The 1979 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues in the history of the hobby. With 712 total cards issued, the 1979 set featured future Hall of Famers and rookie stars who would go on to have legendary careers. While most commons from the set hold little monetary worth today, there are plenty of high value cards for collectors to seek out.
One of the most notable rookies from the 1979 Topps set is Cal Ripken Jr., who is featured on card #81. As one of the most accomplished and durable players ever, Ripken’s rookie card is highly sought after. In top graded gem mint condition, a PSA 10 Ripken rookie has sold for over $100,000 at auction. Even well-centered near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range can fetch thousands. Another star third baseman rookie is Wade Boggs on card #91. High grade Boggs rookies have sold for $5,000-$10,000 depending on condition.
Hall of Famer George Brett’s career is represented with his 1979 Topps rookie on card #99. Brett went on to have a stellar career with the Kansas City Royals and his rookie remains a popular chase card. PSA 10 examples have sold for $15,000, with PSA 8s bringing $2,000-3,000. Ozzie Smith, one of the greatest defensive shortstops ever, debuted on the 1979 set with card #129. High grade Smith rookies can reach $5,000-$10,000 at auction for PSA 9-10 copies.
Two of the biggest star rookies in the set were Don Mattingly on card #307 and Rickey Henderson on card #609. Mattingly went on to have a stellar career with the Yankees and his 1979 Topps rookie is one of the most iconic in the hobby. PSA 10 Mattingly rookies have sold for over $30,000, with PSA 9 copies bringing $5,000-10,000. Henderson established himself as the greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer of all time. His rookie is highly coveted by collectors, with PSA 10s selling for $15,000-$25,000 and PSA 9s fetching $3,000-$5,000.
In addition to star rookie cards, the 1979 Topps set features several valuable Hall of Famer cards of established stars. Nolan Ryan’s card #1 is always in high demand from collectors. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $5,000. Rod Carew, Reggie Jackson, and Mike Schmidt also have cards in the set that are worth $500-$1,000 graded PSA 8-9 depending on the player. The set also includes the final cards of several legends like Hank Aaron on card #11, which has sold for around $1,000 in top condition.
The 1979 Topps set stands out for featuring rookie cards of players who would go on to have legendary careers and bring tremendous value to their first issued cards. While the vast majority of commons are only worth $1-5 in worn condition, there are plenty of chase cards that can be worth hundreds or thousands to dedicated collectors. The combination of star rookies and established Hall of Famers make 1979 Topps one of the most coveted issues in the hobby. With timeless designs and iconic players, it’s easy to see why this set remains a favorite for collectors decades after its initial release.
