The 1985 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable sets from the 1980s. It was the third year Fleer produced baseball cards after regaining the license from Topps. The set contains a who’s who of MLB stars from that era and many of the RCs and cards hold great nostalgia and value for collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top cards and valuations from the 1985 Fleer set.
One of the most iconic and valuable cards is the Eddie Murphy RC (#421). Murphy was already a huge star from his breakout roles in 48 Hrs. and Trading Places. His card was very short printed and his popularity helped drive early demand and scarcity. PSA 10 examples now sell for over $1,000 due to the pop culture cachet.
Another major star RC is Dwight Gooden’s (#71). As a rookie, Gooden won Rookie of the Year and was a key part of the Mets’ championship. He also set numerous pitching records. High graded versions regularly sell for $500-800. A PSA 10 could be worth over $1,500 long term given his storied career and place in Mets lore.
The biggest star and most coveted card is Ryne Sandberg’s (#113). Sandberg was already an All-Star and had just finished 2nd and 3rd in MVP voting in ’84-85. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and give the Cubs many great moments. PSA 9 examples sell for around $300-400. A PSA 10 could be a $2,000+ card for a true key rookie of one of the game’s all-time greats.
Don Mattingly’s (#210) star was also continuing to rise coming off consecutive All-Star nods and an 8th place MVP finish in 1985. He would go on to win the AL batting title in ’84 and MVP in ’85. Raw copies sell for $150-250. Higher graded copies $400-600.
Andre Dawson’s RC (#150), though not technically a rookie, remains very popular as his big breakout years were ahead. He would be named MVP in 1987. Ungraded sell in the $75-150 range depending on condition. Graded copies $150-300.
Other notable stars like Ryne Sandberg (#113), Kirby Puckett (#400), Dwight Gooden (#71), Ozzie Smith (#342), and Darryl Strawberry (#456) remain popular and desirable because of HOF worthy careers or place in franchise history. Raw copies range $50-150 typically.
Some 1980s superstars declined sharply from that decade but still retain nostalgic value. These include George Brett (#120), Don Mattingly (#210), Wade Boggs (#234) and Tony Gwynn (#474), raw copies $25-75 depending on condition, graded versions potentially $100-250.
Beyond the star power, iconic team logos resonate as well. Kansas City Royals (#100, #120, #210, #326) remain popular for collectors with Midwest ties. St. Louis Cardinals (#142, #201, #214, #342) hold appeal due to the rich franchise history and championships. Boston Red Sox (#234, #456) are very nostalgic despite the championship drought at that time. These team cards typically sell for $20-60 raw.
For lower end stars of the era, solid but unremarkable big leaguers sell for $5-20 depending on name recognition. Veterans may be $3-10. Better prospects sometimes fetch $10-25 based on hype around that year’s draft. Common players $1-5.
Perhaps the biggest sleeper is the set’s short prints which were quite difficult to pull in packs. Miguel Dilone’s (#163) card is one of the scarcest. Higher graded versions can sell for $400-800. Other tougher SPs include George Bell (#142), Randy Ready (#280), Steve Ontiveros (#414) and more. Ungraded copies range from $100-400 based on perceived scarcity and demand.
In the end, the 1985 Fleer set remains vibrant for nostalgic collectors because it captures a who’s who of 1980s MLB talent at the height of the card collecting boom. Stars like Gooden, Sandberg, and Mattingly anchor the set but sleepers exist throughout. Condition and grades heavily influence valuation so be wary of lower grade copies. It’s a classic 1980s set that holds value and nostalgia for many collectors.
