The 1987 Topps Baseball Card set is one of the most popular and collectible sets from the 1980s. It was the 66th year Topps produced baseball cards and featured over 600 cards in the base set. While most cards from the 1987 Topps set hold little value outside of collector’s personal collections, there are a number of standout rookie cards and stars from the era that command premium prices in the marketplace.
One of the most iconic rookie cards from 1987 Topps is Ken Griffey Jr. As arguably the best player of his generation, Griffey Jr. cards from his rookie season are among the most sought after cards from the late 80s. In pristine near-mint to mint condition, Griffey Jr.’s 1987 Topps rookie card currently sells for between $4,000 to $6,000 raw or $7,000-$10,000 if professionally graded by PSA or BGS at a Gem Mint 10 grade. Even in well-worn condition, Griffey Jr.’s rookie still commands $100-300 depending on the state of the card.
Another highly valuable rookie is Barry Bonds from the 1987 Topps set. As one of the greatest players of all time who also came with considerable off-field controversy, Bonds rookie cards sell commensurately. In near-mint to mint condition, raw Bonds rookies sell for $750-1,500 typically. A PSA 10 graded Bonds 1987 Topps rookie can reach $2,500-4,000 while a BGS Black Label 10 has sold for over $10,000 before. Even low-grade copies of the Bonds rookie still sell for $150-300.
Kids getting their hands on 1987 Topps packs didn’t know it yet, but they were ripping packs that contained the rookie cards of Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux, two future Hall of Fame pitchers. In top-end condition, Glavine’s rookie sells for $400-600 raw or $1,000-1,500 PSA graded. Maddux’s rookie in similarly high-quality condition sells within the same range. Well-worn copies of their cards can still get $50-100 depending on centering and condition issues.
Among the star veterans featured in 1987 Topps, Milwaukee Brewers slugger Robin Yount’s trading card maintains solid value among collectors. As a two-time American League MVP, Yount’s 1987 card sells for $25-50 in rookie condition and $5-10 in played condition. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Jack Clark, who smacked 35 home runs that season, has a basic 1987 card valued around $3-8 in average condition.
For high-grade specimens of stars from the 1987 set, mint condition cards can fetch substantial prices. A PSA 10 graded Roger Clemens card from that year recently sold for $650. A BGS Gem Mint 9.5 Wade Boggs sold for $230. Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley’s 1987 Topps in a PSA 10 sold at auction for $375 and even an impressive PSA 9 is valued around $125-175.
The true GEM specimens from 1987 Topps that shatter value records are the elusive PSA 10 graded cards. Only four are known to exist for San Diego Padres star Tony Gwynn’s card from that year. One recently sold at auction for an astonishing $25,700 for a single baseball card. The same mint condition constraints apply to collecting highly graded vintage cardboard.
Beyond the iconic rookies and starred veterans, there are a handful of other subsets and inserts from the 1987 Topps set that have earned cult status among collectors. The photo variant “Traded” cards, which featured players that were traded to new teams midway through the 1986 season, have found an enthusiastic collector base in recent years. High-grade examples of traded cards for players like Rick Sutcliffe or Mookie Wilson can reach $50-100 each.
Another popular subset is the National League Championship Series premium cards inserted randomly in 1987 Topps wax packs. Depicting key players and moments from the 1986 NLCS between the New York Mets and Houston Astros, high-quality copies sell in the $75-150 range. Low-number parallel card issues like the gold foil World Series cards chronicling the 1986 World Champion Mets are coveted and can go for over $500 in PSA 10 condition.
The 1987 Topps Baseball Card set remains one of the most richly diverse and consistently valuable vintage issues for collectors due to the star-studded rookie classes and talented veterans featured within the checklist. While most common cards hold values under $5, astute collectors can still put together a complete set with $200-300 of dedicated shopping on the secondary market. But cherry picking elite graded examples of the Griffey, Bonds, Glavine, and Maddux rookies easily pushes individual card values well over $1,000 for true condition rarities. No matter the budget, 1987 Topps has something to offer fans both new and nostalgic about the baseball cards of their childhood.
