The 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s.Released in 1987 by Donruss, the Diamond Kings set featured 144 cards highlighting some of the biggest stars in baseball at the time. What made the 1987 Diamond Kings set so unique and collectible was the black diamond-shaped embellishment featured on each card. This striking design element really made the cards stand out from other contemporary sets.
While complete base sets in near mint condition can be acquired for a few hundred dollars today, there are plenty of individual cards that carry substantial value. The high-end rookie cards and stars of the era routinely sell for thousands. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the key players and what makes their 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings cards so desirable to collectors.
Perhaps the most coveted card from the 1987 Diamond Kings set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best baseball cards ever made, the Griffey Jr. rookie is the crown jewel of any collection. In pristine near mint to mint condition, a PSA 10 Griffey Jr. rookie has sold at auction for over $100,000. Even low-grade copies in PSA 6-8 condition can still fetch thousands. Griffey was already showing his superstar potential as a rookie in 1987 and his card is rightly hailed as one of the iconic baseball cards of the 1980s.
Another extremely valuable rookie from the 1987 Diamond Kings set is the Ben McDonald card. As the first overall pick in the 1989 draft, McDonald had immense hype surrounding him as a future ace. His rookie card carries a premium, with PSA 10 examples selling for $5,000-$10,000. Even mid-grade copies in the PSA 6-8 range sell for $500-$1,000. McDonald ultimately had an excellent but injury-plagued career, giving his rookie card lasting appeal for Orioles collectors and investors alike.
One of the best position players of the 1980s, Ryne Sandberg’s cards from his MVP years hold tremendous value for collectors. His 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings is highly sought after, with a PSA 10 copy selling for $2,000-$4,000 in recent years. Sandberg was at the peak of his powers in 1987 when he won the NL MVP award and helped lead the Cubs to a division title. The combination of star power and on-field accomplishment make his ’87 Diamond Kings one of the most valuable non-rookie cards from the set.
Roger Clemens, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, also has multiple valuable cards from the 1987 Diamond Kings release. As one of the game’s top hurlers in the late 1980s, Clemens’ star was really rising during this period. His basic Diamond Kings card in top PSA 10 condition has sold for $1,000. There is also an ultra-rare Clemens Diamond Kings Variation card with drastically different visuals that is essentially the holy grail for Red Sox collectors. Only a handful are known to exist and one recently sold for over $20,000.
Other noteworthy ’87 Diamond Kings cards that hold four-figure value include Kirby Puckett ($2,000 PSA 10), Rickey Henderson ($1,500 PSA 10), Jose Canseco ($1,000 PSA 10), and Don Mattingly ($1,000 PSA 10). Each of these players was in their prime in 1987 and went on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers. TheirDiamond Kings issues remain defining rookie or early career cards that are icons from the 1980s card boom.
Outside the true star cards, there are several underrated gems from the set that present opportunity for savvy collectors. The Mark McGwire rookie, while not his most iconic card, has steadily increased in value to $500 for high-grade copies as McGwire’s home run feats are recognized. Derek Jeter’s second year card as a relatively unknown prospect has also gained steam to $200-300 for top condition due to his legendary career. And the Tim Belcher rookie holds minor interest at $100-200 as a former All-Star hurler who had quality MLB tenure.
The 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings set remains a true pillar of the modern collecting era due to its incredible aesthetic pull and star power featured across its 144 cards. Headlined by the legendary Griffey Jr. rookie, the set offers multiple big money cards from Hall of Famers and all-time greats who were at their commercial peak in the late 1980s. Whether attempting to complete a full base set or target key star rookies and prospects, the 1987 Donruss Diamond Kings set guarantees to be an excellent long-term basketball investment at today’s prices. Its unmatched visuals and cachet with collectors continue to drive strong demand and valuation across the entire roster of cards after 35 years.
