Top 5 Most Valuable Houston Astros Baseball Cards of All Time

The Houston Astros have one of the most loyal fan bases in Major League Baseball. Fans started following the team all the way back when they were known as the Houston Colt .45s in 1962. Since then, the team has undergone numerous changes, from their name change to the Astros in 1965 to their move to the American League in 2013.

Throughout their 60 seasons in MLB, the Astros have featured some incredible players. Naturally, those stars have been immortalized on cardboard over the years by the major baseball card manufacturers like Topps, Bowman, Fleer, Donruss, and Upper Deck. Some of those cards have skyrocketed in value and are now worth a small fortune.

Let's count down the top 5 most expensive Houston Astros baseball cards of all time.

1. Jeff Bagwell 1994 SP Foil #180 - $5,000+

Jeff Bagwell was one of the best first basemen in Astros history, playing for the team from 1991 to 2005. His 1994 SP Foil rookie card remains his most valuable, often selling for over $5,000 if graded Mint or Gem Mint by PSA or BGS.

Only a limited number of these foil parallels were produced, making them extremely rare and coveted by collectors. The card features an action photo of Bagwell making contact with a pitch with a silver foil background.

2. Craig Biggio 1989 Upper Deck RC #415 - $2,000+

Craig Biggio spent his entire 20-year MLB career with the Astros, totaling over 3,000 hits. The seven-time All-Star debuted with Upper Deck in 1989, who produced one of Biggio's most iconic rookie cards.

His 1989 Upper Deck RC often auctions between $2,000 and $3,000 if in top condition. It pictures Biggio taking a swing in his recognizable #7 Astros jersey with the Astrodome in the background.

3. Nolan Ryan 1968 Topps RC #177 - $1,500+

Before his time with the Astros from 1980 to 1988, Nolan Ryan pitched for the Mets and Angels. But his rookie card comes from his 1968 season with the Mets. The 1968 Topps card remains highly coveted among Ryan collectors and Astros fans.

Graded copies in PSA 8 or BGS 8 can sell for $1,500 or more. The RC shows Ryan in a pitching motion in a Mets uniform and hat. He would go on to record two of his seven career no-hitters with Houston.

4. Roy Oswalt 2001 Bowman Chrome Refractor RC #302 - $800+

Roy Oswalt emerged as the Astros ace in the early 2000s with over 140 wins with the team. His shiny 2001 Bowman Chrome rookie card is by far his most valuable.

The Refractor parallels have a rainbow finish and were printed in much fewer quantities. PSA 10 Gem Mint Oswalt rookies can demand over $800. He’s pictured in an Astros uniform winding up for a pitch.

5. Lance Berkman 1998 Bowman Chrome RC #302 - $700+

Lance Berkman was one of the most feared sluggers in the Astros lineup in the late '90s and 2000s. His 1998 Bowman Chrome rookie card pictures him following through on a swing in an Astros uniform.

Gem Mint copies fetch upwards of $700 at auction. It was one of Berkman's first certified MLB rookie cards, making it highly sought-after by Astros collectors. He was a key member of the 2005 National League championship team.

Those are 5 of the rarest, most valuable baseball rookie cards of legendary Houston Astros players. Other noteworthy vintage cards include Mike Scott's 1986 Donruss #100 and Jose Cruz's 1975 Topps #309. More modern stars like Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, and Yordan Alvarez will surely see their rookie cards appreciate over time as well.

The Astros have a long, rich history showcased by their top cardboard collectibles. For die-hard Astros fans and baseball card collectors alike, owning one of these rare pieces of memorabilia is the ultimate prize.