The 1989 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues of the late 1980s. While not the flashiest or most visually exciting set of the era compared to some of Topps’ Finest and Studio issues, it holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors as the cards from their childhood. The set also featured some huge stars in Barry Bonds, Nolan Ryan, and Ken Griffey Jr. who were just entering their prime.
When it comes to the high-end valuables from the 1989 Topps set, there are a handful of cards that stand out above the rest, especially when they receive high grades from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). PSA is the gold standard for third-party grading of trading cards and their population report data provides insight into the true scarcity and condition of these key ’89 Topps cards.
At the very top of the list is the Barry Bonds rookie card. Bonds would go on to have one of the greatest careers in MLB history and shatter records, making his rookie a tremendously valuable piece of memorabilia. High-grade PSA 10 Bonds rookies have sold for over $30,000 at auction. Even PSA 9s in Gem Mint condition pull in five figures. With a PSA population of just 33 PSA 10s out of over 7,800 graded, this is one of the most elite baseball cards in existence.
Another hugely valuable rookie from the set is Ken Griffey Jr. who was already showing off with impressive power numbers as a teenage phenomenon for the Mariners. PSA 10 Griffey Jr. rookies have topped $15,000. Like Bonds, copies in near-pristine PSA 9 condition still demand $5,000-7,000. Only 29 PSA 10s exist relative to several thousand graded overall. This tremendous rarity combined with Griffey’s iconic status makes it an untouchable grail card.
Non-rookie cards can also hold immense value, headlined by Nolan Ryan’s card from the set. Ryan was past his prime but still dominating with the Texas Rangers at age 41. His card carries enormous nostalgia from the late 80s baseball era. High-end PSA 10 Ryans have reached $6-8,000. The 45-copy PSA 10 population underscores the difficulty of finding one in this nearly flawless condition. Graded PSA 9s still sell for over $2,000 showing Ryan’s enduring popularity.
Another star whose ’89 card fetches top dollar is Rickey Henderson. As the all-time stolen base king, Henderson was a dynamic player to watch. Near-mint PSA 9s of his card sell within the $1,000-2,000 range. With the population at just 45 PSA 10s, finding one in pristine condition demands an extreme premium over lesser grades. Even #250 late career Rickey cards still hold immense nostalgic significance.
While the headliners often get top billing, smart collectors also take note of other key cards that may be more obtainable but still offer growth potential. Ozzie Smith’s defense-first wizardry made him a fan favorite, and his ’89 Topps card has steadily risen over the years as fewer high-grade copies remain available. PSA 9s now sell between $400-600 on the secondary market. Rookie cards for Tom Glavine, Gregg Olson, and Bobby Thigpen also deserve attention from savvy investors.
While the 1989 Topps set is not the flashiest vintage release, it captured stars at the peak of their powers or just breaking in. Combined with the childhood memories it evokes, keys cards – especially Bonds, Griffey, and Nolan Ryan – attain stratospheric values. But deeper diving reveals other gems that offer value at different price points. For the serious collector, finding pristine PSA 10 examples is the true Holy Grail, though PSA 9s still provide an affordable option to own a piece of baseball history.
