The fifth part of a seven-part series on 1960’s Topps baseball high numbers looks at the 1964 Topps set. We’ve combed the population reports and crunched the numbers to produce lists of the cards that have had the fewest number of NM-MT, Mint and Gem Mint grades assigned by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) as well as a list of the high numbers with the fewest total graded cards.
Set builders often find that it’s the commons and minor stars that are the most elusive. In 1964, that’s true again. However, high number scarcity is a relative term and as was the case with the 1963 Topps high numbers, collectors will find that in 1964, it’s not necessarily a case of five or six relatively similar series and then one super scarce final series of cards. Rather, they become increasingly difficult about midway through the set. The high numbers aren’t ultra-rare but are more difficult than any other cards in the set.
By comparing the number of PSA 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 and 10 cards vs. the total quantity of graded cards gives us the percentage that shows us that 43.6% of Luis Aparicio cards submitted to PSA have come back with at least an 8—a lower percentage than any other card.
The bottom list offers a list of the fewest total 1964 Topps high numbers graded (A-10).
Percentage of 1964 Topps high numbers graded PSA 8-10
Rank Card No. Name Percentage
1 540 Luis Aparicio 43.61
2 581 Yankees Rookies 50.57
3 538 Minnie Minoso 50.88
4 587 Bennie Daniels 51.41
6 530 Leon Wagner 55.26
7 583 Tito Francona 60.00
8 585 Tony Taylor 60.56
9 534 Gus Bell 61.18
10 524 Reds Rookies 61.36
11 563 Dal Maxvill 61.73
12 532 Twins Rookies 61.97
13 577 Gordy Coleman 62.96
14 535 Phil Regan 64.08
15 558 Don Schwall 64.12
16 527 Larry Bearnarth 64.62
17 526 Lou Clinton 64.78
18 546 Joe Christopher 65.36
19 553 Jim Brewer 66.03
20 544 Colts Rookies 67.35
Fewest total number of 1964 Topps high numbers Grades A – 10
Rank Card No. Name Total
2 558 Don Schwall 131
3 584 Joel Horlen 131
4 524 Reds Rookies 132
5 535 Phil Regan 142
6 585 Tony Taylor 142
7 532 Twins Rookies 142
8 544 Colts Rookies 147
9 530 Leon Wagner 152
10 565 Stu Miller 152
11 546 Joe Christopher 153
12 553 Jim Brewer 156
13 526 Lou Clinton 159
14 583 Tito Francona 160
15 563 Dal Maxvill 162
16 577 Gordy Coleman 162
17 542 Don Mincher 166
18 571 Gene Conley 167
19 534 Gus Bell 170
20 538 Minnie Minoso 171