There are few names with the same stature as Lou Gehrig in the world of baseball, and the baseball card hobby.
The Hall of Fame first baseman, and New York Yankees great, has some of the most desired, and valuable, baseball cards ever released.
Here’s a look at 14 of his greatest ever cards.
The Top Vintage Lou Gehrig Cards
1925 Exhibits Lou Gehrig #37
The 1925 Exhibits card is viewed by many collectors as Gehrig’s true rookie card, which is reflected in the card’s high value.
It’s a rare card that isn’t easy to find in good condition; It’s also pretty basic, with a simple black and white image of him in his Yankees pinstripe uniform, a small text box in the bottom corner, and a blank back.
In 2021, a PSA 5 graded copy of it broke the 7-figure barrier, selling for $1,032,000 at auction.
1925-31 W590 1st Baseman Lou Gehrig
One of Lou Gehrig’s first cards was issued in a set that was released over several years.
The W590 1st Baseman card is perhaps a bit overlooked compared to his other cards from around that time, but there’s no doubting its significance. It’s also very rare.
They were initially issued in strips, so any standalone Gehrig W590 cards have been hand-cut, making it even harder to come across one in good condition.
1932 U.S. Caramel Lou Gehrig #26
Here’s an elusive card, from a great set – The ‘32 U.S. Caramel Lou Gehrig card has a bright yet simplistic design, which is instantly recognizable.
The card is his first ‘mainstream’ release, and it also includes his birth name “Henry”, which you won’t find on many of his other cards.
It’s one of his toughest vintage cards to find, but its significance makes it so highly desired.
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig #92 & #160
An entry from the legendary ‘33 Goudey set, well actually two more entries, but two almost identical cards.
Collectors who are familiar with the set will know that several of the biggest names have multiple cards on the checklist; Lou Gehrig has two.
Both the #92 and the #160 Gehrig cards in the set have identical fronts in terms of design, but slightly different shading. The back of the cards are also the same, including the bios, except for the different card number at the top.
Both are worth big money, but the #160 is the rarer of the two, and holds the most value.
1933 DeLong Lou Gehrig #7
The colorful ‘33 DeLong card is one of my favorites of “The Iron Horse”. It’s also one of the greatest baseball cards of the ‘30s, and the key card in the set it’s from.
Without question one of his all-time best baseball cards, and the incredible rarity makes it hard for collectors to find.
It’s a valuable card, especially in the highest grades, should you find one.
1934 Goudey Lou Gehrig #37 & #61
Unlike the 1933 set, Gehrig’s two cards in 1934 Goudey feature different designs and images; This #37 is the undoubted preferred choice among collectors, but the #61 card is by no means disliked or invaluable.
Perhaps it’s partly because the #37 card appears first, or the striking yellow background just resonates better, but it holds more value. Both cards are scarce in the highest grades.
1951 Topps Connie Mack’s All-Stars Lou Gehrig
The 1951 Connie Mack’s All-Stars set was one of the first Topps releases, and it featured a selection of 11 great baseball All-Stars, picked by the Hall of Fame manager.
The foldable die-cut shows Lou Gehrig in his Yankees pinstripes, selected as the best first baseman. The reverse of the card actually wrongly lists 4 years that “The Iron Horse” was MVP, despite only winning it twice.
The Top Modern Lou Gehrig Cards
Modern cards that feature vintage players aren’t to every collectors’ taste, but Lou Gehrig features on some very cool modern baseball cards, across various different sets, which often feature autographs or game-used relics.
So, for those who collect modern pieces featuring “The Iron Horse”, here are some key picks from the array of low-numbered options out there:
2004 Donruss Timeless Treasures Home Away Gamers Combos Signature Prime Lou Gehrig #19
This cool 1-of-1 insert from the ‘04 Donruss Timeless Treasures set features a trio of game-used Lou Gehrig relics – Home jersey, away jersey and bat.
The black ink cut signature completes an all-round great card.
2006 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Cuts Babe Ruth / Lou Gehrig #1
Embedded cut signatures of the iconic Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig feature on this two-sided gem of a card from UD’s high-end Exquisite Collection.
Ruth is shown on the card’s front, while Gehrig is shown on the reverse.
Only 3 serial-numbered copies of this one exist.
2014 Topps Triple Threads Dual Cut Above Autographs Babe Ruth / Lou Gehrig #TTDCA1
Here’s another treasure that features the two New York Yankees legends Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth, and their signatures on embedded cuts.
The 1-of-1 card also includes game-used relic pieces in a cut-out shape of both players’ RBI total and position on the all-time RBI leaderboard.
2020 Panini Flawless Dual Cuts Babe Ruth / Lou Gehrig #FDCRG
Again featured alongside fellow great Babe Ruth, this 1-of-1 Lou Gehrig card from the 2020 Panini Flawless releases is one of his most valuable modern cards, having sold for $127,200 at auction in 2023.
It features the black ink signatures of the two icons on an embedded cut.
2024 Bowman Chrome Prospects Retrofractor Superfractor Lou Gehrig #BCP253
A modern Lou Gehrig card that doesn’t feature his signature or game-used relics, but the 1-of-1 2024 Bowman Chrome Prospects Retrofractor Superfractor card is still significant.
The Yankees-great features on the popular and iconic Bowman Chrome design. Topps introduced the throwback Retrofractors in the 2023 Bowman Chrome baseball release, and Lou Gehrig’s card is part of the second-year release of the insert.
A bounty of $100,000 was reportedly placed on the card, for the collector lucky enough to pull it.
