The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. While it may not be as renowned as some earlier sets like the 1952 Topps or 1969 Topps, the ’87 Topps set featured many star players and rookies who went on to have Hall of Fame careers. As a result, certain key cards from this set can be quite valuable, especially if they are in pristine graded condition. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable and desirable 1987 Topps baseball cards worth chasing for any collector.
One of the true crown jewels from the 1987 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the most iconic rookie card of the modern era, Griffey’s rookie is a true icon of the hobby. In a PSA 10 gem mint condition, this card can fetch well over $10,000. Even lower graded examples still command prices in the multiple thousands. Griffey was a once in a generation talent and his rookie card remains extremely popular with collectors to this day. Another hugely valuable rookie is the Frank Thomas card. Like Griffey, “The Big Hurt” went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is one of the most coveted cards from the set. A PSA 10 can sell for $3,000+ while lower grades still sell for $500-1000.
Staying on the theme of future Hall of Famers, the Roberto Alomar rookie card is also highly sought after by collectors. Alomar enjoyed a long, productive career and was a 12-time All-Star so there is no shortage of demand for his rookie. In a PSA 10 condition, the Alomar rookie can sell for $1,500-2,000 range. The same is true for the Dennis Eckersley rookie, which fetches around $1,000-1,500 in top grade. Eckersley went on to have a dominant career as one of the best relievers ever. His rookie remains a key card for any ’87 Topps collector.
Moving beyond just rookies, there are also several star veterans whose ’87 Topps cards hold significant value. For example, the Nolan Ryan card is always a favorite with collectors due to his status as perhaps the greatest power pitcher ever. A PSA 10 Ryan can sell for $800-1000 while lower grades still demand $200-400. The same is true for the Ozzie Smith card, as the Wizard was a huge fan favorite and 13-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop. A PSA 10 Smith will sell around $500-700 range. Other star veterans like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Don Mattingly also have cards in the $200-500 range depending on condition.
In addition to future Hall of Famers and stars, certain key short prints from the ’87 Topps set are highly valuable as well. One of the most desired is the Kirby Puckett short print card, which was only available in wax packs at a ratio of around 1 per case. In gem mint condition this scarce Puckett SP can sell for $800-1000. The Bo Jackson short print also commands big money around $500-700 due to his status as a rare two sport star. Other valuable short prints include the Mark McGwire ($300-400 PSA 10), Dwight Gooden ($250-350), and Ozzie Smith SPs. These scarce variants significantly increase the value of an already iconic base card.
Rookies, stars, and short prints make up the most expensive cards in the 1987 Topps baseball set as one might expect. There are also several other lesser known gems that can still hold solid value depending on condition. For example, the Bret Saberhagen card has sold for $200-300 in top grade as he was coming off back-to-back Cy Young wins. The same is true for the Tim Raines card, which has sold for around $150-200 as he was an elite leadoff hitter and base stealer for Montreal. Even role players like the Lenny Dykstra or Mookie Wilson cards can sell for $50-100 in mint condition due to their popularity on great Mets teams.
While it may not have the same first edition cachet as some older sets, the 1987 Topps baseball card set still holds tremendous nostalgia and value for collectors today. Headlined by the iconic rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr and Frank Thomas, this set is loaded with stars, short prints, and hidden gems that can sell for hundreds or even thousands in top graded condition. For anyone looking to build a complete ’87 Topps set or chase individual keys, there are plenty of highly valuable and desirable cards worth hunting from this iconic release. The combination of star power, scarcity, and nostalgia ensure that the best 1987 Topps cards will remain popular with collectors for years to come.
