You know, we don’t always have to break the bank to get our hands on awesome baseball cards.
Sports Illustrated’s Jason Schwartz recently put the spotlight on five bargain vintage baseball cards that’d be readily accessible to just about every collector. This makes things twice as fun for people who want to get their hands on baseball history without forking over a ton of money.
Editor’s Note: Looking to Sell Sports Cards? Here’s How to Do It Quickly & Easily
5 Bargain Vintage Baseball Cards Worth Hunting
According to Schwartz, the following five cards provide that sweet spot of value and accessibility in the vintage market (all dollar figures are current as of this writing, so check the links provided because they could’ve changed):
1964 Topps Willie Mays (#150): This is just a stunning picture of the Say Hey Kid, don’t you think? An SGC 1.5 version of this card is for sale on eBay for less than $50.
1962 Topps Hank Aaron (#320): The last time I looked at this eBay listing, the PSA 1.5 card was on sale for $67.
1956 Topps Ernie Banks (#15): Want to get your hands on a card featuring Mr. Cub? Well, this PSA 1 version is available for under $80.
1958 Topps All-Star Stan Musial #476: An SGC 3.5 graded version of this card is available on eBay for less than $40.
1959 Topps Frank Robinson (#435): This SGC 1 version of Robinson could be yours for less than $30!
Why the Willie Mays Card Stands Out to Me
If I had to pick just one card from this list, it’s the 1964 Topps Willie Mays without hesitation. The Say Hey Kid represents everything great about baseball, and this particular card captures him at a time when he was still in the middle of building his Hall of Fame resume.
While he’s been passed a few times this century, Mays’ 660 career homers are still among the most all time. He also accumulated 12 Gold Gloves, two MVP Awards, and 24 All-Star selections during his legendary big-league tenure.
But stats are just one aspect of his legacy. He played with the type of joy and athleticism that captivated generations of baseball fans. I remember having several conversations with my grandfather about Mays since he was a New York Giants fan before they moved to San Francisco.
One of his biggest highlights was sitting on the couch and holding my mother (who was a baby and just a few months old at the time) while watching Mays’ legendary over-the-shoulder catch during the 1954 World Series.
So, having any card featuring Mays is great for all the typical reasons, but it goes a little deeper for me regarding the emotional aspect of it all.
Breaking Down the Price Ranges by Grade
We can see that this Mays card is a bargain thanks to its low grade, but how much does condition impact value? Let’s use Sports Cards Pro data to provide some perspective. Here’s what the full price guide for this card looks like at the time of writing:
| Ungraded | $48.99 |
| Grade 1 | $35.00 |
| Grade 2 | $58.99 |
| Grade 3 | $77.38 |
| Grade 4 | $113.50 |
| Grade 5 | $135.30 |
| Grade 6 | $233.29 |
| Grade 7 | $425.00 |
| Grade 8 | $1,399.95 |
| Grade 9 | $13,730.60 |
| Grade 9.5 | $15,104.00 |
| TAG 10 | – |
| ACE 10 | – |
| SGC 10 | $9,886.00 |
| CGC 10 | $13,182.00 |
| PSA 10 | $16,477.00 |
| BGS 10 | $21,420.00 |
| BGS 10 Black | $107,100.00 |
| CGC 10 Pristine | $23,728.00 |
I enjoy seeing these kinds of breakdowns because it gives you a sense of where that jump in value tends to happen — especially because it’s different for every card. And for the most part, the 1964 Topps Willie Mays is quite accessible for many collectors until we go from Grade 7 to Grade 8, before making significant jumps from there.
So, if you can find one of these bad boys ungraded and it appears to be in good shape, you might be sitting on something amazing. But where could you go hunting for bargain vintage cards that could turn into bigger treasures?
Where to Find These Bargain Treasures Beyond eBay
Sure, eBay works great for purchasing these types of cards, but experienced collectors know there’s a whole ecosystem of hunting grounds out there.
Local card shops are still goldmines for those who are patient. Estate sales and flea markets offer serious potential. That $3 box of “old baseball cards” could easily contain a Willie Mays or Ernie Banks mixed among common players.
Card shows also provide face-to-face negotiation opportunities you won’t get online. Dealers carry overhead costs from table rentals and travel, so they’re motivated to make sales. Plus, you can physically inspect cards before making a purchase, which is crucial when condition determines how much you’d be willing to pay.
Regional auction houses that handle estate liquidations are another great option. Major auction houses (like Heritage) will get the million-dollar cards, but smaller regional firms handle everyday collections that could include exactly these kinds of bargain cards.
Love home runs? Sign up for my Substack today and start getting interesting home run-related observations straight to your inbox! And if you’re new to MLB Daily Dingers, it’s probably best to start here.
