The 1985 TCMA baseball card set is one of the more obscure issues from the 1980s. It contains some interesting cards that can hold value for collectors. TCMA, which stands for The Collector’s Metal Art, was a short-lived company that produced sets made from metal instead of the traditional cardboard. Let’s take a deeper look at the 1985 TCMA cards and analyze which players have cards that still command higher prices in the current market.
The 1985 TCMA set contains 200 total cards and was one of only a handful of sets the company produced before folding. One unique aspect of the metal cards is each one features a color action photo on the front with no stats or other text on the front. The back contains basic player info and stats. The cards have a silver coloring and have a nice heft and feel different than traditional cardboard issues. The metallic material also makes them prone to dings and dents which can hurt grades.
In terms of the biggest stars and most valuable cards from the ’85 TCMA set, one of the top prizes is the Nolan Ryan card. Ryan was still in his prime with the Houston Astros in 1985 and was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. His card tends to sell for the most out of the entire set. In high grades like mint condition or better, a Ryan ’85 TCMA can command $50-$75. That’s quite high compared to most of the set. Other top stars with cards that carry value include Ryne Sandberg, Wade Boggs, Don Mattingly, and Roger Clemens. Those cards in high grades will usually sell in the $15-30 range.
Rookie cards are also important to analyze when determining potential value in the 1985 TCMA set. While there aren’t any true superstar rookies like a Ken Griffey Jr., some debuted that went on to have solid careers. One is Ozzie Guillen’s rookie card, which in high grades can sell for around $10-15 due to his longevity in the league and status as a fan favorite in Chicago. Another rookie to watch for is Bret Saberhagen, who went on to win two Cy Young awards. His card has sold for up to $8-10 in top condition. Mark McGwire and Terry Pendleton also have rookie cards from ’85 that might fetch $5-8 depending on grade.
Beyond the star players and top rookies, there are also some lesser-known names that can still hold value in the 1985 TCMA set. One is Dwight Gooden’s card from his rookie season in 1984. Gooden was already establishing himself as one of the game’s best young pitchers and his card sells in the $10-15 range. Another example is Tim Raines, who had already put together a few good seasons as one of the top leadoff hitters and base-stealers by 1985. His card can sell for $7-10. Cards of pitchers like Dave Stieb and Walt Terrell, who both threw no-hitters that season, have sold for $5-8 as well.
When analyzing condition, the metal composition of TCMA cards means they show wear more easily than traditional cardboard. Still, higher grades significantly impact value. For example, a Nolan Ryan in PSA 8 condition may sell for $30-40 compared to $50-75 for a PSA/BGS 9 or MT grade. Rookie cards like McGwire’s or Saberhagen’s may fetch $3-5 in PSA 8 but $6-8 in top grades. Even lesser stars can see a bump – a Dwight Gooden in PSA 8 might sell for $7-9 compared to $10-12 in mint. So condition is extremely important to consider with these metallic cards.
While the 1985 TCMA set is certainly not the most widely-known baseball card issue, it offers collectors a unique metallic format. For those willing to handle the extra care needed due to the material, there are still cards within the set that carry meaningful value. Top stars like Nolan Ryan and emerging talents like Gooden lead the way. But solid major leaguers and star rookies can still sell relatively well too in the current market. For a short-printed set, the ’85 TCMA offers collectors a fun niche product to pursue with cards that maintain value, especially when graded and preserved in top condition.
