The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the classic and iconic releases from the company. It marks the 26th year Topps produced baseball cards and features all 26 Major League Baseball teams from that season. The set includes 792 total cards including player cards, manager and coach cards, team cards, and checklist cards. With its rich photography and nostalgia for fans of 1980s baseball, the 1987 Topps set holds value for collectors today.
One of the keys to understanding the value of cards from the 1987 Topps set is studying the rookie cards it included. Arguably the most valuable rookie card in the set is that of Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux, who was just breaking into the Cubs organization in 1987. In near mint to mint condition, Maddux’s rookie card can fetch prices up to $1,000 or more. Another prized rookie is that of slugging first baseman Mark McGwire, who would go on to break the single season home run record. McGwire rookies in good condition sell in the $75-150 range. Ken Griffey Jr.’s first baseball card also comes from the 1987 Topps set. While not quite as valuable as his more famous 1989 rookie due to lower production that year, a mint Griffey Jr. from 1987 still brings $25-50.
Besides star rookies, the 1987 Topps set features numerous future Hall of Famers and all-time great players who were in their primes in the late 1980s. Arguably the most valuable common player card is that of Toronto Blue Jays icon and Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar. Near mint and mint Alomar cards can sell for $15-25 individually due to his iconic status. Other consistent $10+ sellers include Oakland A’s ace Dennis Eckersley, Atlanta Braves slugger Dave Justice, and Chicago White Sox pitcher Jack McDowell. Superstar players like Baltimore Orioles first baseman Eddie Murray, Houston Astros second baseman Phil Garner, and Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mariano Duncan usually fetch $5-10 each in high grades. Beyond star players, the set also holds value for complete team and multi-player subsets. The Baltimore Orioles “Orioles Pride” card featuring eight team stars can sell for upwards of $15-25 on its own in pristine condition.
When considering buying 1987 Topps cards as singles, centering and corners are especially important indicators of overall condition and value. Heavily off-center cards or those with rounded, creased or missing corners often don’t sell for much more than a $1-2 each. Meanwhile near-mint examples with straight edges and sharp corners can net prices many times higher. For building complete sets, most common players fall in the 50 cent to $1 range across various online selling platforms. The most difficult and valuable cards to locate for completing the full 792 card 1987 Topps baseball set include short print and photo variation cards. Top rookies, stars and ex-player cards ranging up to $50 make finishing a true master set more expensive. Still, for under $250-300 with patience, a very nice 1987 Topps collection can be assembled.
For collectors pursuing purely graded and encapsulated gems from the 1987 Topps release, the standard bearers remain the superstar rookies. A PSA Gem Mint 10 Mark McGwire rookie currently holds an eBay last sold value around $2,000. The same grade Ken Griffey Jr. rookie exceeded $1,000. An SGC or BGS black label Mint 9.5 Greg Maddux rookie brought just under $1,000 recently as well. These encapsulated elite copies represent the true high-end investments within the set. For fans and collectors seeking to add a classic 1980s release to their collection in any condition, the 1987 Topps baseball cards offer fun, affordable and iconic pieces of sports history across a wide variety of price points.
The 1987 Topps baseball card set possesses enduring nostalgia and collecting value stemming from its inclusion of all-time great players and star rookies from baseball’s heyday in the 1980s. Key factors in an individual card’s worth include its level of centering and corners plus any autographs, memorabilia or rare variations that may appear. While select superstar rookies and elite graded gems command thousands, the average 1987 Topps card provides an affordable and iconic piece of baseball collectibles history starting at just $0.50. For set builders or those pursuing a classic release, this beloved annual Topps issue satisfies as both an investment and tribute to the pastime.
