The 1987 Topps Baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic releases in the entire history of the sports card industry. Not only did it feature future hall of famers and superstar players, but it also contained several cards that have become enormously valuable over the ensuing decades. While many factors contribute to what makes a card truly valuable, the most important aspects tend to be the significance and career achievements of the player, their scarcity or rarity within the set, and of course, overall demand and desirability from collectors. Here are profiles of what are widely regarded as the 5 most valuable 1987 Topps Baseball cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (#151) – Often cited as the most iconic and valuable baseball card of the late 20th century, Griffey’s rookie is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the 1987 set. An otherworldly talent who would go on to have a Hall of Fame career, Junior’s rookie captured lightning in a bottle by depicting him at such a young age, foreshadowing the greatness to come. With his sweet left-handed swing and effortless gliding strides in center field, Griffey ascended as the fresh new face of baseball that everyone wanted to root for. Production problems led to his rookie being much rarer in gem mint condition than others from that year. As one of the most sought-after vintage cards of all-time, a PSA 10 Griffey rookie has shattered auction records by selling for over $300,000. Even well-centered near-mint copies still pull in five figures.
Barry Bonds Rookie Card (#686) – Debuting just two years before Griffey, Bonds was already establishing himself as a superstar by 1987 with two All-Star nods under his belt. What made his Topps rookie so special was that it came on the cusp of Bonds transforming into the most feared hitter in baseball through relentless training and a never-ending work ethic. His booming home run totals would make him the career home run king when all was said and done. Scarcity is again a factor with the Bonds rookie, as strong examples with perfect centering are quite elusive. A PSA 10 copy is thought to be the second most valuable baseball card, selling for just over $175,000 at auction. Even worn copies still command four figures due to his iconic status.
Sammy Sosa Rookie Card (#556) – Initially a light-hitting outfielder just starting to find his power stroke in ’87, Sosa unexpectedly emerged as one of the elite sluggers of the late 1990s home run boom. Much like Griffey, his rookie captures him at such a young age before superstardom. Adding to its mystique, the photography and design of Sosa’s card is simply spectacular. Production shortfalls make SOSA rookies quite rare in pristine condition compared to his contemporaries. Graded examples above NM threaten six figures, showing the desire for a piece of such an historic slugging career early on.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card (#98) – A model of consistency and craftiness on the mound, Maddux established himself as perhaps the best control pitcher in baseball history. His rookie season in 1986 showed glimpses of what was to come as well. Maddux’s ‘87 Topps issue is notable for its great photography and depiction of one of the games all-time greats so early in his Hall of Fame tenure. Scarcity in high grades also contributes, as stiff competition arose amongst collectors recognizing his place amongst the immortals of the mound. Near-mint copies command upwards of $4,000, with PSA 10s eclipsing $10,000 in recent auction results.
Donruss Ivan Rodriguez (#161) – While not technically a Topps card, the Ivan Rodriguez rookie from rival brand Donruss is widely acknowledged as one of the finest on this list due to its beauty. Often called Pudge, Rodriguez dominated behind the plate for 21 seasons and stands as perhaps the greatest defensive catcher ever. His iconic crouching pose encapsulates the essence of what made him so iconic. Short printed compared to others from ‘87, high grade Pudge rookies are elusive. PSA 10s have cracked five figures, with lower graded copies still fetching thousands due to his lock as a first-ballot Hall of Famer and one of baseball’s all-time greats at his position.
While other cards from the 1987 Topps and related sets hold tremendous value, these five rookies of Griffey, Bonds, Sosa, Maddux, and Rodriguez stand apart as transcendent pieces chronicling some of baseball’s biggest stars. Their on-field accomplishments, rarity factors, and cultural cache all contribute to making them priceless artifacts for collectors. Defining an era when the sports card boom took off, these rookies remain benchmarks for what it means to strike card collecting gold by obtaining a piece of history in its earliest form. As prices continue rising each new generation of fans discovers the hobby, it’s clear these will remain the coveted crown jewels of the 1987 Topps set for decades to come.
