Top 15 Rookie Baseball cards from the 1970s
Determining which baseball cards from the 1970s are the most valuable is as simple as looking at the PSA population reports, and Auction Prices realized pages. I’ve compressed the data and listed which rookie cards are the rarest and most valuable.
Below are the top 15 rookie baseball cards from the 1970s that I think are the best investments from the ’70s decade. Consider looking for near-mint-to-mint and mint copies to invest in now. They could serve to be great investments for the future.
#15
1975 Topps Gary Carter (RC) #620
Sold for $8,179
Gary Carter is a Hall of Fame catcher that spent most of his years playing with the Montreal Expos. Even though he played 5 years with the Mets and won a World Series there, his Hall of Fame enshrinement is with the Expos. His rookie card is vibrant and bright, similar to his youthful character. So far, just 10 have been found and graded in PSA 10 gem mint condition. The current value of a gem mint example is around $8,000, with the most recent auction of one ending in October of 2018 for $8,179.
This is a classic card of Gary Carter and a must-have for any Mets or Expos fan. If $8,000 is out of your budget, consider picking a near-mint copy up for around $80 on eBay.
#14
1974 Topps Dave Winfield (RC) #456
Sold for $8,274
1974 Topps offers a great classic-style photograph on this young Dave Winfield rookie card. Winfield is a 12-time MLB All-Star, a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner. In his honor, the Padres retired No. 31, Winfield’s uniform number.
He also wore No. 31 while playing for the Yankees and Indians and No. 32 with the Angels, Blue Jays, and Twins. In 2004, ESPN named him the third-best all-around athlete in any sport. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame. To say his 1974 Topps rookie card is collectible would be an understatement!
There are currently just ten PSA 10 examples available. The most recent auction ended in June 2017 for $8,274. PSA 9 mint examples sell on average for around $500.
#13
1976 Topps Dennis Eckersley (RC) #98
Sold for $9,000
Dennis Eckersley had a pitching style like no other pitcher. He would dominate the mound, and his opponents feared him. Eckersley pitched reliably over three seasons with the Indians before moving on to the Red Sox, where he ended his career after playing with the A’s, Cardinals, and Cubs.
Collecting his cards may not be for everyone, but there is no shortage of die-had Eckersley fans competing over his most valuable baseball card. His unstyled, long hair, mustache, and live fastball made him an instant and identifiable fan favorite. There are currently just 9 of his rookie cards in PSA 10 gem mint condition, with the most recent auction of one ending at an even $9,000.
#12
1978 Topps Alan Trammell & Paul Molitor (RC) #707
Sold for $9,368
Alan Trammell and Paul Molitor are both in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Combine with them both having stellar careers in the MLB makes this a highly collectible and valuable baseball card when found in gem mint condition. There is an abundance of PSA 10’s, with 29 in the population. However, that doesn’t mean they’re cheap. The most recent auction ended in September 2018 for $9,368. Which, isn’t a bad deal when considering what you’re getting. Essentially it’s a two-for-one!
#11
1972 Topps Carlton Fisk (RC) #79
Sold for $12,600
Carton Fisk’s rookie card is one of any catcher’s most collected and valuable rookie cards. He had a record-setting 24-year career with the MLB and landed many honors and awards during this time. For Hall of Fame and catcher collectors, this is a must-have card. Fisk shares his rookie card with fellow teammates Mike Garmin and Cecil Cooper.
The green background and black Broadway font are a dead giveaway that this is a Carlton Fisk rookie card. Yellow borders surround the player photos, adding to the retro 70s baseball card look. These details are what vintage baseball card collectors admire in vintage cards.
#10
1971 Topps Bert Blyleven (RC) #26
Sold for $15,052
Bert Blyleven’s rookie card is home to one of Topps’s most distinguishable black-bordered sets, the 1971 set. Blyleven is the first Dutch-born player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. It took 14 years before he was inducted, which to many seems like 14 years too long because of his accomplishments in the MLB as a pitcher.
His rookie card currently has just 1 PSA 10 gem mint example. Which sold at auction in May of 2012 for $15,052. PSA mint 9 examples sell for anywhere between $3,000 and $4,000. The market is stiff for this native of the Netherlands’ rookie card.
#9
1973 Topps Mike Schmidt (RC) #615
Sold for $15,766
The 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt, Ron Cey, and John Hilton card is home to three third basemen. One of which is considered to be the best third baseman of all time. Can you guess which one? If you guessed Mike Schmidt, you would be correct! As a fielder, Schmidt won the National League Gold Glove Award for third basemen ten times. Schmidt was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995 and is often considered the greatest third baseman in baseball history.
The value of this 1973 Topps card is solely driven by the impressive stats Mike Schmidt put up during his 18-season career with the Phillies. There are only 6 PSA 10, gem mint condition graded cards. One of which sold in May of 2012 for $15,766.
#8
1975 Topps Mini George Brett (RC) #228
Sold for $17,198
Topps issued two sets in 1975; the base set was the standard 2.5 by 3.5-inch size and the “Mini” issue which was of an identical design and content, but 20% smaller in size. Topps never released production numbers, however, collectors speculate that fewer mini cards were produced, making them more valuable than the full-sized cards.
This applies to the legendary 3rd baseman George Brett’s rookie card. Even though his regular issue Topps rookie card is highly collectible and valuable, the Topps mini version fetches a higher sale price due to the rarity.
#7
1978 Topps Eddie Murray (RC) #36
Sold for $17,600
Eddie Murray played 20 seasons in the MLB, with 10 of those years as a Baltimore Oriole. He is said to be the 5th best 1st baseman of all time and has ranked as the 77th best MLB player in the Sporting News list of top 100 players. He is highly loved in Baltimore for his achievements during his career with the Orioles. They even made a bronze statue of Eddie Murray’s left-handed hitting stance at Oriole Park! Needless to say, his rookie card is highly collectible and valuable when found in high grades.
Above is a screenshot of how many Eddie Murray rookie cards have been submitted to PSA. As you can see, over 9,500 have been graded by PSA. Incredibly, only 18 were found in gem mint condition. A recent auction for one ended in March of 2019 for $17,600!
#6
1971 Topps Thurman Munson All-Star Rookie #5
Sold for $21,510
The third catcher card on this list is a 1971 Topps Thurman Munson rookie card. I’m beginning to think catcher cards are more collectible than pitcher cards. Now, pay close attention to the grade of this card; it is a PSA 9, not a 10.
So far, none of the Thurman Munson rookie cards submitted to PSA have been graded to be in gem mint condition. Surprisingly, just four have managed to make the PSA 9 mint grade. With a PSA 9 example selling for an incredible $21,510, we can only speculate what a gem mint copy would sell for. Needless to say, it would be the most valuable catcher card from the 1970s.
#5
1971 Topps Steve Garvey (RC) #341
Sold for $25,393
Click the image to check prices on eBay!
Even though he failed to meet the 75% voting requirement 15 years in a row. Steve Garvey is still recognized by Dodger fans and baseball fans alike. In a nineteen-year career, Garvey was a .294 hitter with 272 home runs and 1308 RBI in 2332 games. Furthermore, Garvey set a National League record with 1207 consecutive games played, from September 3, 1975, to July 29, 1983. The streak ended when he broke his thumb in a collision at home plate against the Atlanta Braves. It is the fourth-longest such streak in Major League Baseball history.
His 1971 Topps rookie card currently has only two examples in gem mint condition. One of those two sold at auction in May of 2012 for $25,393. A rather impressive number for a player not in the Hall of Fame.
#4
1970 Topps Thurman Munson (RC) #189
Sold for $26,101
Although the 1971 Topps Thurman Munson card is considered his rookie card, his true rookie card is the 1970 Topps #189. He shares the card with fellow rookie teammate 1st baseman, Dave McDonald. This Yankees rookie card has had over 4,500 cards submitted to PSA for grading.
So far, just four copies were found in gem mint condition. An auction for ended recently ended in September 2018 for $26,101. Making this the 4th most valuable rookie baseball card from the 1970s.
#3
1975 Topps Robin Yount (RC) #223
Sold for $28,800
Robin Yount holds Brewer’s career records for games, at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBIs, total bases, walks, and strikeouts. In addition to the stats, he was the last active major leaguer to have been a teammate of Hank Aaron (1975–1976).
Furthermore, Yount was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. His 20-year career with the Brewers made him a legend in Milwaukee, and his rookie card a must-have for most vintage baseball card collectors. Additionally, this is one of the most expensive shortstop baseball cards from the 1970s.
#2
1979 Topps Ozzie Smith (RC) #116
Sold for $31,200
If you didn’t notice, the #3 and #2 cards on this list are short stops, which surprised me. When it comes to baseball card investing, the average collector will assume the most valuable positions are pitchers; in reality, it’s quite the opposite.
Ozzie Smith was by far one of the most entertaining players to watch in the 80s. His backflips and positive personality were contagious, and kids and adults loved watching him. Couple that with his impressive 18-year career with the MLB, and you get one highly sought-after rookie card. Currently, there are just 5 graded PSA 10. The most recent auction for one ended in November of 2017 for $31,200. Making the Ozzie Smith rookie card one of the most collectible baseball cards from the 1970s.
#1
1971 Topps Roberto Clemente #630
Sold for $71,700
1971 Topps baseball cards have one of the most notorious designs for being difficult to find in high grades. Black borders are a gem mint card’s worst enemy, and these cards are surrounded by black. Furthermore, the distinct white borders surrounding the player photographs allow us to easily tell if a card is off-center. Unsurprisingly, only one of the Roberto Clemente baseball cards has been found in PSA 10, gem mint condition.
With only one PSA 10, the value is essentially set by the market. In August 2016, this example sold at auction for a staggering $71,700! Making the 1971 Topps Roberto Clemente baseball card, graded PSA 10 gem mint condition, the most valuable baseball card from the 1970s.
Conclusion
Collecting and investing in baseball cards from the 1970s can be fairly tricky. Since almost every set is condition sensitive and value is determined by condition, you must pay close attention to the population of each card. For example, the 1971 Topps Roberto Clemente has just 1 PSA 10 graded, which sold for $71,700, right?
That doesn’t mean that every card out there is worth that much. High-grade cards are very rare from this set which is why the selling price was so high. Chances are, if you come across a 1971 Topps Roberto Clemente rookie card, it will be in excellent to mint condition, which sells for around $60 on average.
Study the PSA population report
To determine the true value of a rookie card, we must study the PSA population report thoroughly. See how many cards have been graded and what the most populated grade is. This is how I find the most valuable rookie baseball cards from the 1970s. Furthermore, the auction prices realized page on PSA’s website also needs to be inspected. This will show you what previous sales have been.
Let me know in the comments below which cards you think should be on this list.
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
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