Growing up I had boxes of baseball cards. Topps, Fleer and Donruss got plenty of my money as a kid. I was aware of card value as a young collector too. Card conventions were a yearly stop in St. Louis, and Cardinal star players cards were always in high demand.

Then in the 1990’s the market busted. Card collecting reality shrunk in size like the value of cards people were trying to collect. Shops shuttered, mall kiosks closed, the house of cards literally fell.

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Flash forward over a generation and baseball cards haven’t regained the inflated value they once had, but if you happen to have some older, very rare cards of Cardinal legends they still do have value.

As with most collectible things, scarcity increases worth. These are the top five most valuable baseball cards of St. Louis Cardinal players. If you have one (or more) of these, you are probably aware of what you possess.

1948 Bowman Stan Musial Rookie Card in mint9 condition at January 2025 value is $52,700

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YouTube/PWCC Premier Auction
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1948 Leaf Stan Musial Rookie Card in Mint9 condition in January 2025 would be worth $250,000

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YouTube/Ol'SargeCollects
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1959 Topps Bob Gibson Rookie Card at Mint9 condition in January 2025 is worth $49,400

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YouTube/PWCC Premier Auction
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2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols Rookie Card at Gem Mint10 in January 2025 is valued at $100,000

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YouTube/PWCC Premier Auction
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1965 Topps Bob Gibson in Mint9 condition in January 2025 is worth $1700

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YouTube/Half Century of Collecting Sportscards
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Rookie cards still lead the way when it comes to value, that hasn’t changed. There was a time I had a stray 1975 Gibson card, but have no clue where it is now. Stan was before my collecting window and Albert was after.

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YouTube/Half Century of Collecting Sportscards
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Do you still have your baseball cards from your youth? Did you pass them down to your kids or younger family members who love baseball? Do you know what they are worth?

The St. Louis Cardinals organization has a special place in my heart and the stable of baseball legends that have worn the birds on the bat is uncommon.

Tip of the cap to those collectors out there who have stuck with their passion and preserved the past that so many Cardinal fans hold dear.

SEE: 30 Toys That Defined the '70s

KEEP READING: Check out these totally awesome '80s toys

Gallery Credit: Angela Underwood

 

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