A Guide to Pete Rose's 1970s Baseball Cards: Topps, Food Promotions & Scarcity

Darryl P. Nov 28, 2025 5:42pm 7 views

Subtitle: Exploring the Range and Rarity of 1970s Pete Rose Cards

Meta Description: Discover the world of Pete Rose's 1970s baseball cards, from Topps to food promotional issues. Learn about their rarity, value, and what makes these collectibles unique.

Content:

What’s New

Pete Rose, famously known as "Charlie Hustle," holds the record as Major League Baseball's all-time hit leader, boasting 4,256 hits over his 24-season career. The 1970s were a pivotal decade for Rose, noted for his remarkable performances and the variety of baseball cards released. This era experienced a boom in collectible cards, including classic Topps sets and food product collaborations like Kellogg's and Hostess. Rose’s 1970s cards continue to be highly coveted by collectors, with their value greatly influenced by rarity and condition.

Configuration at a Glance

  • Topps produced annual base sets featuring Pete Rose every year from 1970 through 1979.
  • Specialty releases included cards from brands like Kellogg’s, Bazooka, Milk Duds, Hostess, O-Pee-Chee, and various disc collections.
  • Several years include unique multi-player and leader cards, such as batting leaders and All-Star selections.
  • Hand-cut and test issues (Bazooka, Hostess, Deckle Edge) contribute to scarcity and value.
  • Most cards from this time do not include autographs or memorabilia, as these features became standard in later decades.

Key Inserts & Parallels

  • 1970 Topps #61 NL Batting Leaders (Pete Rose/Bob Clemente/Cleon Jones) - a multi-player leader card.
  • 1971 Bazooka Numbered Test #32 and Unnumbered #5 - hand-cut test issues.
  • 1971 Milk Duds #60 Pete Rose DP - a food issue card.
  • 1973 Topps Candy Lids #44 - a test issue with a distinctive round design.
  • 1974 Topps Deckle Edge #16 - a black and white card with a scalloped edge.
  • 1975 Hostess #29, Hostess Panels, and Hostess Twinkie - food issues, hand-cut.
  • 1976 disc cards (Blankback, Buckman, Carousel, Crane, Dairy Isle, Isaly, Orbakers, Red Barn, Safelon) - round disc-shaped issues.
  • 1976 Safelon Superstar Lunch Bags #10 - a novelty issue featuring multiple players.
  • 1977 disc cards (Burger Chef, Chilly Willie, Customized, Dairy Isle, Detroit Caesars, Holiday Inn, MSA, Pepsi Glove, Saga, Wendy’s, Zip’z) - company-branded disc issues.

Autographs & Relics

Autograph and memorabilia cards were not typical in the 1970s. All Pete Rose cards from this period are non-autographed and non-relic. Collectors focus on base cards, leader cards, and specialty issues from food and promotional products. The value and rarity are influenced by print runs, condition, and special releases like test issues and hand-cut cards.

Collector Notes

  • Pete Rose cards from the 1970s offer a broad range of traditional and food/promotional issues, providing collectors with a diverse selection.
  • Condition is crucial for determining value, particularly for hand-cut and test issues like Bazooka, Hostess, and Deckle Edge cards.
  • 1970s Topps cards often face centering and cutting challenges, making high-grade examples more desirable.
  • Food and disc issues are typically hand-cut and may have uneven edges or factory imperfections.
  • The 1975 Topps #320 Rose is notably popular due to its design and value range.
  • Specialty and regional releases (discs, lunch bags, candy lids) are rarer and can fetch higher prices depending on scarcity and condition.
  • Most cards from this decade are non-autographed and non-relic, as those features were introduced in later periods.
  • Prices vary significantly: some issues can be found for under $10, while rarities and high-grade cards can reach hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Source: https://www.sportscardportal.com

Share:

Darryl P.

test

Disclosure: Some links may be affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Comments

Please log in to comment.

Loading comments…