The 1977 Topps chewing gum baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues from the 1970s. While it may not be the most valuable set overall, there are still some noteworthy chase cards that can fetch a pretty penny for collectors. Let’s take a deep dive into some of the standout cards from this 792 card release and talk about what kind of value they can demand in today’s market.
As some background, Topps had been producing its iconic gum-included baseball cards since the late 1950s. By the 1970s, their cardboard offerings had become ingrained in American pop culture and an essential part of the childhood experience for baseball fans young and old. The 1977 set continued this tradition with its familiar design elements and photos of that year’s major league stars.
One of the biggest chase cards in the set is the Hank Aaron rookie card. While Aaron debuted professionally back in 1954, Topps did not include him in their main baseball card sets until the late 1950s. Therefore, his 1956, 1957, and 1958 issues for Bowman and Topps are considered his true “rookies.” His 1959 Topps is still a highly coveted vintage card in its own right given Aaron’s legendary career and status as baseball’s all-time home run king at the time of his retirement. A Aaron ’59 PSA 8 can easily fetch upwards of $5,000, with gem mint PSA 10 examples selling for well over $10,000.
Staying on the theme of legendary hitters, the Reggie Jackson ’71 is another blue chip card from this set that garners big money. Jackson famously hit 3 home runs in Game 6 of the 1977 World Series, cementing his “Mr. October” moniker. While not technically a rookie card, his flashy playing style and postseason heroics increased his cool factor tenfold. High grade variants of his posed action shot have sold for over $3,000. Nolan Ryan’s colorful action photo also holds value as “The Ryan Express” was in his pitching prime in the late 70s. A PSA 8 brought in close to $2,000 back in early 2021.
Two other stars whose rookie cards appear in 1977 Topps are Andre Dawson and Eddie Murray, who both went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Dawson’s card shows him bending down with his jersey number in the foreground, while Murray’s depicts him stretching for a throw. In top PSA 10 condition, Dawson has surpassed $1,000 at auction. Murray comes in just under that price point for a true gem copy. Rookies of Davey Lopes and Bobby Grich rounded out the 1974 Dodgers “Fancy Four” infield but don’t quite match those bankable names in terms of valuation.
The set also included veteran greats in their later playing days like Hank Aaron (whose Braves tenure continued through 1976), Bob Gibson, and Juan Marichal. While not as prized as their 50s/60s rookies, high grades of these legends can reach the $100-200 range. Notable rookie cards of Doug Flynn, Larry Christenson, Ed Farmer, and Jay Johnstone also hold interest but seldom peak above $50 regardless of condition due to their more niche appeal.
A couple of other collectible aspects of 1977 Topps are the inclusion of the first cards featuring logos of the new Toronto Blue Jays franchise and Seattle Mariners’ future stars like Alvin Davis. Complete team/logo sets from this period that feature all 26 teams of the time also carry added premiums. Speaking of teams, the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” club captured its second consecutive World Series title in 1976. As such, cards of team stalwarts like Joe Morgan and Johnny Bench are winners in the collecting world.
The design aesthetic of the 1977s featured team logos at the top, action photos on a mostly white background, black borders, and player stats on the reverse. While not as iconic as the classic design of the late 1950s/60s, collectors still enjoy the vintage feel and historical context of the 1970s issues. Condition is king when appraising value, as even moderately played near complete sets will only bring $100-300 depending on included chase cards. To make real money, top grades are essential for the headliners we’ve outlined above and especially for full sets.
While not the most valuable vintage set outright, the 1977 Topps baseball card release still offers some blue chip highlights that can earn significant returns for savvy collectors. The allure of the included rookie cards coupled with legendary talents hitting their strides make it a vibrant snapshot of the era. For fans of 1970s cardboard and players of that time, it remains a fun and interesting part of sports collectibles history to explore. Condition sensitive but offering big hits if you can locate pristine copies, 1977 Topps endures as a rewarding set for the long-term investor.
