The Most Valuable 1979 Topps Baseball Cards: PSA 10 & PSA 9 Prices and the Significance of Each Card
The 1979 Topps Baseball set may not be packed with rookies compared to other classic years, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for in rarity and long-term hobby impact. Anchored by the iconic Ozzie Smith rookie card, this 726-card set marks a pivotal moment in late 1970s baseball card history, combining legendary players with tough grading conditions. With challenging centering, print defects, and limited surviving PSA 10s, many of these cards now command strong prices. Whether you're a collector chasing pop reports or a fan of baseball legends, this guide breaks down the most valuable 1979 Topps baseball cards and explains what makes each one significant.
Because PSA 10 examples are so rare—with many cards having only a handful of gem-mint copies or none sold in recent years—this list ranks the most valuable 1979 Topps cards based on their PSA 9 market value, the highest grade with consistent sales data. For collectors, these cards represent the sweet spot between iconic player legacy and condition-sensitive scarcity.
1. Ozzie Smith #116 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $2,000–$2,600
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $77,099 (March, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 5
Significance: The “Wizard of Oz” made his cardboard debut in 1979, and due to severe centering issues and print defects, pristine examples are ultra-rare. With only 5 PSA 10s in existence, this card is one of the toughest post-1975 rookie cards to grade. Smith’s Hall of Fame legacy, 13 Gold Gloves, and magical defense at shortstop cement this card as the crown jewel of the set.
2. Dennis Eckersley #40
Most Recent PSA 9 Sale: $635 (March, 2025)
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $9,990 (June, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 1
Significance: With only one known PSA 10 and just 30 PSA 9s, this is one of the rarest cards in top grade from the set. Eckersley was a dominant closer and a Cy Young/MVP winner, but the scarcity here is driven purely by condition sensitivity—making it a prime target for rarity-focused collectors.
3. Dave Winfield #30
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $600
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: No Recent Sales Data
PSA 10 Population: 1
Significance: Another ultra-low pop card, this Winfield issue from the peak of his career has just 1 PSA 10 in the registry. Known for his rare combination of power and defense, Winfield was a 12-time All-Star and a 3,000-hit club member. This card’s appeal lies in both player legacy and grading difficulty.
4. Willie Stargell #55
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $500
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $10,000 (September, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 2
Significance: Fresh off his 1979 World Series MVP season, this card captures the iconic Pirates slugger during his twilight dominance. With just 2 PSA 10s, the card’s value is tied to both Stargell’s historical significance and its near-impossibility to find in pristine condition.
5. Pete Rose #650
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $350–$500
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $6,900 (April, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 16
Significance: Love him or hate him, Pete Rose is baseball’s all-time hits leader. His 1979 Topps card is a collector favorite from the post-Big Red Machine era. Though not exceedingly as rare as the cards in front of it, the difficulty of obtaining a perfectly centered PSA 10 and Rose’s on-field legend keep demand strong.
6. Nolan Ryan #115
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $350–$400
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $5,450 (December, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 13
Significance: Ryan’s blazing fastball and career longevity make nearly all of his cards collectible. The 1979 issue, while not his rookie, features him with the Angels and suffers from typical print issues and edge wear, limiting PSA 10s to just 13 examples.
7. Paul Molitor #24
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $250–$325
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $8,811 (June, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 4
Significance: Over his 21-year career, Molitor earned seven All-Star selections and became one of the few players in MLB history to reach both 3,000 hits and 500 stolen bases—solidifying his place among the game's elite hitters.
8. George Brett #330
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $250–$300
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $7,200 (May, 2022)
PSA 10 Population: 15
Significance: Brett was the face of the Royals during the late '70s and early '80s. His 1979 Topps card, while not his rookie, is highly sought after due to mid-career popularity and low PSA 10 numbers. He remains a beloved figure in baseball history.
9. Dale Murphy #39
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $150–$200
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $895 (November, 2017)
PSA 10 Population: 9
Significance: A two-time NL MVP and longtime Braves icon, Murphy’s popularity in the 1980s was unmatched. Although this card predates his breakout seasons, its low PSA 10 population and collector nostalgia help it remain relevant.
10. Willie Wilson #409 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $140–$150
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $2,247 (September, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 3
Significance: One of the speediest players of his era, Wilson led the league in triples and stolen bases multiple times. His rookie card is undervalued relative to his achievements, and with just 3 PSA 10s, it appeals to scarcity-focused investors.
11. Ted Simmons #510
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $125–$150
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,411 (May, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 7
12. Jack Morris #251
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $125–$150
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $428 (November, 2019)
PSA 10 Population: 6
13. Carlton Fisk #680
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $100–$150
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $795 (January, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 31
14. Lou Whitaker #123
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $100–$125
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,278 (January, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 16
15. Phil Niekro #595
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $100–$125
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,425.99 (April, 2018)
PSA 10 Population: 1
16. Reggie Jackson #700
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$125
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,030 (March, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 120
17. Rollie Fingers #390
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $850 (October, 2019)
PSA 10 Population: 3
18. Bert Blyleven #308
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $2,600 (April, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 4
19. Carl Yastrzemski #320
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $4,499.99 (October, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 13
20. Mike Schmidt #610
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,226 (January, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 46
21. Reds Team #259
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $399.99 (March, 2018)
PSA 10 Population: 7
22. Jim Kaat #136
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $799.99 (January, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 13
23. Jim Palmer #340
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $3,250 (October, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 8
24. Lou Brock #665
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,250 (April, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 16
25. Rod Carew #300
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $70–$90
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,224.99 (March, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 47
26. Robin Yount #95
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,610.09 (February, 2018)
PSA 10 Population: 8
27. Thurman Munson #310
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50–$75
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,334 (August, 2021)
PSA 10 Population: 14
28. Eddie Murray #640
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50–$75
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,026 (March, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 38
29. Johnny Bench #200
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50–$70
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,200 (May, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 117
30. Dave Parker #430
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $60–$65
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $699.99 (December, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 43
31. Gary Carter #520
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50–$55
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,250 (June, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 13
32. Alan Trammell #358
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $45–$55
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,128 (January, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 30
33. Pete Rose #204
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $40–$55
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $495 (April, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 102
34. Willie McCovey #215
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $45–$50
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $777 (September, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 16
35. Strikeout Leaders (Nolan Ryan, J. R. Richard) #6
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35–$50
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $291.60 (April, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 89
36. Tom Seaver #100
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35–$45
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $525 (May, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 77
37. Joe Morgan #20
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35–$45
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $403 (January, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 83
38. Steve Garvey #50
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35–$40
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $787 (March, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 74
39. Andre Dawson #348
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $30–$40
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $485 (March, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 31
40. All Time Record Holders Strikeouts (N. Ryan, W. Johnson) #417
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $25–$35
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $346 (May, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 138
Final Thoughts
While the 1979 Topps set doesn’t overflow with rookies, it’s become a goldmine for condition-focused collectors and fans of Hall of Fame legends. The cards on this list aren’t just valuable because of the names printed on them—they’re valuable because so few examples exist in top condition. With PSA 10 populations often in the single digits and many without recent sales to use for comparison, this ranking is based on PSA 9 prices, which offer the most reliable snapshot of the market’s current appetite.
For those chasing iconic cards with a blend of historical weight and grading difficulty, 1979 Topps remains one of the most rewarding challenges in the vintage baseball world.
