The Most Valuable Topps Baseball Cards of 1973
The 1973 Topps baseball card set marked a turning point in the company’s design approach and remains one of the most memorable vintage issues. At 660 cards, it was smaller than the sprawling 1972 set, but it introduced a cleaner, more modern aesthetic that collectors still admire today. The cards feature white borders, minimalist graphics, and small silhouette player icons in the corner to denote position.
The are an increasing number of action shots in the set, continuing a trend started in 1971 and giving the set a more dynamic, on-field feel. Beyond its look, 1973 Topps is historically significant for its content. It includes the final regular-issue cards of Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente, adding emotional weight to the checklist. Key rookie cards also shine, most notably the Mike Schmidt, Ron Cey, John Hilton card, which is the most valuable card of the decade.
Together, these elements make the 1973 set a mix of nostalgia, innovation, and high-value pieces for collectors. Its balance of legendary farewells and iconic debuts has helped secure its reputation as one of Topps’ most enduring and important releases.Here at Remarkable Artworks we think value is in the eye of the beholder and the greatest value you can get from your cards is to appreciate them in our unique display solution. If you want to learn more about the display, click below.
Here at Remarkable Artworks we think value is in the eye of the beholder and the greatest value you can get from your cards is to appreciate them in our unique display solution. If you want to learn more about the display, click below.
#615 Ron Cey/John Hilton/Mike Schmidt - $234,000
The most valuable card of the 1970s goes to the rookie card of Mike Schmidt, the one player who is almost universally considered the best of all-time at their position. Schmidt hit 548 home runs, was a 3-time MVP, a 15-time All-Star, and a 16-time Gold Glove winner.
Ron Cey was no slouch himself as he played in the majors for 17 years, was a 6-time All-Star, and was a key player in the 1981 World Champion Dodgers team.
John Hilton, whose actual name was John David Hilton and preferred to be called Dave, played four years with the Padres and three years in Japan.
#305 Willie Mays - $79,200
The last baseball card of Willie Mays, who was 42 in 1973 and past his prime. He was technically an All-Star, but that was more out of respect for his career accomplishments than his performance that year.
#220 Nolan Ryan - $70,961
The legend of Nolan Ryan was just starting in 1973 as this was the year he threw his first no-hitter and had 100 more strikeouts than the next closest pitcher. He also led the league in walks, but that didn’t stop him from being second in voting for the cy-young award that year.
#100 Hank Aaron - $58,961
At age 39, Hank Aaron had his last truly great year in 1973. He hit 40 home runs, good enough for 4th in the league that year, while still hitting over .300 (.301 to be exact). He would have to wait until early in 1974 to break the all-time home run record.
#50 Roberto Clemente - $38,425
This was the last card for perennial fan favorite Roberto Clemente, who would tragically lose his life in a plane crash before the 1973 season. The plane that crashed was chartered by him to take emergency supplies to Nicaragua, which had been hit by a massive earthquake. In case you weren’t aware, Clemente was from Puerto Rico, not Nicaragua, he simply cared about humanity.
#330 Rod Carew - $28,100
Another year, another batting title for Carew. Carew won his third batting title in 1973 on his way to an amazing seven titles won throughout his career. Carew was on his way to an a career Batting Average of .328. In the post World War 2 period, only Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and Tony Gwynn had higher lifetime batting averages. The hitter of the 1970s.
#380 Johnny Bench - $27,631
Arguably the best catcher of all-time, Bench was a fixture of the Reds throughout the 1970s and a perennial All-Start and MVP candidate. In total, he was a fourteen-time All-Star and a two-time MVP. He also has two of the decades best in-action shots as he is shown here the instant before catching a foul ball in front of the opponents dugout.
#350 Tom Seaver - $19,291
Seaver won his second Cy Young award in 1973 as he led the league in strikeouts, complete games, and Earned Run Average. Seaver would lead the Mets back to the World Series in 1973, where he started two games and had a strong 2.40 ERA, but he failed to get the win in either start as the Mets lost to Oakland Athletics.
#193 Carlton Fisk - $16,720
Coming off his Rookie of the Year campaign, Fisk played really well in 1973 as he again earned an All Star nod, his second of the eleven he would earn throughout his career. Fisk was the backbone of the improving Red Sox team that would ultimately make it to the 1975 World Series, only to lose the the Reds in one of the best World Series ever.
#190 Bob Gibson - $16,200
Gibson was thirty-seven and at the tail end of his great career in 1973 as he was not able to recapture his All-Star from. He did earn his last of nine Gold Glove awards that year and would only pitch for two more years in the Majors. A two-time Cy Young winner and first-ballot Hall of Famer, Gibson was perhaps the best pitcher of the pitcher-dominated late 1960s.