The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and desired sets by collectors. With 792 total cards issued, the ’87 Topps set featured many rookie cards and stars that would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Several key cards from this vintage set hold notable value depending on condition. Let’s take a closer look at some of the 1987 Topps baseball cards that can be worth good money today if preserved well.
Perhaps the most coveted and valuable card from 1987 Topps is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best rookie card of all-time, the Griffey ranks at the top of desired rookie cards from the modern era. In near-mint to mint condition, examples of Griffey’s rookie in a PSA/BGS 9-10 grade can sell for $500-$1,000 raw or more. High-grade copies encased and authenticated might reach $5,000-$10,000 at auction. Even well-worn copies still have value considering Griffey’s stardom and the card’s iconic status.
Another prized rookie from ’87 Topps is the Barry Bonds card. Pre-BALCO allegations, Bonds was already establishing himself as perhaps the game’s best hitter and five-tool player. Higher graded examples in the PSA 8-10 range can sell for $150-$500 on the open market. Like Griffey, the Bonds rookie maintains relevance because of the player’s career achievements and all-time great player status. Other noteworthy rookies include Mark McGwire, Rafael Palmeiro, and Benito Santiago, with PSA 10s sometimes exceeding $200 each.
For star cards of established players, several ’87 Topps stand out. The Nolan Ryan card has gained notoriety as one of his final cards before retirement as baseball’s all-time strikeout king. High grades have sold near $100. The Roberto Clemente card holds special significance as one of the final widespread issues of the Pirates’ legend before his tragic death. The Clemente can surpass $50 PSA 10. Ozzie Smith’s defensive wizardry made his card popular too, with a PSA 10 valued at $50-$75 range.
Other star cards like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Don Mattingly remain sought after. Each have PSA 10 values from $30-75 dependent upon the market. Hall of Famers like George Brett and Reggie Jackson can reach $20-50 PSA 10 as well. Conversely, cards of sluggers like Jose Canseco and popular players like Rickey Henderson have mid-range valuations around $10-30 PSA 10.
Autograph and serial number variations add premiums. The Mark McGwire autographed card reached over $400 PSA/DNA authenticated. A Barry Bonds autographed card sold for $250. Serial numbers like #59 of Ozzie Smith commemorate his career numbers and can triple or quadruple a PSA 10 value. Parallel issues like “Traded” variations that placed players on different teams also gain collector interest.
Beyond raw single cards, complete 1987 Topps sets remain a fun and historic collecting challenge. In complete but played condition, a full ’87 Topps set ranges $150-300. Higher graded PSA/BGS sets in the 8-10 range can surpass $1,000 due to scarcity at top investment grades. Subsets and special parallel sets multiply typical values.
In modern times, the 1987 Topps baseball card set has retained its legendary status among collectors and fans. Featuring perhaps the greatest assemblage of future Hall of Famers as rookies ever, the set stands as a primary reminder of 1980s baseball culture and marvels. Graded high, key cards especially rookie of Ken Griffey Jr. command lofty premiums. But across the board, this classic Topps issue maintains relevance as a fun and potentially fruitful collecting area decades later.
