Introduction

The 1986 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the 1980s. Packed with rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Roger Clemens and Greg Maddux, the 1986 Donruss set revolutionized the baseball card industry and remains a highly coveted collection for investors and enthusiasts alike. In this in-depth price guide, we will examine the key cards from the 1986 Donruss set and provide estimated value ranges for graded and ungraded copies in various conditions.

Key rookie cards

Perhaps the most famous rookie card from the 1986 Donruss set is that of Roger Clemens. Widely considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Clemens’ rookie is the crown jewel of the set. PSA 10 mint copies have sold for over $20,000, with most graded gems bringing $10,000-$15,000. Even lower graded PSA 8s can fetch $2,000-4,000. Ungraded near mint copies in excellent condition realistically sell in the $500-1000 range.

Another highly sought after rookie is Atlanta Braves phenom Greg Maddux. Like Clemens, Maddux would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and multiple Cy Young awards. PSA 10 Maddux rookies sell for $5,000-8,000 on average, with PSA 9s around $2,000-3,000 and PSA 8s around $1,000. Ungraded near mint Maddux rookies sell between $300-500.

Two other notable rookie cards are those of Dwight Gooden and Ozzie Smith. Both were future stars and had Hall of Fame careers. PSA 10 Gooden rookies have reached $4,000, with PSA 9s around $1,500 and PSA 8s $500-800. For Ozzie Smith, a PSA 10 sells for $2,000-3,000 and PSA 9s go for $800-1,200 on average. Graded 8s and ungraded near mint copies of these rookies sell in the $250-500 range.

Stars and future Hall of Famers

Beyond the rookies, 1986 Donruss contains cards of many basetball greats who were already established stars in 1986. Some of the most desirable include Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, Mike Schmidt, and George Brett. These four future Hall of Famers routinely command prices around $50-150 for graded PSA 8 copies and $75-200 for PSA 9s. Ungraded near mint copies typically sell in the $20-40 range.

Other star cards that hold value include Kirby Puckett (PSA 9 $75-150, PSA 8 $30-75), Tim Raines (PSA 9 $50-100, PSA 8 $25-50), and Jack Morris (PSA 9 $40-80, PSA 8 $20-40). Not as expensive as the true superstars but still bringing respectable sums are solid 1986 cards like Dwight Evans, Tony Gwynn, Don Mattingly, and Dave Stewart, which range from $10-30 ungraded near mint to $30-80 for PSA 8 or 9 editions.

Key variations and parallels

Beyond the standard base card issues, the 1986 Donruss set featured several popular parallel and insert variations that command premium prices. Perhaps the most iconic is the “Diamond Kings” parallel, which featured foil accents on a diamond-cut design. Copies of the Maddux, Clemens, and Boggs Diamond Kings routinely sell for $50-150 ungraded near mint to $150-300 for PSA 9 editions.

Two other notable parallels are the “Photo Variations” which featured color action shots instead of the standard posed photos, and the black and white “Photo Stars” subset which featured 12 players photographed in black and white. Popular names from these inserts range from $20-50 ungraded to $50-150 graded PSA 8-9 depending on the player.

The 1986 Donruss set also boasted coveted “1st Series” rookie variations of Clemens, Puckett, Ivan Calderon and others which are scarcer and thus more valuable. Ungraded 1st Series rookies typically fetch $100-250, with graded PSA 8s going for $200-500 and PSA 9s reaching $400-800. The 1986 Donruss “Traded” set which features players with their new teams after trades also has late print variations that can reach $50-100 for stars.

Conclusions

As one of the most significant baseball card sets ever produced, the 1986 Donruss issue remains a highly sought after collectible for investors and fans alike. Anchored by the notable rookie cards of future legends like Clemens and Maddux, 1986 Donruss contains cards across all levels of value. With the continued growth of the hobby, key 1986 Donruss cards graded high continue to appreciate at a steady pace. Whether starting a new collection or adding to an existing holding, opportunities remain to acquire classic 1986 Donruss cardboard at reasonable prices.