The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. While it may not contain the household names of sets from the 1950s, several rookie cards and star players make certain 1987 Topps cards very valuable in the modern market. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1987 Topps baseball cards that collectors seek out today.
One of the true heavyweight cards from the 1987 set is the rookie card of Hall of Famer Barry Bonds. Bonds’ rookie card is considered one of the finest in the modern era and is the true cream of the crop card from the 1987 Topps set. In near-mint to mint condition, Barry Bonds’ rookie routinely fetches prices well into the four figures. Recently, PSA-graded mint examples of this card have even crossed the $10,000 threshold. While raw copies in excellent condition can be found for under $1,000, there is no question Bonds’ rookie is the blue-chip card from ’87 Topps and holds immense value for collectors.
Staying on the theme of future Hall of Famers, another hugely valuable card from the set is Greg Maddux’s rookie. Maddux went on to win four Cy Young Awards and cement his status as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history. High-grade copies of his ’87 Topps rookie are extremely tough to find, and for good reason – those who own this gem have no intention of letting it go. Mint PSA 10’s have sold for over $4,000, with raw near-mint copies still fetching multiple thousands as well. Like Barry Bonds, the Greg Maddux rookie is a truly historic piece of cardboard that defined an era.
In addition to star rookies, the 1987 Topps set also contained valuable veteran sluggers. For example, the Kirby Puckett card is a strong candidate for one of the most iconic non-rookie cards from the entire 1980s release period. Puckett was a career .318 hitter and six-time All-Star for the Minnesota Twins franchise. His 1987 Topps issue shows him with his trademark glasses and batting stance, making it instantly recognizable even for casual baseball fans. High-grade Puckett’s in PSA 10 condition have sold for well over $1,000, though most examples trade hands in the $500-$800 range. He remains one of the most popular and affable stars from the late 1980s, keeping demand high for this classic card.
While rookies and superstars garner the big numbers, savvy collectors know that other factors like oddball variations can dramatically boost the value of otherwise ordinary cards. A perfect example is the 1987 Topps Tiffany Pedro Guerrero issue. Topps produced an ultra-high end Tiffany set parallel alongside the standard release, featuring glossy coated stock and refined design colors. The Guerrero is widely considered the most valuable card from this short-print Tiffany subset. In pristine PSA 10 condition, it has cracked the $6,000 price point at auction. Slightly lower graded versions still fetch impressive four-figure sums. For variation collectors, it represents the true holy grail from 1987 Topps Tiffany.
Rounding out our rundown of the five most notable 1987 Topps cards has to be the 1st Bowman card of Tom Glavine. Considered by many to be the premiere rookie card issue for the eventual Hall of Famer, Glavine’s starpower and production have kept this card relevant for decades. In PSA 10 condition, it has now joined the truly elite company of cards valued north of $5,000. Even well-centered raw copies can sell for $1,000-$2,000 depending on centering and corners. The affordability of similar-graded cards like Maddux and Bonds makes Glavine’s 1st Bowman an attractive major league addition for any collection on a budget.
While not as valuable overall as the epic 1952 Topps set or iconic rookie cards of the 1950s, the 1987 Topps release contains many significant modern pieces of cardboard history. Headlined by the true blue-chip hits like Bonds, Maddux, Puckett and more, savvy collectors recognize this set as a well that still yields incredibly valuable vintage gems over 30 years later. Factors like starpower, iconic designs,Hall of Fame careers and oddball parallels have maintained strong secondary demand. For anyone curating the best 1980s offerings, 1987 Topps will always have a prime seat at the table.
