The 1978 O-Pee-Chee baseball card set is one of the more popular and sought-after issues from the 1970s. While it doesn’t have the same iconic status or value as the 1952 Topps set, the 1978 O-Pee-Chee cards provide an interesting snapshot of the game during a transition period and feature some of the biggest stars of that era. As with most vintage card sets, certain factors like condition, player popularity, and survival rate influence the current values. Let’s take a deeper look at what collectors can expect to pay for different 1978 O-Pee-Chee cards today.
A key thing to know about the 1978 O-Pee-Chee set is that it contains 524 cards. This included photos of 504 major league players, 16 manager/coach cards, and 4 league leader cards. Some notable rookies included in the set are Don Mattingly, Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, Goose Gossage, and Dave Stieb. In terms of the biggest stars of the time, Mike Schmidt, George Brett, and Reggie Jackson’s cards would obviously be at the top of many collectors’ want lists.
Common cards in played/good condition from the set can often be found for around $1-3. These would include your average role players, pitchers, or rookie cards of guys who didn’t go on to stardom. If a card is in excellent/near mint condition, then a 50-100% premium is not unusual. Star players and short prints also demand a premium over commons no matter the condition.
Let’s break it down position by position. For pitchers, common cards will fall in that $1-3 range depending on condition. But a mint condition Goose Gossage rookie could sell for around $15-25. Another short print pitcher is Dave Stewart’s rookie which could pull in $10-15. Top bullpen arms like Goose, Rollie Fingers, and Sparky Lyle will range between $5-10. As for starters, Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver command $7-15 in top shape.
At catcher, common receivers like Gary Carter and Bob Boone are $2-5 cards. But a mint condition Thurman Munson could easily sell for $15-20 given his widespread popularity. At first base, Rod Carew is always a sought-after name. His ’78 card might sell for $7-12 depending on condition. Meanwhile, rookie cards of Mattingly and Keith Hernandez get a bit more attention these days at $10-15. The hottest 1B card though remains a pristine George Brett, which can reach $25-35.
Over at second base, the biggest star was undoubtedly Joe Morgan. His card has solid demand at $10-15. Rookie cards for the Pirates’ Johnny Ray and the Indians’ Duane Kuiper have found new collectors in recent years at $7-12 each. Over at shortstop, a near mint Robin Yount or Garry Templeton will sell for $7-10. But the big pull remains a well-preserved Reggie Smith or Dickie Thon rookie around $12-18 each.
At third base, you’ve got the cream of the crop in Mike Schmidt. A pristine example can bring in $30-50 given his status as one of the all-time greats. The Phillies star dominated the position. Elsewhere, rookie cards of Brook Jacoby, Roy Smalley, and Rafael Santana can be acquired for $8-12 each.
In the outfield, Reggie Jackson’s card is always in high demand. An excellent copy often sells for $15-25. You’ll pay $10-18 for George Brett and Dave Winfield. But rookie cards for Tony Gwynn, Fred Lynn, and Dwight Evans have also garnered more collectors in recent years. Gwynn and Lynn can sell for $12-20 in top shape, while Evans may go for $8-15. Short prints also hold appeal, such as Garry Maddox ($10-15) or Juan Beniquez ($7-12). Bench players like Joe Charboneau and Pete Broberg added intrigue as well at $7-12 each.
When it comes to the managers and coaches included, Sparky Anderson and Billy Martin will likely sell for the most in the $8-15 range. Of the league leaders, the Mike Schmidt AL home runs version will get the most looks at $12-18. As for the complete set, most are valued between $300-500 depending on the overall condition of the cards. But a true gem mint set could exceed $1,000 if all stars and big keys are pristine.
As with any vintage set, factors like card scarcity and popularity of certain players have changed values over the decades. The 1978 O-Pee-Chee set remains a favorite of 1970s collectors. With stars of that era and attractive rookie pixel photos, it continues to entice investors. With a better understanding of player valuations and demand levels for different positions, it’s easier to spot the steals versus high dollar cards in the set today. For those with an appreciation of the era, there is fun and potential profit to be found in chasing down a complete 1978 O-Pee-Chee baseball card collection.
