The 1977 Topps Baseball Card set is considered one of the top vintage issues in the hobby due to the inclusion of several Hall of Famers and star players from the late 1970s. While complete sets can be acquired for a reasonable price, high-grade rookie and star cards from the ’77 Topps issue carry significant collector value.
The 1977 set contains 792 total cards including 50 pitcher cards, 50 batting practice subset cards, and 692 main player cards. Some of the notable rookies included are Eddie Murray, Ozzie Smith, and Bruce Sutter. Stars of the era like Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, Carl Yastrzemski, and Nolan Ryan all havecommons and high numbers available.
A complete 1977 Topps Baseball Card set in Near Mint-Mint condition is valued between $200-300 USD based on recent Ebay sales and Population Report data. Pricing can vary some based on the centering, corners and edges of the individual cards that make up the set. Common stars and players from the era can be acquired for under $5 a card, while higher-numbered cards are often $1-2.
Now let’s break down some of the key star and rookie cards from 1977 Topps and their values based on the player, position, and grade:
Eddie Murray Rookie (Card #566):
Considered one of the premier rookies from the 1977 set, Eddie Murray cards carry a significant premium. In Poor-Fair condition a Murray rookie will sell for $15-25. Good condition is $30-50, Very Good is $60-90. Near Mint examples are $150-250 and a pristine Mint condition Murray rookie has brought over $500 in auction.
Ozzie Smith Rookie (Card #679):
As a fan favorite and one of the best defensive shortstops ever, Ozzie Smith rookie cards also demand a high premium. Poor-Fair is $20-30. Good is $40-70. A Very Good Smith rookie is $80-120. Near Mint will range $150-250 depending on centering. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Ozzie Smith rookie recently sold for over $1,000.
Bruce Sutter Rookie (Card #679):
The first specialist closer in baseball, Bruce Sutter rookie cards are popular with collectors. Poor-Fair condition is $10-20. Good is $25-40. Very Good is worth $50-80. Near Mint examples are valued $100-150. High-graded PSA/BGS Sutter rookies in the 9-10 range have reached $300+.
Reggie Jackson (Card #1):
As one of the true stars of the decade, Reggie Jackson’s regular commons and high-numbers from the 1970s carry significance. The #1 Jackson card in Poor-Fair condition is $10-15. Good is $15-25. Very Good is $25-35. Near Mint values are $40-60. Pristine Mint 10s have reached $100+.
Carl Yastrzemski (Card #256):
A Hall of Fame lefty slugger and icon of the Boston Red Sox, Yaz commons are a staple for collectors. Poor-Fair condition is $5-10. Good is $8-15. Very Good is $12-20. Near Mint condition Yastrzemskis are $20-30. High-graded gems can sell for $50+.
Nolan Ryan (Card #653):
As one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers ever, Nolan Ryan cards are iconic. Poor-Fair condition values are $5-10. Good is $8-15. Very Good examples are $12-20. Near Mint Ryan commons are $15-25. High-end pristine Mint condition cards have reached $50-75 depending on the exact Ryan card from the 1970s.
While complete sets of 1977 Topps Baseball Cards can be found for under $300, the star rookie cards and high-grade commons of the set’s biggest names carry tremendous value potential – especially cards of Murray, Smith, Sutter, Jackson, Yaz and Ryan. For collectors seeking premiere examples of these players’ first issue cards, be prepared to pay premium prices particularly for examples grading high on the MINT/PSA/BGS scales. The 1977 Topps set remains a staple for vintage collectors even decades after its original release.
