The 1987 Topps baseball card set is highly coveted by collectors due to its classic design and the starring rookie cards it contains. While there are many desirable ’87 Topps cards, a select few have proven to be enormously valuable owing to the superstar status achieved by the players they feature. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most prominent and expensive 1987 Topps baseball cards on the market today.
Perhaps the most famous baseball card from the 1987 set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Griffey was an absolute phenomenon when he broke into the big leagues with the Seattle Mariners in 1987. His impressive combination of power, speed, and willingness to put on a show captivated fans immediately. Not surprisingly, the Griffey Jr. rookie quickly became one of the most sought-after modern cards. High-grade PSA 10 copies in near-mint to mint condition routinely sell for over $10,000 today, with particularly choice specimens reaching up to $25,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 examples can sell for more than $3,000. Griffey’s iconic swing and youthful exuberance immortalized on his rookie make this one of the true crown jewels of the ’87 set.
Another ’87 Topps issue with enormous value is the Barry Bonds rookie card. Like Griffey, Bonds would go on to establish himself as one of the dominant players of his generation and amass numerous career records and accolades. While playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1987, Bonds showed early signs of his future greatness by hitting .223 with 15 home runs in his rookie season. High-grade Bonds rookies have skyrocketed in value over the past decade, with mint PSA 10s now selling for upwards of $20,000. This marks a massive increase from just 10-15 years ago when a PSA 10 Bonds rookie could be had for under $1,000. Even well-centered near-mint PSA 9 copies change hands for $3,000-$5,000 today. For collectors focused on obtaining legendary rookie cards, the Bonds is a true blue-chip acquisition.
Alongside Griffey and Bonds, the third star rookie of the 1987 Topps set is Tom Glavine. The left-handed hurler made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 1987 after being selected 2nd overall in the 1984 amateur draft. Glavine went on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career, winning 305 games, two Cy Young Awards, and pitching on two World Series championship teams for the Braves. While his statistics as a rookie were modest (8-13 record, 3.68 ERA in 31 games), collectors saw his future potential. Today, high-grade Glavine rookies remain quite valuable. Near-mint PSA 9s typically sell for $600-$1,000, while PSA 10 examples in absolute pristine condition have reached $2,000 at auction. For a pitcher’s card, that kind of value is quite impressive.
Other highly regarded stars from the ’87 Topps set with valuable rookies include Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, and Roberto Alomar. Each posted respectable rookie campaigns that offered glimpses of their future Hall of Fame-caliber talents. McGwire showed his prodigious power with 10 homers in just 68 games for the Athletics, foreshadowing his record-setting 70-home run season a decade later. PSA 10 McGwire rookies have traded hands for $1,000-$1,500 in recent years. Shortstop Barry Larkin, named the 1987 NL Rookie of the Year playing for the Reds, dazzled with his glove and on-base skills from the get-go. Choice Larkin rookies in PSA 9-10 grade sell for $400-$600. And two-time AL batting champ Roberto Alomar made his debut with the San Diego Padres as a second baseman in 1987. Fresh Alomar rookies can be acquired for $100-$250 when preserved in top condition.
While the headliner rookies receive top dollar, seasoned stars featured on ’87 Topps cards like Ozzie Smith, Ryne Sandberg, and Tony Gwynn have retained strong collector value as well. Defensive wizard Ozzie Smith was in his prime with the Cardinals, his first season showcased in the revered ’87 set. PSA 10 Smith cards sell for $80-$150. Likewise, Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg was at the peak of his powers, earning league MVP honors in 1984. Prime Sandberg ’87s grade PSA 9 sell in the $50-$80 range. Finally, Tony Gwynn was just turning pro with the Padres yet already emerging as one of the game’s great pure hitters. Mint Gwynn rookies change hands for $40-$70 depending on centering and surface quality.
While there are over 700 total baseball cards in the 1987 Topps set, a select group highlighting legendary rookies like Griffey, Bonds, and Glavine along with established veteran stars continue to hold tremendous desirability and valuation decades later. From an investment perspective, obtaining high-quality ’87 Topps cards of these coveted players in PSA 9-10 protective slabs represents a sound long-term collectible. Whether as single investments or as part of a complete ’87 set, these all-time great cards show no signs of losing their historical significance or collector appeal. The 1987 Topps issue richly rewards those who prize its most prized vintage commodities.
