The 1979 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable vintage issues in the hobby. With 702 total cards in the base set issued that year, completing a 1979 Topps collection in pristine conditioned is a prized possession for any serious baseball card investor or collector. Let’s take a deeper look at what makes this set so desirable and explore the potential value of owning a full 1979 Topps baseball card collection.
The 1970s were the golden age of baseball card collecting, with 1979 falling right in the prime of the vintage arena. Topps dominated the baseball card market during this decade, and the 1979 design had a classic look featuring team logo backgrounds and individual player photos. This set is also notable for introducing Traded cards, which showed players after they were traded to new teams mid-season.
Some key rookie cards debuted in the 1979 Topps set as well. One of the most significant is Cal Ripken Jr’s rookie card, which is highly coveted by collectors due to Ripken going on to have a Hall of Fame career and breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record. Other top rookies included Board of Directors member Dave Parker and Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen. The rookie class of 1979 isn’t the strongest ever but Ripken’s card stands out.
In terms of condition, obtaining a 1979 Topps set in pristine Near Mint to Mint condition is an enormous challenge. The cardboard stock used for the cards in the late 1970s was very fragile and susceptible to damage from bending, creasing or discoloration over the decades. Truly gem mint 1979 Topps cards that look to have just been pulled from a fresh pack are exceptionally rare today.
Condition is crucial when assessing the value of a complete 1979 Topps set. In well-worn Poor to Very Good condition, a full 702 card run might fetch $1,000-$2,000 today. Getting into the Excellent range could command $3,000-$5,000, while a Near Mint collection could reach $7,000-$10,000. But the true prizes are Mint sets.
Graded gem mint 1979 Topps complete sets have sold at auction for astronomical prices. In 2018, a PSA-graded 9 NM-MT 702 card set smashed estimates by selling for a staggering $27,980. Two years prior in 2016, a flawless PSA 10 set set a new record by reaching $55,788. With annual inflation and increasing collector demand, pristine 1979 Topps sets in top third-party slabs realistically could approach or exceed $100,000+ in value now.
To break it down further, individual star cards from 1979 Topps tend to be the most coveted and appreciated in value over time. For example, a PSA 10 Cal Ripken Jr. rookie in today’s market may fetch $2,500-$4,000. Other elite PSA 10 cards like Dave Parker, Fernando Valenzuela or Nolan Ryan could each sell in the $1,000 range. Elsewhere, graded Ex-Mt+ common star cards could reach $100-$300. High numbers fetch lower prices.
Attaining a fully complete 1979 Topps baseball card set is a noteworthy achievement and significant financial investment depending on condition. Grading and encapsulating the keys and stars adds further protection and premium to an already historically important vintage issue. Scarcity, condition concerns, and the transcendent careers of rookie players like Ripken all contribute to the 1979 Topps set’s strong, enduring collectibility among hobbyists decades after production. As one of the greatest vintage releases ever, a pristine 1979 Topps collection ranks among the most prized baseball memorabilia in the world today.
