The 1987 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the hobby’s golden era in the 1980s. While it doesn’t have the star power or rookie cards of sets like 1952 Topps or 1886 Candy, there are still some enormously valuable gems to be found in the 1987 collection. Let’s take a look at the 10 most valuable 1987 Topps baseball cards based on PSA 10 Gem Mint prices.

Coming in at the 10 spot is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, card #111 in the set. Griffey would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and remains one of the most beloved players of all-time. In a PSA 10 grade, this iconic rookie currently sells for around $1,000. Not bad for a card that was practically worthless until Griffey’s prowess became evident a few years into his career.

At number 9 is another rookie card – Ben McDonald’s debut, card #481 in the set. McDonald was a highly touted pitching prospect who had a solid but injury-plagued major league career. His rookie in a PSA 10 gem mint sheet recently sold for around $1,100. Condition is critical, as lower graded versions can be had for just $50-100.

Taking the 8th spot is one of the true stars of the 1987 set, Ozzie Smith’s card #490. The Wizard of Oz won 13 straight Gold Gloves at shortstop and made 15 All-Star teams in his Hall of Fame career. This iconic defensive specialist’s card weighs in at around $1,200 in PSA 10 condition. Even well-centered, but lower graded copies can fetch $300-500 due to Smith’s popularity and skillset.

The 7th most valuable 1987 Topps card belongs to #478 Larry Walker. The Canadian outfielder was a late bloomer who ended up winning 3 batting titles and an MVP award. His rookie in a pristine PSA 10 has eclipsed $1,300 at auction. Again, centering is critical – an off-center PSA 9 might pull $200-300. Condition is king with rookies from the junk wax era.

Coming in at #6 is Ryne Sandberg’s card from the ’87 set, number #352. The smooth-fielding second baseman was already a 5-time All-Star and 3-time Gold Glove winner by this point in his career. His famous corkscrew batting stance and quiet professionalism made him a fan favorite as well. A PSA 10 Sandberg from ’87 changes hands for around $1,400 presently.

The 5th most valuable 1987 Topps issue is surprisingly not a rookie card – rather, it’s card #1, Nolan Ryan. The Ryan Express was already in his 18th season by 1987, but remained one of the most intimidating pitchers in baseball. His record 5,714 career strikeouts proved his longevity and dominance. In a PSA 10, his ’87 flagship card sells for around $1,500 currently. Any Ryan from the vintage era in a true gem grade holds immense value.

In the 4th spot is the Robin Yount rookie card, 1987 Topps #362. Yount played his entire 20-year career with the Milwaukee Brewers, winning an MVP award in each league and finishing with 3,000 career hits. As an inaugural rookie issue, his ’87 is highly sought after and extremely rare in pristine condition. A true PSA 10 has hit $1,750 at auction in recent times. Condition is absolutely critical for this rookie superstar card.

Taking the 3rd place spot is 1986 Rookie of the Year Jesse Orosco’s new additions card, 1987 Topps #481. Orosco carved out a long career as a shutdown left-handed reliever for multiple teams, logging over 1,000 appearances. His new card in pristine PSA 10 condition has sold upwards of $2,000, a strong price for a junk wax era reliever card. With limited pop, condition carries even more weight.

The 2nd highest valued 1987 Topps card is none other than the Reggie Jackson rookie, card #321. Unfortunately, Jackson’s true rookie was issued by Topps well before 1987 in 1967. As one of baseball’s true icons who went on to smash monster home runs in Yankee pinstripes, his late career “rookie” issue holds tremendous nostalgia and value. In Gem Mint condition, it has sold for up to $2,500 at auction.

And coming in at the most valuable 1987 Topps baseball card is, surprisingly, NOT a rookie – it’s the legendary rookie card of Mike Trout’s idol and predecessor, #344 Mickey Mantle. The Commerce Comet was already a 7-time World Series champion and 3-time MVP by 1987 in his waning years, but still retained immense star power. In the hands of a serious vintage collector looking for “the best”, the Mantle has been known to surpass $3,000 in PSA 10 mint. No other regular issue from the set commands as high of value or respect as the Mick.

While 1987 Topps lacks the true rookie card fireworks of the ’52 and ’86 sets, there remain some highly valuable gems within if preserved in pristine condition. Stars like Griffey Jr., McGwire, and Bonds have rookies that could one day equal or surpass what’s outlined here. But for the present, it’s the famous veterans, superstars and rare pristine rookies that reign supreme in value from the ’87 set 35 years later. Condition is critical to maximize returns, so prudent collectors slab relentlessly!