Roberto Clemente Baseball Cards: Values and Collector’s Guide

Another of Clemente’s most expensive cards is his second year issue from the 1956 Topps set.

The same head shot from the card of the year before makes a comeback but Topps mixed in a nice action shot of Clemente making a leaping catch.

The cards in this set aren’t as glossy as those of the 1955 set.

The backs also come in two different versions, either grey or white.

This is one of my favorite Clemente cards as it was the first time Topps used full-color photos, standard card dimensions and full career stats on the backs.

The head shot of Clemente smiling and looking off into the distance gives this card strong eye appeal.

Centering is a key challenge to this iconic set.

This card comes in one of two variations: with the team name in white letters or in yellow letters.

Cards numbered between 1 and 110 in the 1958 Topps set were part of this phenomenon.

The yellow letter cards are more scarce therefore making them more valuable.

Other than that printing difference, the condition issues between the two are very similar and limited mainly to centering challenges.

The bright yellow background makes the image of Clemente at bat really pop.

Topps again featured Clemente atop a yellow background in their 1959 set.

An encircled head shot and his name in tilted lettering across the top are key design changes.

I’ve always loved this card for its unique design.

Centering and occasional black print marks in the yellow background are key challenges.

Topps came out with a very unique design in 1960.

It wasn’t the first time they had featured a horizontal layout but the way they broke the cards up into sections is really neat.

A black and white image of Clemente at the plate is shown on the left side with another larger full-color picture of him along the right.

It’s one of my favorite Clemente issues of the 1960’s.

High grade Clemente collectors will have a much easier time finding his 1961 Topps card in top condition compared to others.

The company didn’t face as many printing complications that year so collectors are rewarded.

Occasional print bubbles along the bottom colored borders and centering are still present.

The imagery of this card is really great as a young Clemente stares off into the distance with a determined look on his face.

Condition issues were back with the 1962 Topps set in terms of centering and chipping showing along the woodgrain borders.

Those concerns aside, I really love this card.

A nice upper shot of Clemente waiting confidently in his batting stance gives this card a lot of character.

The condition issues make it one of his most challenging cards of the 1960’s.

If I had to choose a favorite Roberto Clemente baseball card of the 1960’s I think this would be the one.

I’ve always loved the imagery and color scheme that Topps went with for this card.

Finding one in high grade can be difficult because of the centering and print issues common with this set.

The blue bottom border also shows wear and tear more easily than traditional borders.

Overshadowed by the huge popularity of the Pete Rose rookie, this card isn’t the key to the set but it’s one of the must-haves.

I think that the 1964 Topps set is one of the more basic baseball card sets they designed in the vintage era but Clemente’s card seems to overcome those limitations and really stand out.

Topps picked a very nice shot of him to anchor this card.

The bright blue letters across the top and red border at the bottom work really nicely together.

The pink border and bright yellow pennant with the Pirates team name on it make this card very sharp.

A full head shot of Clemente with a serious look on his face complete a very nice overall look.

Centering is a common concern for 1965 Topps baseball cards so take note when searching for this card.

Beware of print dots in the pink borders, too.

The design of the 1966 Topps Roberto Clemente baseball card is fairly basic and straightforward.

The company didn’t get too fancy but still pulled of a great look and feel with the team name angled in the upper left and personal info across the bottom border.

There is a lot to love about Clemente’s 1967 Topps card.

The great head shot of the super star along with facsimile signature give collectors a lot to enjoy.

Centering and tilting concerns are common across the fronts of these cards while several of the backs were off-center as well.

The 1968 Topps cards were famous for their burlap borders.

Although wear and tear can easily show up due to those borders, centering and other print issues aren’t as common.

So, you’re more likely to find this card in high grade than some of his others.

Many collectors consider the 1968 Topps design a bit awkward due to the borders but I think Clemente’s card overcomes those limitations quite nicely.

Still not the most important card in the set (that would be the Nolan Ryan rookie), Clemente’s is a key.

This card features a great image of Clemente, bat in hand, with a bright blue sky in the background.

The yellow team name across the bottom and pink circle in the upper left with his name and position cap off an overall nice-looking card.

Reggie Jackson’s rookie card is the key to the set but Clemente’s card is important, regardless.

Tilting and centering are common issues with this card.

Topps tried something new in 1970 by releasing cards with grey borders.

Some collectors love this set, others don’t.

In my opinion, they are a bit more bland than other sets but I think they overcome that with a unique design.

It’s not my favorite Clemente card of the 1970’s but you gotta admit, Topps made this one look nice.

Centering and wear along the edges are the biggest concerns.

This is easily my favorite Clemente issue of the 1970’s.

The legendary black borders of this set present wear and chipping risks so finding these in high grade isn’t easy.

Despite those issues, this card really pops.

The bright yellow Pirates name across the top and great image of Clemente holding the barrel of the bat out towards the camera are nice touches.

This card is his most expensive of the 1970’s and even more expensive than those of the 1960’s.

Topps went with a different style of photo for Clemente in their 1972 set by choosing to show him tossing a ball to himself.

And the design and color schemes of the entire set are a bit aggressive but I think this Clemente card is still a nice one.

The classic Pirates jersey of the early 70’s and the yellow and black batting helmet look cool.

Watch out for bad centering with this card.

This would be the last time Clemente would be featured in a mainstream issue even though he didn’t play during the 1973 season.

Topps released the card after he was tragically killed in a plane crash during the off-season on his way to provide aid earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

t’s one of the largest tragedies to ever occur in sports history.

A sad way to cap off the career and life of an amazing human being.