Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) was a center fielder who played for the New York Yankees, ending his career as a three-time American League MVP and nine-time World Series Champion. His 56-game hitting streak in 1941 is a record that still stands, and DiMaggio sadly passed away in 1999, due to lung cancer.
Buy Joe DiMaggio Baseball Cards on eBay
We’ve come up with a list of the top five Joe DiMaggio baseball cards, as well as investment advice if his very best options tempt you.
As you might expect, most of his top cards are pre-war, but there are a few interesting releases from later years. Many were produced following his retirement in 1951, but it’s hard to beat an RC if you’re looking for the perfect mix of value and prestige.
1933-36 Joe DiMaggio Zeenut
The first-ever cards to feature the player originate from the 1933-36 Zeenut Baseball set. There are two to look out for, with DiMaggio batting or throwing in separate black-and-white images. They spell his name wrong on both cards, listing him as Joe “De Maggio”. If the kit is confusing, he was still playing for PCL’s San Francisco Seals at the time.
Must Read: Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 1990s
They also originally had a coupon attached to the bottom, offering ‘valuable premiums’ if handed in and redeemed. Whatever the condition, it hasn’t stopped them from picking up in price in recent years, and they’re seen as a real piece of history for serious collectors.
1938 Joe DiMaggio Goudey RC #274
Another vintage set with two DiMaggio cards on offer features a photo of the Hall of Famer pasted on top of an illustrated batter. It’s a bit goofy, but it makes the card instantly recognizable and is also in full color.
The first card (#250) has a plain background, while the second (#274) has a range of tiny illustrations along the edges. As you might have guessed, the latter is more valuable, and high PSA grades are worth six figures.
1939 Joe DiMaggio Play Ball RC #26
The 1939 Play Ball is an iconic edition, showing a simple black-and-white profile shot of the star as he smiles at the camera. Along with the ‘38 Goudey cards, they’re seen as DiMaggio’s ‘true RCs’, although this one is far cheaper in comparison.
There’s no team name or other info on the front, although you can see the Yankees logo on his cap and jersey. The smile is a marked change to the majority of his early cards and shows the player in a different light.
1941 Joe DiMaggio Play Ball RC #71
Next up is another Play Ball release from 1941. It was the last major issue before WW2, and they upped their game by adding color to the cards for the first time. (However, they did use the same image seen in the 1940 Play Ball set.)
DiMaggio is pictured in a posed shot as he swings a bat, while it’s seen as a short print, which adds additional value compared to other cards from the era. The color was added later, with a deep purple background and two shades of green to make up the field. It’s another strong card, and it should definitely be on your radar.
1995 Joe DiMaggio Signature Rookies Baseball Card #JD2
For a more recent option, we’re moving on to 1995. Unlike the earlier cards, this one has a ‘Joltin Joe’ auto, making it extremely popular with collectors. The on-card auto is signed in blue ink, filling a white section at the bottom.
Trending: Best Frank Thomas Rookie Cards
Another black-and-white card, the only color is found on the logos, such as the ‘Signature Rookies’ on the bottom of the card, and his name, which is written in gold chrome in a segment on the right-hand side. They’ve gone with a classic image of DiMaggio at the plate, which makes it fit in with the older cards on the list, at least in terms of style.
Values
The most expensive Joe DiMaggio baseball card is the 1939 Play Ball Playball Joe DiMaggio RC #26.
Looking to purchase a high-grade Joe DiMaggio baseball card? Consider the Gold Card Auctions Sports Card Consulting service.
We assist individuals in acquiring high-end, remarkable sports cards with a superior return on investment. Email consulting@goldcardauctions.com to learn more.
Risk/Return Analysis
DiMaggio is a true legend, with records that still stand to this day. He might not be as popular as the likes of Babe Ruth, but he’s undeniably an all-time great. His total of nine World Series rings is second only to Yogi Berra, who earned 10 with the Yankees.
Investment Rating: Buy (4.3 out of 5)
Best Joe DiMaggio Baseball Card: 1938 Joe DiMaggio Goudey RC #274
Ownership Disclosure: None
Risk/Return Analysis: Low Risk/Moderate to Moderate High Returns
Having made his MLB debut in 1938, he’s not featured in many of the early sets from the ‘30s, but he’s well-represented in most major releases until his retirement in ‘51.
His early options continue to be seen as some of the most exciting cards in the hobby. They’re all valuable, although there are several decent signed post-war options to look out for which are more affordable.
For many of the ‘30s cards, any version is desirable, while prices will rise significantly if you look at the best-graded options. If possible, we’d stick to PSA/BGS/SGC grades to eliminate any possibility of forgeries or alterations.
Pre-war DiMaggio cards will always be a hot ticket item, but they’re also a great long-term investment piece. Prices for the rarest cards continue to increase yearly, and ‘The Yankee Clipper’ is no exception.
Take the 1941 Play Ball. A PSA 9 copy sold for $96,074 in 2005, while a card with the same mint grade sold for a flat $216,000 in 2019. Who knows what the price will be in 2030? Similar gains are seen when looking at PSA 8 grades, although there is a drop-off afterward.
The best versions of the rarest cards always seem to be a good investment piece, although the high entry price will stave off most would-be collectors.