Blue jays are one of the most iconic birds in North America and have been featured on baseball cards for decades. For collectors looking to build their blue jay card collection or simply find valuable cards to sell, here’s an in-depth overview of some of the top blue jay cards that could be worth money on the secondary market.
One of the earliest and most valuable blue jay cards is the 1967 Topps Roberto Clemente (#537). Clemente was already an established star with the Pittsburgh Pirates by 1967 but the photo on this card shows him wearing a Toronto Blue Jays uniform from his time in the minor leagues in the 1950s, when Toronto was a Pirates affiliate. Only about 10 graded PSA 10 copies are known to exist, making it extremely rare in pristine condition. High-grade copies in the PSA 8-9 range still sell for $500-1000.
Another highly valuable minor league card is the 1968 Topps Joe Carter (#468). Like Clemente, the photo shows Carter wearing his Toronto Maple Leafs uniform from before he made the majors. The design features a classic blue jay in the foreground. High-grade copies in PSA 8-9 condition sell for $300-600 depending on the market. An even rarer PSA 10 would be worth thousands.
For cards actually featuring players after the Blue Jays became a major league team in 1977, one of the most valuable from the late 70s/early 80s is the 1979 Topps Lloyd Moseby (#646). Moseby was a key part of those early Jays teams and won Rookie of the Year in 1983. PSA 10 copies have sold for over $1000. Even well-centered PSA 8s go for $150-300. His rookie card from 1980 is also quite valuable in top condition.
Another star of those early Blue Jays squads was catcher Ernie Whitt. His 1981 Topps card (#709) is highly sought after by Jays collectors, with PSA 10s selling for $400-600. In PSA 9 it still fetches $150-250. Whitt was a fan favorite in Toronto for his leadership and defense behind the plate.
For the 1987 Topps set, collectors look to find the Dave Stieb (#145) and George Bell (#360) rookie cards in pristine condition. Both players were integral to the Jays first playoff run that year. A PSA 10 of either would be worth $500-1000. Even well-centered PSA 9s sell for $150-300 each. Bell won MVP that season.
Moving into the early 90s, the 1992 Topps Juan Guzman (#93) rookie is a key card for any Blue Jays PC. Guzman was a key starter on the 1992/1993 World Series teams. A PSA 10 would sell for $400-700. PSA 9s go for $150-300. His 1992 Fleer Ultra Gold Medallion parallel (#UM29) is also highly valuable in top grades.
From the championship seasons, the 1992 Topps World Series Most Valuable Player Pat Borders (#709) is a must-have. A PSA 10 sold at auction in 2020 for over $1000. PSA 9s still sell for $300-500. His performance in the 1992 Fall Classic is Blue Jays lore.
The ultra-rare 1992 Topps Gold Medallion Parallel set features Blue Jays stars like Roberto Alomar (#GM5), Devon White (#GM25), and John Olerud (#GM65) among many others. Even low-numbered copies of these parallels in PSA 9-10 can sell for thousands. Finding a full set in top condition would be a true treasure.
Moving into the mid-90s, collectors seek out rookie cards of future Hall of Famer Carlos Delgado from 1993 Topps Traded (#T93) and 1994 Topps (#480). PSA 10s of either can sell for $500-1000 depending on the market. Even PSA 9s still fetch $150-300. Delgado was a dominant slugger for much of his career, mostly spent with the Jays.
From his record-breaking 1994 rookie season, the Topps Best Fred McGriff (#B2) is a must-have for any Jays PC. McGriff smashed 36 home runs that year, still a franchise rookie record. PSA 10s sell for $400-700. PSA 9s go for $150-300. McGriff was a fan favorite in Toronto.
The ultra-valuable 1997 Topps Gold Medallion Parallel set features star Blue Jays like Shawn Green (#GM4), Roger Clemens (#GM39), and Pat Hentgen (#GM70) among many others. Even low-numbered copies of these parallels in PSA 9-10 can sell for thousands depending on the player featured. A full pristine set would be a true seven-figure collection.
Into the late 90s/early 2000s, collectors seek rookie cards of franchise legends like Chris Carpenter from 1993 Bowman (#680), Orlando Hudson from 1998 Topps Traded (#T97), and Vernon Wells from 2000 Topps Traded (#T97). High-grade PSA 9-10 copies of any of these can sell for $150-500 depending on the player and year.
More recently, the 2016 Topps Update Blue Jays Team Set parallel features rising stars like Marcus Stroman (#US150), Aaron Sanchez (#US151), and Devon Travis (#US152) among others. Even PSA 9 copies have sold for $50-150 each online. These players were key to the Jays playoff runs and have the potential to become franchise greats as their careers progress.
While the odds of unearthing a true blue jay gem like a 1967 Clemente or 1992 Gold Medallion set are extremely low, diligent collectors can still find valuable vintage and modern cards worth money if they focus on the biggest stars from the team’s history. Top rookies, MVPs, and members of championship squads will always be in high demand from dedicated Blue Jays PC builders. With patience and research, there are profitable cards to be unearthed in the secondary market.
