The 1985 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable issues from the 1980s. It was Fleer’s first true competitor to Topps, who had enjoyed a monopoly in the baseball card market for decades. With the introduction of this exciting new option, collectors began what is now known as the “Great Baseball Card Boom” of the 1980s.
While the entire 1985 Fleer set holds value for collectors, some stand out as truly valuable gems. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most expensive and desirable cards from this historic release.
Perhaps the most iconic of all is the Fleer #252 Gary Carter rookie card. As the first true Fleer rookie card for the Hall of Famer, this card created a huge surge in interest upon its release. Carter went on to have a stellar 19-year career, establishing himself as one of the greatest catching talents in MLB history. His Fleer rookie is the true crown jewel of the ’85 set, often commanding prices upwards of $1,000 depending on condition. Even well-worn near-mint copies still sell for several hundred dollars.
Another huge star rookie from ’85 Fleer is #97 Dwight Gooden. Arguably one of the best pitchers of his generation, Gooden’s Fleer issue was the first card released showing him in a Mets uniform. His dominance on the mound and 1984 Rookie of the Year award made this one of the most hotly desired new cards. In top grades like mint or gem mint, Gooden’s Fleer rookie can fetch over $2,000. Even well-loved near-mint copies still sell in the $500-1000 range.
Beyond the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, ’85 Fleer is also home to scarce short prints that boost valuable significantly in higher grades. One such example is #250 Darryl Strawberry, which was originally overlooked by collectors but has since become a true blue chip. High grade Strawberry Fleers in the PSA 8-10 range easily sell for well over $500 due to the card’s rarity. Another tough-to-find short print is #244 Jack Clark, whose PSA 9 copy recently sold for nearly $400.
Powerhouse hitters are also well-represented among the ’85 Fleer premium cards. #111 Don Mattingly, already a star by 1985, is iconic wearing pinstripes on his Fleer issue. PSA/BGS gem mint 10 Mattinglys have topped $2,000 at auction. Hall of Famer #78 George Brett remains highly coveted as well, with elite examples approaching $1,000. #247 Mike Schmidt, already a perennial MVP, is another third-base titan worth well into the triple digits even in lower grades.
Rookies of other future superstars like #125 Wally Joyner, #169 Barry Larkin, and #228 Mark McGwire also gain value in high grades. Superstars near the end of productive careers like #101 Dave Winfield and #121 Eddie Murray also demand six-figure prices for pristine specimens. Rare error variations on basic cards like the #12 Jim Cowser “upside down photo” variant can net mid-four figures as well.
Condition is absolutely king when evaluating the elite expensive cards in the ’85 Fleer set. Even minor flaws or wear drastically cut into a card’s resale potential. That’s why the true seven-figure specimens will be flawless PSA/BGS gem mint 10 graded examples. For most collectors on a budget, there are still plenty of affordable highlights to be found even in well-loved near-mint to mint graded copies of the set’s stars.
The 1985 Fleer baseball release sparked collector frenzy and holds a hallowed place in card history. Rookie gems and scarce variants remain valuable and fun to chase even decades later. For engaged investors, high grades of this set’s biggest names remain a proven cornerstone of any collection. But lower graded copies still offer nostalgic thrills and affordability to new collectors just starting their journey with this legendary early Fleer baseball issue as well.
