Most Valuable 1950s Baseball Rookie Cards: Price Guide & Complete List
Discover the best and most expensive baseball rookie cards from 1950-1959
The 1950's are considered by many to be the golden age of baseball. World war 2 had just ended a few years earlier and interest in baseball had never been greater. Many legends of the game started their careers in this era. Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and Roberto Clemente (just to name a few) all made their debut during this time. Rookie cards, or the 1st card of a players career, have long been the coveted by collectors. The 1950's have some of the most valuable and desired cards since so many rookies of top tier hall of famers were released in this decade.
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle #253
Mickey Mantle is one of if not the the most collected baseball players of all time. He was the most popular player of the decade playing on the team in the largest market. "The Mick" had the numbers to back up his immense popularity too, going to 12 World Series and winning 7 of them during his career. He also won the triple crown in 1956. A switch hitter with power from both sides of the plate, Mantle could do it all. He finished his career with 536 home runs and a batting average of .298. Although his 1952 Topps card is more popular and valuable, his true 1951 Bowman true rookie card is extremely popular and sought after.
Card Value: low grade $5,000 to $10,000, mid grade $15,000 to $35,000, high grade $50,000+
1951 Bowman Willie Mays #305
Willie Mays is a true legend of the game. Regarded by many as the best player to ever play baseball, there wasn't anything Mays couldn't do. He went to 24 All-Star games, won 12 gold gloves, 2 MVPs, hit 660 home runs, and had a lifetime batting average of .301. His 1951 Bowman rookie card is a classic image of Mays getting ready to take a fierce swing of the bat. This card is at the top of every collectors want list.
Card Value: low grade $3,000 to $6,000, mid grade $10,000 to $15,000, high grade $20,000+
1951 Bowman Whitey Ford # 1
Whitey Ford was a key part of the Yankee dynasty of the the 1950s and 60s. The left handed pitcher was elected to 10 All-Star games and won 6 World Series. He finished his career with 236 wins and a lifetime ERA of 2.75. His rookie is also from the 1951 Bowman set, and is the card #1 in the series. This card is difficult to find in nice condition, as many kids rubber banded their sets in order, and Ford was on top.
Card Value: low grade $100 to $300, mid grade $700 to $1400, high grade $2000+
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311
The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is one of the most iconic and recognizable cards in the hobby. Although it is not technically a rookie card, it is Mantle's first Topps issue. It is the most valuable post-war card. This is due to both the iconic image and the cards backstory (Topps had unsold cases of 1952 Topps high numbers and the company elected to dump a full cargo ship worth of cards into the ocean). Most collectors can only dream about this card, as price and demand continues to go up yearly.
Card Value: low grade $25,000 to $50,000, mid grade $75,000 to $125,000, high grade $500,000+
1952 Topps Eddie Mathews #407
Eddie Mathews was one of the games greatest ever 3rd basemen. He was an excellent fielder but proved lethal with the bat, as evidence by his 512 career home runs. Mathews played along with Hank Aaron, and the duo powered the Braves to the World Series in 1957. This card in particular carries significant value, as it is part of the 1952 high number series. As referenced above, a large quantity was destroyed by Topps, effectively leaving the high numbers short printed.
Card Value: low grade $2,000 to $4,000, mid grade $12,000 to $25,000, high grade $30,000+
1954 Topps Hank Aaron #128
Hank Aaron is a legend when it comes to power hitters. "Hammerin' Hank" is known by many for breaking Babe Ruth's all-time record for career home runs, a record many thought would never be broken. He played with the Milwaukee (and then Atlanta) Braves from 1954 through 1974 and one season with the Brewers. Hank was a model of consistency, hitting more than 24 home runs for 19 seasons in a row. He is still the all time leader in RBI's, extra base hits, and total bases. He finished his illustrious career with 755 home runs, 3771 hits, 2297 RBIs, and 25 all star game selections. His 1954 Topps rookie is one of the more valuable and sought after cards from the 50s.
Card Value: low grade $1500 to $3,000, mid grade $4000 to $6,000, high grade $10,000+
1954 Topps Ernie Banks #94
Ernie Banks, or Mr. Cub, as Chicago fans know him, played shortstop for the Cubs for 19 season. Known for his true love of the game, Banks was a heck of a player also, finishing with 512 home runs. He was also elected to 14 All-Star teams during his playing days. Banks 1954 Topps rookie card is another classic card of a well loved Hall of Famer.
Card Value: low grade $400 to $700, mid grade $1200 to $1800, high grade $3000+
1954 Topps Al Kaline #201
Al Kaline was the face of the Detroit Tigers for more than 2 decades. He made is big league debut right out of high school at age 18, and at age 20, he promptly led the league in batting average. Kaline finished his 22 year career as an 18 time All-Star. He also hit 399 home runs and had a lifetime batting average of .297. Kaline's 1954 Topps rookie card features a classic pose which is highly desirable to collectors.
Card Value: low grade $250 to $400, mid grade $600 to $900, high grade $1500+
1955 Topps Roberto Clemente #164
Roberto Clemente was an incredible all around player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In his 18 seasons with the team he made 15 All-Star team, won 12 consecutive gold gloves, and hit over .300 13 times. His lifetime batting average was .317 and he had 3000 hits. Tragically Clemente died at age 38 in a plane crash while deliver aid to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua. Fans love the player and the person, and his rookie card is one of the more sought after rookies of the mid 50s.
Card Value: low grade $1000 to $2000, mid grade $3000 to $6000, high grade $10,000+
1955 Topps Sandy Koufax #123
Sandy Koufax was one of the most dominant pitchers of all time. Nicknamed "The left arm of God", Koufax mowed down batters during his 12 year career. He won 3 Cy Young awards and also won MVP once. Koufax was a 7 time All-Star and won 4 World Series. He compiled a lifetime record of 165-87, with an ERA of 2.76. Chronic pain in his pitching elbow forced him to retire at age 30. At age 36, he was the youngest player ever voted in the Hall of Fame. The 1955 Koufax rookie is highly desirable and a focus of collectors.
Card Value: low grade $300 to $800, mid grade $1000 to $3000, high grade $5,000+
1955 Topps Harmon Killebrew #124
Nicknamed "The Killer", Harmon Killebrew was one of the most feared power hitters in 1950s and 60s. During his 22 year career, he hit 573 home runs. He also hit 40 or more home runs 8 times. Killebrew was a 13 time All-Star and led the A.L in home runs 6 times. Killebrew played in a smaller market and is sometimes less appreciated than other super stars of the era but there is no doubt that he finished his career as one the top power hitters of all time. His 1955 Topps rookie card is a great value compared to the Koufax & Clemente rookies.
Card Value: low grade $100 to $200, mid grade $300 to $500, high grade $800+
1956 Topps Luis Aparicio #292
Luis Aparicio had a long and successful career in the majors. He led the league in steals 9 consecutive time and finished 506 during his 22 years in the majors. He was also named to 13 All-Star games. Managers would rave about his ability to make difficult plays appear easy. Aparicio's 1956 Topps rookie stands out with and action shot positioned next to a smiling portrait.
Card Value: low grade $30 to $75, mid grade $100 to $175, high grade $400+
1957 Topps Frank Robinson #35
Frank Robinson was quietly one of the best players of the 1950s and 60s. The man could do it all with the bat in his hands. He hit over .300 9 times and hit over 30 home runs 11 times during his 21 year career. Robinson finished with an incredible 586 home runs and .294 batting average. He was also the 1st person to win MVP of the A.L. and N.L. Another important note is that Robinson was the 1st black manager in the big leagues. His 1957 Topps rookie looks like he is about to blast a ball into the bleachers.
Card Value: low grade $75 to $150, mid grade $200 to $400, high grade $1500+
1957 Topps Brooks Robinson #328
Nicknamed "the human vacuum cleaner", Brooks Robinson is considered by many to be the greatest 3rd basemen ever to play. Robinson was an 18 time All-Star and won 16 consecutive gold glove awards. He played his entire 23 year career with the Baltimore Orioles. His 1957 Topps rookie card features a smiling young Brooks looking into the camera. This card is more valuable than others as it comes from the short printed "4th series".
Card Value: low grade $350 to $500, mid grade $600 to $1000, high grade $1500+
1958 Topps Roger Maris #47
Roger Maris is the only person on this list who is not in the Hall of Fame. Maris was a member of the New York Yankees, and teamed up with Mickey Mantle to form one of the most feared home run hitting duos in the league. Maris is best known for breaking Babe Ruth's record of 60 home runs in a season, when he hit 61 in 1961. His 1958 Topps rookie card features him as a member of the Cleveland. Most collectors covet this card given his important role in the history of baseball.
Card Value: low grade $100 to $175, mid grade $250 to $600, high grade $900+
1959 Topps Bob Gibson #514
Bob Gibson was one of baseballs fiercest competitors and also best athletes. Prior to playing professional baseball Gibson briefly signed with the Harlem Globetrotters. Gibson played 17 season with the St. Louis Cardinals and finished with 251 wins, 3117 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.91. His best season was 1968, when he went 22-9 with an absurd 1.12 ERA. With him glaring from the mound at the batter, there were few pitchers more intimidating than Gibson. His 1959 Topps rookie is considered a "high number" from the short printed "7th series"
Card Value: low grade $200 to $450, mid grade $600 to $1000, high grade $1700+