The Most Valuable Baseball Cards of 1971
The 1971 Topps baseball card set holds a special place in hobby history due to its bold design and lasting impact. With a sleek black border framing each card, the set immediately stood out from its predecessors and became one of the most distinctive releases of its era. That very design, however, also made the cards notoriously condition-sensitive; even the slightest ding or chip along the edges was glaringly obvious. As a result, high-grade examples of 1971 Topps cards remain some of the most coveted in the vintage market and some of the most expensive cards might just surprise you.
Here at Remarkable Artworks we think value is in the eye of the beholder. If you want to learn more about the display to the right, click the button.
Thurman Munson - $199,999
We know that the rookie cards of Hall of Famers tend to be the most valuable. So how is it that the 1971 card for Thurman Munson, which is not his rookie card and who is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame, is the most valuable 1971 card?
The reason has to do with what was so unique about the 1971 set as it was the first time that Topps included in-game action shots for individual player cards. While there were a few other good in-game action shots that, especially of pitchers in their windup, this card stands out for being the fist card to catch a moment-in-time, gritty play at the plate. Add to it the fact that Munson was a very good player for the most famous team who tragically died young, and you get one of the most iconic cards ever produced. It ranks in just about everyone’s top 10 favorite cards of all-time (including ours).
2. Bert Blyleven - $138,000
Bert was a very good pitcher. He pitched for 22 years and struck out 3,701 batters, which is top 10 all-time. He was a 2-time all-star and a 2-time world series champion. Yet he was rarely in the Cy Young conversations during his playing days, a sign that he wasn’t considered one of the elite pitchers of his time. However, while it did take him 14 years of eligibility, Bert was ultimately elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. This is also his rookie card. So rookie card plus Hall-of-Famer are two important reasons that make this the second most valuable card (as long as it is is pristine condition, the lesser quality versions don’t hold as much value) of 1971.
3. Roberto Clements - $71,700
One of the most beloved baseball players of all-time, Roberto Clemente cards are amongst the most valuable of any year. Clemente turned 36 in 1971 yet was still at the top of the game as he was 5th in the MVP voting that year. The picture itself is standard-issue, but it’s a Clemente.
4. Hank Aaron - $60,000
The all-time home run king still at he top of his game is a recipe for a highly sought-after card. Hammerin’ Hank was still a few years away from breaking Ruth’s career home runs record, but he was 3rd in MVP voting in 1971 and still one of the best players in baseball at the ripe old age of 37.
5. Reggie Jackson - $52,738
If he wasn’t best baseball player of the 1970’s, he was surely the most famous. We see him here a year before the A’s won the World Series three years in a row (1972-1974) and a few years before he become “Mr. October” when he helped the Yankees to two consecutive World Series titles (1977-1978). Whether you loved him or hated him, you respected him.