The 1986 Donruss baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the top rookies card sets of all time. It features rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. While the designs of the cards were fairly basic compared to today’s standards, this set holds significant historical value due to the star players it captured at the beginning of their careers. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards from the 1986 Donruss set and what they might be worth today depending on the grade:

Barry Bonds Rookie Card (#469) – Widely considered the crown jewel of the entire 1986 Donruss set, Bonds’ rookie is one of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever printed. In pristine near-mint to mint condition (grades of 8-10), authenticated Bonds rookies in top pop reports have sold for $50,000-$100,000 each. Even well-centered examples in excellent condition (grade of 7) can fetch $5,000-$10,000. For a simply “near-mint” (grade of 6-7) Bonds, expect to pay $1,500-$3,000.

Greg Maddux Rookie Card (#463) – Like Bonds, Maddux went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is highly sought after. In gem mint condition (9-10 grade), authenticated Maddux rookies have sold for $10,000-$15,000 each. Near-mint to mint graded examples (8-9 grades) have sold for $5,000-$8,000. Well-centered copies in excellent condition (7 grade) usually sell in the $2,000-$3,000 range. Expect to pay $500-$1,000 for a “near-mint” Maddux rookie around the 6-7 grade range.

Tom Glavine Rookie Card (#436) – Another future Hall of Famer, Glavine’s rookie is one of the more valuable commons from the set. Mint condition (9-10 grade) Glavine rookies have sold for $3,000-$5,000 each. Graded near-mint examples (8 grade) usually sell in the $1,500-$2,500 range. Well-kept copies in excellent condition (7 grade) often sell for $800-$1,200. Near-mint Glavine rookies around a 6-7 grade usually sell for $300-$500.

Ozzie Smith (#487) – While not officially a rookie card, Ozzie Smith’s iconic 1986 Donruss card is one of the most valuable commons in the set and a must-have for any collector. Graded gem mint (9-10 grade) Ozzie Smiths have sold for $1,000-$3,000 each. Near-mint to mint graded copies (8-9 grades) usually sell in the $500-$1,000 range. Excellent condition (7 grade) examples often sell for $250-500. Near-mint Smiths around a 6-7 grade typically sell for $100-$250.

Dwight Gooden (#412) – As one of the biggest pitching stars of the 1980s, Dwight Gooden’s card holds value despite not being considered his true rookie season. Mint condition (9-10 grade) Goodens have sold for $800-$1,500. Near-mint to mint graded copies (8-9 grades) often sell for $400-$800. Excellent condition (7 grade) versions usually sell in the $200-$400 range. Near-mint Goodens around a 6-7 grade typically sell for $100-200.

Other Notable Rookies – Mark McGwire (#362), Will Clark (#396), and Chuck Knoblauch (#412) were all rising star rookies in 1986 that hold value today. Top graded examples of these rookies in near-mint to mint condition often sell in the $200-$500 range depending on the player and exact grade. Ungraded well-kept copies usually sell for $50-$150.

Commons & Stars – Other star players like Kirby Puckett (#444), Bob Welch (#455), and Eddie Murray (#472) have mid-range value for the set in high grades. Near-mint graded examples of these commons typically sell for $50-$150. Ungraded well-centered copies usually sell for $20-50. Solid team and player sets in lower grades (5-6) often sell for $0.50-$1 each.

While production numbers for the 1986 Donruss set were high, the star power of rookie cards like Bonds, Maddux, and Glavine have cemented this set’s place in baseball card history. Even 35+ years later, graded gems and important stars/rookies still command strong prices. For collectors, picking up affordable commons and mid-range stars makes for an accessible vintage set worthwhile holding long-term. Condition, of course, is key – so be sure to only purchase from reputable sellers with a return policy. The 1986 Donruss baseball cards remain a highly valuable and memorable release for investors and fans alike.