The 1987 Topps Baseball Cards are considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the 1980s. Produced by Topps, the 1987 issue marked the 66th year Topps had been producing baseball cards. With 792 total cards in the base set, the 1987 Topps cards featured every Major League player as well as managers and coaches. Given its large size and historic nature, the 1987 Topps set holds significant nostalgic and collector value even today.
Some key details about the 1987 Topps Baseball Cards that add to its appeal and value include:
The set included the last cards featuring players like Don Baylor, Bobby Grich, Paul Molitor, and Ryne Sandberg in their iconic uni’s before trades. This makes cards of stars in their original teams very desirable.
Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine, David Justice, and Greg Maddux were included in the base set, greatly increasing the value of those specific cards.
The design featured team logo borders around each photo with fun facts on the back, harkening back to the classic Topps look of the 1950s/60s. This retro aesthetic is appreciated by collectors.
The postseason update and playoff summary cards included in Series Two document a historic World Series between the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals, making those cards particularly sought after.
The sheer size of the base set at 792 cards means finding a complete, well-centered and graded set in high condition is extremely challenging. Only the most serious collectors would own a true gem mint set.
In terms of individual 1987 Topps card values, here are some examples of highly valued and desirable singles in the set:
Nolan Ryan (Card #305) – One of the most iconic baseball cards ever. High grade PSA/BGS 10 examples can fetch $10,000+.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie (Card #481) – Among the most valuable modern rookie cards. Near mint to gem copies sell for $500-1500.
Tom Glavine Rookie (Card #663) – The ace lefty’s first card. PSA 9’s sell for $175-250, PSA 10’s command $350-500.
Greg Maddux Rookie (Card #667) – Mad Dog’s rookie is almost as coveted as Glavine’s. PSA 9 value is $150-225, PSA 10 is $300-400.
Ozzie Smith (Card #631) – Considered one of the greatest defensive shortstops ever. High graded PSA/BGS gems over $500.
Donruss Error (Card #404) – Rare printing plate error card. Just a few are known to exist. Worth thousands to the right collector.
Series Two Craig Biggio Rookie (Card #680) – One of the most valuable rookie cards from the ’80s. Near mint to gem copies sell for $650-1,500.
While the base cards are substantial in their own right, the 1987 Topps set also included several premimum and rare parallel subsets that stand out:
Glossy All-Stars – Rare shiny foil version of 60 All-Star players cards. Complete 60-card sets sell for upwards of $3,000.
Photo Shield – Color action shots of 30 players licensed from Sports Illustrated. Complete high-grade sets valued at $1,500-2,500.
Mini Leaders – 29 cards featuring record-holding players portraits in a mini 3×2 sized format. Complete high-grade examples around $700-900.
Printing Plates – Extremely rare uncut printing plates from the issues different plates. Indviidual plates valued over $1,000 depending on condition and which card shown.
So whether collecting the entire mammoth 792 card base set, seeking valuable rookie cards, or acquiring a premiun parallel subset, the 1987 Topps Baseball issue remains a highly valuable and endlessly compelling vintage release for collectors. Its perfect storm mix of design nostalgia, star power, and document history make it stand out as one of the greatest and most investable sets from the 1980s. Graded gem examples of key cards will likely continute their steady rise over time as nostalgia for the era grows.
The massive size and classic design elements found throughout the 1987 Topps Baseball Card set resonate deeply with collectors even decades later. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Glavine and Maddux paired with the careers captured of Nolan Ryan and Ozzie Smith make the base cards eminently collectible on their. Premium parallel subsets like the Glossy All-Stars and Printing Plates add tremendous scarcity and investment potential as well. For these reasons, the 1987 Topps set maintains an elite status among collectors and its individual cards continue appreciating strongly based on long-term demand and appreciation for 1980s culture.
