Top 5 Most Valuable St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Cards of All Time

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the most successful and popular franchises in Major League Baseball history. Founded in 1882, the Cardinals have won 11 World Series championships, second only to the New York Yankees. With such a long and storied history, Cardinals baseball cards are highly sought after by collectors. Let's take a look at the top 5 most valuable St. Louis Cardinals baseball cards of all time.

1. 1909-1911 T206 Christy Mathewson

Estimated Value: $200,000+

Arguably the most famous and valuable baseball card ever produced, the 1909-1911 T206 set features the legendary Christy Mathewson in a Cardinals uniform. Though Mathewson spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career with the New York Giants, he appeared on a Cardinals T206 card after being traded in 1916. With fewer than 20 authenticated copies known to exist, T206 Mathewson is the premier Cardinals collectible. High-grade copies (PSA 8 or higher) have sold for over $200k.

2. 1931 W515 Lou Gehrig Strip Card

Estimated Value: $80,000+

In 1931, Wheaties printed a set of 45 baseball cards that could be cut into strips and collected or sent in to redeem prizes. The rarest strip features New York Yankees slugger Lou Gehrig in a Cardinals uniform. Though an oddity, the 1931 W515 Lou Gehrig strip card showcases photo editing of the era and remains highly sought after by Cardinals and Gehrig collectors alike. Mint copies have sold at auction for well over $80,000.

3. 1933 Goudey #149 Rogers Hornsby

Estimated Value: $50,000+

Widely considered one of the best hitters in MLB history, Rogers Hornsby had two stints with St. Louis spanning 18 total seasons. His 1933 Goudey card #149 pictures "Rajah" taking a swing in front of Sportsman's Park. The bold red background draws the eye, showcasing one of the most visually appealing designs of the era. Near-mint copies of this vintage Cardinals classic have exceeded $50,000 at public sale.

4. 1948-1950 Leaf #78 Stan Musial

Estimated Value: $45,000+

The late, great Stan "The Man" Musial defines St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Musial played in St. Louis from 1941-1963 and still holds many franchise records. His 1948-1950 Leaf card #78 pictures him taking a smooth cut, bat held high. As Musial's rookie card and most popular vintage issue, high-grade copies approach the $50,000 mark and could climb higher as more PSA 10 examples enter the population reports.

5. 1968 Topps #1 Nolan Ryan Rookie Card

Estimated Value: $20,000+

Though Nolan Ryan is best known for his tenure with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, his MLB career began with the Cardinals. The 1968 Topps #1 rookie card pictures a young Ryan in a Cardinals cap, touting his "good control" in the biography. This iconic rookie became even more popular after Ryan evolved into an all-time great fireballer. Near-mint copies of this key Cardinals rookie card can easily surpass $20,000 at auction.

There you have it - the top 5 most valuable St. Louis Cardinals baseball cards of all time. From turn of the century rarities like T206 Christy Mathewson to iconic postwar rookies like 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan, Cardinals cards offer a wide range of blue-chip collectibles. As the team continues its winning tradition, modern Cardinals superstars like Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina and Bob Gibson will likely join the pantheon of valuable Cardinals cards down the road.