When it comes to grading baseball cards, the coveted grade 10 is the pinnacle. Most of us know that the higher a baseball card is graded, the more value it holds.
The 1950s and 1960s are home to some of the greatest and most popular baseball cards ever released, and the most iconic cards have likely been graded thousands of times.
Despite that, there is still a selection of key cards from the era that have never received a perfect 10 grade from any of PSA, SGC or Beckett.
Here’s a look at 8 notable cards that have been graded thousands of times but have remained just outside the reach of perfect condition.
*Data based on PSA’s population report, SGC’s population report, and Beckett’s population report as of February 2025.
*The list is in chronological order.
The 8 Key Cards That Have Never Recieved A 10 Grade
1951 Bowman Willie Mays #305
Starting with the most valuable and significant card on the list, it’s Willie Mays’ iconic 1951 Bowman rookie.
It’s one of the best and most sought-after baseball cards of all time, from one of the most coveted 1950s baseball sets.
Its condition challenges are well documented—centering issues, print defects, and fragile cardstock make high grades incredibly difficult.
In 2021, a PSA 8-graded copy sold for $338,400 at auction. If one ever achieves a perfect 10 grade, it’s likely to be a 7-figure card.
1954 Topps Ted Williams #1
The 1954 Topps set has a checklist full of Hall of Fame rookies, and while this is by no means Williams’ rookie card, it is his first Topps appearance.
He ‘bookends’ the set as #1 on the checklist, and the bold orange background makes the card hard to miss.
It’s commonly found off-center, with chipping on the green reverse of the card.
In 2020, a PSA 9-graded copy sold for $46,111.
1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle #65
Maybe not the Mantle card, but the 1954 Bowman Mickey Mantle card still represents one of his earliest releases, and still holds huge value.
He’s obviously one of the most collectible names in the hobby, and given the rarity and value of his earliest cards, there’s still high-demand for this one, and having no 10-graded copies is notable.
Inconsistent centering and print defects make it hard to grade high.
In 2022, a PSA 9-graded version sold for $294,000.
1957 Topps Frank Robinson #35
Frank Robinson’s 1957 Topps rookie card is one of the most valuable and sought-after, from a set filled with several key rookies.
The card’s background makes it prone to defects, plus centering issues, like the cards above, contribute to why there have been no perfect 10s.
In 2021, a PSA 9-graded copy sold for $69,000.
1957 Topps Sandy Koufax #302
Sandy Koufax’s third year 1957 Topps card is one of the more sought-after pieces from early in his career.
Like others in the set, it suffers from print defects, rough cuts, and color chipping. High-grade versions are rare, and a 10 from PSA, SGC or Beckett remains unattainable, despite thousands of submissions.
In 2020, a PSA 9-graded copy sold for $32,769.
1960 Topps Hank Aaron #300
Hank Aaron’s 1960 Topps card is popular among collectors, helped by his status as well as the design, with it showcasing a fantastic portrait alongside an action shot.
Aaron quickly became one of baseball’s best power hitters, and by the time this card was released, he was established as a great of the game.
There are not many copies of this graded a 9, and none yet to achieve 10 with the top grading services.
In 2024, one of the PSA 9-graded copies sold for $103,318.
1960 Topps Willie McCovey #316
Willie McCovey’s rookie card is found in the 1960s Topps set, and it’s one of the key cards from the set.
The color scheme is prone to fading and print defects, while centering issues further complicate the hunt for a flawless example.
He does have a separate All Star card later in the checklist, which has been graded a 10 before, but it doesn’t reach the same level as his #316 rookie.
In 2021, a PSA 9-graded copy sold for $48,000.
1964 Topps Pete Rose #125
While the 1964 Topps Pete Rose card isn’t his rookie, which is one of the greatest baseball cards from the ‘60s, it is his first solo appearance on a card, and it remains in-demand.
It’s also one of the all-time most graded cards to never receive a 10 grade.
The usual suspects, like print defects and centering, are the common issues with this one, preventing it from having a copy graded 10.
In 2022, a PSA 9-graded copy sold for $63,872.
