The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable issues from the late 1980s. While it doesn’t have any true ‘mega-hits’ on par with famous rookies like Mickey Mantle, some key cards from the 1987 set still hold significant value today. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most desirable and expensive 1987 Topps baseball cards that collectors seek:
One of the headliners is the Barry Bonds rookie card (#144). As one of the greatest players of all time, high-grade Bonds rookies are always in demand. PSA 10 examples of his 1987 Topps card have sold for over $30,000. Another rookie of note is Bob Welch (#122). Welch had a solid career and his card has appreciated well over the years thanks to his status as a key rookie. Graded PSA 10 Welch rookies can reach $3,000-$5,000.
Several 1987 Topps cards featuring hall of famers are also quite valuable in top condition. The Nolan Ryan (#89) card always holds value due to his popularity and records. PSA 10 Ryan cards sell for $1,000-$2,000 depending on the market. The Ozzie Smith (#199) card, featuring the wizard doing backflips, is one of the most iconic in the set – high-grade versions can reach $600-$1,000. The Don Mattingly (#206) and Wade Boggs (#228) rookie stars of the 1980s also command $400-$800 for PSA 10s.
Two very scarce and sought-after variations from the 1987 Topps set break the $10,000 price point. The Luis Salazar short print variation (#110) is easily one of the rarest in the entire set, with specialists estimating less than 10 PSA 10 graded copies exist. When it surfaces, this card pulls in bids well above $10,000. Another extremely rare variation is the Cal Ripken Jr. Future Stars insert (#350) printed on gray backing instead of the usual yellow. Less than 5 PSA 10 examples are known to exist, and this striking error card has changed hands north of $15,000 in the past.
While they don’t command the prices of rookie stars or elite veterans, key players on 1987 World Series teams can still carry solid 4-figure values today. High-grade versions of cards featuring players like Tim Leary (#155) and Mike Scott (#174) from the champion Mets, or Mike Witt (#248) and Wally Joyner (#309) from the Angels are sought after and worth $500-$1,500 each. Even role players like Mets reliever Jesse Orosco (#185) hold notable value due to his Series MVP performance.
While it may lack a true superstar rookie on par with Mantle or Griffey Jr., the 1987 Topps set still features several valuable modern-era cards that draw strong collector demand. Keys include star rookies like Bonds, elite veterans like Ryan and Smith, as well as scarce variations and stars from the 1987 World Series teams. With the 35th anniversary of the set’s issue coming up in 2022, values of top graded examples are likely to remain stable or potentially increase further in the years ahead.
