The 1987 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the late 1980s. Donruss released their cards annually from 1981-1992 and the 1987 set in particular featured some of the biggest young stars and future Hall of Famers of that era. While the 1980s Donruss designs were not as flashy or innovative as some of their competitors like Topps or Fleer, they had a classic, understated look that has endured. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top rookies, stars and valuable cards from the 1987 Donruss set as well as factors that influence their prices today.

Perhaps the most coveted and valuable rookie card from the 1987 Donruss set is that of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Joe Carter. As a highly touted prospect, Carter’s rookie card carried significant hype upon its release. He would go on to have a solid 19-year MLB career, winning World Series titles in 1992 and 1993 with the Blue Jays. It was Carter’s dramatic World Series winning home run for Toronto in 1993 that truly cemented his legacy and made his rookie card a highly sought after piece of baseball memorabilia. In top graded gem mint condition, a PSA 10 Carter rookie has sold for over $2,000. Even lower graded copies in excellent condition can fetch $300-$500.

Another hugely valuable rookie card from the 1987 Donruss set is that of Boston Red Sox legend Wade Boggs. Already an established star by 1987 with multiple batting titles under his belt, Boggs’ rookie card still holds nostalgic appeal for collectors. His career .328 batting average is the highest of any player since the end of World War II with over 3,000 hits. Near mint to mint Boggs rookies in PSA 8-9 condition have sold in the $500 range in recent years. Higher grades above PSA 9 can bring over $1,000. For Red Sox fans and collectors of batting greats, the Boggs rookie is a true prize.

While rookie cards tend to garner the most attention, stars early in their careers can also hold significant value. One of the most valuable base cards from the 1987 Donruss set belongs to New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. Already a Cy Young winner in 1985 at just 20 years old, “Doc” Gooden was one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball during the mid-1980s. Near perfect PSA 10 copies of his 1987 Donruss card have sold for over $800. Even well-centered examples in PSA 8-9 grade sell consistently for $150-$300. Gooden’s prodigious talent and New York marketability made his cards hugely popular.

Another hugely valuable star card from 1987 Donruss is that of Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell. Bell would win the American League MVP award in 1987 after batting .308 with 47 home runs and 134 RBI. This breakout season made his base card one of the most sought after in the set. High grade PSA 10 Bell cards have reached $500 at auction. Even well-centered PSA 8 examples can sell for $100-$250 depending on demand. For Blue Jays fans and collectors of 1980s sluggers, the George Bell card is a must-have.

While the biggest stars naturally draw the highest prices, there are also several valuable short print and parallel cards within the 1987 Donruss set. One of the most coveted is the Brett Butler “black panel” short print, which features a black strip along the bottom instead of the typical yellow Donruss design. Numbered to only 100 copies, high grade Butler black panels have reached over $1,000 at auction. Another rare parallel is the “gum back” version which has the original factory gum still attached on the reverse. These scarce gumback cards for stars like Gooden, Carter and Boggs can sell for $500 or more depending on condition.

Of course, the true holy grails for any 1987 Donruss collector are the elusive Mike Schmidt and Nolan Ryan rookie cards. Alas, these were never produced by Donruss and only exist as proofs or prototypes. One example is the Mike Schmidt proof card that recently sold at auction for an astonishing $46,800. While most collectors will never own cards of this caliber, it shows just how coveted and valuable the true “big ticket” items from the 1987 Donruss set have become. Condition and scarcity are huge factors when it comes to determining value.

The 1987 Donruss baseball card set remains a highly collectible and valuable issue over 30 years later. Featuring rookie cards of future stars like Joe Carter along with breakout seasons from players like Dwight Gooden and George Bell, it captured an exciting time in the sport. Short prints, parallel issues, and especially high graded examples of the top rookie and star cards continue to attract strong prices from dedicated collectors and investors. With its classic design aesthetic and historical significance, the 1987 Donruss set endures as one of the most recognizable and coveted releases from the junk wax era of the 1980s.