The 1985 Fleer baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the junk wax era of the late 1980s. While the majority of cards from sets released during this time period are not particularly rare or hold significant monetary value today, there are a select few 1985 Fleer cards that can be worth a decent amount of money depending on the grade and condition. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top money cards from the 1985 Fleer baseball release.
One of the most coveted and valuable rookie cards from the entire 1980s is the Fleer update card of San Diego Padres pitcher Eric Show. Only 360 copies of this ultra-rare variation were produced, making it one of the true short prints from the decade. In pristine Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) 7 or 8 condition, Eric Show rookie cards have sold for upwards of $15,000. Even well-centered examples in Excellent-Very Good (EX-VG) 5-6 grade can still fetch over $1,000. What makes this card so scarce is that it was part of a special Fleer Update series released midway through the 1985 season to showcase new rookie players like Show who had not been featured in the original base set release.
Another highly sought after rookie from 1985 Fleer is Fernando Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Dodgers. While not quite as rare in supply as the Eric Show card, “Fernandomania” was in full effect during the 1980 season and his rookie became a hugely popular card at the time. Topgraded copies have sold for $3,000-5,000, but more common Mint 9 or Near Mint 8 examples can still sell for $500-1,000 depending on the market. What gives the Fernando Valenzuela added desirability compared to other mid-80s rookies is his eventual Cy Young award win and his role in reinvigorating baseball’s popularity in Southern California during those years.
In addition to big name rookies, the 1985 Fleer set contains several other short printed variations and error cards that can hold significant value. One is the 1985 Fleer Barry Bonds rookie printing plate card, of which only 50 were created. In pristine condition, a Bonds printing plate might sell for $15,000 or more. There is also the legendary “Blank Back” error card featuring Reds relief pitcher John Franco on the front but with a blank white back where the stats and information should be. Only a handful are known to exist, and one recently sold for over $15,000 in NM-MT 8 condition.
The true crown jewel among 1985 Fleer variations however may be the ultra-rare Kirby Puckett “gum stains” error card. On a small number of Puckett rookie cards, brown gum stains bled through from the back, leaving splotchy markings on the picture. With the lowest pop reports of any 1980s error card at just 13-15 known survivors, a pristine gum stains Puckett in the 7-8 grade range could be worth $50,000 or more. Even well-worn but still identified copies have sold for $10,000+. Part of what makes errors like this so valuable is not just their extreme scarcity, but also the “wow factor” they provide for collectors displaying one in a high-end showcase collection.
Beyond the true short prints and errors, there are also several key base cards from the 1985 Fleer set with strong demand that can return solid dollar amounts for choice examples. The rookie card of Don Mattingly is always in demand among Yankees faithful, with the upper echelon NM-MT 7s bringing $200-500. The same can be said for slugger Andre Dawson’s rookie which tends to sell in the $100-300 range. Other stars like Ryne Sandberg, Dennis Eckersley, and Willie McGee routinely sell for $50-150 for quality unconditional copies. Even commons from the set featuring more recognizable names can return $10-20 each.
While nowhere near as valuable as the true big ticket cards profiled above, there are still opportunities to profit from shrewd collecting and holding of choice mid-range 1985 Fleer cards. Overall condition and eye appeal are crucial, as even a touch of soft corners or edge wear can greatly diminish resale prices. Collectors looking to invest in the set would be wise to target the marketable rookie cards, stars, and variations first before tackling more bulk common players. Done right, the 1985 Fleer set maintains the potential for strong long term gains much like the other sports releases from that decade that have become modern classics. Getting in early before higher grades completely dry up will serve collectors well.
While the junk wax era of the 1980s produced an overabundance of mass-produced cardboard, the 1985 Fleer baseball release stands out among collectors as housing several truly valuable shorts prints, errors and rookie cards that can return thousands today for choice examples. Savvy investors who pick their spots with condition sensitive keys from the set have a good chance to significantly grow their money over time. Even common star cards hold significance for team collectors to round out their collections of favorite players. The 1985 Fleer design remains fun and nostalgic for those who grew up with it, adding to the set’s enduring appeal among modern collectors.
