Nolan Ryan Baseball Cards List | Top 20

Nolan Ryan the brightest names in baseball history. He started his career in 1966 with the New York Mets and retired in 1993. Over four decades, he played for the California Angels, Houston Astros, and spent a long time with the Texas Rangers. Ryan was famous for his fastball and record strikeouts, winning fans on the field and creating a strong legacy in collectibles. 

For fans and collectors, Nolan Ryan baseball cards are among the most valuable in sports memorabilia. Many Nolan Ryan baseball cards are worth money today because they are rare and important. 

Here we will look at a list of the top 20 valuable Nolan Ryan cards that every serious collector should want.

Top 20 Nolan Ryan Baseball Cards

Collecting Nolan Ryan baseball cards has become a fascinating journey for enthusiasts and investors alike, as these cards not only capture the spirit of the game but also hold significant value over time. Given below is the list of Nolan Ryan Top 20 Baseball cards.

1987 Topps Tiffany Nolan Ryan baseball card #757

PSA	10
Value	$183

The 1987 Topps Tiffany Nolan Ryan card, numbered 757, is special in sports memorabilia. The Tiffany set is the largest collection, with only 30,000 sets printed, making each card valuable. A PSA 10 graded version usually sells for under $200.

PSA has graded 930 of these Nolan Ryan cards, with 1,235 receiving a gem mint grade of 10. This rarity and demand show why collectors find high value in cards in perfect condition.

1986 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #100

PSA	10
Value	$967

This card is famous for its striking image and rarity. Out of 3,178 cards graded by PSA, only eleven received the top gem mint grade of 10, and 797 got a mint grade of 9.

1,460 cards earned near-mint to mint ratings of 8, showing how hard it is to find this card in great condition. With so few high-grade cards available, it is no surprise that this card attracts both experienced collectors and newcomers.

1985 Topps Tiffany Nolan Ryan baseball card #760

PSA	10
Value	$1,079

The 1985 Topps Tiffany Nolan Ryan baseball card, number 760, showcases the careful work of vintage card making. In its second year of creating a special high-gloss edition, Topps limited the Tiffany set to just 5,000 sets. This makes each card not just a collectible but a piece of history.

Among these cards, PSA graded 514 Nolan Ryan cards, but only 44 received the top grade of gem mint 10. This rarity boosts their value and attracts both collectors and investors.

1984 Topps Tiffany Nolan Ryan baseball card #470

PSA	10
Value	$1,233

Only about 10,000 sets were made, and these cards are known for their shiny finish and significance during a thrilling time in baseball. The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) has graded 444 cards from this series, showing how rare and desirable they are.

Out of these, only 23 have received the top grade of PSA 10, making them extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors.

1983 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #360

PSA	10
Value	$373

Topps made the 1983 set to celebrate 20 years of baseball card collecting. The design connects with fans and brings back memories. The Nolan Ryan card stands out in this series because it showcases the skill of one of baseball’s best pitchers.

Out of 3,495 Ryan cards sent to PSA for grading, only 328 received a gem mint 10 rating. This rarity makes the card even more appealing to collectors who value both the player and the card’s design.

1982 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #90

PSA	10
Value	$667

It was part of Topps’ largest set ever, which had 792 cards. This set introduced 66 new cards and removed double prints that had been common since 1978. The card’s rarity is highlighted by PSA grading, out of 4,157 graded copies, only 191 received the gem mint 10 rating.

This makes high-grade cards very desirable for collectors, adding to their value as both a piece of Ryan’s career and an essential item for serious hobbyists.

1981 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #240

PSA	10
Value	$4,000

When Fleer and Donruss entered the market, Topps had to change its strategy. They started putting their logo on the front of the cards and released them earlier in the year. This competition led to the creation of Topps Traded sets, which updated fans on player rosters during the season.

Ryan’s card is special not only because of his famous pitching skills but also because it is rare. According to PSA, out of 4,221 graded cards, only 39 have received the top gem mint 10 rating.

1980 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #580

PSA	9
Value	$322

It features a legendary pitcher and has great investment potential. Only 36 cards have received the top grade of PSA 10, and one sold for $7,327 in September 2021. This shows that collectors see its lasting value.

Since mid-2020, PSA 9 cards have also increased in value, prompting smart investors to reassess their collections with high-quality vintage sports cards like this one.

1979 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #115

PSA	9
Value	$249

The 1979 Topps baseball card highlights an important moment in Nolan Ryan’s career, as it shows his last game with the California Angels. There are 5,207 copies graded by PSA, but only 13 have a perfect gem mint 10 rating, making it very rare and sought after by collectors.

The last PSA 10 sold for $5,450 in December 2020, showing both nostalgia and the rising interest in vintage sports cards as investments.

1978 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #400

PSA	9
Value	$1,735

PSA grading shows how rare it is. Out of 3,941 Nolan Ryan cards graded from this set, only three have a gem mint 10 rating. The rarity grows with the mint 9 category, which has only 124 cards. A larger group of 1,181 cards received near-mint to mint ratings of 8.

This shows that many collectors own cards rated PSA 8, making it not just a collectible but also an asset that can increase in value over time.

1977 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #650

PSA	9
Value	$615

It features famous players like Reggie Jackson, Johnny Bench, Thurman Munson, and George Brett. Out of 3,788 cards graded by PSA, only 19 received a perfect score of 10.

This rarity makes the card very popular among collectors. In March 2021, a PSA 10 sold for $9,102 at auction. Owning this card is not just nostalgic, it is like holding a piece of baseball history.

1976 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #330

PSA	9
Value	$966

Only 10 cards have a gem mint 10 rating out of 5,091 graded by PSA. This rarity makes it very valuable. For example, in January 2021, one perfect card sold for $17,517.

The colorful strips at the bottom display Ryan’s name and team, making the card visually appealing and honoring his legendary status in baseball. The back of the card features a bat and ball with the card number, showcasing Topps’ creative design from that time.

1975 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #500

PSA	9
Value	$6,301

This card was released alongside famous rookie cards from legends like George Brett, Robin Yount, and Gary Carter, making it a highlight of baseball’s vibrant decade.

An interesting part of this set is the rare 1975 Topps minis, which are about 20% smaller than the regular cards. These minis were only sold in the Midwest and West Coast, making them even more sought after. So far, over 4,800 of these cards have been graded by PSA, with three rated as a perfect gem mint 10.

1974 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #20

PSA	9
Value	$999

In 1974, Topps changed the game by releasing all 660 cards at once, exciting collectors. Nolan Ryan’s card is especially notable with its bright pink border, designed to match each team’s colors.

This card is iconic and very popular, only six out of 5,307 Nolan Ryan cards graded by PSA from this set received the top gem mint 10 grade. Its rarity increases demand and highlights Ryan’s lasting impact on baseball history.

1973 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #20

PSA	9
Value	$2,024

It marks an important moment in baseball history. That year, Ryan broke Sandy Koufax’s record by striking out 383 batters and thrilled fans with two exciting no-hitters. His second no-hitter on July 15 against the Detroit Tigers featured an incredible 17 strikeouts, a record for no-hitters.

These achievements made him the best pitchers and turned his card into a sought-after collectible for fans and investors. In the world of sports memorabilia, this card is both rare and desirable.

PSA has graded over 4,500 copies of the 1973 Topps Nolan Ryan card, but only six have received the top gem mint 10 rating.

1972 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #595

PSA	9
Value	$2,282

It shows the famous pitcher in his California Angels uniform for the first time. Out of 5,465 cards graded by PSA, only nine received a perfect gem mint 10 rating, highlighting Ryan’s greatness in baseball.

There are 189 cards graded as mint 9 and over a thousand as near-mint to mint 8, showing both its rarity and popularity among collectors. Most of the existing cards are graded PSA 7, which shows how hard it is to find one in perfect condition even after many years.

1971 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #513

PSA	9
Value	$26,316

It is the last card showing Ryan in a New York Mets uniform, marking a key moment in his career. Collectors find it hard to grade this card because its black edges show damage easily.

Of the 5,076 cards graded by PSA, none received a perfect score of 10, showing how rare perfection is for this card. Only 31 cards got a mint grade of 9, while most were graded PSA 7.

1970 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #712

PSA	9
Value	$7,975

The 1970 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card, numbered 712, is a nostalgic favorite for collectors and fans. Released when cards numbered above 460 were rare, this card captures the excitement of collecting. Out of 5,202 copies sent to PSA for grading, only three received the top gem mint 10 rating, making it extremely rare and highly sought after.

With its eye-catching image and legendary status, Ryan’s card showcases his amazing talent and represents an important moment in baseball history that still matters today.

1969 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card #712

PSA	9
Value	$7,975

The 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan baseball card 712 is special because it is an important part of the 1969 Topps set and has a high market value, making it the second most expensive card of The Express.

Out of 6,988 cards graded by PSA, only two received a perfect grade of 10. This rarity, along with common problems like stains and soft corners in this set, adds to Ryan’s legacy in sports memorabilia.

1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card #712

PSA	9
Value	$112,003

Nolan Ryan’s 1968 Topps rookie card is a prized possession for collectors, not just because it’s the legendary pitcher’s only official rookie card, but also due to its status as the most valuable baseball cards when in mint condition. Although it shares the card with pitcher Jerry Koosman and has a horizontal design instead of the usual vertical style, collectors still love it.

Many view Ryan’s pairing with Koosman as an interesting part of baseball history, not a downside. Perfectly graded examples sell for high prices at auctions, making this card a top choice for those looking for rarity and historical value.

Conclusion

Investing in Nolan Ryan baseball cards is exciting and can be financially rewarding. This makes it appealing for both experienced investors and newcomers. Ryan the greatest pitchers in MLB history, so his cards have sentimental value and are good investment options.

While mint condition cards can be expensive, there are many choices at different prices to fit various budgets. By picking cards from our top 20 list, collectors can improve their collections and possibly earn rewards in the future.

Whether you want to invest or honor this baseball legend, now is a great time to explore Nolan Ryan baseball cards!

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