1973 Topps Baseball Cards – 11 Most Valuable

They probably didn’t realize it at the time, but collectors were holding a piece of history every timed they ripped open a pack of 1973 Topps baseball cards. See, 1973 was the last time Topps would issue their cards in series, rather than all at once. Technically, of course, they would return to the practice in the 1990s, but things were different. In the first go-round, including 1973, late series cards tended to be scarce because collectors had moved onto something else — like football and homework — by the time the cards came out. That effect was less pronounced in 1973 than in previous years, probably owing to the reduced set size of 660 cards after a few years of 700+. Still, in this list of the most valuable 1973 Topps baseball cards, you’ll notice a couple that hail from the fifth and final series. And who else makes the cut? Well, you’ll have to read on to find out … but first a quick word about the selection criteria. Basically, these are the top cards as listed by PSA 8 value in PSA’s Sports Market Report Price Guide. Cards in this grade (NM-MT) are really sharp looking, but not so scarce that you’ll never find them. Let’s dig in! (Note: The following sections contain affiliate links to eBay and Amazon listings for the cards being discussed.)

1973 Topps Mike Schmidt Rookie Card (#615)

So, who is the greatest third baseman of all time? My guess is the answers to this question would be more uniform than those for just about any other position on the diamond. By just about every standard other than batting average and number of hits, Mike Schmidt is the guy. With three MVP awards, a case full of Gold Gloves, a World Series trophy, and 500+ home runs hit during the power-sapped 70s and 80s, Schmidt is also on the fringes of the best-player-ever conversation. No surprise, then, that his high-number rookie card, which he shares with John Hilton and Ron Cey (The Penguin!), sits at the top of this list. Value: $950-1000

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1973 Topps Nolan Ryan (#220)

As always, you can count on the base Nolan Ryan card to be near the top of the value mountain of whatever set it graces. After a one-year sentence in airbrush purgatory, Ryan shows up here in a real California Angels uniform, with bonus points for showing us how he aired out his pits before starts. Value: $550-600

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1973 Topps Willie Mays (#305)

In 1972, Willie Mays returned to New York to finish his career with the Mets. In 1973, Topps captured that Say Hey Gloaming in Amazin’ pinstripes. And that fall, Mays put up OK batting numbers in the NLCS and World Series, but looked downright feeble in the field. Nevertheless, this is his last Topps card and remains a hobby favorite. Value: $450-500

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1973 Topps All Time HR Leaders – Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Babe Ruth (#1)

Has there ever been more talent crammed onto a 2.5″ x 3.5″ hunk of cardboard than this #1 card featuring Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Willie Mays? The only real contender I can think of is that spectacular 1976 Topps Traded Oscar Gamble beauty. With all due respect to Oscar and his hair, though, this trio of gents lit up the early 1970s with their exploits — even though one was long dead and one was about to bow out of the game. Thanks to Aaron’s assault on Ruth’s all-time home run record, Topps loaded up their 1973-75 sets with dinger-related special cards, and this one remains a scorcher today. Value: $375-450

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1973 Topps Dwight Evans (#614)

Who is the most underrated player of the 1970s and 1980s? Bobby Grich? Darrell Evans? Lou Whitaker? All those and more have a strong claim, but they’ll have to fight for space in the indignity aisle with Dwight Evans. After a 20-year career with the Boston Red Sox and (breifly!) the Baltimore Orioles, Dewey retired in 1991 with 2446 hits, 385 home runs, 67.1 career WAR, and eight Gold Gloves. For his troubles, Evans elevated his rookie card — which he shares with Al Bumbry and Charlie Spikes — onto this list. Value: $300-400

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1973 Topps Roberto Clemente (#50)

Like Mays, Clemente made his Topps swan song in the 1973 Topps set. Unlike Mays, everyone knew this would be Clemente’s finale by the time it was issued, due to his untimely death that winter. Given the circumstances and the shadow-enshrouded shot, this is one of the most majestic and eerie baseball cards you’re likely to find anywhere. Value: $325-375

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1973 Topps Hank Aaron (#100)

Even though Hank Aaron was 39 years old heading into the 1973 season, he still had plenty of baseball left in him. And, with Babe Ruth’s record sitting just 41 home runs in front of him, he had plenty of motivation to keep banging. So he did, posting 40 long balls and setting himself up for a date with history early in the 1974 season. This 1973 card, which captures the Hammer waiting to catch a baseball, has picked up steam in recent years. Value: $300-325

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1973 Topps Johnny Bench (#380)

Fresh off his second National League MVP award in 1972 (the other came in 1970), Bench turned his back on the 1973 Topps set, but that didn’t stop his card from making an impact. Indeed, this is one of the most exciting and downright best cards in the entire run, and collectors continue to take notice. Value: $200-225 Check prices on eBay (affiliate link) Check prices on Amazon (affiliate link)

1973 Topps Pete Rose (#130)

You know the story … Pete Rose is a scoundrel … he bet on baseball … he’s banished! Bah, to Pete Rose! But Pete Rose was also a great player, the all-time hit king, in fact. And he won the 1973 National League MVP award, which adds extra swagger to this Topps card from that year. Value: $175-200

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1973 Topps Rich Gossage Rookie Card (#174)

When you think of the big, hulking, scary closers who seemed to spring from the bullpen dirt during the 1970s and 1980s, who comes to mind first? For millions of fans from that era, no one really compares to Hall of Famer Goose Gossage when it comes to late-inning intimidation. Even though he was still “Rich” in 1973, this Gossage rookie card pulls in solid prices today. Value: $150-200

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1973 Topps Thurman Munson (#142)

Doesn’t this profile shot of Munson in his full squat look like it could be the logo for MLB — Logoman of the Diamond, maybe? If Topps had been able to remove the melancholy filter from their cameras, this one would be an absolute stunner. It’s not far off as it stands, and it’s still a hobby classic. Value: $150-200 Check prices on eBay (affiliate link) Check prices on Amazon (affiliate link) — Does this list of the most valuable 1973 Topps baseball cards feature your favorite from the set? If not, I’d love to hear your pick(s)!

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