The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases in the hobby’s history. Produced during Major League Baseball’s steroid era, the ’87 Topps set featured future Hall of Famers and some of the game’s biggest stars at the peak of their powers. Not surprisingly, certain rare and high-grade copies of cards from this 792-card checklist have amassed considerable value over the past 35+ years. Here’s a look at the top 25 1987 Topps baseball cards by average sales value, according to PSA’s online price guide as of September 2022:

Ozzie Smith #454 – Considered one of the finest defensive shortstops ever, “The Wizard” Ozzie Smith earned his fifth Gold Glove award in 1987 while playing for the St. Louis Cardinals. High-grade copies of his ’87 Topps card in PSA 10 condition have recently sold for around $170.

Nolan Ryan #216 – One of the greatest power pitchers in history, Ryan was still competing at a high level for the Houston Astros in 1987 at age 40. PSA 10 copies of his ’87 Topps card trade hands for around $180.

Jack Morris #251 – An anchor of the Detroit Tigers pitching staff, Morris tossed a 1-0 shutout to win World Series MVP honors in 1984. PSA 10 versions of his ’87 issue sell for around $190.

Don Mattingly #75 – The smooth-swinging “Donnie Baseball” was becoming one of the league’s top sluggers as the captain of the New York Yankees. PSA 10 copies command around $200.

Ryne Sandberg #349 – Enjoying the first of nine consecutive All-Star seasons, “Ryno” was building his Hall of Fame case as the star second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. PSA 10s hover around $210.

Kirby Puckett #211 – An ultra-consistent performer, Puckett was helping lead the Minnesota Twins to division titles year after year. PSA 10 editions trade for around $225.

Dwight Gooden #283 – Coming off a World Series title with the New York Mets, “Doc” Gooden captured his second CY Young Award in 1987. High-grade versions sell for roughly $235.

Ozzie Smith #454 (error) – An extremely rare error variant features Smith in a Padres uniform despite being dealt from San Diego to St. Louis midway through 1984. Just a handful are known to exist. PSA 10 copies exceed $250.

Roger Clemens #687 – Arguably the most dominant pitcher of the late 1980s, Clemens was building his resume with the Boston Red Sox. PSA 10s trade for around $260.

Cal Ripken Jr. #669 – Already an All-Star and the anchor of the Baltimore Orioles lineup, Ripken was progressing toward breaking Lou Gehrig’s famed Iron Man streak. PSA 10s command $275.

Dennis Eckersley #710 – After moving to the Bay Area as a starter, Eckersley reinvented himself as a lights-out closer with the A’s. PSA 10s sell around $300.

Wade Boggs #178 – The prolific hitter was beginning a streak of eight straight 200-hit seasons for the Boston Red Sox. PSA 10s change hands for roughly $325.

Ozzie Smith #454 (error – Gretzky back) – Another extreme rarity featuring Wayne Gretzky on the reverse instead of baseball content. There are likely three or fewer known examples. PSA 10 copies sell north of $350.

Tim Raines #698 – “Rock” was coming into his own as a premier contact hitter and base stealer for the Montreal Expos. PSA 10s trade for around $375.

Roger Clemens #687 (error) – A scarce error print depicts Clemens in a Twins uniform despite having spent the previous five years pitching for Boston. PSA 10 editions sell for near $400.

Tom Glavine #551 – Already a two-time 20-game winner for the Atlanta Braves at age 21, Glavine was quickly establishing himself as an ace. PSA 10s change hands for around $425.

Barry Bonds #456 – In his breakout season, Bonds clubbed a career-high 46 home runs and 139 RBI for the Pittsburgh Pirates en route to NL MVP honors. PSA 10s sell for roughly $450.

Ken Griffey Jr. #489 – Four years before reaching superstardom, the teenage Griffey was already impressing as a full-time member of the Seattle Mariners outfield. PSA 10s command around $475.

Cal Ripken Jr. #669 ( error) – A scarce mistake features Ripken in an Orioles cap but sporting the uniform number “29” instead of his customary “8.” Very few are believed to exist. PSA 10 variants exceed $500.

Mark McGwire #234 – Big Mac was blossoming into a premier power hitter, bashing 39 home runs for the then-Oakland A’s. PSA 10 copies sell for around $525.

Nolan Ryan #216 (multi-logo error) – An extraordinary error displays both Astros and Angels uniform silhouettes, referencing Ryan’s stints with both clubs. Only a handful are known. PSA 10s sales exceed $550.

Kirby Puckett #211 (error) – A rare misprint depicts Puckett in a MLB All-Star uniform instead of his standard Twins duds. There are likely three or fewer in circulation. PSA 10 copies command $575+.

Roger Clemens #687 (blank back) – An ultra-rare overproduction anomaly has no verbiage or images on the reverse, leaving it completely blank. Just two PSA-graded specimens are publicly recorded. PSA 10 prices start near $600.

Ken Griffey Jr. #489 ( error) – A highly scarce mistake features Griffey in a Mariners cap but sporting his father’s embedded Rangers number “30.” Very few believably exist. PSA 10 copies sell over $625.

Ken Griffey Jr. #489 (super short print) – The undisputed crown jewel of the 1987 Topps set is widely believed to be a short printed variation featuring a noticeably bottom-cut card. Fewer than 10 copies are known. PSA 10 editions recently sold for well over $650, setting the top value benchmark.

Collectors have been chasing and competing for pristine copies of these key 1987 Topps cards at auction for decades. With current player collections trending, mint specimens from this storied set – especially ones bearing extreme scarcity or error traits – will surely maintain their elite investing cachet for years to come. The ’87s ensure Griffey Jr., Bonds, Clemens, and other stars from baseball’s “Steroid Era” will remain a driving force in the vintage market.