The 1979 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. Not only did it continue Topps’ run as the flagship baseball card producer after more than two decades, but it also captured an exciting new era in Major League Baseball. With rising young stars and familiar faces in their prime, the ’79 Topps cards struck a nostalgic chord with collectors that persists to this day. Demand for high-grade specimens from the set grew steadily for decades.
As a result, many key 1979 Topps cards have become tremendously valuable in the collecting marketplace. Here are some of the most expensive and desirable issues from that classic set that still bring top dollar for authenticated mint condition specimens:
Ozzie Smith Rookie Card (#91)
Considered one of the true “holy grails” of the hobby, the Ozzie Smith rookie is the crown jewel of the 1979 Topps set. Widely hailed as one of the greatest defensive shortstops of all time, “The Wizard” captured the imagination of fans from the outset of his career. His iconic first Topps card is simply one of the most sought-after modern-era rookie cards period. High-grade PSA 10 examples routinely sell for well over $10,000, with some graded mint specimens fetching up to $25,000 or more in recent auction. Even lower-graded copies still trade hands for thousands.
Cal Ripken Jr. Rookie Card (#318)
As the first mass-produced card showing Cal Ripken Jr. in an Orioles uniform, his 1979 Topps debut is equally iconic. Ripken went on to break Lou Gehrig’s famed “Iron Man” consecutive games played streak and cement his Hall of Fame legacy. PSA 10 specimens are valued north of $5,000 due to their rarity, with low-pop PSA 9 copies still worth $2,000-3,000. It remains one of the finest examples of an affordable modern rookie card grading out perfectly.
Dave Parker (#135)
Parker had already won back-to-back NL batting titles in 1978-79 when this card was issued, but it carried added intrigue since it was his first in a Pirates uniform. High-grade specimens out of the ’79 Topps set tend to attract the most attention from collectors. A PSA 10 example sold for over $4,000 in 2023. Even PSA 9 copies still trade hands above $1,500.
Robin Yount (#258)
Often overlooked due to his somewhat understated career in Milwaukee, Yount put together a Hall of Fame resume and eventually captured two AL MVP awards. His first Topps card is considered one of the tougher vintage cards to find in pristine condition, which drives the price up significantly for mint copies. PSA 10 examples have sold in excess of $4,000 in recent market activity. PSA 9 grades can pull $1,200-1,500.
Darrell Porter (#461)
It’s rather remarkable that a catcher who topped out at 67 career home runs can command such a lofty price for his rookie card. However, Porter’s unparalleled rarity in gem mint condition makes it a true condition census piece. Pop reports from PSA, BGS, and SGC indicate fewer than 10 PSA 10 and BGS/SGC 9.5 copies are known to exist. As a result, a 10-graded specimen sold for north of $4,000 in early 2023. Even mid-graded copies sell for $1,000 on average.
