The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable vintage card sets from the 1980s. While it may not be the most expensive vintage baseball card set ever made, it holds tremendous nostalgia and collectors value for those who grew up in the 1980s. The complete 660 card 1987 Topps set in mint condition could be worth thousands of dollars to the right collector.
Released in 1987 by Topps, the flagship brand for baseball cards, the 1987 set featured 660 total cards including 656 base cards and 4 additional traded set cards. Rosters included all 26 Major League Baseball teams from the 1987 season. Some of the biggest stars featured included Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Kirby Puckett, and Ryne Sandberg. The design featured individual player photos with team logos at the bottom. Condition is critical to the set’s overall value as mint or near-mint examples fetch a high premium.
While complete sets sold for around $150-$200 back in the late 1980s, today unopened wax packs have skyrocketed in secondary market value. A sealed 1987 Topps wax box in pristine condition recently sold for over $5,000 on eBay. This demonstrates how valuable vintage cards have become for serious collectors. As for a complete set, here is a breakdown of estimated values based on the cards’ condition:
Poor Condition (Many worn and edgy corners, visible creases): $500-700
Fair Condition (Minor wear, a few dings and dents): $800-1000
Good Condition (Lightly played, no creases): $1,200-1500
Very Good Condition (Very minimal edge wear, no creases): $1,500-2,000
Near Mint Condition (Few flaws visible upon close inspection): $2,500-3,000
Mint Condition (Pack Fresh, pristine corners): $3,500-5,000
As you can see, condition is absolutely paramount. Even small flaws that downgrade a set from near-mint to good condition could decrease its worth by thousands. This is why serious collectors seek out gem mint examples still sealed in their original factory wrapping to achieve maximum value. Factors like centering, surfaces and print quality also impact condition grades and demand.
Of course, the value of any individual vintage card can far surpass a complete set price depending on the star player featured. Superstar rookie cards or scarce serial numbered parallel versions are often the most coveted by collectors. For example, a mint 1987 Barry Bonds rookie card recently sold at auction for over $37,000 alone due to his all-time great career. Other key rookie cards in the 1987 set that could add value include Mark McGwire, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine.
It’s also worth noting population reports that track census data for high grade vintage cards. The fewer MT/MT examples in existence, the more demand will exists due to scarcity. Top graded 1987 Topps cards have been known to reach 5 figures or more at auction due to their elusive collectability among the condition conscious. Holders of pristine examples are sitting on modern-day investments as nostalgia and demand continues rising.
A complete 1987 Topps baseball card set in top grade still holds tremendous nostalgic appeal and collecting merit for those who want to own a piece of 1980s baseball card history 35 years later. Condition is paramount, and gem mint rookies or parallels could make certain valuable editions worth exponentially more. Overall this iconic 1980s release remains both a fun collectable and potential lucrative vintage investment for savvy collectors. With prices steading climbing in today’s booming trading card market, price guides may be conservative for tops sets in impeccable preservation.
