The 1986 Topps baseball card set was issued during one of the most memorable years in Major League Baseball history. It was the season that witnessed the New York Mets’ incredible come-from-behind victory over the Boston Red Sox in one of the greatest World Series of all time. Beyond capturing that story, the 1986 Topps set also featured rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Barry Larkin, Mark McGwire, and Tim Raines. Not to mention stars in their prime like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Roger Clemens graced the cardboard.
Nearly 30 years later, 1986 Topps cards remain a staple in collections thanks to the memorable season it chronicled as well as rookie cards that have stood the test of time. While individual common cards can still be found relatively cheaply in raw condition, higher graded gem mint examples of stars and especially rookie cards have seen significant price increases in recent auction markets. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards to watch for if purchasing a full or partial set of 1986 Topps baseball cards for sale today.
The undisputed crown jewel of any ’86 Topps collection is the rookie card of slugger Mark McGwire (card #484). Big Mac went on to smash the single season home run record in 1998 and finished his career with 583 dingers. In a PSA 10 gem mint state, McGwire rookies have sold for upwards of $20,000 at auction. Even well-centered PSA 9’s can eclipse $5,000. Condition is absolutely critical for McGuires with small flaws cratering value significantly. There are still plenty of low-graded examples available for affordable prices starting around $100-$200 in poor shape.
Another generational talent whose rookie appears in the ’86 set is Hall of Famer Barry Larkin (card #672). The smooth-fielding shortstop was a career .295 hitter who won an MVP with the Cincinnati Reds in 1995. High-grade Larkin rookies have reached over $1,000 at auction, making them a logical long-term investment even purchased raw for much less. The rookie of slugging outfielder Tim Raines (card #462) has also cracked four figures in PSA 10 as the speedster amassed over 800 stolen bases in his career.
Moving beyond rookies, the 1986 set contains plenty of stars from the mid-80s still worth a premium in mint condition today. Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley’s iconic Red Sox card (card #93) has brought over $500 in PSA 10. Eck was in the midst of his transition from starter to one of the game’s most dominant relievers at that time. Others like Wade Boggs (card #52), Ozzie Smith (card #250), and Don Mattingly (card #573) routinely hit $100+ prices in top grades as well.
No discussion of the ’86 Topps set would be complete without mentioning the memorable Mets cards that captured their improbable World Series championship. Key stars like Dwight Gooden (card #182), Darryl Strawberry (card #185), and game 6-winning pitcher Jesse Orosco (card #637) elicit strong demand and premiums from collectors hoping to own a piece of vintage Mets history. Even Mets role players in PSA 10 condition can hit $50-$75 due to their place in the team’s 1986 postseason lore.
Beyond marquee RCs and stars, the breadth of the 1980s baseball boom is evident throughout the 792-card checklist of the ’86 Topps issue. Affordable slabs of future Hall of Famers like Roger Clemens (card #629), Juan Gonzalez (card #710), and Mike Mussina (card #765) can be found with patience. More obscure players and commons still provide an opportunity to collect entire teams affordably in lesser grades. And for Cleveland fans, the set featured star players like Brett Butler (card #692), Mel Hall (card #577), and Brook Jacoby (card #617) from their competitive mid-80s squads.
Whether buying individual cards or collecting a full 1986 Topps baseball set, there are plentiful affordable options available even in the current hot vintage and memorabilia markets. Buyers should pay close attention to centering, corners and edges to find the best condition at reasonable prices. Be sure to factor in estimated grading when purchasing raw in determining long-term potential value. And for the iconic rookies, stars, and Mets cards discussed, higher grades will command significant premiums over time based on historical auction data. The memorable 1986 season and key rookie debuts enshrined on the cardboard make this an excellent vintage set to collect some 30-plus years later.
