The Most Valuable Topps Baseball Cards of 1972
The 1972 Topps Baseball set is one of the decade’s most distinctive releases, swapping 1971’s black borders for a vibrant, psychedelic “tombstone” design with three-dimensional team names arched above the photo. The look reflects the early ’70s pop culture aesthetic, making the cards instantly recognizable to collectors.
The checklist is a then-record 787 cards, issued in six series with the late high numbers notably scarcer and expensive. Subsets add real variety: League Leaders, Playoff/World Series Highlights, the debut of In Action cards, Boyhood Photos of the Stars, and the first in-set Traded cards.
Among the most notable cards are the Carlton Fisk rookie, plus rookie cards of Chris Chambliss, Dave Kingman, Mickey Rivers, and Ron Cey, alongside stars like Clemente, Aaron, Mays, Ryan, Bench, and Jackson anchoring the set. Overall, the 1972 Topps set endures for its bold, era-defining look, deep star power, and the satisfying challenge of collecting the hard-to-find high numbers to complete the set.
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#559 Pete Rose - $66,600
One of the foundational pieces of the Cincinnati “Big Red Machine” of the 1970s, Pete Rose was in the middle of his storied career in the early 70s. While not officially in the Hall of Fame, the all-time hit king is recognized as one of the best to ever play the game.
#79 Red Sox Rookies - $55,200
While Carlton Fisk, future Hall of Famer and home-run waving hero of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series, is the star of this card, the other players were no slouches. Cecil Cooper was a 5-time All-Star, a 2-time Gold Glove winner, and a 2-time American League RBI leader. Mike Garman was an effective relief pitcher who played 12 years for 5 different major league teams. While the Red Sox were not pare of the deal, it is perhaps noteworthy that one of those trades happened to include Bill Buckner in the deal, a future Red Sox player/villian.
#435 Reggie Jackson - $50,400
Here we see the future “Mr. October” right before the A’s win their first of three consecutive World Series.’ Reggie didn’t get to play in the 1972 World Series due to an injury he sustained in the last game of the championship series, but his World Series heroics of 1974, 1977, and 1978 are legendary. Add to the heroics a larger-than-life personality and you get the makings of one of the greatest and most famous players in the last 50 years.
#595 Nolan Ryan - $45,500
There is no baseball player of over the last 50 years with greater demand for his baseball cards than Nolan Ryan. Known as the hardest thrower pitcher in baseball well into his later career years, Ryan pitched an unbelievable 7 career no-hitters. There is no pitcher in the last 75 years who put awe in batters like Ryan.
#299 Hank Aaron - $32,400
In 1972, Hank Aaron further solidified his legacy as one of baseball’s all-time greats. Playing in his 19th season, he hit 34 home runs, bringing his career total to 673, just 41 shy of Babe Ruth’s iconic record. Though the Braves finished fourth in their division, Aaron’s performance in 1972 kept the anticipation high for his inevitable run at Ruth.
Honorable Mention
#1 Pirates World Champions - $13,800
Full of Hall of Famers and coming off of a World Series victory, the Pirates team card deserves to be mentioned here. While the cards for a few other stars, notably Tom Seaver, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, and Rod Carew, have fetched more money, it is rare for a team card to be one of the most valuable cards from a set.