The 1986 Fleer baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the junk wax era of the late 1980s. While most sets from this time period are relatively inexpensive, certain cards from the 1986 Fleer set command significant prices due to their rarity, condition, and the notoriety of the players featured. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top cards from this set and analyze pricing trends over the past few decades.
The 1986 Fleer set consists of 792 total cards issued in wax packs. Some of the biggest stars of the era like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Roger Clemens are prominently featured in common cards that can be acquired in Near Mint condition for under $10. The true valuables from this set are the higher numbered rookie and star cards that possess far greater rarity in the population.
Chief among these is the legendary Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, numbered to 792 in the set. Fresh off his early MLB success and touted as a future superstar, Griffey’s rookie became one of the most iconic and sought after cards ever issued. In pristine gem mint 10 condition, this card currently fetches prices up to $10,000 due to its extreme rarity. Even well-centered near mint copies can sell for $500-1000 depending on the day. The card held value surprisingly well compared to most from this period, likely due to Griffey’s incredible career and status as a fan favorite.
Another hugely valuable rookie is Roberto Alomar’s card from the set, numbered to 189. Alomar went on to a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is one of the scarcer short prints from 1986 Fleer. In gem mint 10 condition, it has sold for over $4000. Most near mint copies trade hands between $300-700. Like Griffey, Alomar’s stellar play and popularity has ensured this card remains highly sought after.
Star pitchers like Roger Clemens at #98 and Dwight Gooden at #309 also possess good scarcity being numbered over 200. Clemens and Gooden rookies from 1986 Fleer in gem mint 10 condition have reached $1500-2000 at auction. Even well-centered near mint copies typically sell for $300-600 depending on the market. Their iconic status and dominance as 1980s hurlers keeps interest high in these rookie cards decades later.
The true short prints and serially numbered cards from 1986 Fleer are predictably the most valuable. The Mike Schmidt ‘Record Breaker’ card at #750 has a print run estimated under 1000 copies. Grading gem mint 10, examples have sold for over $10,000. Even well-centered near mint copies can get $2000-4000. At #777, the Ozzie Smith ‘Wizard’ card is similarly rare with a print run likely under 1500 copies. Grading gem mint 10, this iconic card has reached auction prices up to $8000. Near mint copies usually sell in the $1500-3000 range.
Other ultra-short print star cards like the Darryl Strawberry at #650 and the Don Mattingly at #725 routinely sell for $1000-3000 in top-graded mint condition due to their extreme scarcity estimated under 2000 copies each. The Dwight Gooden ‘No-No’ card at #762 commemorating his historic 1984 no-hitter is also quite valuable, with gem mint 10 examples reaching $4000-6000 at auction.
While 1986 Fleer contains many common cards worth just a few dollars, the true rarities and star rookie cards have retained incredible value due to their low print numbers and featuring of players who went on to Hall of Fame careers. Cards like the Griffey and Alomar rookies along with the ultra-short print Schmidt, Smith, and Gooden cards can be considered crown jewels for any collector, consistently selling for thousands to even tens of thousands depending on condition, significance and the hotness of the market. The 1986 Fleer set remains an iconic release that defined the junk wax era while also housing some true modern gems.
