Counting Down The Most Iconic Sports Cards of Alltime

[@TheBiggestHurt35]

Just a suggestion, Chris, but I personally would like to see a video of comparing card values 5 or 10 years ago to what they are today. We could all kick ourselves and wish for that time machine collectively.

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Oooh thats an interesting idea!

[@PushnButtons62]

I like that video idea as well. I had a similar idea, but not sure exactly about the specific parameters. I was trying to think of cards that REALLY made an impact and their values reflected that (for a time. 3 mo? A year? 2 years?), and after they did their job, they became easily attainable or much easier to attain. Its ironic, but the only 2 cards I can think of are both crossover cards. BO (THE card I based this idea around) and good ol' SP1.

[@PushnButtons62]

Donruss' Elites and Legends sure sold a lot more packs. Seems like every card in those sets were like 250 and up in Beckett! Now, you can buy a higher tier player for about half of that.

[@whatshappeningwithmychange3089]

I second that

[@shawndavidbiggs974]

Lllf

[@ilovecake1310]

To me that Griffey card will always be a reminder of how much I loved collecting as a kid. I still vividly remember going down to my local card shop, debating with my brother whether to buy a pack of UD rather then two packs of something else. I chose UD, and I pulled the Griffey!! It was iconic even then and my brother and I went crazy! I still have it, I always debate getting it graded, but never have. Thanks for adding it to the list!

[@deanhagerman6843]

Awesome story, I remember going to the card shop praying to pull a Dale Murphy Reverse Negative, never did, but the card shop owner had one under the glass for $150. Could not afford it as an 11 year old, but always drooled over it and dreamed of pulling it.

[@mikekeeler6362]

Josh when I was a kid we didn't have local card shops you went down to the dime store

[@robinrahmani4705]

Great job. Please make more of these types of videos. What I love about this is that it celebrates the magic of this hobby that is lost on some youngsters.

[@CoachJim4UM]

My List: 1. T-206 Honus Wagner 2. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (Could be swapped with Wagner) 3. 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson 4. 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan (Could be swapped with Robinson) 5. 1933 Goudey Ruth 6. 1951 Bowman Willie Mays 7. 1954 Topps Hank Aaron 8. 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams 9. 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle 10. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Honorable Mentions (Not in any order): M101-4 Babe Ruth 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady T-206 Ty Cobb 1965 Topps Joe Namath 2003 Topps Chrome Lebron James 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Great list! We are pretty close at the top. I sort of overlooked the Ted WIlliams...

[@CoachJim4UM]

@@collectorinvestordealer Yeah, we were pretty close, i’m kind of biased towards vintage stuff which explains Brady and Lebron out of the top 10 for me.

[@Freakmeal]

I liked Chris's list and this one as well. I love the Namath rookie and would promote the Jim Brown rookie into the Top 10. The 1957 Unitas rookie and the Starr rookie would be Honorable mention, as would be the Sandy Koufax rookie.

[@CoachJim4UM]

@@Freakmeal Yeah, there are so many cards that are honerable mentions, I feel like a good list has got to have 25-30 cards

[@sgtjarhead99]

By far, one of my biggest regrets was letting my Bird/Johnson rookie go in '92/'93. It was a darn near perfect specimen with razor sharp corners that I pulled out of a pack a few years earlier.

[@djquiksilva]

To bad the guy who purchased it decided to rip it at the seams 😳🙄

[@monetschannel5773]

What did you let it go for in ?

[@monetschannel5773]

Tell me now!

[@sgtjarhead99]

@@monetschannel5773 About $90.

[@monetschannel5773]

@@sgtjarhead99 I’d have to agree that’s regretful. But in the90s 90 bucks was 90 bucks and as a kid that’s a lot of cool stuff.

[@benicia21]

tough leaving off the 1980 Rickey Henderson and the 1986 Jerry Rice!

[@evsportsman5478]

Love how you chose examples of the cards that were not graded. Just pics of raw cards. Enjoyed this very much.

[@carsyncruz]

You think they were his copies of each card? Cool to just see the card anyway.

[@pjplot]

@@carsyncruz I don’t think that’s what he was saying at all

[@evsportsman5478]

No, just meant that I thought showing examples of ungraded cards was better.

[@carsyncruz]

@@evsportsman5478 that’s what I meant! I was just saying it would be cool if those were his ungraded copies

[@brettcb471]

Looking forward to the Counting Down The Most Iconic Used Toyota Camry's of Alltime

[@MIKE_BLM_BDS_ACAB]

Surprised 84 Donruss Mattingly wasn't on the list. Or at least mentioned. Might not be as big now but had a massive impact on the hobby. Mike Trout might be the current day Mattingly. I'd wouldn't have put the Ruth up there. Don't get me wrong I'll take the Ruth over the Mattingly but I'm not sure that Ruth card is known by anyone not deep into vintage where as in 80s the mattingly was known by people who didn't collect cards at all.

[@Gdfsandoz]

Idk man that 1933 goudey is the most iconic vintage set ever made imo. A lot of people who don't know much about vintage know about 33 goudey. One of the most easy recognized card sets. I found out what those were when I was like 4 years old always thought they had the coolest design ever made aint ever been another like it.

[@jude999]

Id argue that 86 Donruss Canseco had more impact.

[@alextownsend3264]

I agree with the Jose canseco argument. I'm sure who's the most relevant player is somewhat regional as well. But I don't care who you are if you were brought up around baseball or knew anything about it you knew about babe Ruth ty Cobb shoeless Joe Jackson honus Wagner Willie Mays Hank Aaron Ted Williams Sandy Koufax Jackie Robinson Roberto Clemente even Ricky Vaughn and Willie Mays Hayes you name a vintage player that had an impact on the game and you should know them through being around the game. Baseball osmosis. I compare it to golf if you've been around golf watch golf or know anything about golf you know who Bobby Jones Jack Nicklaus and tiger woods were. tiger may be more relevant or Jack to your age but you owe it to yourself to know about Bobby Jones and respect the man and history.

[@walterdudedonny]

@@jude999 I agree. 84 Mattingly started it. (BTW, why not 84 Strawberry at the time? Was it a Yankees thing or a white people thing?) The 85 Gooden expanded it, and 86 Canseco exploded. But alas, none of these kept it up like Griffey in the hobby and of course in the field.

[@scottmurrell7367]

@@Gdfsandoz I don't agree with this. My dad and I collected in the mid 80's and would always go to card shows. I never heard anyone talk about the '33 goudey. I didn't even know it existed until I got back into the hobby recently. Everyone and I do mean everyone talked about that T-206 set with the Wagner card and the '52 Topps Mantle. Those two cards and sets were the holy grail back then and still today.

[@PushnButtons62]

Excellent list, Chris. Thanks for doing this. Right after I saw what you were doing, I hit pause and created my list to compare. My list was done in less than 5 mins and I didn't factor in everything that you did. Mine is more Iconic/Recognizable cards. Here it is: 10. B Sanders '89 Score 9. D Robinson '89 Hoops (#138 holding jersey) 8. Babe Ruth Goudey 7. M Jordan '84 Star #101 6. Gretzky rc ( I'm a Texas native - please don't be mad!) 5. Hank Aaron '54 Topps 4. Nolan Ryan 1968 Topps 3. Honus Wagner 2. Griffey 89 Upperdeck 1. Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Nice list! We are fairly close at the top. I might do a "most iconic from the 80s/90s list" next

[@apexsensation]

I'm glad to see the Sanders get some recognition. That was the most popular football card when I started collecting. I am surprised by the lack of the '86 Fleer Jordan though.

[@PushnButtons62]

@@apexsensation Yeah, I am too! Oops! Well, I'm not surprised that MJ is who blew through my defense! 😅

[@PushnButtons62]

@@collectorinvestordealer Thanks! Yeah, that sounds like another great vid. Looking forward to it.

[@ratedrawr1411]

Loved the list!!! The Griffey Jr card is definitley an ICONIC card and holds a special place in my heart. One card I thought was Iconic and stands out to me is the Fleer Billy Ripkin "F*** Face" card I thought might be on the runner up list... lol great list again Chris keep up the great work bro!!! 🤘😎

[@Gdfsandoz]

Def would drop the lebum for a bill russell or wilt chamberlain rookie. Just my opinion. Everything else I can live with haha

[@alnewyorkcity6752]

I opened my lcs in 89 , nothing more exciting than seeing one of the kids pull a Griffey rookie and whole store would high five each other ! Great memories :)

[@Madskillphil]

Was your store in WA state? I remember everyone being hyped for Griffey but I grew up in the Seattle Area and have been a lifelong Mariners fan.

[@alnewyorkcity6752]

@Phillip no , in NY, but Griffey's 89 upper deck was the card ! 84 Donruss Mattingly was right there. 89 being first year of upper deck, and Griffey living up to the hype , was like getting a 1/1 today.

[@tedjarboe6092]

Great video Chris - enjoyed your list and really can’t argue with your order. I just wanted to add another iconic rookie card that pumped a lot of enthusiasm into basketball card collecting in 1992-93 was Shaquille O’Neal. I remember doing a card show in the fall of 92 where I was the only dealer in the room that had the recently released Fleer Ultra Shaq rookie. I have never felt so much POWER in my life at a card show! Everyone - dealers, collectors, visitors - all wanted the Fleer Ultra that I had! I sold out of the 1 case that I had and remember going home with $1500! (Wow - that seems like pennies compared too today’s sales - but back then that was huge!) I just think Shaq cards are undervalued and under appreciated for what he did for the hobby back in the early 90’s. Ted

[@mitchbloms9060]

1954 Hank Aaron needs to be on the list and not just an honorable mention in my opinion. 1955 Clemente should have gotten at least an honorable mention. Keep up the good videos Chris, as they are well appreciated. Love that 1989 UD Griffey is on the list. Well cherished card from my childhood….such an iconic card!

[@christophergrover3790]

This is why anyone with any real love for the hobby should follow you. You inspire great conversation about the hobby and to be honest I was concerned that the comments would be bad. But with a few exceptions you have generated the kind of conversations that makes the hobby truly enjoyable. Keep up the great work! Since I have been in the hobby since 1982 I wondered if 1984 Donruss Mattingly would have been here. It changed the hobby significantly and I believe it brought about the Upper Deck company and the Griffey. Great list.

[@tommayrant2279]

Great list, Chris! Thought the 1971 Munson might have made the list because of its iconic action image. The only top 10 I have is the Bird/Magic rookie. I removed the Magic from the card and put it in my autograph book after getting his signature around 1984. He signed the book, not the card. At least people know it's a real signature since no one in their right mind would separate the card over a fake autograph. Still have the Bird/Dr. J part connected. Still have the autograph book with the Magic taped next to his signature.

[@TheStabilio]

1. 52 Mantle 2. T-206 Wagner 3. 86 Jordan 4. 51 Mantle 5. 33 Ruth 6. 79 Gretzky 7. 65 Namath 8. 89 Griffey 9. 48 Mikan 10. 58 Brown Honorable Mention 54 Aaron 80 Bird/Magic 57 Russell 85 Hogan 76 Gamble

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Nice list! I overlooked the Mikan, should have included that in the honorable mentions

[@LilBobbyAndTheJuice]

Your best video yet… honorable mention canseco rated rookie … was the Griffey 89 upper deck before the Griffey 89 upper deck

[@heatswag6]

Not to toot your horn, lol, but you have done something no one has on here. Thank you for taking time out of your day to do what you’re doing. I don’t know how much time you spend doing these videos, but I know it’s a lot!! I hope to catch you at a show this year 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@Madskillphil]

I always liked the 51 Bowman Mantle better than his 1952 Topps. I love the painted image and the black box for the name design of the card. It's also his true rookie, that always stood out to me when I would constantly watch values of grail cards in Beckett magaine.

[@buyinri]

I must tell you I really enjoy your commentary on these cards...very helpful!

[@craigcollins6930]

Chris, This is the BEST one you have ever done..... I learned a ton about each of them from you! Thank you for your work. Craig

[@DaveTheTurd]

I'm kinda partial to the Rickey Henderson rookie from Topps 1980. Great video, sir, as per usual.

[@spic0li]

Wow what a great list. The Bronk Nagurski 1935 is very unrated & someone mentioned the 86 Donruss Canseco rookie which like the 89 UD Griffey rookie was a major impact on the hobby surge of the 90s

[@el4174]

Nice list.... I'd put the 1965 Topps Namath on mine

[@davidvitch177]

Every time I see a video with MJ's Fleer card I am reminded that I entered a card shop intending to buy it at $75 and instead bought a bunch of other rookie cards, sad but true! Still have Alcindor and Gretzky's though!

[@fan4life345]

1976 Walter Payton topps rookie without any question or doubt! Epic card.

[@nickdurden9804]

The "if I had a time machine" video! Nice. Hope you know, you have a perfect time set for your videos drops. Coffee and cards in the morning on the east coast. Keep up the great work!

[@ACD1994]

An iconic player that, just came to mind...Lou Gehrig. Pretty much any of his early cards would be on my ''holy grail.'' One of the greatest New York Yankees, and arguably the greatest first baseman of all time

[@millardadam]

Awesome list, thanks for posting. In the late 1980s when I began collecting baseball cards, I remember reading an article about the most desirable baseball cards of all time. The 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53 was on that list. I promised myself that if I could, someday I would own that card. In 2004 I bought a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #53, PSA grade 3. I still have it. It is the centerpiece of my collection, and something I’m proud of. It meant a lot to me, seeing that card on your list, and it brought back great memories. Thank you. Your videos are what keep great memories of card collecting alive, as well as reigniting my interest in the hobby.

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Very cool to hear that. Amazing card your 1933 Goudey Ruth!

[@2682shark]

T206 Cobb, 54 Aaron, 33 Gehrig , 51 Mays, etc.... too many cards to choose ... but 54 Aaron I think definitely should be on this list...

[@rudistorm3348]

Great list. When I think Brady RC I think Bowman Chrome, but thats probably just me.

[@vintagecollectiblestuff9744]

Another great episode on the premier of sports cards channels! Thanks for putting together a great list of iconic sports cards!!

[@collectiblesource3902]

The 1986 Donruss Canseco was more desirable when I was kid than even the Jordan in my collecting circles. Surprised that didn't make your list.

[@TwoPyramid]

I have the 1986 Donruss Canseco and I like that card a lot, but there's way too many cards that are more important.

[@funnyhandle]

the list is more ‘iconic today’ not ‘what was huge at the time’. no doubt a famous card but for a billion reasons not so iconic anymore

[@brettgitzel]

Everyone has an image of that one card in their mind. The one they dreamed of owning when they were a kid. Iconic. To me, it was a Brett Hull rookie. Now that I'm an adult I was able to pick one up for a good price. Dream come true!

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Very cool!

[@kellenderry9229]

Wonder how this list will look in 5-10 years with the rise of soccer cards. Surely, the 1958 Pele Alifabolaget will crack the top 10. Great job as always!

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Agreed, I think soccer will change this list in the next decade

[@cardboardcollector5925]

Awesome list of iconic cards! I love the Jr Griffey

[@commentingcollector]

One needs not only watch but savor a video of this magnitude on a big screen HD television to appreciate the true beauty of these historic cards/ thanks Chris!

[@PaddyBL]

The Billy Ripken FF card probably has to be a 2nd tier honorable mention. Had there ever been an error + corrected card prior to the FF card? Certainly the most famous and still has some value today.

[@Famdoc1000]

If only Chris Sewall were listed on "Rate My Professor"! A fact-packed lecture, never flagging in its energy, I'd sit through this presentation in a lecture hall at 8 AM any day. Nicely done, Professor Sewall.

[@hustleforhobbies7130]

I REALLY REALLY liked the video! I think the best part for me was the numbers at the end of each card. Thanks for putting together, that isn’t easy. Thanks!

[@kennethstover6123]

Aloha Chris, to say I look forward to your videos is an understatement, truly amazed with each episode. I remember back in the 70’s collecting when Renata Galasso was just starting out and yearly Beckett guidelines were like mini phone books. The greatest card all collectors looked up to was Honus Wagner and it all started with the story and small number know to exist, which was thought to be well under 20. We never got the chance to see one in real life. I remember a card show in Pittsburgh with the opportunity to buy a 33 Goudey Ruth card vg-ex for under $100 dollars. As a kid the fresh packs seemed the better more exciting buy, so you know which I chose. Would have been nice to say I owned that iconic card at one time. All the best in 2022. Love the hobby!

[@toddrichardson8595]

A Rock Solid List Chris.. I'm not a fan of Lebron James so he definitely wouldn't be on my Iconic Card Top 10. However, your list makes a compelling case overall. Thx for sharing..

[@michaelkim4703]

Facts

[@fromtracywithlove2856]

So funny anytime black people decide to be black’ others’ take offense. But white athletes can do all kinds of crazy things. Get over yourselves. Always offended. I bet neither of you can be considered great. Meaning you and the commenter. You’re great Chris.

[@walterdudedonny]

I don't agree Todd, but even if I was against LeBron for some reason, using a female term to try and demean someone is so offensive. Maybe Tracy's comment has merit to your situation too. You are entitled to your opinion, but when you nakedly make it in a sexist way, and maybe racist way?, you lose all credibility for anything you will ever say.

[@larrygitlin6017]

List is all encompassing and difficult to argue. Well thought out.

[@Bernard_Lee]

another honorable mention: 1980 Topps Rickey Henderson

[@stevemygoodman7809]

After 3 and 2, I couldn’t think what could be more iconic. The Mantle, the Jordan and the Wagner are top 3 easy. Any order you put those top 3 in is correct.

[@honson7]

I really like you adding the honorable mentions and such in between the top 10. It’s somehow keeps your attention more knowing that you’re going to get to the best cards later

[@DanielWPolk]

PS-I discovered your channel more recently and have been watching all your videos from the beginning. Great content!

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Welcome to the channel!

[@smashdragon182]

Great list! I think the ‘85 OPC/Topps Mario Lemieux is another very iconic hockey card

[@888strummer]

I would agree with most of the list except that I would have Wagner as number 1 since it's not only the most valuable card, but also by far the rarest card by a wide margin. And it was the card that got cards off the ground and exploding in value in the late 1970's when cards first took off. I would have Willie Mays on the list and ahead of Jackie Robinson since Mays is considered the greatest all around player for power, average, speed and fielding by more fans than any other player. But either way; a great list and a super fun video as always!

[@Jillking45]

That Wagner card has always been the unicorn of cards.. growing up I heard so many "stories" of this card being found

[@Freakmeal]

I guess it is not a competition, but I think you consistently create the most entertaining sports card collecting content. I think your aesthetic largely aligns with mine. I bet like many of your subscribers, I have a few of these, reprints and refrigerator magnets of many of the others, and a 'hit the lottery' wish list.

[@frederickchoi7933]

Excellent list! I am happy to have owned 3 of the cards on the list at some point in time... and still have my Bird/Magic rc! I do think that Wayne G might be slightly higher up the list...

[@dporter2112]

Growing up in VA during the 80's I would have to put Cal Ripken's Topps RC in here. I could also make a case for the Mark McGwire Topps USA rc as well. Both played a huge part in my early days of collecting

[@tenkkutn]

Was coming in wondering if I would see Ted Williams mentioned... had to look it up, but there's the 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams RC that seems pretty (in)famous

[@mikeyd771]

The one card I was surprised that didn’t make the list was the 1976 Topps Walter Payton rookie. It is highly recognized by any card collector. But otherwise a great list!

[@willzsportscards]

Good list Chris! Hard to do for just 10 cards and there will be a lot of debate. You nailed it putting Mantle at 1 though, and I don't think there is any other card close to it.

[@thehighlanders607]

Solid list but I would have the Gretzky rookie card WAY higher up on the board!

[@jonfisher1782]

Honus Wagner should #1.... Definitely the most iconic and recognized. Sure you can say MJ or whatever you want but Wagner was the card goat way before anyone else.

[@huskyjerk]

Awesome report. Typical of a Chris Sewall video.

[@travismcgee100]

Very nice list presented very well. I am not a sports card collector, but I enjoyed the video.

[@heinzbucksandcastle2053]

Wow, what a list. I did not know about the Bird cards.

[@tdfowler79]

Fantastic video. I think you nailed the list more or less.

[@JoshHallUtah]

Your time, dedication, and accuracy shine on this video Chris! Great job! What a fantastic video! Thank you!

[@bops5555]

Great vid, as usual. Even though less (for now) value wise, I still believe the 35 National Chicle Nagurski is still the most iconic Football card. Even the 65 Topps Namath was probably more of a massive game changer in FB cards than Brady! Just an opinion....

[@twobentstaplescomics6522]

Really fun video. I enjoy how much your love for the hobby always shines through in your videos.

[@fromtracywithlove2856]

I would love to have everyone of these cards Chris. I’m sure like everyone else. #1 is ❤️‍🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️‍🔥

[@sipandsteer4710]

Aww not going to lie, a little disappointed the Roberto Clemente rookie card didn't make the cut. I still think it's one of the most sought after rookie cards today and a PSA 10 hasn't been sold in a long time. Who knows what a PSA10 would sell for today... probably $2-$4 million? Would love to see one come up to raise interest again in the card.

[@jjp3515]

The Jordan rookie I had as a kid would've made your "Run over by a truck" division list 🤣 I have no idea what ever happened to it. Wish I still had it.

[@Chuckskipster]

Chris, you continue to impress me , I can’t disagree with any of your top choices! Again very informative and well presented! Well done Chris !

[@kennethcava4488]

I was going to suggest 84 Donruss Mattingly before I even read the other comments saying the same thing. It had a lot to do with the sports cards turning into a craze, and sadly a monetary investment.

[@goo6]

great video as always. i would have probably put the honus wagner at #1. i remember being a kid and hearing about the t206 honus wagner being the most expensive baseball card, and the gretzky wagner card story being one of the most iconic sports card stories of all time as well.

[@bryanschmidt7336]

I've owned 2 of these cards (Griffey and Jordan), so I guess I should consider myself lucky. Wish I would have kept them now

[@bradbowman985]

I agree with the list for the most part, however not the order. The Babe Ruth Goudy should have been much higher and the the Griffey much lower. (I know it is your opinion, and u are certainly entitled to it, but i was wondering what process u used to compile the order) I might have slipped in the Jeter somewhere but who would u take out? Great list, and a very entertaining video. Thanks again for outstanding content.

[@JChamberlin]

I appreciate your list, Chris. It's obviously a very subjective topic, but I would have had the 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle and 1954 Topps Hank Aaron in my list. I just can't include ultra modern cards in this list so I'd take the LeBron James and Tom Brady out. But to each their own.

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Definitely a reasonable take. I sort of had that thought as well but figured that had to be some modern on the list

[@JammaarHall]

I love this list. I'm a big basketball collector. I would love to own those vintage basketball cards one day

[@aarondavies6823]

re: High PSA 10 pop counts selling for big money like Griffey and LeBron. Connor McDavid young guns PSA 10 pop count is 2182 (not including the foil, acetate, canvas, exclusives, high gloss, jumbo) and sells for $4000 USD.

[@blenz25]

Awesome list. I have 2. The Gretzky and the Griffey. Definitely can’t afford any others

[@bigson1973]

1984 Donruss Don Mattingly I feel changed the hobby in the mid 1980's. I feel it should have been included. You included some of what are now highly valued cards but didn't have the impact that card did.

[@BTY11]

Disappointed when the video started and you counted down from 10 to 1...I had a coffee ready and looking forward to 100 to 1.

[@walterdudedonny]

I think the #89 card is WAAAYYY better than the #72 card on the list!! And I will fight anyone that disagrees!! Lol It would have been great.

[@EagleMan_TradingCards]

Amazing list! Well done thank you for putting it together!

[@patrickellsworth5427]

I would have the Payton on that list somewhere.

[@deadcentered]

Great list, hoped the Aaron rookie was going to make the list but with so many certainly iconic cards it would be extremely tough to put together that list and remain unbiased with you own favourites. Great content as always!

[@jasonkindree9914]

Excellent video. Great photography of the Babe, Robinson and other athletes besides the cards. Well organized and edited. Thanks for putting this together. I'm a hockey buff, so would love to see a hockey video of the big all time HOF rookies focused on that sport.

[@scottcornwall9320]

I was kinda surprised I didn't see (at least as an Honorable Mention) the 1965 Topps Joe Namath. A card which is both a rookie as well as a Short Print of a rather iconic image in his sport. I was very pleased with the 10 chosen, as well as the other Honorable Mentions. It certainly illustrated how much thought went into which would stay put and which to set aside. A very interesting video.

[@countryclubbin1016]

Great list sewell, I think you got the nail on the head!

[@Jethro7e]

It's really unfortunate that that's the photo on Curry's rookie card. It sounds dumb but I think that limits its upside.

[@TryingToGetToSubswithout-mn5xk]

That’s how I feel about the 84-85 Star Jordan 101. A better image then we might be talking about that being the more iconic Jordan rookie

[@jace15076]

I prefer the Bowman Chrome Brady over the Playoff Contenders.

[@davidthompson62]

Did they sell the Bird/Johnson in sets in 1981? I have a complete set of them wrapped in a cellophane wrap……they also appear smaller than standard cards. The cards are dated correctly but remind me of a set that may have been a give away. The good news is they are all in New condition.

[@gablott]

Great list. Personally I'd put the Wagner as #1 since many that know nothing about sports cards are aware of this legendary card.

[@ratedRamsey]

I just paused it at the beginning and wrote down 10 and 2 honorable to guess. Let's see how I matched you at the end............. Ok, so I matched 8 of 10 with you. I missed the Robison which was a forehead smack, and the Johnson, Bird RC's, but still, not too shabby. And I'm sure you've noticed, but so many high value vintage baseball cards have a shade of yellow/orange as the background

[@georgerousos3750]

Good idea. I just wrote my top ten down let’s see how I did

[@ratedRamsey]

@@georgerousos3750 How did you do? (My results above)

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Cool that you did that! We are clearly on the same page matching 8 of 10

[@JohnJohn-gs8md]

There can be so many interchangeable cards here but growing up i always thought of the 38 Goudey Dimaggio #274 as very iconic. With the original boom 84 Donruss Mattingly, 86 Donruss Canseco, 81 Montana, 68 Ryan and many others were huge, so I guess it depends what generation your asking. I'd boot Lebron, Brady and even Bird/Magic, even though they're some of the greatest of all time, I just don't consider them iconic and way overpriced graded. Just one person's opinion.

[@collectorinvestordealer]

Ah yeah the Dimaggio is a great one... I should have included it in the honorable mentions

[@apexsensation]

I'm definitely with you on the Donruss Canseco. Though inexpensive, it's up there on the affordable cards from my youth I don't yet own. Though not an all time card anymore, anyone who collected in the early 90's knows the status of the 89-90 Hoops series 1 David Robinson and just how desirable that was for several years.

[@jwolfe890]

Tough to call the bird/magic way overpriced.

[@RealPaulPerla]

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I thought the 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco had the same impact as the 1989 Upper deck Ken Griffey Jr. RC.

[@HereForAStorm]

For sure but only for a few years vs a few decades like the Griffey

[@Nighthawk1966]

Very well done and enjoyable !

[@chrisolivo6591]

Even back in the 90’s, I never understood who decided the ‘86 Fleer Jordan was his rookie card? The 1984-85 Star rookie is his first card, but completely forgotten in this hobby.

[@ericb4498]

It’s not forgotten that card sold for more than the Fleer in the 90s but it was compromised when they used original Star printing plates & made reprints that can’t be distinguished from originals. The Fleer is also a much more beautiful card

[@jwolfe890]

My theory is that since there's more 86 fleer cards out there, the owners are more successful in pushing that card as the legit "rookie" even when we all know it's the Star.

[@ericb4498]

@@jwolfe890 that’s got nothing to do with it, it’s about how the cards were originally released

[@jwolfe890]

@@ericb4498 Those rules are arbitrary and determined by the majority of people. The Star is the legit rookie but the masses are bending the rules and making up some technicalities. The Star is his first officially licensed card. Distribution makes no difference.

[@chrisolivo6591]

@@jwolfe890 I always thought this was the case as every dealer in my area had a Jordan Fleer rookie as their Holy Grail right in the center glass case. I remember around 1997 going on a hunt for the Star rookie and nobody had it, but they had the 86 Fleer usually for around $1,500. I don’t discount that the fake Star rookie theory, but the mid 90’s is when Jordan finally became the GOAT and the 86 Fleer was the perfect card (it is not scarce) to push as ‘the’ Jordan card to have. If the industry acknowledged it wasn’t his rookie and just advertised it as his best or most popular card, then I’d be cool with that. But to say it’s his rookie card is disingenuous.

[@chrisk2209]

Absolutely an A+ list!!!!!

[@yardog7]

The Griffey for me was THE card of my youth. No love for the Billy Ripken F**k Face card, what’s more iconic than that 😆😆😆

[@rmi8975]

Where is 87 donruss big Mac card? Great video as always , thanks again. Looks like I need to up my game alot, as i only have the griffey and rice.

[@thomasm155]

Thank you for that retrospective list

[@dennisneto6334]

How can you not love this list, to own any of them in high grade would be amazing! Thanks for the video Chris!