Topps is a brand that is synonymous with baseball cards, having shaped the hobby for many decades.
Some of the best, and most beloved baseball card sets have been released by Topps, since their very first venture into the hobby in 1951.
But with so many greats, we wondered what the best of them were. So, after getting the opinion of many other collectors, here’s a list of the top 10, each with its own unique charm, historical significance, and lasting impact.
Honorable Mentions
Before we get into the top 10, here are some great sets that just missed out, but still deserve a mention.
- 1957
- 2004
- 2011
The 10 Best Topps Baseball Sets Ever
10. 1971
The black border design on 1971 Topps makes cards notoriously condition sensitive, but it’s a widely-popular set.
The huge 752 card checklist features sought-after cards from big names like Nolan Ryan, Willie Mays, and Roberto Clemente, plus the rookie cards of Bert Blyleven (#26), Steve Garvey (#341) and Dusty Baker (#709).
The Thurman Munson (#5) card is also a key highlight of the set, for its iconic action shot image.
9. 1963
The distinctive dual-photo design of 1963 Topps cards are hard not to love.
It’s a set known for both the vibrant design, with the large player image alongside the smaller circular image, and being the home of the beloved Pete Rose (#537) and Willie Stargell (#553) rookie cards.
8. 1954
Bold colors, dual-photos, and a stacked checklist all contribute to 1954 Topps being an all-time great.
The Hank Aaron rookie (#128) stands out as the set’s crown jewel, along with other key rookie cards of Ernie Banks and Al Kaline.
The set is perhaps more notable for not including a Mickey Mantle card, because of his exclusivity with Bowman in that year, but it still remains one of Topps’ best ever.
7. 1987
The iconic wood grain border design of 1987 Topps takes me right back to my childhood – It’s one of the most recognizable sets of all time.
It’s also one of the most overproduced releases of all time, given it was the start of The Junk Wax Era, meaning card values stay low.
The strong rookie class adds significance, with notable cards from the likes of Bo Jackson (#170), Barry Bonds (#320), and Barry Larkin (#648).
6. 1955
Topps released their first ever horizontal design in their 1955 set, and it remains a hit among collectors today.
The large player portraits alongside action drawings are distinctive, and the inclusion of the Sandy Koufax (#123) and Roberto Clemente (#164) rookie cards boost the set’s status.
5. 1960
Topps returned to the horizontal card designs in the 1960 set, as well as dual player images.
The colorful cards are memorable, with the unique multicolored name design. The release is headlined by the Carl Yastrzemski (#148) and Willie McCovey (#316) rookie cards.
4. 1975
1975 Topps is such a great set, with iconic, appealing card designs, and a strong checklist.
The bright, multicolored borders are unforgettable, but so is the star power in terms of names. Legends are joined by the rookie cards of Robin Yount (#223), George Brett (#228), Jim Rice (#616), and Gary Carter (#620).
3. 1956
With similarities to the ‘55 cards, 1956 Topps is one of the greatest sets for card designs, with action shots on top of colorful backgrounds, and alongside large portrait player images.
The set lacks a star rookie card, but there are key options from star names like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Ted Williams.
2. 1965
The 1965 Topps set is cemented as one of the hobby’s favorites, with the distinctive team flag design capping an overall clean and timeless look.
The Rookie cards of Joe Morgan (#16) and Steve Carlton (#477) stand out among an array of key cards.
1. 1952
Arguably the most important and legendary baseball card set of all time, 1952 Topps was at the forefront of the shift to the modern era of baseball cards.
407 large, vibrant cards make up the checklist, and they remain a cherished cornerstone in the hobby today.
On top of that, it features one of the most iconic sports cards ever released: The Mickey Mantle (#311) grail, which became the first 8-figure card when a copy sold for $12.6m in 2022.
It’s a symbol of a golden era, and the greatest Topps baseball card product ever released.
