The 1987 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable vintage sets from the late 1980s. While not the flashiest set of its era and lacking some big star rookies, the 1987 Donruss set holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors due to its simpler, classic designs. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top cards and price trends from the 1987 Donruss baseball card set.
The 1987 Donruss set contains 792 total cards including player cards, manager/coach cards, league leader cards, and team/league summary cards. On the surface, the ’87 Donruss designs are fairly plain featuring a centered headshot photo with the team logo and player name/info below. This clean, uncluttered look has certainly contributed to the set’s longevity and collector appeal over the decades. Overall condition and centering are especially important for determining value on these cards as even minor flaws can significantly reduce prices.
Some of the most prominent names and thus most valuable cards from the ’87 Donruss set include Nolan Ryan (card #280), Roger Clemens (card #262), Wade Boggs (card #92), Ozzie Smith (card #352), and Eric Davis (card #108). All of these players were established stars in 1987 and their rookie cards were already in the past. An PSA 10 gem mint condition Nolan Ryan can fetch well over $1000. A PSA 9 excellent Clemens or Boggs would sell in the $200-300 range. Slightly lower grades would still sell but for considerably less.
Keith Hernandez (card #340) and Gary Carter (card #126) are also two popular and pricey Expos cards due to their star status on some strong Montreal teams in the mid-80s. A PSA 10 Hernandez could sell for $400-500. Graded Carter rookie cards from previous years demand more but his ’87 Donruss still carries value as high as $150-200 in top condition. While not true rookie cards, Ozzie Smith (card #352), Andre Dawson (card #162), and Ryne Sandberg (card #402) are examples of expensive Expos/Cubs cards due to hall of fame careers and respective fan bases.
When it comes to true rookie cards from the 1987 Donruss set, there just aren’t many big hits in the same way as flagship sets from 1987 Topps, Fleer, or Score. A few notable rookies do exist. Barry Larkin’s rookie card (#619) isn’t his most valuable but still carries demand as high as $50-75 graded PSA/BGS 9 or better due to his hall of fame career and Cincinnati ties. Another two rookies that have found renewed interest in recent years include Mark McGwire (#439) and Dennis Eckersley (#422). Both were early in their careers in ’87 but went on to have Hall-of-Fame caliber second acts. A PSA 10 McGwire could fetch $150-300 while a PSA 9 Eckersley might sell for $75-125.
Beyond singles, the 1987 Donruss set also holds value in complete, high-grade form. A near-complete set (690/792 cards) in PSA/BGS 8 condition could sell for $500-800 depending on centering quality. A true full PSA/BGS 9 set in original factory set form would command $1,500-2,000. The highest premiums are reserved for improbable full PSA/BGS 10 sets (have only been graded once or twice) which could conceivably reach the $5,000-8,000 range given the rarity and demand from dedicated vintage collectors. Subsets also carry value such as a full 60-card managers/coaches PSA 9 subset selling for $300-500.
While not the most star-studded vintage set, the clean and classic 1987 Donruss design has earned it an enduring spot among baseball card collectors. Top hall of fame singles can reach $1000-2000 in PSA 10. Rarer high-grade complete sets are true trophies that preserve the entire player roster from that season. Minor flaws and lack of huge rookie names keep complete common sets affordable, in the $300-800 range. Overall prices for the 1987 Donruss have remained relatively steady in recent years and the set still holds appeal for budget-minded collectors seeking vintage cardboard from one of the simpler, more enjoyable eras of the hobby’s history.
