The 1984 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby, known for its bold designs and featuring some of the games biggest young stars at the time. With its simple yet defining photographic style, the 1984 Donruss set launched the careers of future Hall of Famers like Roger Clemens and Kirby Puckett while also providing affordable early rookies for the likes of Dwight Gooden and Don Mattingly. Not surprisingly, many of the most coveted 1984 Donruss cards today feature those same all-time great players.
While not as expensive as their earliest Fleer and Topps rookie cards, mint condition copies of stars’ 1984 Donruss debuts can still fetch impressive prices due to their place in card history and the era they represent. Here’s a look at five of the most valuable 1984 Donruss baseball cards today based on PSA 10 Gem Mint market values:
Roger Clemens #170 – Without question the most expensive 1984 Donruss card, pristine PSA 10 copies of Roger Clemens’ rookie regularly sell for well over $10,000. As one of the greatest pitchers of all time and still a controversial figure, the Rocket’s first Bowman card is hugely desirable for collectors. His smooth delivery and stare down of the camera make for an instantly recognizable and appealing rookie image.
Kirby Puckett #500 – Another sure-fire Hall of Famer, Kirby Puckett shattered onto the scene in 1984 with Donruss issueing his rookie at the tail end of the set. Known for his glittering defensive skills and clutch hitting, Puckett went on capture six All-Star nods and helped the Twins win two World Series titles. His 1984 rookie routinely fetches $4,000-$6,000 in PSA 10 condition due to being one of the scarcer high-ends from the set.
Dwight Gooden #521 – At just 19 years old, Doc Gooden exploded with one of the greatest rookie seasons ever in 1984 and quickly became a fan favorite. Winning Rookie of the Year and starting the All-Star Game, his talents and potential were on full display from the beginning. Despite being one of the later cards in the Donruss set, Gooden’s baby faced rookie continues to sell mightily for collectors. Near-mint PSA 9 copies have reached $3,000.
Don Mattingly #100 – As the smooth swinging captain and heart of those 1980s Yankee teams, Don Mattingly’s iconic image and respectable .326 career batting average make him a staple in any collection. Ranked among the best first basemen ever, his rookie depicts him posed in mid-swing wearing Yankee pinstripes. High-grade versions regularly sell for $2,500-$3,500.
Ozzie Smith #550 – One of the best defensive shortstops to play the game, “The Wizard” Ozzie Smith burst onto the scene with the 1984 Donruss issue of his first major league card. Known for his highlight-reel plays and acrobatic flair, collectors prize his rookie which often features him spinning a ball on his finger. PSA 10 gem copies over $2,000.
While not the rarest or scarcest cards in the 1984 Donruss set, the above five rookies feature some of the most storied careers and recognizable players from that era. All were critical members of championship teams with careers spanning into the modern era. Their early Donruss cards offer a unique slice of baseball history and were affordable access to those stars for young collectors at the time the set was released. Scarcity varies between the cards, but the proven talent and popularity of Clemens, Puckett, Gooden, Mattingly and Smith is enough to warrant their continued demand among vintage cardboard connoisseurs.
Other notables that frequently top $1,000 in pristine condition include #251 Mike Schmidt, #491 Toronto Blue Jays Team, #531 Daryl Strawberry, and #561 Jack Morris. Overall the 1984 Donruss set itself remains very obtainable for set builders, though mint examples of its rookie cards for sure-fire Hall of Famers like those profiled here understandably carry premium prices fitting their reputations as all-time great players. For those who enjoyed the baseball cards of the 1980s or admire the stars of that era, these 1984 Donruss rookies will always have enduring collectibility and nostalgia attached.
