by Lynette Alice

Created on: April 12, 2009   Last Updated: August 07, 2009

The most valuable baseball cards known to exist in the world are easy to identify and rarely seen. While most people can name the card holding the top slot due to its very storied history, what are some of the others? While it's always possible you may have one hanging around and not even know it, the odds are very slim, but it has been known to happen.

Before diving in, the rankings of cards based on value will draw one major assumption which is that rankings are based solely on what is now confirmed to exist. There is speculation that if certain cards on the list were ever found in better condition than what is presently out there then they would possibly rise to a higher position. In cases such as that a note will be made with an explanation. While some collectors disagree, the following are considered the ten most valuable baseball cards.While prices on some have varied wildly, the highest known sale prices for a single card will be the final determining factor for rankings.

10. In 1933 Goudey Gum released four different Babe Ruth cards as a part of their set, while all are desirable, it is card number 53 which is considered the best. It averages a value in the range of $2,500 - $3500, however it has been recorded to sell for over $9,000 in near mint (nmt) condition. It is believed higher prices for this very popular card may have been fetched without the details having been made public.

9. The 1949 Leaf Leroy "Satchel" Paige card numbered eight in the series is Paige's rookie card. Although Paige had already played 22 years in the Negro Leagues, this marked his first season in the MLB with the Indians. Given his legendary status and popularity this has long been one of the most sought out cards in the hobby. The general value of the card is listed in the range of $3,500 -$6,000 with the highest recorded sale being $13,285 at auction in 1996 for an excellent-mint (Exmt) card to a private collector.

8. The 1914 E-145-1 Ty Cobb from Cracker jack has a listed value of $3,600 - $6,000. While sales of this card have topped the $14,000 range on at least two recorded occasions, it is thought if a better condition graded sample was located it could easily top $20,000.

7. The 1914 E-145-1 Cracker Jack of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson is one of the most in demand cards in the hobby with a listed value of $5,000 - $9,000. While it has been rumored that a PS graded 8.5 sample of this card was sold for better than $30,000, neither party rumored to have been involved in

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>