The 1981 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. While it may lack some of the true star power of sets from the late 1970s, the ’81 Topps roster still features many familiar names that baseball fans young and old will recognize. Perhaps more importantly, it also contains several highly coveted rookie cards that have grown enormously in value over the past 40 years. With its simple yet classic design and memorable photos, the ’81 Topps set endures as a fan favorite. Here’s a look at the 25 most valuable cards from the set as of 2022, in descending order of worth:

#45 Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies) – Around $50
The future Hall of Famer and perennial MVP candidate appears in full Phillies uniform. Schmidt would go on to capture his third and fourth NL MVP awards over the next two seasons.

#495 Pete Vuckovich (Milwaukee Brewers) – Around $60
The ’81 NL Cy Young Award winner is shown pitching for Milwaukee. Vuckovich’s award-winning season was one of the unlikeliest in baseball history.

#1 Don Baylor (California Angels) – Around $70
The AL MVP from 1979 is featured in an Angels batting stance. Baylor was still near the peak of his productive career when this card was issued.

#409 Mike Norris (Oakland A’s) – Around $80
Norris won 20 games and the AL Cy Young in 1980, making this one of the set’s more noteworthy veteran cards. He was on the downswing by ’81 however.

#150 Steve Carlton (Philadelphia Phillies) – Around $90
One of the game’s all-time great lefthanders is shown winding up for the Phillies. “Lefty” remained a workhorse through the early 1980s.

#500 Rich Gossage (New York Yankees) – Around $100
Already a veteran by 1981, “Goose” had joined the Yankees and was still among the most dominant relievers in baseball.

#449 Bob Horner (Atlanta Braves) – Around $110
The top pick from the 1978 draft made his MLB debut in 1980 and finished third in ROY voting. Horner was one of the game’s most promising young power hitters.

#1 Cal Ripken Jr. (Baltimore Orioles) – Around $120
Ripken’s rookie card shows him from the left side of the plate in an Orioles batting stance. It remains one of the most iconic rookie cards in the hobby.

#500 Fernando Valenzuela (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Around $130
“Fernandomania” was already sweeping LA when this card was issued. Valenzuela’s spectacular rookie season in 1981 made him a national sensation.

#500 Dave Righetti (New York Yankees) – Around $140
“Rags” debuted in 1981 and notched a no-hitter as a rookie, making him one of the set’s top first-year players. He went on to serve primarily as a starter.

#1 Darrell Porter (Kansas City Royals) – Around $150
The 1981 World Series MVP is featured in his Royals batting crouch. Porter had a career year that helped KC win its first championship.

#1 Tim Raines (Montreal Expos) – Around $160
Considered one of the greatest leadoff hitters ever, “Rock” began what would be a stellar career in 1981 with Montreal. His rookie card remains a fan favorite.

#1 Keith Hernandez (St. Louis Cardinals) – Around $170
Another iconic rookie issue, Hernandez began his Gold Glove-winning career in St. Louis in 1981. He blossomed into an offensive star as well.

#500 Dave Stieb (Minnesota Twins) – Around $180
Stieb made only 13 appearances for the Twins in 1981 but his card is highly sought after as one of the set’s more scarce veterans.

#500 Rick Sutcliffe (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Around $190
Sutcliffe debuted in 1979 but had an up-and-down career until breaking out with the ’84 Cubs. Scarcity adds to the appeal of this Dodgers card.

#500 Rollie Fingers (Milwaukee Brewers) – Around $200
Already a Hall of Famer by 1981, “The Finger” was still going strong in Milwaukee at the time of this card’s release.

#1 Gary Matthews (San Francisco Giants) – Around $220
Matthews launched what would be a 20-year MLB career in 1981 with San Francisco. His rookie card is highly regarded.

#1 Steve Sax (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Around $240
Sax debuted in 1981 and went on to win two Gold Gloves at second base for the Dodgers during the 1980s. Scarcity boosts this rookie’s value.

#1 Ozzie Smith (San Diego Padres) – Around $260
Considered one of the finest defensive shortstops ever, “The Wizard’s” Hall of Fame career began in San Diego in 1981.

#500 Bruce Sutter (St. Louis Cardinals) – Around $280
Already a star closer by 1981, Sutter helped lead St. Louis to a World Series title that year. He was arguably the best reliever in baseball at the time.

#1 Mike Schmidt (Philadelphia Phillies) – Around $300
While Schmidt already had an established MLB career by 1981, his rookie card remains a key piece for collectors. Its scarcity drives the price up.

#1 Joe Charboneau (Cleveland Indians) – Around $320
“Charlie Hustle” won the 1980 AL ROY award but flamed out quickly. His rookie card is a rare find in high grade.

#500 Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) – Around $340
By 1981, Ryan was already a living legend pitching for Houston. As one of the set’s biggest star veterans, his card has tremendous cachet.

#1 Dwight Gooden (New York Mets) – Around $360
“Doc” exploded onto the scene in 1984 but this is considered one of the all-time great rookie cards due to his dominance and hype at the time.

#1 Fernando Valenzuela (Los Angeles Dodgers) – Around $380
As the biggest rookie sensation of 1981 and one of the most iconic cards ever, “FernandoMania” remains the crown jewel of the ’81 Topps set.

While it may lack some of the true superstars of the late 1970s, the 1981 Topps set endures due to memorable photos and several all-time great rookie cards that have grown enormously in value. Keys like Ripken, Gooden, Schmidt and especially Fernando Valenzuela make it one of the most desirable issues from the early 1980s. Strong vintage and a timeless design continue to attract collectors to this baseball card set decades later.