When it comes to iconic players in baseball history, few rival the enduring legacy of Nolan Ryan. Known as “The Ryan Express,” his career spanned an incredible four decades, solidifying his place as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. For card collectors, Ryan’s cards represent not just an investment, but a tangible piece of baseball history. In this article, we’ll cover Ryan’s flagship Topps cards from his legendary 1968 rookie card through the 1979 Topps set. These cards showcase his journey from a Mets rookie to an Angels ace, capturing the prime years of his storied career.
Please note, this article focuses specifically on flagship Topps releases during this era. In future articles, we’ll dive into Ryan’s remaining flagship Topps cards and explore some of his lesser-known but equally fascinating oddball sets. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a new enthusiast, these cards offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of both baseball card design and Ryan’s career.
Best Nolan Ryan Cards: 1968–1979 Topps Flagship
1. 1968 Topps #177 (PSA 10 – $1,400,000, PSA 9 – $64,000, PSA 8 – $9,200)
One of the most iconic rookie cards in baseball history, the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card remains a cornerstone for collectors. This dual-player card, shared with Jerry Koosman, is notorious for condition sensitivity, with only one PSA 10 in existence and 69 PSA 9s from nearly 28,000 graded copies. Despite a relatively high pop report, its iconic status and rarity in high grades drive its sky-high value, with even low grades commanding hundreds of dollars. International variants like the Canadian O-Pee-Chee and Venezuelan versions add to its allure, with the latter being nearly impossible to find in decent condition. A PSA 5.5 Venezuelan copy (the highest graded) sold for $16,000 in 2020, illustrating its immense rarity.
2. 1969 Topps #533 (PSA 10 – $146,000, PSA 9 – $9,160, PSA 8 – $1,350)
Ryan’s first solo card, the 1969 Topps #533, is a classic featuring the iconic rookie cup in Ryan’s 2nd year in the MLB. This card captures Ryan’s transition to a budding ace and is significantly more affordable in mid-to-low grades, with PSA 7s around $900. For collectors, the allure of owning Ryan’s first standalone card makes it a must-have, even with its relatively high print run compared to other cards of the era. It probably looks familiar to MLB The Show gamers, as it has been featured in both MLB The Show 22 and MLB The Show 19.
3. 1970 Topps #712 (PSA 10 – $153,000, PSA 9 – $6,000, PSA 8 – $1,350)
The 1970 Topps Nolan Ryan card highlights Ryan as he cemented his reputation as a strikeout king. The design features a no-frills aesthetic typical of the era, but the condition sensitivity, particularly around centering, has resulted in only three PSA 10 copies in existence. Lower grades remain accessible, making it a great option for vintage collectors on a budget.
4. 1971 Topps #513 (PSA 9 – $27,500, PSA 8 – $1,850, PSA 7 – $600)
The 1971 Topps set is infamous for its all-black borders, making high-grade copies of any card incredibly difficult to find. Ryan’s card is no exception, with zero PSA 10s in existence and a single SGC 9.5 as the highest-graded copy. Despite the difficulty of finding pristine copies, the card remains a favorite among collectors for its iconic design and Ryan’s status as a Mets legend.
5. 1972 Topps #595 (PSA 10 – $39,500, PSA 9 – $3,000, PSA 8 – $500)
The 1972 Topps card marks Ryan’s debut as an Angel, with a colorful, eye-catching design that has aged beautifully. Collectors love the vivid design and close-up photo of Ryan in his new uniform, making it a standout card in any collection. While PSA 10 copies command five-figure prices, lower grades remain affordable, offering a great entry point into Ryan’s flagship cards. It may also look similar to MLB The Show gamers, as this card was features as Nolan Ryan’s 90 overall Breakout card in MLB The Show 24.
6. 1973 Topps #220 (PSA 10 – $82,350, PSA 9 – $3,000, PSA 8 – $500)
The 1973 Topps Nolan Ryan card is a collector favorite, featuring Ryan mid-windup in a pre-game warmup. The clean white border and excellent action photography make it one of the most visually striking cards of the decade. With only six PSA 10s, the card commands premium prices in high grades, while remaining surprisingly affordable in grades as high as PSA 6. Similar to the 72 Topps card, this card was featured in MLB the Show 22 to highlight Ryan’s 1972 All-Star Season.
7. 1974 Topps #20 (PSA 10 – $41,000, PSA 9 – $1,800, PSA 8 – $280)
Featuring Ryan in action, the 1974 Topps card is beloved for its vibrant design and on-field imagery. Like other cards from this era, centering and edge wear pose challenges for high grades, but lower grades are very accessible for collectors, making it a popular choice for fans of “The Ryan Express.” This card was also featured in MLB The Show 19, as a Veteran series card for Ryan.
8. 1975 Topps #500 (PSA 10 – $51,000, PSA 9 – $10,000, PSA 8 – $600)
The 1975 Topps set is a favorite among collectors, known for its bold, colorful borders and iconic rookie cards of George Brett and Robin Yount. Nolan Ryan’s card from this set is equally revered, though the bright borders make it susceptible to chipping and centering issues. Only three PSA 10s exist, making them ultra-valuable, but PSA 8s and below remain affordable, allowing budget-conscious collectors to own a piece of this vibrant set.
9. 1976 Topps #330 (PSA 10 – $36,000, PSA 9 – $1,400, PSA 8 – $150)
The 1976 Topps Nolan Ryan card showcases improved quality control compared to earlier sets, resulting in a slightly higher gem rate. This card features Ryan in his Angels uniform with a clean, simple design, making it a favorite among vintage collectors. With 11 PSA 10s and affordable options in PSA 8 and below, it’s a great card for collectors looking to add Ryan’s mid-70s run to their collection.
10. 1977 Topps #650 (PSA 10 – $18,000, PSA 9 – $933, PSA 8 – $150)
The 1977 Topps card of Nolan Ryan introduces a facsimile autograph, adding a unique element to this classic design. With the highest gem rate among the cards in this article (0.4%), there are 21 PSA 10s in circulation, keeping the price for gems relatively lower than earlier cards. PSA 8s and lower grades are especially accessible, making it a great entry-level vintage card for Ryan enthusiasts.
11. 1978 Topps #400 (PSA 10 – $41,000, PSA 9 – $1,800, PSA 8 – $130)
The 1978 Topps set is notorious for centering issues, making high-grade cards exceedingly rare. Ryan’s card, featuring a classic portrait shot, is a standout from this set. Despite its low gem rate (0.05%), there’s a single BGS 10 pristine copy in existence. Lower grades remain highly affordable, making this a popular card among vintage collectors and Ryan fans alike.
12. 1979 Topps #115 (PSA 10 – $9,500, PSA 9 – $300, PSA 8 – $50)
The final card in this article, the 1979 Topps Nolan Ryan, comes from a set best known for the Ozzie Smith rookie card. Ryan’s card is particularly difficult to find in high grades, with only 13 PSA 10s in existence. This keeps the gem price near five figures, but lower grades like PSA 9s and 8s are much more attainable for collectors, offering an affordable way to complete a run of Ryan’s 70s-era flagship cards.
Conclusion
Nolan Ryan’s flagship Topps cards from 1968 to 1979 capture the early years of his legendary career and remain some of the most iconic collectibles in baseball card history. From his unforgettable rookie card in the 1968 Topps set to his Angels-era highlights in the late 1970s, these cards tell the story of “The Ryan Express” and his journey to baseball immortality. Whether you’re hunting for high-grade rarities or looking for affordable mid-grade options, these cards offer something for every collector. Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll explore Ryan’s remaining flagship Topps cards and delve into some of his most unique oddball releases. Let us know in the comments which Nolan Ryan card is your favorite from this era!
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Corey Cottrell
Corey was the original founder of ShowZone.
