The 1986 Topps Traded set is one of the most iconic and valuable subsets in the history of the hobby. Introduced in 1986 to capitalize on high-profile trades made during the regular season, the 198 Topps Traded set featured players who were traded to new teams after the initial Topps base set was produced and distributed. Only featuring 184 total cards, the 1986 Topps Traded set provides a historic snapshot of some of baseball’s biggest trades from that season and the star players that changed uniforms. Due to the set’s small print run and memorable subject matter, 1986 Topps Traded cards have increased dramatically in value over the past 35 years.
One of the most valuable cards in the entire 1986 Topps Traded set is the #26T card of Roger Clemens as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Clemens won the 1986 AL Cy Young award as a member of the Red Sox but was then shockingly dealt to the New York Mets midway through the 1987 season. The Clemens Red Sox card from the Traded set is wildly popular with fans and collectors alike since it represents the legendary pitcher’s time in Boston before his trade and captures him in his pitching prime. In near-mint to mint condition, the 1986 Topps Traded #26T Roger Clemens Red Sox card can sell for over $2,000. Cards in excellent condition still command prices around $500-800.
Another hugely valuable card is the #152T of Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson as a member of the New York Mets. Acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Oakland A’s, Henderson’s inclusion in the 1986 Topps Traded subset marked his debut with the Mets. Due to Henderson’s fame, Hall of Fame career, and popularity as a Met, his #152T card from 1986 Topps Traded is one of the priciest in the set. Near-mint and mint versions typically sell for $1,000-1,500 while excellent condition copies still sell in the $300-500 range due to Henderson’s significance.
Perhaps the most famous card in the entire 1986 Topps Traded subset is the #1T card featuring Don Mattingly as a member of the New York Yankees. Mattingly was famously almost traded from the Yankees to the Mets prior to the 1986 season but the trade fell through at the last minute. As a result, Mattingly’s Yankee debut card became the coveted #1 spot in the Topps Traded subset. Not only is it an iconic low number card featuring one of the game’s biggest 80s stars, but it also represents one of the most discussed “almost” trades in baseball history. In pristine near-mint to mint condition, the 1986 Topps Traded #1T Don Mattingly Yankee card can sell for well over $3,000. Even heavily played versions still trade hands for $500 or more.
Beyond the ultra-high-end cards of Clemens, Henderson, and Mattingly, there are dozens of other 1986 Topps Traded singles and doubles that remain very collectible and valuable in the hobby today. For example, the #37T Nolan Ryan card picturing “The Ryan Express” as a member of the Houston Astros routinely sells in the $200-300 range in top-notch shape. Kirby Puckett’s #56T debut with the Minnesota Twins also consistently fetches $150-250 for mint quality copies. And the #73T Ozzie Smith Padres card, marking the Wizard’s arrival in San Diego after being traded from the St. Louis Cardinals, brings in $100-200 for near-mint versions.
There are several popular stars whose rookie cards were included in the 1986 Topps Traded subset since they were traded and debuted mid-season in 1986. For instance, the #47T rookie card of Mark McGwire as an Oakland A’s is one of the most coveted rookie cards from the entire set. Grading a perfect gem mint 10, the McGwire 1986 Topps Traded rookie has sold for over $10,000 at auction. But near-mint to mint copies also trade hands for $500-1000 pretty regularly on the secondary market. The #122T rookie card of current ESPN baseball analyst Curt Schilling as a member of the Boston Red Sox also remains a draw for collectors, routinely selling in the $100-200 range in top condition.
Beyond premium singles, complete 1986 Topps Traded sets still intact and in brilliant near-mint to mint condition also carry enormous appeal and value in the collecting community. A pristine set could easily sell for $3,000-$5,000, whereas an excellent to very good quality set may bring $1,000-2,000 at auction. Acquiring elusive stars like the Clemens, Henderson or Mattingly discussed above is vital to fully completing a high-grade set. The 1986 Topps Traded complete master set including both the base cards and extremely rare trader inserts can sell in the $10,000+ range when all 184 cards grade a perfect gem mint 10.
The 1986 Topps Traded baseball card set holds a legendary status due its memorable subjects, evocative photography, and place in the history of epic mid-season trades. Cards like the Clemens, Henderson and Mattingly discussed here are absolutely iconic in the hobby and extremely significant financially. But beyond the true ultra-high-end pieces, there are still many affordable vintage star cards and rookie debuts from this legendary subset that make amazing collector’s items at reasonable price points as well. With its small print run and unforgettable subject matter captured forever in cardboard, the 1986 Topps Traded subset is truly one of the crown jewels of the vintage baseball card era.
