The 2016 Topps baseball card set has produced some cards that are worth a significant amount of money for collectors. The Topps brand has been producing sports cards for decades and their modern sets from the 2010s still feature young star rookies and parallels that increase in value over time. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 2016 Topps baseball cards that hold value today.
One of the most valuable rookie cards from the 2016 Topps set is that of Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. Bryant had a breakout rookie season in 2015 where he won the National League Rookie of the Year award and helped lead the Cubs to their first World Series title in over 100 years. His sharp rise to stardom is reflected in the value of his rookie card, the 2016 Topps Baseball #96 Kris Bryant. High-grade mint condition copies of this card in a PSA 10 Gem Mint slab regularly sell for $150-200 raw or $500-700 graded. Even a PSA 9 Near Mint copy fetches $100-150. Bryant is still in his prime with the Cubs and continues producing at an All-Star level, ensuring his rookie card remains highly sought after.
Another coveted rookie from 2016 Topps is that of Boston Red Sox left-handed pitcher David Price. While Price had debuted back in 2008, 2016 was his first season with the Red Sox after they acquired him in a blockbuster trade. Price quickly established himself as the ace of the Red Sox staff and delivered in the playoffs as they won the World Series. His 2016 Topps Baseball #210 David Price rookie card has experienced steady price increases over the years. Gem Mint PSA 10 copies sell for $80-100 while Near Mint PSA 9s go for $50-60. Even raw mint specimens fetch $30-40. With Price still an elite starter, his Red Sox rookie remains a collector favorite long term.
No MLB rookie class is complete without mentioning Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger. His breakout 2017 season where he was the National League Rookie of the Year and helped lead LA to the World Series put him instantly on the map. But for collectors, it was his highly sought 2016 Topps Baseball #479 Cody Bellinger rookie card that saw high demand. PSA 10 Gems sell in the $150-200 range with PSA 9s around $80-100. Bellinger has proven to be a true superstar with MVP awards and playoff success, making his rookie one of the cornerstone long term holdings from 2016 Topps.
Parallels and short prints are where many collectors look to potentially profit big from modern Topps releases. The 2016 Topps set featured several such chase cards headlined by the prized 1/1 printing plates. One example is the gold parallel of Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant’s rookie, the 2016 Topps Gold #96 Bryant. Only 50 of these were produced, making high graded versions incredibly scarce. A near-gem PSA 9 has sold for $1,000 while the lone PSA 10 once fetched $9,000. Other 1/1 short prints from stars like Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw also command significant dollars. Even basic parallels like the green variation of rookie Cody Bellinger’s card can sell for $50-75 in top condition.
Vintage star performers still attract attention in modern Topps releases as well. The 2016 update series featured retired superstar Mariano Rivera’s final Topps card before he ended his storied career, the 2016 Topps Update #US249 Mariano Rivera. Copies in top shape have changed hands for $40-60 as Rivera cemented his legacy as perhaps the greatest closer in MLB history. Other veteran legends like Ozzie Smith, Rollie Fingers, and Cal Ripken Jr also had Final Topps cards from Topps’ 2016 offering that retain value among collectors interested in iconic players.
Breakout prospects are another area to watch in yearly Topps releases. One of the biggest risers in the hobby has been San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr, who was dominant in the low minors in 2016 before a 2017 promotion. His first appearance came as a prospect card in 2016 Topps, the #331 Fernando Tatis Jr. graded specimens now sell for $75-100 as Tatis Jr blossomed into a superstar. Players like new Yankee slugger Joey Gallo and Phillies starter Aaron Nola had prospect recognition in 2016 that has paid dividends for patient collectors holding onto their cards as they reached stardom.
Error cards are also tremendously popular among collectors chasing oddball parallels. One fascinating mistake from 2016 Topps involved the card design for Kansas City Royals outfielder Lorenzo Cain. Due to an error, his name was misspelled as “Lorenzo Cian” on card #257. This anomaly can sell ungraded for over $60 in good condition due to the fun collecting element. Other abnormal printing varieties like missing signatures, off-center centering and more are additional areas to study for 2016 Topps cards holding surprise value potential down the line.
The 2016 Topps baseball release is one that has really stood the test of time with rising young stars and prospects featured which is a hallmark of a strong modern set. Rookies like Bryant, Bellinger and Price lead the way, but valuable cards can also come from printing errors, short prints, prospects and retired legends. For those who snapped up boxes of 2016 Topps when released and held onto their best cards, there are certainly profitable gems waiting to be uncovered years later as players’ careers progressed. Staying informed on performance and focusing on condition will help collectors profit from modern sets with visions of future value like 2016 Topps provided.
