Nolan Ryan isn’t just a baseball legend—he’s a mythology unto himself. With a career spanning four decades, “The Ryan Express” racked up records that may never be broken.
From strikeout milestones to seven career no-hitters, his dominance on the mound is etched into MLB history.
Naturally, Ryan’s cards are just as iconic. From early classics to tough ‘90s inserts, his catalog is filled with must-haves for collectors.
Here’s a look at 10 of the best Nolan Ryan cards you can collect.
10 Great Nolan Ryan Cards
1970 Topps Nolan Ryan #712
Ryan’s 1970 Topps card came during his early Mets days and has become one of his most valuable early cards.
Collectors generally have mixed feelings about the gray-bordered ‘70s Topps design, but it’s the border that helps make the card more valuable—it easily shows wear, and that means top-graded copies are tough.
The high number (#712) gives it added scarcity, and centering issues are also common.
1987 Topps Tiffany Nolan Ryan #757
You can recognize the 1987 Topps design from a mile away, with that iconic woodgrain design—it’s one of the most popular Topps baseball sets ever released.
By now, Ryan had been with the Houston Astros for many years, and his card shows him in action for them.
The regular version is not rare by any stretch—with huge supply in 1987—but the Tiffany version adds gloss and a level of scarcity.
It’s still one of the most nostalgic Ryan cards out there.
1972 Topps Nolan Ryan #595
1972 is another Topps design that has mixed opinions, but there’s no doubt it screams 1970s with its psychedelic theme.
Ryan’s card, featuring him with the California Angels, is one of the true headliners of the set.
It’s a favorite now not just because of the aesthetics, but also because it marked the beginning of his rise to superstardom—1972 was the season he struck out 300+ batters for the first time.
1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Epic Signatures Nolan Ryan #NR
This late-’90s Upper Deck insert was all about star power—and few names shone brighter than Nolan Ryan.
The 1999 Epic Signatures set brought certified on-card autos to a beautifully clean design, and Ryan’s card is easily a standout.
It’s not numbered, but it’s still relatively limited in supply these days and highly sought-after by autograph collectors. Combine that with the full-name signature and Upper Deck’s premium presentation, and you’ve got a great Nolan Ryan card.
1975 Topps Nolan Ryan #500
The bold, colorful 1975 Topps design pops off the cardboard, and Ryan’s card is one of the centerpieces of the set.
The design helps make it one of the favored Nolan Ryan cards among collectors.
Condition is everything here—chipping along the edges is common, and centering is notoriously rough. Still, it’s a beauty and one of the most recognizable Nolan Ryan cards from the ’70s.
1971 Topps Nolan Ryan #513
Another ‘70s Topps design that’s impossible to miss—the black borders of the 1971 Topps set make it one of the most condition-sensitive issues ever produced—and Ryan’s card is one of the most valuable in the entire set.
The image of Ryan about to rip one across the plate, backed by the ‘Royal Crown’ text, makes a cool picture for the card.
High-grade examples are brutally tough to find, making it a key card in any vintage Ryan collection.
1991 Upper Deck Heroes Autograph Nolan Ryan #AU2
Before autographs became the norm, this card was a massive deal.
The 1991 Upper Deck Heroes auto was one of the first certified autograph cards of Nolan Ryan ever released.
It’s also hand-numbered to 2,500 copies, which sounds like a lot now but made it rare relative to the era.
Even today, it’s one of the most recognized and appreciated autograph cards from the early ’90s boom. Clean signature, numbered rarity, and historical significance—it checks all the boxes.
1993 Topps Finest Refractors Nolan Ryan #107
The 1993 Topps Finest set changed the hobby—and Nolan Ryan was one of the key names in that historic checklist.
The Refractor parallel? That’s where the real heat is—it’s one of the standout sports card lines of the 90s, and it remains very popular today.
The card isn’t numbered, but print runs were low, and the technology was revolutionary at the time.
Ryan’s Refractor has all the shine and scarcity collectors crave from a ’90s parallel, and it’s easily one of his best cards to collect.
1969 Topps Nolan Ryan #533
Ryan’s second-year card is very popular among collectors—and for good reason.
He was still with the Mets, fresh off that solid 1968 rookie campaign, and this card helps bridge the gap between rookie promise and eventual greatness.
The vintage Mets uniform and clean portrait of the youthful Ryan add to the appeal of this one. It’s also his first mainstream card that pictures him on his own.
1968 Topps Nolan Ryan #177
This is the Nolan Ryan holy grail.
His rookie card is a dual-player issue shared with Jerry Koosman, and it’s easily one of the most iconic baseball cards of its time. The burlap border design is instantly recognizable.
Prices for high-grade examples have soared, but demand remains strong no matter the condition.
If you collect Nolan Ryan, it all starts right here.
BONUS: Modern High-End Patch & Autograph Cards
If you’ve already collected the 10 cards above, some of the modern cards featuring Nolan Ryan offer a high-end chase.
He continues to feature in releases like Topps Dynasty, Panini Flawless, and Topps Definitive, often with on-card autos and game-used memorabilia.
While these ultra-modern hits weren’t around during his playing career, many are short-printed and beautifully designed, making them premium targets for collectors who want a piece of Nolan Ryan greatness—literally stitched into the card.
