The 1989 Topps baseball card set holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors for several reasons. It was the year iconic players like Kirby Puckett, Ken Griffey Jr., and Barry Bonds graced their rookie cards. The designs and photography were also some of the best of the late 80s/early 90s era. Not surprisingly, the high-quality rookie cards combined with the aesthetic appeal of the designs have made the ’89 Topps set one of the most desirable of modern times.

While the entire set contains many gems worth owning raw, the cards that truly stand out are high-grade specimens that have been professionally graded and encapsulated by respected third-party authentication company PSA. Obtaining PSA Gem Mint 10 grades for stars or key rookie cards from the ’89 Topps checklist greatly multiplies their value. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most sought-after ’89 Topps PSA cards and what they tend to sell for depending on condition.

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie (#416): Widely considered one of, if not the single best rookie card of the modern era, Junior’s debut is iconic. PSA 10 specimens often sell for well over $10,000 given his legendary career and the card’s iconic status. Even PSA 9s still command prices north of $1,000 on average. Lower grades are still very desirable as well, with a PSA 8 going for around $400-600.

Barry Bonds Rookie (#581): A stellar player with one of the best careers of all time, Bonds’ rookie is very valuable in high grades. PSA 10s have sold over $5,000, with PSA 9s around $1,200-1,500 on average. Like Griffey, lower grades hold value – a PSA 8 is approximately $400.

Kirby Puckett Rookie (#630): Another star whose rookie is a highly sought piece from the ’89 Topps set. PSA 10 examples have sold for $4,000+, with PSA 9s in the $1,000 range. PSA 8s go for $300-400 consistently.

Greg Vaughn Rookie (#742): While Vaughn didn’t become a superstar, his rookie remains highly coveted as one of the scarcer cards in the base set. PSA 10 Vaughn rookies have gone for $2,000+, with PSA 9s around $700-900.

Roberto Alomar Career (#1): Often considered the nicest overall photo from the set. PSA 10s typically sell for $600-800. PSA 9s go for $150-250.

Dick Schofield Error (#249): The so-called “Blank Back” error was initially printed without any stats or text on the back. Highly sought after by error card collectors. PSA 10 examples regularly top $1,000.

Ozzie Smith (#590): Always a fan favorite, and one of the best defensive players ever. PSA 10 Smiths sell in the $300-400 range. PSA 9s go for $80-120.

Nolan Ryan Head (#85): Iconic photo of the flame-throwing Ryan. PSA 10s reach up to $250. PSA 9s sell for $60-90.

Wade Boggs (#103): Clean image of Boggs in batting stance. PSA 10s consistently sell in the $150-200 range. PSA 9s go for around $40-60.

Mark McGwire (#244): Power-hitting first baseman before the steroid era. PSA 10s reach $150. PSA 9s bring around $30-40.

Andre Dawson (#340): “The Hawk” leaping for a catch. PSA 10s go for $100-150. PSA 9s are $25-35.

Willie Randolph (#648): Sharp photo of leadoff man Randolph. PSA 10s sell for $80-120. PSA 9s bring $15-25.

Dwight Gooden (#684): Before injuries derailed his career. PSA 10s reach $80-100. PSA 9s are $15-25.

As you can see, obtaining PSA-graded gems, especially PSA 10s, from the highly coveted 1989 Topps baseball card set can yield tremendous returns. Even lower PSA grades like 9s maintain good value given the set’s massive popularity and iconic rookie cards. Whether as an investment, for crossover appeal with other collectors, or to simply own beautiful specimens from a classic year, high-end 1989 Topps PSA cards are well worth pursuing. The combination of great photography, star power, and the third-party authentication factor make these cards highly sought after decades later.