Baseball cards from the 1980s can be a very lucrative investment if you have the right cards in your collection. The 1980s marked a transition period for baseball cards as the hobby boomed in popularity. More cards were produced than ever before which led to an overproduction and the “junk wax era” of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Certain star players and highly sought after rookie cards from the decade can still hold significant value today. Here are some of the most valuable baseball cards from the 1980s worth keeping an eye out for:

Mike Schmidt 1979 Topps Rookie Card – Arguably the most coveted rookie card from the decade, Schmidt went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Philadelphia Phillies. His 1979 Topps rookie in near mint condition can fetch over $10,000. High grade copies in mint condition have sold for upwards of $25,000 making this one of the most valuable cards from the entire decade.

Cal Ripken Jr. 1981 Topps Rookie Card – As one of the most respected players of his generation, Ripken’s rookie card is a must-have for collectors. His iconic consecutive games played streak only adds to the allure. Near mint copies sell for $3,000-5,000 routinely with mint copies reaching $10,000 or more.

Bryce Harper 2009 Bowman Chrome Superfractor 1/1 – Considered the “Mona Lisa” of modern cards due to its ultra-rare parallel status, Harper’s prized rookie superfractor is the crown jewel of any collection. Just one was produced and it has sold for over $350,000, making it one of the most expensive modern era cards ever sold.

Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC – Widely considered the best and most iconic modern rookie card design, Griffey’s 1989 Upper Deck RC is a pop culture icon. High grades in the PSA 9-10 range can demand $1,000-3,000 but gem mint PSA 10s have broken records, selling for over $25,000.

Donruss Roger Clemens 1986 – Clemens’ breakout season in 1986 with a record 20 strikeouts in one game made him a household name. His iconic Donruss rookie card from that year is a must-have for Red Sox collectors. PSA 9s sell for $1,000-2,000 with a PSA 10 recently selling for over $12,000.

Nolan Ryan 1981 Topps Traded – Ryan’s dramatic move from the Angels to the Astros in 1980 made this traded card highly sought after. It depicts him in an Astros uniform for the first and only time. High grades in the PSA 8-9 range sell for $1,000-3,000 with a PSA 10 recently selling for over $10,000.

Ozzie Smith 1981 Fleer Update – Considered one of the best defensive shortstops ever, Smith’s defensive wizardry made him a fan favorite in St. Louis. His scarce Fleer Update rookie from 1981 is highly coveted by collectors. PSA 9s sell for $1,000-2,500 with a PSA 10 recently bringing over $5,000 at auction.

Frank Thomas 1989 Bowman – The Big Hurt’s rookie card is one of the most iconic from the late 80s/early 90s boom. Near mint to mint copies routinely sell for $500-1,000. A recent PSA 10 gem sold for over $4,000, showing strong demand persists.

Mark McGwire 1990 Score Rookie – McGwire’s monster home run race with Sammy Sosa in 1998 fueled renewed interest in his rookie cards from 1990. High grades in the PSA 8-9 range sell for $400-800 with a PSA 10 recently selling for over $2,000.

Sammy Sosa 1990 Bowman – Sosa burst onto the scene with the Cubs in 1992 and became a fan favorite known for his prodigious home run blasts. His scarce 1990 Bowman rookie remains a sought-after card. PSA 9s sell for $300-600 with a PSA 10 recently bringing over $1,200.

Barry Bonds 1986 Topps – Considered one of the greatest players ever but also one of the most controversial due to steroid allegations. His iconic 1986 Topps rookie card remains a must-have for collectors. High grades in the PSA 8-9 range sell for $300-600.

Rickey Henderson 1982 Topps Traded – “Rickey being Rickey” stole over 1,400 bases making him arguably the greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer ever. His scarce traded card is a key piece to any collection. PSA 9s sell for $300-500 with a PSA 10 recently bringing over $1,000.

While overproduction deflated values of many 1980s cards long term, star players and key rookies from the decade remain sought after by savvy collectors. With the vintage card market continuing to appreciate, high grade examples from this era could be a worthwhile long term investment for the right players. For the biggest stars and their prized rookie cards, the 1980s provided some of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever made.