Fleer baseball cards were first issued in 1956 and provided collectors with an alternative to the dominant Topps brand. By 1977, Fleer had established itself as the number two brand in the baseball card industry. That year’s Fleer set is considered a classic by collectors and contains many iconic cards that remain highly sought after. Here is an in-depth look at the 1977 Fleer baseball cards price guide and valuable cards from that set.
The 1977 Fleer baseball card set contains 132 total cards. The design featured a color team logo in the top left corner with the player’s name and position below. In the center is a large action photo of the player. The back provides career statistics and a brief bio. Like most 1970s Fleer sets, the cards have a distinctive pinkish hue.
The base cards from the 1977 Fleer set in near mint condition typically sell in the $1-$5 range depending on the player. There are some standout rookie and star player cards that command significantly higher prices. Here are some of the most valuable and sought after cards from the 1977 Fleer set based on the latest price guide:
Nolan Ryan (Card #126): As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, any Nolan Ryan card holds value. His 1977 Fleer rookie card in near mint condition averages around $150-$200. High graded copies in the PSA 8-10 range can sell for over $500.
George Brett (Card #28): Brett’s rookie card from this set is highly coveted. Near mint copies sell for $75-125. Higher graded versions in the PSA 8-10 range have sold for $300-500.
Dave Parker (Card #113): Parker won the NL MVP in 1978 and this serves as his true rookie card from his breakout 1977 season. Near mint copies sell for $50-75.
Don Baylor (Card #21): Baylor’s rookie card from his 1977 AL Rookie of the Year season. Near mint copies sell for $40-60.
Paul Molitor (Card #85): Molitor’s rookie card from his breakout 1977 season where he finished third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting. Near mint copies sell for $30-50.
Ron Guidry (Card #109): Guidry won the 1978 AL Cy Young Award and this serves as his true rookie card. Near mint copies sell for $30-40.
Mike Schmidt (Card #6): Considered one of the greatest third basemen ever, Schmidt cards from the 1970s hold value. His 1977 Fleer sells for $20-30 in near mint condition.
Jim Rice (Card #97): Rice won the 1978 AL MVP and Rookie of the Year. His rookie card from 1977 sells for $20-30 in near mint condition.
In addition to star rookie cards, the 1977 Fleer set also contains the cards of established Hall of Famers still in their prime like Reggie Jackson (Card #92), Pete Rose (Card #69), and Steve Carlton (Card #30). Near mint common versions of these star player cards sell in the $10-15 range.
The 1977 Fleer set also introduced the first cards featuring players from the newly-formed Seattle Mariners expansion franchise like Al Cowens (Card #31), Ruppert Jones (Card #83), and Dan Meyer (Card #104). Their rookie cards hold extra value for Mariners collectors.
The 1977 Fleer baseball card set provides a wealth of collecting and investment opportunities. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Brett and Ryan remain the most coveted and valuable. But there are also solid mid-range investments to be found in the rookie cards of other 1970s stars like Parker, Baylor, and Molitor. For collectors, this Fleer set serves as a portal back to a great era of the game featuring many beloved players.