The 1979 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues from the 1970s. It marked yet another classic design from Topps during their peak era and included some tremendous rookie cards that have only increased in value over the decades. Let’s take an in-depth look at the 1979 Topps baseball cards value list to see which cards you’ll want to look out for.
The most valuable and iconic card from the 1979 set is without question the Robin Yount rookie card. As one of the greatest players in Brewers history and a future Hall of Famer, Yount’s rookie is highly sought after by collectors. A PSA 10 Gem Mint graded example recently sold for an amazing $96,000, showing just how much this card appreciates. Even lower graded copies in PSA 8 or Beckett GMA 10 command thousands.
Another heavy hitter is the Cal Ripken Jr. rookie card, which has also grown exponentially in value in recent years. Cal Ripken was of course a legend, breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record and winning multiple MVP awards. Highly graded PSA 10 versions of his 1979 rookie have cracked $100,000 at auction as interest booms. PSA 8 copies still bring four figures as well.
The 1979 set is also known for one of baseball’s most legendary careers getting started – Ozzie Smith. As arguably the greatest defensive shortstop ever, Smith’s flashy style made him a fan favorite for decades in St. Louis. His rookie card has followed suit, with PSA 10s reaching $70,000-80,000 and lower graded versions still valued at $1,000+ due to strong collector interest in The Wizard.
Two other rookies that performed well in the long run and thus their ’79s hold great value are Donruss Graig Nettles and Andre Dawson. Nettles was a stalwart for the Yankees dynasty teams, and his graded PSA 10 rookie sold for $15,000 back in 2016. Dawson’s speed and power made him a star for Montreal and Chicago, so his PSA 10 rookie brings $10,000+. Even lower grades still value near $1,000 each.
When it comes to stars, the Nolan Ryan rookie is always highly sought. As arguably the greatest power pitcher ever, anything related to Ryan’s early career garners crazy amounts. A pristine PSA 10 copy of his fifth year card, which is considered his true rookie by many, recently went for an astronomical $150,000 at auction. With more ordinary conditions, values still range from $3,000-$5,000 depending on exact grade.
Other ’79s that perform well include ex-Yankee Dave Winfield’s second year star, with PSA 10s reaching $10,000. Veteran cards that attract interest include PSA 10s of Pete Rose at $3,000, Steve Carlton at $2,500, and Reggie Jackson near $2,000. Hall of Famers like Johnny Bench, Carl Yastrzemski, and Gaylord Perry also net $500-1,000 depending on quality.
When it comes to oddball variants, one of the most bizarre is the “Artist’s Proof” version of the Nolan Ryan card. These prints were uncut sheets used by Topps artists but a few ended up in players’ hands. An example sold for a record $475,000 as a true one-of-a-kind item. Standard Artist’s Proofs of other stars can also fetch thousands.
While not quite as hyped as the classic 1952 Topps set, the 1979 edition struck gold with iconic rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ripken, Smith, Ryan, and others. These cards continue appreciating rapidly today. Lower-dollar star veterans and interesting variants add nice depth too. For collecting one of the best ‘70s sets, 1979 Topps stands out as having tremendous value longevity across its entire checklist.
