5 Undervalued Hall of Fame Baseball Cards Priced Below $300

Modern baseball card boxes promise excitement, but proven Hall of Famers offer security. For about the same money, collectors can own graded vintage cards of Hall of Famers whose demand has lasted for generations.
Yogi Berra was a 3-time MVP and 10-time World Series Champion with the New York Yankees, yet his cards are surprisingly affordable.
Yogi Berra was a 3-time MVP and 10-time World Series Champion with the New York Yankees, yet his cards are surprisingly affordable. | Card Ladder

Opening baseball card boxes offers an undeniable thrill. The suspense of the pack opening and the rush of hunting for a monster hit make ripping wax highly addictive. However, once the dust settles and the initial excitement fades, collectors find that the financial return rarely justifies the original cost of the box.

A different baseball card thrill that is more financially sound is the hunt for deals on vintage cards of Hall of Fame players. For roughly the cost of a single jumbo box, you can bypass the gamble of a "rip" and guarantee yourself a centerpiece for your collection. Many vintage cards in the $300 range come from some of the most recognizable post-war sets ever produced and feature some of the most iconic names in baseball history.

While modern "hits" from jumbo or hobby boxes are volatile, cards of vintage icons are established blue-chips with solidified market value and long-term stability. The examples below demonstrate just how much vintage star power can still be secured for less than $300.

1. Bob Feller 1952 Topps #88 SGC 4.5: $295

Bob Feller 1952 Topps
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Universal Population Count (Includes cards graded by PSA, SGC, CGC, and BGS):  3,712

Why it’s a Great Value: Bob Feller was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest pitchers of his era. “Blue-Chip” Hall of Famers like Feller always retain their value and long-term demand. Feller’s service in World War II further adds to his appeal.

Additionally, the 1952 Topps set is the most iconic in the hobby and even mid-grade copies are highly coveted.  SGC 4.5 is considered a “sweet spot grade” by many collectors because it usually has good eye appeal while still being affordable for the average collector.

Cheaper Than: Alfredo Duno 2023 Bowman Chrome Yellow Refractor Auto #CPA-ADU ($400)

2. Mickey Mantle 1958 Topps All-Star #487 PSA 5:  $299

Mickey Mantle 1958 AS
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Universal Population Count: 25,238

Why it’s a Great Value: This card allows for affordable Mantle access while still providing collectors with an iconic card of The Mick from the 1950s. A 1952 Topps can sell for six figures even in low grades and other iconic Mantles like the 1956 Topps sell for thousands in a PSA 5.

This card is more affordable in part because it has a higher population count than most vintage baseball cards. It is still an iconic image of Mantle and is historically significant because 1958 is the first year Topps included the popular All Star card subset.

Cheaper Than: Sebastian Walcott 2023 Bowman Chrome Sapphire Edition #BCP-189 Orange/75 ($400)

3. Larry Doby 1951 Bowman #151 SGC 6: $295

Larry Doby 1951 Bowman
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Universal Population Count: 1,686

Why it’s a Great Value: Doby’s role as the first Black player in the American League ensures lasting importance. He debuted on July 5, 1947, just 11 weeks after Jackie Robinson. Doby is a Hall of Famer who led the American league twice in home runs and made seven All Star games for the Cleveland Indians.

As Jackie Robinson cards continue to show rapid growth because of his historical significance, many collectors are realizing how undervalued Doby’s cards are. Additionally, the 1951 Bowman set is prized for its high-quality color artwork and high grades are rare.

Cheaper Than: Anthony Volpe 2023 Topps Chrome Update Sapphire Edition Gold Auto #USA-AV ($350)

4. Yogi Berra 1950 Bowman #46 BVG 4: $288

Yogi Berra 1950 Bowman
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Universal Population Count: 1,686

Why it’s a Great Value: Few players combine championships (10 World Series rings), accolades (3 MVPs), and personality (countless Yogiisms) like Yogi Berra. Yogi cards are way underpriced when you consider how great he was as one of the greatest catchers of all time.

1950 was the only year in the post-war era that Bowman held a total monopoly on baseball card production. Collectors seeking a complete "one card per year" run for Berra must own this specific card.

Cheaper Than: Cooper Pratt 2024 Bowman Blue Refractor Auto #CPA-CPR ($400)

5. Don Drysdale 1957 Topps #18 Rookie PSA 6– $285

Don Drysdale RC
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Universal Population Count: 8,299

Why it’s a Great Value: This is Drysdale’s only rookie card and its from the classic 1957 Topps set. Don Drysdale was a cornerstone of the Dodgers' 1960s dynasty, winning 3 World Series titles and the 1962 Cy Young Award.

The 1957 Topps set was the first to use color photography and established the standard 2.5" x 3.5" card size still used today. Visually striking Hall of Fame rookie cards like this one are absolute steals at less than $300

Cheaper Than: Paul Skenes 2025 Topps Chrome #300 Negative Refractor PSA 10 ($375)

5 More Notable Vintage Baseball Card Bargains Under $300

1. Pete Rose 1964 Topps #125 PSA 4 :$275

Pete Rose 1964 Topps
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2. Mickey Mantle / Willie Mays 1962 Topps Manager's Dream #18 PSA 5: $257

3. Frank Robinson 1957 Topps Rookie Card #35 SGC 4.5: $295

4. Hank Aaron 1963 Topps #390 SGC 6: $280

5. Goose Goslin 1933 Goudey #110 Rookie Card: $250

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Published | Modified
David Solow
DAVID SOLOW

David is a collector based in Georgia and a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, and New York Knicks. He is an avid sports card collector with a strong passion for vintage baseball cards and vintage on-card autographs. David enjoys obtaining autographs through the mail and loves connecting with other knowledgeable collectors to discuss the history and evolution of the hobby. He also previously wrote about the New York Giants for GMENHQ.com