The 1981 Topps Baseball Card set was the 60th edition of Topps’ flagship baseball card series. It contains photos and stats from the 1980 MLB season for all major league players. Like most vintage sets from the 1970s and 1980s, the 1981 Topps cards are highly collected today for their nostalgia and iconic player images from that era. Here is an in-depth price guide for the full 792 card set covering variations, short prints, rookie cards, and value of the different player tiers.

Cards #1-100: The first 100 cards are mostly fillers and bench players from the 1980 season. Most 80s filler cards in good conditioned can be found for under $1. The biggest names in the beginning are #2 Bob Watson ($2-3), #5 Johnny Bench ($5), and #11 Rollie Fingers ($4).

Cards #101-200: Some better known names appear starting in the 101-200 range like #106 Jim Rice ($5), #126 Joe Morgan ($7), #134 Ron Guidry ($6), and #140 Mike Schmidt ($10). As the set progresses, more impactful stars and Hall of Famers emerge which increases values.

Cards #201-300: This section has very collectible cards like #201 Rickey Henderson’s rookie card ($$30), #210 Carlton Fisk ($8), #216 Kirby Puckett’s rookie ($15), and #226 Don Sutton ($5). #201 Henderson is the biggest hit in the middle section due to his Rookie status and all-time stolen base record.

Cards #301-400: Star power grows even more with #301 Mike Piazza’s rookie ($$50), #308 Nolan Ryan ($12), #316 George Brett ($15), #326 Tom Seaver ($10), and #332 Ozzie Smith ($12). Piazza rookie is the priciest in this range as a future Hall of Fame slugger.

Cards #401-500: Popular players appear like #404 Ryne Sandberg ($10), #410 Pete Rose ($8), #422 Robin Yount ($7), #430 Dave Winfield ($6), and #454 Steve Garvey ($5). Many consider the 400s to house some of the most iconic photos in the entire set. Values remain strong throughout.

Cards #501-600: More stars shine bright with #503 Eddie Murray ($10), #511 Dave Parker ($7), #518 Fernando Valenzuela’s rookie ($$25), #523 Reggie Jackson ($12), and #529 Rick Monday ($5). Fernando Mania was in full force during his rookie season which drives up his card value significantly.

Cards #601-700: Into the late 600s, impact players show up like #607 Rick Reuschel ($5), #615 Gary Carter ($8), #630 Bob Boone ($4), #640 Dwight Gooden’s rookie ($$30), and #660 Phil Niekro ($5). Gooden’s rookie captures his electrifying rookie of the year campaign, keeping it highly sought after.

Cards #701-792: The set concludes with #701 Jim Palmer ($5), #715 Willie McCovey ($6), #740 Tommy John ($4), #769 Pascual Perez ($3), and #792 Mike Caldwell (99¢). Overall condition and centering determine mint PSA 8-10 graded examples could reach $5-10 per card for many of the bigger stars.

Short Prints: Certain “tough to find” cards were underproduced in 1981 Topps, making them short prints. The biggest are #642 Kent Tekulve (50 PSA 10), #690 Willie Wilson (30 PSA 10), and #717 Ruppert Jones ($$25 PSA 10). Being scarce artificially drives up prices compared to their regular counterparts.

Inserts and Variations: The 1981 Topps Traded set contains 33 additional cards focused on off-season trades. Other variations include Photo Variations, Printing Plates, and Glossy Sendbacks that enhance rarity. High grade examples of these coveted variants can cost hundreds of dollars.

In summary, 1981 Topps remains an iconic set showcasing the stars and careers taking shape in the early 80s. Condition sensitive, the cards have steadily appreciated with nostalgia over the past 40 years. Rookie cards, Hall of Famers, and short prints remain the hottest ticket items, bringing collector dollars and enjoyment. Remaining affordable for the average collector while housing investment gems, 1981 Topps is a cornerstone of the vintage era.