The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic issues in the brand’s long history. While it may not contain the hugely valuable rookie cards of sets from the 1950s and 1980s, there are still several key cards collectors seek out from the ’87 Topps series. Let’s take a look at some of the top cards to keep an eye out for from that set.
Perhaps the most well-known card is the Reggie Jackson photo variation. The standard Jackson card shows him batting from the left side of the plate. There is a much rarer variation where he is swinging from the right. Only a handful are known to exist, making it one of the true Holy Grail cards for collectors of the era. While PSA or BGS Gem Mint examples have sold for over $100,000, even well-centered, graded copies in the $10,000-20,000 range show how significant a find this card is.
Another hugely valuable variation is the “error” Ozzie Smith card. The regular issue depicts Ozzie in a Cardinals uniform as it should. A small number were accidentally printed showing him in Padres brown and yellow by mistake. He had been traded from St. Louis to San Diego in the 1986 offseason. Only about 10 of these misprinted cards are known to exist today. In top grades, it can rival or surpass the Jackson photo var in price given its extreme rarity.
For team set collectors, high-numbered cards of franchise legends can also hold value. One to watch out for is the Ivan DeJesus Cubs card (#660). As one of the last real stars of the iconic ’69 Cubs, high-grade copies of his ’87 issue can reach $500-1000 due to Cubs fans’ nostalgia. Similar cards include Harold Baines (#669) for the White Sox and Jim Rice (#673) for the Red Sox. Though common otherwise, high grades boost their value significantly.
Rookies are also an area to pay attention to. While none eclipse stars like Griffey Jr. from later years, some do command 4-figure prices. Perhaps the most desired is the Mark McGwire (#444) card. His rookie season saw him blast 49 homers as one of the game’s emerging power threats. PSA/BGS 10 exemplars have cracked $5000. Bob Welch (#443), Lenny Dykstra (#471), and Tim Belcher (#505) are other rookie cards that can reach $1000+ in pristine condition.
Lastly, while not overly valuable money-wise, rare error cards are highly sought after by niche collectors. One is the Walt Weiss Cardinals card (#491), which was mistakenly printed on the glossy stock usually reserved for traded players. Another is the Oddibe McDowell Angels card (#510), where his photo is replaced by another player by accident. In high grades with the visible errors, these unconventional pieces can attract $200-400 bids online.
While the 1987 Topps set as a whole is relatively affordable to complete, hidden amongst the sea of common players are several key stars, variations, and rookie cards that hold significant collector value–especially in top condition. For enthusiasts of the set or era, keeping an eye out for the cards profiled here could unearth a true gem to enhance any vintage baseball card collection. Overall it remains one of the most beloved issues in the hobby’s history due to its memorable photography and nostalgia for the players and seasons it captures.
