Quick answer
Yes, a lot of 70s baseball cards are worth money. Hall of Fame rookies (like 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt and 1975 Topps George Brett and Robin Yount), star players, high-number cards from the early 70s and complete sets all sell well. Condition matters a lot, and 1971 Topps is especially valuable in nice shape because the black borders chip so easily.
Why 70s cards hold value
Fewer cards were printed in the 70s, and kids actually played with them, flipped them and put them in bike spokes. Clean 70s cards are much harder to find than clean 90s cards, so even ordinary stars from the decade sell.
The 70s rookies worth checking
- 1970 Topps Thurman Munson and 1971 Topps Dusty Baker / Don Baylor
- 1972 Topps Carlton Fisk
- 1973 Topps Mike Schmidt #615
- 1974 Topps Dave Winfield
- 1975 Topps George Brett #228, Robin Yount #223, Gary Carter and Jim Rice
- 1977 Topps Andre Dawson, 1978 Topps Eddie Murray and the Paul Molitor / Alan Trammell shared rookie
- 1979 Topps Ozzie Smith #116
Pro tip: Also pull every Nolan Ryan, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose and Reggie Jackson. Star cards from the 70s sell even when they aren't rookies.
Special 70s sets and sizes
- 1971 Topps: black borders show every chip, so sharp copies are scarce and valuable.
- Early-70s high numbers: the last series of 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps was printed in smaller amounts. Higher card numbers often mean more value.
- 1975 Topps Mini: a smaller version of the 1975 set. Same pictures, smaller card.
- Kellogg's 3-D cards and Hostess cards: from cereal boxes and snack cake boxes. Stars and uncut panels are collected.
How to price 70s cards
- Check the card numberSearch year, brand, player and card number together. Many players have more than one card per year.
- Match the conditionLook at sold prices for cards in the same shape. Rounded corners or a crease drop the price a lot.
- Count your starsHall of Famers carry most of the value in a 70s collection. Commons in good shape still sell in lots.
- Check for complete setsA full 70s Topps set is worth far more than the cards broken up, even in average condition.
Don't do this
- Don't erase pencil marks, flatten creases or trim edges. Altered cards lose most of their value.
- Don't break up complete or near-complete sets
- Don't sell a 70s box as “old cards” at a yard sale before someone looks through it
