1985 Donruss Baseball Card Pricing Guide
The 1985 Donruss baseball card set was the sixth edition released by Donruss and featured 660 total cards including rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Greg Maddux, and Tim Raines. While not as iconic or valuable as some other vintage sets from the 1980s, the 1985 Donruss cards have developed a following over the years and prices have steadily increased for some of the top rookie cards and stars of the era. Let’s take an in-depth look at 1985 Donruss card values.
The base card design featured a headshot photo on the front with team logo and player stats on the back. The set included rookie cards, stars, future Hall of Famers, and even managers/coaches cards. The checklist was fairly standard with no major short prints or errors reported. Common base cards in near mint to mint condition typically sell for around $1-3 each.
Some key rookie cards to look out for include Barry Larkin (#216), Greg Maddux (#489), and Tim Raines (#531). All three players went on to have Hall of Fame careers and their rookie cards have seen strong appreciation over the past decade. A near mint Larkin rookie in recent years has sold for $50-75 while a mint Maddux has brought $75-100. The Tim Raines rookie in top condition can fetch $30-50. These remain some of the most sought after and valuable cards from the 1985 Donruss set.
Other top rookie cards that have gained attention include Bret Saberhagen (#288), Mark McGwire (#379), and Tom Glavine (#581). Saberhagen’s rookie sells for $15-25, McGwire $10-20, and Glavine $8-15 typically in near mint to mint condition. While none reached the heights of Larkin, Maddux, or Raines, these players all had solid careers and their rookie cards hold value as a result.
When it comes to star cards, the most expensive 1985 Donruss cards feature Hall of Famers and all-time greats like Ryne Sandberg, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Roger Clemens. In top grade these star rookies can reach over $100. A PSA 10 Sandberg sells for around $300-400 while a PSA 10 Clemens has sold for over $800. High grade star cards from this set in general have seen the biggest price jumps in recent years as vintage collectors seek out the best versions of iconic players.
Condition is extremely important when evaluating prices for 1985 Donruss cards. Near mint copies will sell for considerably less than mint examples in almost every case. Grading the cards also adds value, with PSA/BGS Slabs commanding higher prices than raw cards. For example, a PSA 9 Greg Maddux rookie may sell for $150-200 while a PSA 8 would be $75-100 and a raw near mint around $50. Top grades are especially valuable as high grade population reports remain small for this set.
While the 1985 Donruss base cards hold modest collector value, the key rookie cards and star cards have seen strong appreciation over the past decade. Hall of Fame talents like Larkin, Maddux, and Raines anchor the rookie card market while legends like Sandberg and Clemens take the top spots in terms of high end star cards. Condition is paramount, and grading further authenticates the condition and enhances prices. For patient collectors, the 1985 Donruss cards remain a relatively affordable vintage baseball card set with long term upside potential.
