The 1985 Topps Traded baseball card set is considered one of the most coveted issues in the entire hobby. With only 240 total cards released as an update set near the end of the 1984 season, the 1985 Topps Traded cards feature many of baseball’s biggest stars and contains several truly valuable pieces that attract intense interest from collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable cards from this classic 1980s release.
One of the true holy grails from 1985 Topps Traded is the Kirby Puckett rookie card. As arguably the greatest Minnesota Twins player of all-time, Puckett went on to become a six-time All-Star and helped lead the Twins to World Series victories in 1987 and 1991. His iconic smile and elite batting prowess made him extremely popular. His rookie card, while not featuring any flashy logos, autographs, or serial numbers, commands big money purely due to his legendary playing career and the card’s scarcity. In pristine mint condition, graded and encapsulated MINT 9 or MINT 10 status by professional grading companies like PSA or BGS, Puckett’s rookie routinely sells for well over $10,000 and could reach up to $25,000 or more in a strong market. Even in lower EX-MT 6 or 7 condition, it still trades hands for $1,000 to $3,000.
Another big star of the 1980s featured prominently in the 1985 Topps Traded set is Dwight Gooden. As a member of the New York Mets dynasty that won the 1986 World Series, “Doc” Gooden possessed a once-in-a-generation combination of blazing fastballs and a knee-buckling curveball. He would go on to win the 1985 NL Cy Young award. While Gooden’s rookie card was in the much larger 1984 Topps base set, his Traded card still holds tremendous value. A PSA 10 Gooden can reach $3,000-$5,000 and even a lower graded copy still sells for $500-$1,000 depending on condition. The fact this card captures Gooden during his absolute physical prime in 1984 adds to its appeal.
Two huge Los Angeles Dodgers appear in the 1985 Topps Traded set that have incredible value – Fernando Valenzuela and Orel Hershiser. “Fernandomania” had taken the country by storm in 1981 as Valenzuela won the NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young awards. His star had faded slightly by 1985 due to injuries. Still, his Traded card showing him in a Dodgers uniform is hugely sought after by collectors. A PSA 10 recently sold for over $8,000. Even a PSA 8 trades hands for $800 to $1,500 based on recent eBay sales. Contemporaneously, Orel Hershiser’s Traded card holds major significance because it features him just before his record-setting 59 consecutive scoreless innings during the 1988 season en route to a World Series title. In Gem Mint condition, a PSA 10 sold in February 2022 for an incredible $11,000, a new record for the issue.
Beyond individual superstars, error cards and manufacturing variations add tremendous value and collector interest in the 1985 Topps Traded set. The most famous is the “Short Print” Fernando Valenzuela card, which is missing the small “Traded” designation found in the normal issue. This subtle difference makes the card much rarer among the roughly 30 released. PSA 10 examples have reached $25,000 and a PSA 9 brought $12,000. The “Photo Variation” Ozzie Smith card is also very rare, depicting Smith with a different photo than the standard issue. A PSA 9 of this variation sold in November 2021 for $3,600. There are also “Blank Back” misprints where the normal card statistics are missing. Thanks to these intriguing anomalies, even lower tier stars from 1985 can carry four-figure values in top condition if they showcase an error.
While other 1980s card sets may contain higher print runs or more promotional premiums, the 1985 Topps Traded cards hold such mystique and collector demand precisely because of their small production size and ability to capture true icons of the era like Puckett, Gooden, Valenzuela and Hershiser. Condition is king, with the record prices listed above all focusing on PSA 10 Mint gems. But for set builders and those enthralled by the players, managers, and executives featured over three decades ago, acquiring any copy of these elusive cardboard treasures remains a hugely rewarding venture regardless of grade. The 1985 Topps Traded release firmly stands the test of time as one of the true crème de la crème offerings in the entire world of sports memorabilia collecting.
