The 1986 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable vintage sets from the golden era of the 1980s. While it didn’t feature any true superstar rookies, there are several key cards that have stood the test of time and gained significant value over the past 35+ years. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1986 Topps cards collectors seek out today.
One of the most desired 1986 Topps cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card (#616). Although Griffey Jr. didn’t make his MLB debut until late in the 1987 season with the Seattle Mariners, his rookie card status and iconic photo wearing a Cincinnati Reds batting helmet made this one of the more identifiable and collectible cards from the set right from the start. In mint condition, Griffey Jr.’s 1986 Topps rookie has climbed steadily in value and can now fetch prices upwards of $700-$1000 raw or $1500-$2000 graded mint. With Griffey Jr. considered one of the greatest players of all-time and his smooth left-handed swing still beloved by baseball fans, there’s no sign of his rookie card losing popularity anytime soon.
Another notable rookie card from 1986 is that of future Hall of Famer Barry Bonds (#639). While Bonds wouldn’t rise to superstardom until the 1990s with Pittsburgh, his prospect status and lofty pedigree as the son of former MLB player Bobby Bonds made his Topps debut card popular even back in the 1980s. For the raw 1986 Bonds rookie in near-mint or better condition, expect to pay $300-$500 today. Get it professionally graded at NM-MT+ or higher and the price jumps up considerably, with gem mint PSA 10 examples bringing four-figure prices.
Staying on the rookie card theme, slugger Mark McGwire’s first Topps issue (#250) is a card in growing demand. McGwire broke in with the A’s in 1987 and would go on have one of the most prolific power hitting careers in baseball history, smashing the single-season home run record in 1998. While he doesn’t carry the same widespread name recognition or “clean” image of Griffey or Bonds, serious collectors appreciate McGwire’s Hall of Fame stats and historical significance. In top grades of PSA 9-10, his 1986 rookie has climbed north of $1500 over the past five years.
One of the more visually striking and iconic 1986 Topps cards is that depicting slugging outfielder Andre Dawson on the Chicago Cubs (#384). Nicknamed “The Hawk,” Dawson is immortalized leaping after a fly ball with Wrigley Field’s iconic home run statue in the background. Beyond the classic ballpark photo, Dawson’s credentials as an eight-time All-Star and 1987 NL MVP have elevated the value of this mid-1980s issue to well over $100 even in low-grade raw form. A PSA 9 copy is regularly a $400+ card, with that price more than doubling in pristine mint 10 condition.
Besides rookies, 1986 Topps is also home to several key cards featuring already established stars that have gained value over time. Of these, the most in-demand for high-end collectors are the flagship cards featuring prolific hitters like Wade Boggs (#5), Mike Schmidt (#68), and Tim Raines (#137). Boggs’ smooth left-handed batting stance at the plate, Schmidt launching a homer as an eternal Phillies great, and Raines’ action shot on the basepaths – these iconic player photos tied to all-time great careers have resonated with collectors for decades. Top graded specimens in the PSA 9-10 range now sell for $500-1000 each.
Transitioning back to rookie status, 1986 Topps also gave baseball fans their first look at future legend Tom Glavine on the Braves (#550). Glavine wouldn’t make his MLB debut until 1987 but was already a highly touted young lefty pitching prospect at the time. Today, graded gem mint PSA 10 copies of Glavine’s 1986 Topps rookie are true holy grails, fetching prices above $5000. Even lower PSA 9 condition copies still command $800-1200 in today’s market. As one of the greatest left-handed pitchers of all-time and an integral part of Atlanta’s 1990s dynasty, Glavine has emerged as one of the truly elite investment-level cards from the 1980s set.
While not true rookie cards, 1986 Topps finally gave fans high-quality full color versions of Hank Aaron and Willie Mays, two of the game’s true Mt. Rushmore legends. Aaron’s regal (#25) and Mays’ action-packed (#118) player photos pay homage to their Hall of Fame careers. These are absolute cornerstone cards for any vintage baseball collection. Pristine PSA 10 examples in particular are truecondition census cards that don’t come on the market often, with 4-figure price tags when they do. Even well-worn raw copies still hold strong value north of $50 in the collecting community.
In summation, while the 1986 Topps set lacked true “superstar rookies” like a Griffey Jr. or Bonds, it still features many coveted cards that have proven to be sound long-term investments. Focusing on the best rookie cards of McGwire, Glavine and Bonds as well as key issues starring established stars like Dawson, Boggs and the all-time greats Aaron and Mays, savvy collectors can uncover true dormant gems from the 1980s that are poised to keep appreciating for years to come. With its classic player photos and connection to baseball’s golden era, 1986 Topps endures as one of the most iconic and collectible vintage sets in the hobby.
