The 1983 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby. While not the flashiest or most aesthetically pleasing set compared to others from the 1980s, the 1983 Donruss cards hold significant nostalgia and value for collectors due to the rookie cards and stars featured. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top cards and valuations from the ’83 Donruss set.

The biggest star and most valuable card from 1983 Donruss is the Roger Clemens rookie card. Clemens would go on to have a Hall of Fame career compiling 354 wins, 4,672 strikeouts and 7 Cy Young Awards. In pristine mint condition, a Clemens rookie has sold for over $20,000 at auction. Most graded PSA 10 copies trade hands for $10,000-$15,000. In a PSA 9 condition, the Clemens rookie is still valued at $3,000-$5,000 showing its strong demand.

Another true legend with a rookie in the 1983 Donruss set is Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg was the 1984 NL MVP and spent his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. His iconic swing and smooth fielding at second base made him a fan favorite. In a PSA 10 gem mint, a Sandberg rookie has sold for over $5,000. Most graded PSA 9 copies can be acquired for $2,000-$3,000 still maintaining strong value. Even in a PSA 8 condition, the Sandberg rookie holds a valuation of $500-$1,000.

Dwight Gooden’s rookie card in the 1983 Donruss set is highly sought after by collectors. Gooden won the 1984 NL Rookie of the Year and 1985 NL Cy Young award while posting a sensational 1.53 ERA. He was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1980s. A PSA 10 Gooden rookie in pristine condition will fetch $4,000-$6,000 at auction. Most graded PSA 9 copies are valued between $1,500-$2,500. Even a PSA 8 holds a valuation of $500-$1,000 showing Gooden’s strong fanbase continues to drive demand.

While not true rookies, the 1983 Donruss set featured iconic stars like Mike Schmidt, George Brett and Nolan Ryan who were already well established in their careers by that point. A high grade Schmidt or Brett in PSA 10 condition can sell for $300-$500. A PSA 9 would be valued around $150-250. As for Nolan Ryan, considered by many as the greatest strikeout pitcher ever, a PSA 10 1983 Donruss card of his has sold for over $1,000 before. Most PSA 9 copies trade in the $400-$700 range.

The 1983 Donruss set also featured rookie cards for players like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Kirby Puckett that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Boggs’ rookie has sold for over $1,000 in PSA 10 condition before. A PSA 9 usually sells for $400-$700. For Ozzie Smith, perhaps the greatest fielding shortstop ever, his rookie has sold for $800 in PSA 10 condition. PSA 9 copies are valued around $300-$500. Kirby Puckett’s rookie has also cracked $1,000 in PSA 10 before and PSA 9s will sell between $400-$700.

While the stars and rookies hold the most value, there are also several other notable 1983 Donruss cards that have maintained or increased in value over the decades. The Tim Raines rookie has also cracked $1,000 in top PSA 10 grade before. A PSA 9 Raines rookie sells around $400-$700 range as well. The Dave Stieb and Donruss-issued Traded set Mike Schmidt cards are also highly sought after variations that can fetch $400-$700 in PSA 9 condition.

While not the flashiest design, the 1983 Donruss set holds tremendous nostalgia and value for collectors due to the stars, future Hall of Famers and rookie cards it featured. Cards like Clemens, Sandberg, Gooden, Boggs and others continue to be in high demand. Even lesser stars from that era in high grades can still fetch $100+ at auction. The 1983 Donruss set is truly a classic of the hobby and the top cards show no signs of losing value anytime soon.