1987 was a transitional year for baseball cards. The junk wax era was in full swing, as overproduction led to plummeting values of modern cards through the late 1980s and early 1990s. The 1987 set stands out as one of the more desirable issues from that time due to strong rookie class and inclusion of some star players.
Top Rookies
Perhaps the strongest rookie class of the junk wax era came in 1987. Ken Griffey Jr’s iconic upper deck rookie card led the way. In pristine mint condition, it can fetch over $1000. Even well-worn copies trade in the $50-100 range. Griffey was one of the most exciting young players to enter the league in decades.
Another top rookie was Mark McGwire. His rookie card is highly sought after by both collectors and investors. Near mint copies can sell for $200-300, while well-centered gems reach $500-1000 depending on condition. McGwire went on to smash the single season home run record.
Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Ben McDonald also debuted in 1987. While not the superstars Griffey and McGwire became, they all had solid big league careers. Their rookies can be acquired relatively affordably, with near mint copies around $15-30 each normally.
Star Veterans and Short Prints
The 1987 set also featured active superstars like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Roger Clemens. Boggs and Smith rookies from over a decade prior were quite expensive, so their flagship cards in the 1987 set were obtainable alternatives for collectors. Clemens was also a prized pitcher at the time.
Two short printed cards, Mark McGwire and Wally Joyner, also gained popularity. The print runs on these were much lower than standard cards in the set. Near mint copies can fetch $50-100 due to their scarcity over the years.
Overall Condition
Condition is extremely important when evaluating the value of any vintage baseball card. For 1987s, near mint to mint copies will command the most money from collectors. Heavily played examples might sell for 50-90% less. It’s also important to avoid cards with creases, corners rounding, edges fraying or other serious flaws. A flawless 1987 card can be a worthwhile long term investment based on the star power and condition.
Pricing Factors
In addition to condition and player, there are several other factors that influence 1987 baseball card values:
Autographs exponentially increase value. Even a basic autographed 1987 card could sell for $100s.
Variations and parallel issues have specialty appeal. Gems like the McGwire/Joyner short prints are highly sought.
Set completion drives demand. Collectors want pristine, centered examples of harder to find base cards to finish their 1987 collection.
Grading matters. Professionally graded mint condition examples in 3rd party slabs like PSA/BGS bring significant premiums vs raw cards.
Supply and demand economics impact pricing. Popular stars hold value best long term.
The 1987 Topps set introduced several future Hall of Famers. With the right combination of star power, condition and other scarce attributes, the key rookie cards and select veterans have potential to retain long term collectibility. Condition is paramount, and the strongest examples can still be found for affordable prices relative to vintage cards decades older.
