Cobb – 1910 E98

Ty was the most talented athlete of the 20th century because of his amazing ability to steal bases and hit the balls. He dominated during the Deadball Era, but there was controversy surrounding him, too. Therefore, the 1910 E98 card in good condition can sell for high amounts, such as $270,600.

Christy Mathewson – The 1909 T206

Christy Mathewson has been a respected player because of his unique pitch. He was actually an original Hall of Famer, which claims that Matty was a master of them all. In 2018, one of his grade-9 cards sold for about $264,000.

Ted Williams – 1939 Play Ball

While most people go for the more well-known cards of Ted Williams, this one was the rookie card. It was made in the 1930s and isn’t very hard to find. Still, a grade-9 version was auctioned in 2016 for $239,000!

Napoleon Lajoie – 1933 Goudey

This Lajoie card is very rare, with about 100 in existence. Collectors had to go to the manufacturer to finish the set. The cards were sent with a paper clip, so there was a mark on the card. However, a grade-9 version sold in 2016 for $228,000!

Honus Wagner – 1910 Standard Caramel

While Cobb was a better hitter of the era, Wager also joined the Hall of Fame in 1936. It was an honor to be alongside Walter Johnson, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Christy Mathewson. A regular Caramel card sold for over $200,000 in 2018!