The Most Valuable Baseball Cards From the ‘60s
Baseball cards have aged perfectly (with the notable exception of the junk wax era). The further back you go, the better it gets. The ‘60s represent an exceptional period for baseball card collectors everywhere, introducing many evergreen trends and creating legendary cards we still prize today. Find out which 1960s baseball cards are worth the money with this Giant Sports Cards guide.
1960s Baseball Cards: What You Need To Know
Before we dive into the biggest baseball cards of the 1960s, it helps to set the stage and get to know the sports trading card world a bit.
- Topps Dominates: Topps sports cards really came into their own in the late ‘50s, which is why they dominate our list of the most valuable baseball cards from the '60s. There are two major reasons for this trend:
- Topps won over buyers with their bold approach to sports card designs in the ‘50s and ‘60s, making them the go-to company for the younger demographic.
- Topps didn’t just create better; they also created more. For every other sports card brand on the shelf, you’d have two or three baseball card boxes from Topps.
- High Number Cards: Topps further strengthened the trend of making the ‘high number cards’ (the later cards in a set) scarcer than the others. This played a huge role in determining card values going forward, like with the 1963 Pete Rose rookie card.
The Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The ‘60s
1968 Topps Mets Rookies (Nolan Ryan) #177
This entry in our ranking might confuse you if you’ve already read our ‘80s retrospective. Nolan Ryan’s one-of-a-kind career may have given him one of the most valuable cards from the 1980s, but his 1968 rookie card is a cut above. This 1960s baseball card is worth the money if you’re looking for a single card that encapsulates the ‘60s: classic design, timeless color scheme, and a truly legendary player.
This card features Koosman and Ryan side by side. Finding this card in a tradeable condition is nearly impossible today, as only 68 PSA 9s remain. With an estimated PSA 9 value of $103,200, it’s the steepest investment on our list.
1963 Topps Rookie Stars (Pete Rose) #537
This rookie stars card features four players, but its place as one of the most valuable baseball cards from the ‘60s is primarily because of the legendary Pete Rose. His famous quote, ‘Somebody’s gotta win,’ has never been more true. Rose’s iconic career with the Reds speaks for itself, and he’s one of the biggest winners of the ‘60s.
Even today, this piece is worth it for die-hard collectors, coming in at $84,000 (PSA 9). Rose still has one of the best records in baseball history today, and there will always be demand for this piece. The card is also iconic in its own right, with a bright color scheme that wouldn’t look out of place next to the latest Topps Chrome Collection box.
1969 Topps Reggie Jackson #260
So far, both of the baseball cards on our list feature multiple players. Reggie Jackson is the first entry in our ranking to spotlight a single player, and for good reason. This isn’t just one of the most valuable baseball cards from the ‘60s; it’s a quintessential piece that embodies everything we love about the era.
This card features a classic design with a half portrait of Reggie Jackson against a beautifully contrasting blue background, but that’s not why this 1960s baseball card is worth the money. The 1969 set was notorious for its image tilts, which is why PSA 9 versions of this card go for $68,760.
1960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski #148
Much like the Reggie Jackson card, this card’s value stems from how hard it is to find a serviceable copy. The 1960 set was rife with printing issues, with many cards coming out off-center. This card’s mix of bright and dark colors also made it prone to printing errors.
Keeping those issues aside, this is also one of the most valuable baseball cards from the ‘60s, as it celebrates one of the Red Sox’s best. This Notre Dame alum is a Boston legend even today, and there’s no better way to show off your love for the Sox. A Mint PSA 9 costs $27,631, but you may be able to pick up an EX 4 at a card sale for just under $200.
1960 Topps Willie McCovey #316
This is another single-player card with an interesting twist. The #316 McCovey features an incredibly stylish horizontal design, a bold move by Topps after their vertical cards from the late ‘50s. As one of the most valuable baseball cards from the ‘60s, this rookie card features a stunning portrait of McCovey next to an award celebrating his popularity with the youth.
A mint PSA 9 version of this card was last sold for $25,200, and only 30 remaining PSA 9s are known to exist. If you can’t pin down an affordable version of this card, you can also consider the #554 from the same series. It might not be as legendary as the #316, but it’s still an iconic 1960s baseball card worth the money.
1962 Topps Lou Brock #387
There have been a couple of popular Lou Brock cards over the years, but this one still reigns supreme as one of the most valuable baseball cards from the ‘60s. It’s worth pointing out that this is the only card on our list that features the signature wooden borders, a unique characteristic of the 1962 set.
The card’s entire color scheme plays well with the borders, and the brown background perfectly complements the overall aesthetic. However, this design also makes the card highly susceptible to chipping. Buyers can pick up a PSA 9 version of this card for $15,400.
The ‘60s Never Left
Whether you’re looking back at the ‘60s or hunting down new sports card releases, Giant Sports Cards is the place to be. Our baseball card store in the Atlanta area features autographed memorabilia as rare as the most valuable baseball cards from the ‘60s. Prefer collecting at home? Visit our online card shop and Unbox Your Love Of The Game™ with free US shipping on orders over $199.