George Brett rookie card value

I grew up watching George Brett play baseball, so he’s one of my favorite players of all time. So it stands to reason that his 1975 Topps rookie card is one of my favorite baseball cards of all time. If you have one and you’re curious about George Brett rookie card value, I can give you an estimate.

George Brett was the greatest American League third baseman of his generation, and the fifth greatest of all time according to WAR. He starred for the Royals from 1973 to 1993, winning three batting titles, an MVP award, a gold glove, and making 13 All-Star appearances. He played his entire career for the Kansas City Royals.

1975 Topps George Brett rookie card value

George Brett rookie card value
The 1975 Topps set featured one of the greatest rookie classes of all time, including Royals third baseman George Brett.

George Brett made his debut in the colorful 1975 Topps set, on card number 228. This means he technically has three rookie cards. The regular issue 1975 Topps set is the standard 2.5-inch by 3.5-inch size that Topps used since 1957. But Topps also tried issuing the set in a smaller 2 1/4-inch by 3 1/8-inch size and distributed them in Michigan and California. The slightly smaller cards would have been cheaper to produce, but ultimately Topps chose to stay with the traditional size. The mini variant is rarer and more valuable than the regular production card.

What’s the third card? In 1975, like most years, Topps had an arrangement with O-Pee-Chee to sell the cards in Canada. The O-Pee-Chee variant looks the same on the front, but the back is bilingual, English and French.

Depending on condition, a 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card sells for between $35 and $100, generally speaking. For cards in truly exceptional condition and professionally graded as such, prices jump. In mint condition, prices exceed $1,500, and in gem mint condition, prices reach five figures. The full color bleed design and quality control issues make mint-condition Brett rookie cards scarce.

If you have a Brett card in what you think is truly exceptional condition, it’s worth having a professional grading service check it out. The three reputable card grading services are PSA, SGC, and BVG. If you or I say the card is mint, it’s worth $100. It’s worth the big money if and when the professionals say it’s mint.

Regardless, Brett’s rookie card is among the most valuable baseball cards of the 1970s.

A word about condition

If you look at the George Brett rookie card in my picture, the corners are sharp, but the two corners on the left show slight damage. There’s also a chip on the right side, and the card isn’t centered perfectly. My example card is a nice card, but it’s not mint condition. Here are some guidelines on grading baseball cards. If yours looks better than the example in my picture, I think it’s worth getting professionally graded.

If you’re looking to sell your 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card, here’s my advice on selling baseball cards.

Other George Brett baseball card values

George Brett had a long career. Unfortunately, his career overlapped with the overproduction years of the 1980s and 1990s, so his cards are anything but rare.

Pre-1981 Brett cards in exceptional condition can still reach three-digit values. In the conditions you’re likely to actually find, they’re typically worth $10 or less. As for 1980s and 1990s Brett cards, don’t assume they’re worth much more than $5.

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