The 1977 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the iconic issues from the 1970s. While it may not be the most valuable set from that decade, there are still some highly valuable cards that can fetch thousands of dollars depending on the grade and condition. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards from the 1977 Topps set and what they may be worth today.
One of the most valuable rookie cards from the 1977 set is Dave Winfield’s (#388). Winfield went on to have a Hall of Fame career with several All-Star appearances and plenty of accolades. In top gem mint condition (MT-10), his rookie card can sell for over $10,000. Even in excellent near mint condition (MT-8), it often trades hands for $3,000-5,000. Another star rookie from this set is Eddie Murray (#432). Murray also had a great career with the Orioles and Dodgers. His rookie in top grade can exceed $2,500 while a nice MT-8 may sell for $1,000-1,500.
High grades of star veterans from the late 1970s can also retain strong values. Nolan Ryan’s (#541) card in mint condition could bring $800-1,200 at auction given his status as a legend. A PSA 10 gem copy might approach $2,000. George Brett’s (#518) star was rising in 1977 and his card has kept steady demand. Near mint examples sell in the $150-250 range while a true gem could double that price. Reggie Jackson (#485) also maintains collector interest. Look for a high grade copy to sell between $100-200 depending on the market.
There are a handful of rare and short-printed cards from the 1977 set that command much higher prices. One is Mike Schmidt’s (#504) card, which has an error where his first name is misspelled “Micharl” on the front. Only a small number were printed this way and they are enormously valuable. A PSA 10 grade of the error Schmidt could fetch over $25,000 at auction among vintage card collectors. There is also a very rare Pete Rose short-print (#80) that displays him with the Philadelphia Phillies, even though he was still a Cincinnati Red at the time. High grades of this scarce variation have sold for $8,000-12,000.
Two of the biggest keys and most valuable cards from the 1977 Topps baseball set revolve around the superstar duo of Steve Garvey and George Foster. Garvey’s (#138) photo negative card was accidentally printed backwards, making his face very lightly printed when viewed right-side up. This scarce error version has reached as much as $15,000 in PSA 10 condition at public sale. Even high gradesaround PSA 8 can sell for $5,000-7,000. The second ultra premium card is George Foster’s (#332) photo variation, which shows him with a drastically darker complexion compared to the standard issue. Top grades have hammered at auction for $17,500 due to the visual intrigue and rarity.
While it may lack some of the icons and stars of other 1970s sets, savvy collectors still enjoy pursuing the 1977 Topps issue for affordable star rookies, veterans and oddball variations. With patience and a trained eye, you can assemble avery decent team set for just a few hundred dollars. But be prepared to pay dearly for true superstars like Schmidt, Garvey and Foster in their rarest and most visually striking forms. With classics on the level of Nolan Ryan and Reggie Jackson too, the 1977s certainly hold their own among the cardboard of that memorable decade in baseball history.
While the 1977 Topps set as a whole does not carry extreme values, there are some highly valuable rookie cards, error cards, and manufacturing variations that can sell for thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars depending on condition, scarcity, and collector demand. The right high grade vintage cards from stars like Dave Winfield, Mike Schmidt, Nolan Ryan, and several others ensure the 1977s remain an enticing vintage issue for collectors even decades later. With nearly four and a half decades having passed since their release, the 1977 Topps cards celebrating America’s pastime continue to engage collectors with their nostalgic images and occasionally remarkable stories within the cardboard.
