The 1997 Topps Baseball card set was released at the start of the 1997 MLB season and marked Topps’ 55th year producing baseball cards. While not the most elite vintage year, the 1997 Topps set featured many star players and included several valuable rookie cards that have stood the test of time. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most coveted and expensive 1997 Topps cards on the hobby market today.
Perhaps the single most valuable card from the 1997 Topps set is the Chipper Jones rookie card. As the #1 overall pick in the 1990 MLB Draft and longtime Atlanta Braves star, Jones went on to have a Hall of Fame caliber career that spanned two decades in the majors. His impressive resume, which includes an NL MVP award, made his rookie card highly sought after by collectors. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of Jones’ 1997 Topps rookie card routinely sell for well over $1,000. Some exceptional PSA 10 copies have even exceeded $2,000 at auction.
Another mega-star rookie card from 1997 Topps is that of Nomar Garciaparra. The flashy shortstop burst onto the scene with the Boston Red Sox and won the AL Rookie of the Year award in 1997. Garciaparra went on to accumulate over 200 career home runs and batting titles early in his career to cement his status as a star player. His rookie card has remained extremely popular with collectors throughout the years. High-grade PSA 10 versions can reach upwards of $800-1,000, while PSA 9 Near Mint+ copies often trade in the $300-600 range.
Staying in Boston, the 1997 Derek Jeter rookie card is also a highly valuable piece from the Topps set. As the longtime captain and face of the New York Yankees dynasty, Jeter’s on-field success and popularity with fans translated to strong card values. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Jeter rookie in pristine condition can pull $1,500-2,000. Even well-centered PSA 9s command four-figure sums. The Captain’s status as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of the greatest shortstops ever ensures the 1997 Topps rookie maintains its luster.
Moving from rookies to veterans, the 1997 Ken Griffey Jr. Diamond Kings parallel card stands out as one of the most visually striking and valuable base parallel inserts from the whole set. Numbered to only /1000 copies, the Griffey Diamond Kings features an incredible image of The Kid taking a powerful cut. High-grade PSA 10 copies regularly reach over $500 in today’s market. Even PSA 9 Mint versions can still fetch $200-300 given Griffey’s status and the rarity of this special parallel within the set.
Staying with stars, the 1997 Topps Larry Walker card is another top-dollar piece from the set. As a perennial MVP candidate during his Rockies years, Walker’s excellence was often overlooked playing home games in Denver. His underappreciated talents have led to collector enthusiasm for his cards in recent vintage years. A PSA 10 example of Walker’s 1997 Topps traded regularly surpasses $300-400 at auction. PSA 9s are consistently in the $150-250 range as well.
Completing the lineup of big money 1997 Topps cards are the rare parallel inserts featuring MLB home run kings Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa from that epic 1998 home run chase season. Numbered to only /999 copies each, their Monster Stack parallel insert autos are among the most coveted oddball parallel cards from the entire set. High-grade PSA 10 McGwire or Sosa examples can net over $1,000. Even well-centered PSA 9s still pull $500-800 in the current market. The historic home run barrage of 1998 is forever linked to these parallels from the ’97 Topps set.
While not the flashiest or highest print run vintage set, the 1997 Topps MLB release contains several true gems that collectors hold in high esteem decades later. Powerhouse rookie cards of Chipper Jones, Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Jeter paved the way. Stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Larry Walker and the home run kings parallel autos further solidify this set’s status. With elite examples still trading hands for significant sums, the valuable 1997 Topps cards prove this release has real staying power within the hobby.
