The 1987 Fleer baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable issues in the modern era of the hobby. Produced during baseball’s golden age of the late 1980s, the ’87 Fleer set showcased some of the game’s biggest stars and rising young talents at the peak of their careers. While not the most widely produced set of its time, ’87 Fleer cards still hold significant nostalgia and collecting value decades later.
The 1987 Fleer set contains 524 total cards issued in wax packs. Some of the biggest stars featured include Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Andre Dawson, and Rickey Henderson. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine are also included. Beyond star power, the ’87 Fleer design itself has become iconic. Featuring bold colors and player photography against a white backdrop, the simple yet stylish design has stood the test of time.
When it comes to valuation, the most valuable 1987 Fleer cards unsurprisingly feature the game’s all-time greats in mint condition. An PSA 10-graded rookie card of Barry Larkin can fetch over $10,000. His regular base card in the same grade exceeds $1,000 as well. Hall of Famer Greg Maddux’s rookie in a PSA 10 recently sold for just under $9,000 as well. Tom Glavine’s rookie in a PSA 10 grade has also topped $5,000.
Other star cards that command four-figure prices in mint condition include Roger Clemens ($2,500 PSA 10), Wade Boggs ($2,000 PSA 10), Ozzie Smith ($1,500 PSA 10) and Rickey Henderson ($1,200 PSA 10). Even veteran stars like Don Mattingly and Kirby Puckett can reach $500-800 in top grades. While the true gems are the rookies and stars, there is value throughout the entire ’87 Fleer set if cards are well-preserved.
Beyond individual star cards, there are also complete ’87 Fleer sets that maintain strong collector demand. A full PSA-graded set in Gem Mint 10 condition recently sold at auction for over $37,000. Even common incomplete sets in lower grades still sell in the $1,000-3,000 range depending on condition. The set’s iconic design and star power from the late 1980s ensures it remains a sought-after vintage issue.
When considering value, grade is absolutely crucial for 1987 Fleer cards. Even a point lower in condition can drastically cut a card’s worth. For example, a Barry Larkin rookie PSA 9 may only reach $2,000-3,000 compared to $10,000+ for the elusive PSA 10. Similarly, a Greg Maddux or Tom Glavine rookie in PSA 9 is worth $1,000-2,000 less than the coveted mint PSA 10. This emphasizes the demand for pristine, flawless copies to achieve top dollar prices.
Beyond the true star rookie cards, there are also some key short prints and errors that can significantly boost the value of certain 1987 Fleer cards. One of the most notable is the Wade Boggs “AD” error card, where his last name is mistakenly printed as “Boggs AD” on the front. High-grade examples of this error have sold for over $3,000. Other short prints like the Ozzie Smith card #404 are also very valuable in top condition, reaching over $500 in PSA 10.
The 1987 Fleer baseball card set remains one of the most iconic issues of the modern era over 30 years later. Featuring legendary stars of the 1980s at the height of their careers, the simple yet stylish design continues to attract collectors. While the true star rookie cards like Barry Larkin and Greg Maddux in pristine PSA 10 condition command the biggest prices upwards of $10,000, there is value found throughout the set depending on condition. Factors like star power, rarity, and especially grade are crucial to determining the worth of individual 1987 Fleer cards in today’s vibrant vintage baseball card market.
