Most Valuable 1950s Topps Baseball Cards: Price Guide, Key Cards, and Images (1952-1959)
Price Guide To THE MOST ICONIC 1950s Topps Baseball Cards
From 1952 To 1959, Including Key Cards & Rookies
Our year-by-year 1950s Topps baseball card guide helps you identify the most important cards of each release of the decade including Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, & More
1952 Topps Baseball
1952 Topps baseball is considered by many to be the greatest post-war set produced. The set features jumbo sized cards with striking images and brightly colored backgrounds. Besides being the first major set that Topps released, it also features the most iconic card in the hobby: the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle. Scare high number (#311-407) make the set especially hard to complete. For complete 1952 Topps set review Click Here.
Major Rookies: Eddie Mathews
Key Players: Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese
1952 Topps Willie Mays #261
Card Value: low grade $1,700 to $4,000, mid grade $6,000 to $15,000, high grade $30,000+
1952 Topps Roy Campanella #314
Card Value: low grade $800 to $1,500, mid grade $2,500-4,000, high grade $5,000+
1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311
Card Value: low grade $25,000 to $50,000, mid grade $75,000 to $125,000, high grade $500,000+
1952 Topps Pee Wee Reese #333
Card Value: low grade $500-$850 mid grade $1,200-$3,000, high grade $4,000+
1952 Topps Jackie Robinson #312
Card Value: low grade $2,500 to $9,000, mid grade $10,000 to $15,000, high grade $30,000+
1952 Topps Eddie Mathews #407 RC
Card Value: low grade $2,000 to $4,000, mid grade $12,000 to $25,000, high grade $30,000+
1953 Topps Baseball
The 1953 Topps set kept the jumbo sized card, but images were changed to a more "water color" look. Many consider these cards to be works of art, as the up close portraits of each player contain a striking amount of detail. This set is another favorite among collectors due to the star-studded checklist and difficult to obtain high numbers (#221-280). For complete 1953 Topps set review Click Here.
Key Players: Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Satchel Paige, Willie Mays
1953 Topps Jackie Robinson #1
1953 Topps Mickey Mantle #82
Card Value: low grade $500 to $1,000, mid grade $1,500 to $4,500, high grade $10,000+
Card Value: low grade $1500 to $5000, mid grade $7000-10,000, high grade $15,000+
1953 Topps Satchell Paige #220
Card Value: low grade $400 to $800, mid grade $1,000 to $2,500, high grade $4,000+
1953 Topps Willie Mays #244
Card Value: low grade $900 to $2,000, mid grade $3,000 to $7,000, high grade $20,000+
1954 Topps Baseball
You would be hard pressed to find a set with a better line-up of rookie cards. The 1954 Topps features rookies cards of baseball icons Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, and Al Kaline. It also features a strong line-up of other hall of famers, including Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, and Willie Mays. For complete 1954 Topps set review Click Here.
Major Rookies: Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Al Kaline
Key Players: Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays
1954 Topps Ted Williams #1
Card Value: low grade $100 to $300, mid grade $400 to $1,500, high grade $3,500+
1954 Topps Ernie Banks #94 RC
Card Value: low grade $400 to $700, mid grade $1200 to $1800, high grade $3000+
1954 Topps Jackie Robinson #10
Card Value: low grade $250 to $500, mid grade $650 to $1500, high grade $2500+
1954 Topps Hank Aaron #128 RC
Card Value: low grade $1,000 to $3,000, mid grade $4,500 to $9,000, high grade $15,000+
1954 Topps Willie Mays #90
Card Value: low grade $200 to $500, mid grade $600 to $1,500, high grade $3,500+
1954 Topps Al Kaline #201 RC
Card Value: low grade $250 to $400, mid grade $600 to $1,200, high grade $2,500+
1954 Topps Ted Williams #250
Card Value: low grade $125 to $275, mid grade $400 to $1,000, high grade $3,000+
1955 Topps Baseball
A challenger to the 1954 Topps rookie line-up, the 1955 Topps set also contains a strong run of rookies. First year cards of Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, and Harmon Killebrew are featured in 1955. In addition to a strong run of other hall of famers (Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, and Willie Mays), collectors enjoy this set due to its' horizontal design with an action shot plus close up portrait of each player. For complete 1955 Topps set review Click Here.
Major Rookies: Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Harmon Killebrew
Key Players: Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays
1955 Topps Hank Aaron #47
Card Value: low grade $100 to $250, mid grade $500 to $1,000, high grade $2,000+
1955 Topps Harmon Killebrew #124 RC
Card Value: low grade $100 to $200, mid grade $300 to $500, high grade $800+
1955 Topps Jackie Robinson #50
Card Value: low grade $200 to $400, mid grade $500 to $1200, high grade $2,000+
1955 Topps Sandy Koufax #123 RC
Card Value: low grade $350 to $800, mid grade $1,200 to $3,000, high grade $6,000+
1955 Topps Roberto Clemente #164 RC
Card Value: low grade $800 to $1,700, mid grade $2,500 to $6,000, high grade $13,000+
1955 Topps Willie Mays #194
Card Value: low grade $150 to $350, mid grade $500 to $1500, high grade $2500+
1956 Topps Baseball
1956 Topps also contains a close up portrait and action shot (similar to 1955 Topps), but rather than solid color backgrounds, Topps selected an on-field image. The design is a favorite among collectors and the set is highly collectible. 1956 is the first year Topps held contracts with every MLB player (Bowman went out of business in 1955) and the lineup features every major hall of famer from the golden age of baseball. For complete 1956 Topps set review Click Here.
Key Players: Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle
1956 Topps Ted Williams #5
Card Value: low grade $100 to $250, mid grade $350 to $750, high grade $2,000+
1956 Topps Roberto Clemente #33
Card Value: low grade $150 to $300, mid grade $400 to $900, high grade $1,800+
1956 Topps Jackie Robinson #30
Card Value: low grade $200 to $400, mid grade $500 to $1,200, high grade $1,500+
1956 Topps Sandy Koufax #79
Card Value: low grade $125 to $200 mid grade $300 to $600, high grade $1,000+
1956 Topps Hank Aaron #31
Card Value: low grade $100 to $200, mid grade $300 to $600, high grade $1,200+
1956 Topps Willie Mays #130
Card Value: low grade $150 to $300, mid grade $500 to $1,000, high grade $2,000+
1956 Topps Mickey Mantle #135
Card Value: low grade $600 to $1500, mid grade $2000 to $4000, high grade $5000+
1957 Topps Baseball
1957 was the first year that Topps used real photographs and the results were breath taking. Each vertical card featured a close up full color image and stadium backdrop. This set is known for its' impressive line-up of hall of famers, key rookies of Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson, and the tough to find "mid-series" (#265-352). For complete 1957 Topps set review Click Here.
Major Rookies: Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson
Key Players: Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Mantle/Berra
1957 Topps Ted Williams #1
Card Value: low grade $100 to $175, mid grade $225 to $750, high grade $1,500+
1957 Topps Frank Robinson #35 RC
Card Value: low grade $75 to $150, mid grade $200 to $400, high grade $1500+
1957 Topps Sandy Koufax #302
Card Value: low grade $75 to $175, mid grade $250 to $500, high grade $800+
1957 Topps Willie Mays #10
Card Value: low grade $75 to $150, mid grade $200 to $650, high grade $1000+
1957 Topps Roberto Clemente #76
Card Value: low grade $50 to $150, mid grade $200 to $400, high grade $750+
1957 Topps Brooks Robinson #328 RC
Card Value: low grade $350 to $500, mid grade $600 to $1000, high grade $1500+
1957 Topps Hank Aaron #20
Card Value: low grade $75-$200 mid grade $275-$700, high grade $1,200+
1957 Topps Mickey Mantle #95
Card Value: low grade $300 to $600, mid grade $700 to $1750, high grade $2000+
1957 Topps Mantle/Berra #407
Card Value: low grade $75 to $150, mid grade $200 to $400, high grade $750+
1958 Topps Baseball
The 1958 Topps set also featured real photographs, but Topps elected for a more simple design. Each card features a close up image along with a brightly colored background. This set is jam packed with hall of famers, but the rookie star power is somewhat lacking. Roger Maris and Orlando Cepeda are the only notable rookies from this year. For complete 1958 Topps set review Click Here.
Major Rookies: Roger Maris
Key Players: Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax, Mantle/Aaron
1958 Topps Ted Williams #1
1958 Topps Willie Mays #5
1958 Topps Hank Aaron #30
Card Value: low grade $75 to $150, mid grade $175 to $500, high grade $1,000+
1958 Topps Roger Maris #47 RC
Card Value: low grade $100 to $175, mid grade $250 to $600, high grade $900+
Card Value: low grade $40 to $125, mid grade $200 to $500, high grade $1,250+
1958 Topps Roberto Clemente #52
Card Value: low grade $50 to $125, mid grade $200 to $400, high grade $750+
Card Value: low grade $50 to $125, mid grade $250 to $400, high grade $1,000+
1958 Topps Mickey Mantle #150
Card Value: low grade $250 to $500, mid grade $600 to $1500, high grade $2500+
1958 Topps Sandy Koufax #187
Card Value: low grade $30 to $90, mid grade $125 to $300, high grade $500+
1958 Topps Mantle/Aaron #418
Card Value: low grade $75 to $150, mid grade $200 to $500, high grade $900+
1959 Topps Baseball
1959 Topps also packs a color punch, with each card having a brightly colored background with the player appearing in a circle in the middle of the card. Collectors enjoy this set as it has many hall of famers, rookie power (Bob Gibson), and tough to find high numbers (#507-572). For complete 1959 Topps set review Click Here.
Major Rookies: Bob Gibson
Key Players: Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente
1959 Topps Mickey Mantle #10
Card Value: low grade $200 to $350, mid grade $500 to $1200, high grade $2000+
1959 Topps Hank Aaron #380
Card Value: low grade $40 to $75, mid grade $100 to $300, high grade $500+
1959 Topps Willie Mays #50
Card Value: low grade $40 to $100, mid grade $150 to $500, high grade $650+
1959 Topps Roberto Clemente #478
Card Value: low grade $40 to $75, mid grade $100 to $200, high grade $500+
1959 Topps Sandy Koufax #163
Card Value: low grade $40 to $70, mid grade $100 to $200, high grade $500+
1959 Topps Bob Gibson #514 RC
Card Value: low grade $200 to $450, mid grade $600 to $1000, high grade $1700+