The 1986 Quaker Oats Co baseball card set is one of the more unique and coveted issues from the “junk wax” era of the 1980s and early 1990s. While most sets from this time period are not very valuable today due to high production numbers that glutted the market, the 1986 Quaker Oats set stands out due to certain interesting factors that have maintained or increased value for some of its coveted cards over the past 35+ years.
The 1986 Quaker Oats set marked one of the first times that athletes from multiple sports were featured together in a modern sports card set. Along with 125 baseball cards, the 300+ card issue also included cards spotlighting NFL players, NBA players, NHL players and others from tennis, golf and auto racing. While innovative, this cross-sport approach tended to dilute the overall baseball card content in the eyes of collectors focused specifically on America’s pastime. As a result, the 1986 Quaker Oats baseball cards themselves never achieved the same mainstream popularity as flagship issues from Topps, Donruss and Fleer during the same period.
Several keys factors have worked to differentiate this set from others and maintain or increase value for some of its most desirable rookie and star player cards:
Scarcities: Unlike most 80s/90s sets with print runs numbering in the multiple millions, Quaker Oats print runs were smaller. The supply of some chase cards like the Griffey Jr. and Bo Jackson rookies is lower than comparable ’86 rookies from other issues.
Special parallels: In addition to the basic issue, Quaker Oats also released “Campus Collection” parallel sets that featured even lower print runs for some star cards. These provide an enhanced level of scarcity.
Connection to Ken Griffey Jr.: The legendary player’s rookie from this set is one of his most iconic and recognizable. Enduring popularity for Griffey has kept interest and prices high for his ‘86 Quaker Oats RC, which averages over $500+ in Gem Mint.
Star Power: Rookies of Bo Jackson, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and Randy Johnson were also included that predicted their future Hall of Fame careers. Strong demand exists for these stars’ first cards, particularly in high grades.
Alternate/Unique Images: The Quaker Oats photographers often captured candid action shots instead of posed studio portraits. Images like the Griffey or Bo Jackson rookies are very different from their standard ‘86 rookies in other issues.
Collector Nostalgia: Many who collected during the 1980s have nostalgic affinity for this set specifically due to remember opening Quaker Oats cereal boxes to search for the enclosed cards back in their youth.
So while common players and base cards from the 1986 Quaker Oats set have little value today, strong demand exists for its key rookie cards and alternate images of star players that predicts higher values long-term compared to most other ’86 issue cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie (PSA 10): Averages $3,000+
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie (PSA 9): $1,200+
Bo Jackson Rookie (PSA 9): $500+
Barry Bonds Rookie (PSA 9): $250+
Mark McGwire Rookie (PSA 9): $150+
Randy Johnson Rookie (PSA 9): $100+
Campus Collection Ken Griffey Jr. (PSA 9): $800+
Fueled by the lasting popularity and iconic first card images of future Hall of Famers like Griffey, Bonds, McGwire and more, values of 1986 Quaker Oats baseball cards have stood the test of time much better than industry experts predicted for products of the ’80s “junk wax” era. Their unique rarity factors, connection to childhood memories and alternate imaging make this often-overlooked set anything but “junk” to discerning collectors today.
While common cards hold little to no value, key rookie cards and some unique parallels from the 1986 Quaker Oats Co baseball card set have appreciated nicely and should continue increasing in value due to steady marketplace demand long into the future. Fans of America’s pastime and those nostalgic for the 80s trading card boom would be prudent to hang onto this interesting historical cereal box promotion issue for its longterm collecting and potential investment merits.
