1987 Donruss Baseball Card Pricing Guide
The 1987 Donruss baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the late 1980s. With its vibrant photography and classic design aesthetic, the ’87 Donruss set launched the careers of several future Hall of Famers while also chronicling the end of eras for legendary stars nearing retirement. In this in-depth pricing guide, we’ll examine key factors that influence the value of 1987 Donruss cards and provide estimated price ranges for the most valuable rookie cards and legends of the set.
Release Details and Product Mix: The 1987 Donruss baseball card set consisted of 792 total cards issued in wax packs, factory sets, and cello boxes. The base card design featured a colorful team logo at the top with a large action photo taking up most of the front of the card. Short player stats were listed on the bottom back. Parallels included ’87 Update, Traded, and Glossy versions of selected cards.
Rookie Phenoms Drive Interest and Prices: Two of the most coveted rookies in the entire ’80s era debuted in the ’87 Donruss set – Toronto’s Roberto Alomar (#444) and Cincinnati’s Eric Davis (#481). In near-mint to mint condition, their rookie cards can fetch $150-$300 for Alomar and $100-$250 for Davis. Other valuable ’87 Donruss rookies include Frank Thomas (#628 – $75-150), Tom Glavine (#679 – $50-125), and David Justice (#701 – $40-100).
Stars of the Day Hold Strong Value: While no longer rookie cards, the flagship players of the late ’80s shine bright in the ’87 Donruss set. A PSA 10 graded Wade Boggs (#29) can sell for $500-800. The cards of Roger Clemens (#99), Ozzie Smith (#165), and Kirby Puckett (#268) regularly bring $150-350 in top condition. Darryl Strawberry (#315), Don Mattingly (#360), and Rickey Henderson (#386) round out premium star cards valued between $100-250.
Veteran Legends Near Retirement: Icons entering the twilight of their careers still attract collectors to the ’87 Donruss issue. A PSA 9 Nolan Ryan (#469) recently sold for over $400. Other elder statesmen such as Mike Schmidt (#502 – $150-300), George Brett (#527 – $125-250), and Jim Rice (#588 – $75-150) maintain strong followings.
Team and Parallels Variations: For dedicated team collectors, complete ’87 Donruss team sets can be quite valuable – especially for flagship franchises. A Chicago Cubs team set recently sold for nearly $1,000. Parallel cards like Traded and Glossy versions often double or triple the value of base counterparts in high grades. ’87 Update cards are also popular, with stars fetching over $100 in top condition.
Condition is King: As with any vintage sports card issue, the all-important grade from services like PSA or BGS can make or break the value of an ’87 Donruss card. Near-mint examples in the 8-9 range often settle in the $10-50 range depending on player. But that $400 Nolan Ryan was a rare PSA 9. Cards need to be very well-centered and show sharp corners/edges to achieve true high-end grades. Even small flaws can cut values significantly.
In Closing: The 1987 Donruss baseball card set endures as a classic of the era and remains a must-have for collectors of the sport’s biggest stars and rookie debuts. Key rookie phenoms and veteran legends lead the way in terms of demand and price points. But solid condition examples of almost any Hall of Famer or All-Star from the set retain collector interest and value. For those hunting true near-mint gems, the potential rewards could be well worth the effort.
