1981 Topps Baseball Cards Checklist and Price Guide #1-726
The 1981 Topps baseball card set was issued during what many consider the height of the modern baseball card era. With 726 cards in the base set plus additional insert cards, the 1981 Topps cards featured numerous future Hall of Famers and some of the biggest stars of the era. Nearly 40 years later, the cards remain popular with collectors for their iconic designs and depictions of legendary players from that memorable time in baseball history. Here is a detailed checklist and price guide for the complete 1981 Topps set from cards #1 through #726.
The design of the 1981 Topps baseball cards followed the same basic template that Topps had used for several years prior. Each card featured a full color photo of the player in action on the front, with the team name, player name and position along the bottom. On the back was player stats from the previous season plus a career retrospective. What set the 1981 design apart was the thick yellow border around the photo and stats which gave the cards a very distinct and recognizable look that collectors still appreciate today.
Card #1 features Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt of the Philadelphia Phillies. In near mint to mint condition, this card can fetch $5-10. The chase for the high number cards begins around #300 where future stars and HOFers start to appear more frequently. #326 Fernando Valenzuela’s rookie card from his phenomenal inaugural season is extremely popular, grading from $15-30. #399 Rollie Fingers of the Milwaukee Brewers, a key piece of their World Series win that year, can sell for $8-15. #500 Dave Parker of the Cincinnati Reds is a staple in the middle of the set valued at $4-8.
As the set progresses into the high numbers, cards of superstar players command top dollar. #609 Reggie Jackson of the Oakland A’s is one of the premier cards from the rear of the set, getting $25-50 in top condition. #642 Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros, immortalizing him during one of his record breaking strikeout seasons, is priced between $15-30. #665 Pete Rose of the Philadelphia Phillies, added to the team in one of his later career moves, lands in the $10-20 range. #675 Rickey Henderson’s rookie card as an Oakland A also fetches $15-30 overall.
Moving into the ultra high numbers, the highest priced cards from the ’81 set surface. #705 Hall of Famer Barry Larkin’s rookie card for the Cincinnati Reds consistently sells for $30-50. #715 Mike Schmidt’s second card from late in his amazing Phillies career commands $20-40. #724 George Brett of the Kansas City Royals, winner of the 1980 batting title, rates around $15-30 as well. The finale, #726 Hall of Famer Goose Gossage of the San Diego Padres as one of the elite closers of his generation, earns $10-20 on the market.
The 1981 Topps baseball card set remains a premiere vintage release desired by both casual collectors and serious investors alike. Due to the all-time great talent featured throughout alongside the iconic design, values hold strong even after almost 40 years. Near complete to complete sets in very good to excellent condition can be acquired for $500-1000. individual high-end cards from #300+ consistently sell in auctions and on third party marketplaces. With rare exceptions, most commons and Stars grade from $1-10. The 1981 Topps cards provide a portal back through the lens of a memorable season in baseball that produced legendary players still admired today.
The 1981 Topps baseball card set endures as one of the most iconic vintage issues due to the hall of fame talent captured within. Featuring over 700 cards documenting the stars and statistics from that memorable season, 1981 Topps cards continue to attract collectors decades later. With a distinctive yellow bordered design and some true gem rookie and star cards that hold strong secondary market value, the 1981 set merits exploration by vintage card aficionados. Whether seeking valuable individual standouts or to assemble a complete original set, 1981 Topps cards reward collectors today just as they did for young fans opening packs nearly 40 summer ago.
