The 1979 Topps baseball card set is one of the more valuable issues from the 1970s. While it lacks star rookies like the iconic rookie cards of Mickey Mantle, Jim Palmer or Nolan Ryan from previous decades, the 1979 set featured many favorite players from that era and the design and production values were excellent for its time. As a result, many of the higher valued cards from the set have maintained or increased in price over the past 40+ years.
Some notable aspects of the 1979 Topps set that contribute to its strong overall value include:
The set features 332 total cards including current players, managers, umpires and archives/record breakers. Some of the biggest stars included on cards were Pete Rose, George Brett, Rod Carew, Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson.
The design utilized a simple solid color border around each photo with the team name arching above and the player’s name/stats below. This classic clean look has aged very well compared to some of the more experimental designs from the early 1970s sets.
The photos and production quality were very good for the time. Photos were crisp and centered well on most cards. There were also relatively few errors, oddball variations or other problems that can hurt a set’s appeal to collectors.
Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Dave Winfield, Don Sutton and Dave Parker are present but are not among the most valuable from their careers since they were established players by 1979. Their rookie cards still hold value as important pieces for team or player collectors.
The mainstream, broad popularity of baseball in the late 70s meant strong initial sales and a lot of the cards survived in reasonable condition compared to older, more scarce 1950s/60s issues. Combined with the clean, classic design, this means more high grade vintage 1979s are available on the secondary market today.
When it comes to specific high value cards from the 1979 Topps set, some that regularly sell for hundreds or even thousands in top condition include:
Nolan Ryan (#334) – As one of the most dominant pitchers ever, any Ryan card is highly desirable. His final Houston Astros card has sold for over $1,000 in mint condition.
Ozzie Smith (#181) – Considered one of the best defensive shortstops ever, Smith’s rookie card has cracked $500-600 in pristine shape.
Mike Schmidt (#1) – The Philadelphia Phillies slugger was a perennial MVP candidate in the late 70s. His flagship card often tops $200-300 in Gem Mint+.
George Brett (#416) – In the midst of his hitting prowess for Kansas City, Brett’s starring card has brought $150-200 in top grades.
Reggie Jackson (#252) – “Mr. October’s” card during his Yankee years has sold for $150-200 in near-mint or better condition.
Rod Carew (#112) – The smooth-swinging star’s flagship Twins issue has sold for upwards of $125 in top shape.
Even mid-range star cards from the set like Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Steve Garvey and others commonly sell for $50-100 in high grades. Beyond individual cards, completed 1979 Topps sets in excellent well-centered condition have sold online for $2,000-4,000 depending on fullness and condition of keys cards.
For budget-minded collectors, there are still plenty of affordable highlights to be found in the 1979 issue as well. Commons of solid role players or known names regularly sell in the $5-20 range in readable condition on eBay. And for those hunting a specific hometown hero or alma mater player, even many high number short prints can be acquired in the $25-50 range if not in absolutely pristine shape.
Despite lacking true rookie phenomenon, the 1979 Topps baseball card release remains a strong vintage set with an eye-catching design that retains value thanks to its coverage of a pivotal era in the sport. Key stars like Schmidt, Brett, Ryan and Reggie remain highly sought, while a well-preserved complete set represents a solid vintage collecting milestone. With its broad collector interest and sturdy construction leading to good survival rate, the 1979s ensure many affordable classic cards are still around to enjoy over 40 years later.
