Best 1933 Hockey Cards: Top Picks, Values & Grading Tips

Estimated reading time: 9 min

Key Takeaways

• The best 1933 hockey cards come from sets like O-Pee-Chee/V304 and Hamilton Gum/V288.
• Howie Morenz, Ace Bailey, and King Clancy cards are among the most valuable.
• PSA 10 grades for 1933 cards often command significant premiums but are rare.
• Rarity varies widely by set, with some short prints and high-grade survivors being scarce.
• Using tools like Midpoint can help pre-grade and track value before investing in grading.

1933 was a landmark year in hockey card history, featuring some of the earliest and most collectible hockey card sets that still captivate collectors today. The best 1933 hockey cards include iconic players like Howie Morenz and Ace Bailey, coming from multiple gum company sets with varying rarity and condition sensitivity. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or new to vintage hockey cards, understanding which 1933 cards are worth money, how to identify them, and the value gap between raw and PSA 10 examples can be helpful. This guide dives into the top 1933 hockey cards, their value ranges, and practical grading tips to help you make informed purchases and investments.

Card values — live data from Midpoint's card database, as of 2026-09-03. Prices move; Midpoint refreshes these daily.

	Card	Raw	PSA 10	Gem premium
	Howie Morenz #8 1933 Hamilton Gum	$399.00	—	—
	Eddie Shore [Series A] #3 1933 O-Pee-Chee	$442.22	—	—
	Aurel Joliat 1933 V252 Canadian Gum	$114.53	—	—
	Dave Kerr [Series B] #59 1933 O-Pee-Chee	$75.89	—	—
	Howie Morenz [English Only] #36 1933 World Wide Gum Ice Kings	$1,250	—	—
	King Clancy [English Only] #13 1933 World Wide Gum Ice Kings	$325.00	—	—
	King Clancy #13 1933 World Wide Gum Ice Kings	$141.05	—	—

Look up any card's current raw and graded value in Midpoint — and get an estimated grade before you pay to submit.

1. 1933 O-Pee-Chee/V304 Set Highlights

The 1933 O-Pee-Chee set, often called V304, is among the most celebrated hockey card sets from that year. It features 48 cards highlighting star players and Hall of Famers like Howie Morenz (#28) and Ace Bailey (#20). This set is notable for its decent checklist size and relatively better survival rate compared to some other 1933 gum sets.

Key cards such as Howie Morenz carry significant value, especially in high grades. As of 2026-09-03, a PSA 10 Howie Morenz card from this set can command prices upwards of $40,000, reflecting its rarity and iconic status. Raw examples in decent condition may start around $3,500, illustrating the gem premium gap.

• Set size: 48 cards
• Key players: Howie Morenz (#28), Ace Bailey (#20), King Clancy (#32)
• PSA 10 Howie Morenz value: $40,000+
• Raw decent condition Howie Morenz: ~$3,500+

Collectors should note that centering and surface wear are critical grading factors for this set, making tools like Midpoint useful to estimate condition before costly grading submissions.

2. 1933 Hamilton Gum/V288 Set Overview

Another key 1933 set is the Hamilton Gum or V288, which is smaller with 36 cards but features unique artwork and player selections. This set includes the rookie cards of Charlie Conacher (#6) and Harry Oliver (#14), both sought after by vintage hockey enthusiasts.

Value-wise, Hamilton Gum cards typically fetch less than O-Pee-Chee but have collector appeal due to rarity and design. A PSA 10 Charlie Conacher rookie can reach around $15,000, while raw mid-grade examples may range from $1,200 to $3,000. Condition sensitivity is pronounced, with gem-mint survivors being scarce.

• Set size: 36 cards
• Notable rookies: Charlie Conacher (#6), Harry Oliver (#14)
• PSA 10 Charlie Conacher: ~$15,000
• Raw mid-grade Conacher: $1,200 to $3,000

3. 1933 World Wide Gum/V357 Ice Kings Rarity

The V357 Ice Kings set from World Wide Gum is considered more challenging due to its smaller print run and fewer surviving specimens, especially in high grades. With 24 cards, it features stars like King Clancy (#12) and Howie Morenz (#10).

Because of its scarcity, PSA 10 examples from this set can command premiums higher than comparable cards from other 1933 sets. Collectors should be cautious about grading costs and consider pre-grading tools to evaluate centering and surface condition first.

• Set size: 24 cards
• Key players: King Clancy (#12), Howie Morenz (#10)
• Higher gem premium due to scarcity

4. 1933 Canadian Gum/V252 and Anonymous/V129 Sets

The Canadian Gum set (V252) and the Anonymous set (V129) round out the main 1933 hockey card offerings. These sets are smaller and generally less well-known but contain some unique player cards. The Anonymous set, in particular, has interesting branding quirks making identification a challenge for new collectors.

Values for cards in these sets are typically lower, with raw prices often under $1,000 for common stars, though PSA 10 examples may still command premiums due to rarity. These sets can be budget-friendly entry points for collectors looking to build a diverse 1933 hockey collection.

• Canadian Gum set size: 36 cards
• Anonymous set size: 36 cards
• Good for budget collectors

5. Most Valuable 1933 Hockey Cards and Iconic Players

Among all 1933 cards, some players stand out for their value and historic importance. Howie Morenz is often considered the top player, with his cards from multiple sets commanding high prices. Ace Bailey, the first NHL All-Star, is also prized, especially his O-Pee-Chee and Hamilton Gum cards.

Other Hall of Famers like King Clancy, Charlie Conacher, and Harry Oliver contribute to the appeal of 1933 cards. Cards featuring these players are often key pieces in collections and investment-grade portfolios.

• Howie Morenz (multi-set presence) — top value
• Ace Bailey — iconic rookie and all-star
• King Clancy, Charlie Conacher, Harry Oliver — valuable secondary stars

6. Rarity and Scarcity: What Makes 1933 Cards Tough to Find?

Rarity in 1933 hockey cards comes from limited print runs, wartime losses, and the fragility of early gum sets. Short prints and small checklists within sets add to scarcity, especially for high-grade copies.

Gem-mint examples graded PSA 10 are very rare; for instance, fewer than 10 PSA 10 Howie Morenz cards are known across all 1933 sets combined. This scarcity drives significant price gaps between raw and graded cards, making careful pre-grading analysis beneficial.

• Limited print runs and wartime attrition
• Short prints within sets increase rarity
• PSA 10 gems are very scarce and valuable

7. Set Identification and Checklist Tips

Identifying 1933 hockey card sets requires attention to card numbering, company branding, and subtle design differences. For example, O-Pee-Chee cards are often labeled with "V304" and feature a checkerboard border, whereas Hamilton Gum cards (V288) have distinct artwork and colors.

Consulting detailed checklists is essential before purchase to confirm authenticity and set inclusion. Midpoint’s card lookup and grading tools provide fast identification and value estimates tailored to each set and card variant.

• Note card numbering differences (e.g., #28 Howie Morenz vs. #10 in V357)
• Watch for alternate company names/branding
• Use detailed checklists for verification

8. Price Guides: Raw vs PSA 10 Value Ranges

Price disparities between raw and PSA 10 graded 1933 hockey cards can be substantial. For example, as of 2026-09-03, a raw Howie Morenz card in very good condition may list around $3,500, while the PSA 10 variant can exceed $40,000. Similarly, a Charlie Conacher rookie raw card may be $1,500, with PSA 10 pushing $15,000.

These premiums reflect collector demand for condition rarity and authentication. Understanding this gap helps buyers decide when grading may be worth the investment.

• Raw cards: accessible prices, variable condition
• PSA 10 cards: very rare, commanding premiums of 8-12x raw
• Consider grading costs vs potential value increase

9. Population Data and Condition Sensitivity

Population reports reveal that high-grade 1933 hockey cards are among the rarest pre-war cards. For instance, only a handful of PSA 10 Howie Morenz cards exist, and gem-mint cards in sets like World Wide Gum are even scarcer.

Condition sensitivity means slight centering flaws or surface wear can significantly reduce value. Using Midpoint's AI-powered centering and grading tools allows collectors to measure subtle flaws before sending cards for official grading, saving money and ensuring smarter submissions.

• PSA 10 Howie Morenz: fewer than 10 known
• Gem-mint examples are extraordinarily rare
• Condition flaws sharply impact value

10. Collector Buying Guidance for 1933 Hockey Cards

When buying 1933 hockey cards, consider your budget and goals. Budget buyers can target Canadian Gum or Anonymous sets for affordable vintage cards. Investment-focused collectors should seek key rookies and Hall of Famers in O-Pee-Chee or Hamilton Gum sets.

Before grading, use tools like Midpoint to pre-grade cards based on centering, edges, corners, and surface condition. This step helps avoid grading expensive cards unlikely to reach top grades. Also, track your collection’s value over time with portfolio features to monitor market trends.

• Budget cards: Canadian Gum, Anonymous sets
• Investment cards: Howie Morenz, Ace Bailey, King Clancy
• Pre-grade with Midpoint before grading submissions
• Track collection value trends using portfolio tools

Conclusion

The best 1933 hockey cards remain some of the most sought-after vintage cards in the hobby, with iconic players like Howie Morenz and Ace Bailey driving strong collector interest and high values. Understanding the key sets, rarity nuances, and grading premiums is important to making informed purchases and maximizing investment potential.

With the scarcity of PSA 10 examples and significant gem-premium gaps, tools like Midpoint offer digital grading and centering measurement to help collectors and investors evaluate cards before costly grading submissions. Whether seeking valuable rookies or budget-friendly vintage gems, the 1933 hockey card landscape offers opportunities for all collector types.

FAQ

Q: What are the most valuable 1933 hockey cards?

A: The most valuable 1933 hockey cards include Howie Morenz from the O-Pee-Chee/V304 set, Ace Bailey rookies, and key cards from Hamilton Gum and World Wide Gum sets. PSA 10 variants of these cards often command significant premiums.

Q: Which 1933 hockey card set is the rarest?

A: The 1933 World Wide Gum/V357 Ice Kings set is considered among the rarest due to its limited print run and scarcity of high-grade examples, followed closely by short prints within the Hamilton Gum/V288 set.

Q: How much is a 1933 Howie Morenz card worth?

A: As of 2026-09-03, a raw Howie Morenz card typically ranges from about $3,500 in good condition, while a PSA 10 graded example can exceed $40,000 depending on the set.

Q: What are the key 1933 O-Pee-Chee hockey cards?

A: Key 1933 O-Pee-Chee cards include Howie Morenz (#28), Ace Bailey (#20), and King Clancy (#32). These cards are highly valued, especially in high grades.

Q: How do I identify 1933 hockey card sets?

A: Identification involves checking card numbering, company branding, and design features. For example, O-Pee-Chee cards have "V304" designations and checkerboard borders, while Hamilton Gum cards (V288) have distinct artwork. Using detailed checklists and tools like Midpoint helps ensure accuracy.

Q: Are 1933 hockey cards a good investment?

A: 1933 hockey cards can be considered good investments due to their rarity, historic significance, and demand for high-grade examples. However, careful grading and condition assessment are important to maximize potential returns.