10 Most Valuable 1975 Topps Baseball Cards
There's one thing about 1975 Topps baseball cards that should immediately jump out at you...
...those unforgettable bright, multi-colored borders.
Some collectors love the design...others hate it.
But what can't be argued is the amount of star power that this set packs.
Key rookie cards of George Brett, Robin Yount, Gary Carter and Jim Rice help headline a set loaded with legends like Hank Aaron, Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson to name a few.
And while innovative, those multi-colored borders make this set extremely challenging to assemble in top condition since they are susceptible to showing even the slightest wear.
So, within such an great set, which are the most valuable?
In this guide, I run through the ten most valuable cards to keep your eye on.
Let's jump right in!
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1975 Topps #228 George Brett Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35,000
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $100
The George Brett rookie card is one of four key Hall of Famer rookie cards in this set alongside those of Robin Yount, Jim Rice and Gary Carter.
It's also the most expensive of the four (and the entire set).
I've always loved the color combination of the borders on this card.
Many of the color combinations in this set seemed odd choices given a player's team colors.
But for some reason, the green and purple duo seemingly gives the card some extra eye appeal and nice pop overall.
One thing is for certain: George Brett could flat out hit as he would go on to win three batting titles over his legendary career.
In PSA 10 condition these cards can sell for five figures.
1975 Topps #228 Robin Yount Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30,000
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $60
The second key rookie card in this set belongs to Brewers legend and two-time MVP, Robin Yount.
The orange and brown borders of Yount's rookie don't give it quite the pop that Brett's rookie enjoys but they still somehow work.
It's crazy to think that Yount was only 18 years old in this image but that's just a sign of how much promise he showed from such an early age.
This card is one of the top rookies from the 1970s and its five-figure price tag in gem mint condition is proof that cards from that era can still fetch a pretty penny in top grade.
1975 Topps #500 Nolan Ryan
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $27,000
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $45
Nolan Ryan is typically one of the biggest names in any set in which he appears.
This one is no exception...
Like me, you might be surprised that this card can sell for so much in gem mint condition but it's true.
His status as one of the game's most legendary fireballers and extreme popularity among baseball card collectors give this card quite a boost in value.
The purple and pink border combo may not be the most intimidating choice to fit Ryan's demeanor but his icy stare on this card more than makes up for it.
1975 Topps #660 Hank Aaron
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $11,500
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25
Next on our list is one of the two Hank Aaron cards that bookended this set as a tribute to setting the career homerun mark the year before.
A couple of notable attributes of this card:
- Aaron was airbrushed into a Brewers uniform since he was traded from the Braves to the Brewers on November 2, 1974.
- Correctly forecasting his primary role as a new member of the American League, Topps listed him as a DH even though he'd never played a single game as DH before
Many consider this to be one of Aaron's least appealing baseball cards but it's still a must have for any Aaron or 1975 Topps collector.
Finally, because this was the last card in the set it can be tough to find in high grade which gives it an extra boost in value.
1975 Topps #70 Mike Schmidt
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $8,500
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $15
Arguably the greatest third baseman of all time, Mike Schmidt was most known for his power at the plate.
In only his third full season in 1975, Schmidt was flashing signs of legendary greatness at the young age of 25.
That year he would go on to lead the American League in home runs for the second year in a row after sending 38 over the fence.
The bright color combo of the green and yellow borders give this card just the right amount of flash.
Of all of his mainstream cards, this is one of my personal favorite Mike Schmidt cards.
1975 Topps #620 Gary Carter Rookie
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $6,500
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25
If you ever got a chance to see Gary Carter in action on the field, it was easy to understand why they called him "The Kid".
Carter played the game with the joy and passion of a kid which would carry him through a Hall of Fame career.
That joy clearly shows through on his 1975 Topps rookie card.
His bright smile, along with the pink and yellow borders give the card some great pop.
Known for both his hitting and catching ability, Carter goes down as one of the greatest catchers to ever play the game.
1975 Topps #616 Jim Rice Rookie
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $5,500
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $25
Jim Rice's is the last of the four major rookie cards to make this list and it has pretty much the same look and feel as Carter's rookie above.
Four players, pink and yellow borders...
But, you gotta love all the moustaches and thick sideburns all over this card...such a sign of the times.
It's not quite as valuable as the other rookie card on this list but is still a key Hall of Famer rookie card to own.
The eight-time All-Star and one-time MVP award winner goes down as one of the greatest Red Sox of all-time.
1975 Topps #1 Hank Aaroun '74 Highlights
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $4,750
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $18
On April 8, 1974, Hank Aaron sent one of Al Downing's pitches over the outfield fence during the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
That home run would be his 715th, one more than Babe Ruth's career home run record of 714.
Topps commemorated the phenomenal achievement with this "'74 Highlights" card with Aaron in his Braves uniform.
I don't know what it is about this card but it just seems kind of...quiet.
It's just not what I would expect from a card meant to celebrate such an incredible feat.
It's a nice card but it could have been really nice had Topps been able to capture and use an action shot of him belting the record-breaking homer.
1975 Topps #300 Reggie Jackson
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $3,000
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $12
If you stick around this hobby long enough you'll realize that it was a Topps tradition to recognize some of the biggest stars by giving them cards with numbers that ended in a double zero.
This was the first time Reggie was recognized with that honor as Topps made his card number 300 in this set.
The card is very colorful and I've always liked the way Topps snapped this photo from up underneath him.
It made him look like a giant.
I love everything about this card: the blue/orange borders, the sunglasses, the bright green and yellow Oakland uniform.
Such a great card for one of the game's biggest sluggers that ever played.
1975 Topps #150 Bob Gibson
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $2,500
Estimated PSA 7 Value: $12
The first thing I notice about this card is that it's one of the few in the set where the border color combo fits perfectly with the player's team colors.
In this case, the red and yellow were an outstanding choice for Gibson in his Cardinals uniform.
Another interesting thing about this card is that it would be Gibson's last mainstream card as he would retire after the 1975 season.
You can't say enough about Bob Gibson, the guy absolutely dominated on the mound throughout his career.
Especially that magical 1968 season when he'd win both Cy Young and MVP honors after posting a jaw-dropping 1.12 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 22 wins and 268 strikeouts.
Simply amazing...
1975 Topps Baseball Cards In Review
So, there you have it, the ten most valuable 1975 Topps baseball cards.
At 660 cards total, the set is a monster to put together and the multi-colored borders, centering issues and print defects make it even tougher to put together in top grade.
The four key rookie cards of Brett, Yount, Carter and Rice are the biggest draws in the set but as you can see there are many other cards of great Hall of Famers as well.
Other Hall of Famers like Dave Winfield, Mike Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson, Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron, Lou Brock, Harmon Killebrew and Brook Robinson are also keys to collect.
And there is, of course, a great card of Pete Rose in here as well.
All in all, it's a great set featuring an innovative design that's loaded with many great stars.
Because of these features, this set will always be among the most desirable of any set from the 1970s.
