The 1986 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most iconic issues of the 1980s. While the entire set contains many popular and desirable cards, there are several that stand out as being among the most valuable from that year. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards from the 1986 Donruss set that frequently command higher prices in the trading card market.
One of the most well-known and sought-after rookie cards from 1986 Donruss is that of Roger Clemens. Clemens had just begun his illustrious 24-year career in 1985 and 1986 was his true rookie card year printed by Donruss. The Clemens rookie is highly meaningful to collectors as he would go on to have a Hall of Fame career earning 354 wins, 7 Cy Young Awards, and is regarded by many as one of the greatest pitchers of all time. In top graded gem mint condition a PSA 10 Clemens ’86 Donruss RC can sell for well over $10,000. Even lower graded near mint examples still demand thousands due to his legacy.
Another hugely valuable 1986 Donruss rookie is that of Barry Bonds. Like Clemens, Bonds was just getting started in 1986 but would establish himself as perhaps the greatest power hitter in baseball history. Bonds smashed 762 career home runs, won 7 NL MVP awards, and his epic 73 home run season in 2001 is arguably the single greatest individual season stats ever. His rookie card is viewed by collectors as capturing the early promise of what Bonds would become. High grade PSA 10 Bonds ’86 Donruss rookies can reach the $15,000 mark or higher. Even well-centred near mint copies still sell for $5,000+.
Greg Maddux is regarded by many analysts as the best pitcher of the modern era and his impressive resume features 355 career wins, 4 Cy Young Awards, and 18 Gold Gloves for his fielding excellence. As a rookie with the Chicago Cubs in 1986, Maddux broke in with Donruss issuing his first widely available trading card. Maddux rookie cards still in the original packaging with his name misspelled “Madaux” are true anomalies that can net over $50,000. PSA 10 graded Maddux ’86 Donruss rookies easily sell for $5,000-10,000 showing his staying power.
Tom Glavine was Rookie of the Year in 1987 but was included in the 1986 Donruss set as a rookie cup of coffee player after joining the Atlanta Braves late that season. Glavine went on to win 305 career games and 2 Cy Young Awards as one of the best lefties of all time. His ’86 Donruss rookie remains a key Braves card for collectors. PSA 10 Glavine rookies can sell in the $1,000-2,000 range while lower grade copies still attract buyers in the several hundred dollar range.
Don Mattingly’s iconic mustache and overall smile graced the cover of the 1986 Donruss set in one of the most remembered baseball card designs ever. As the superstar first baseman for the New York Yankees, Mattingly’s on-card appearance only added to his already large fanbase at the time. High grade PSA 10 Mattingly ’86 Donruss card value has plateaued around $1,500-2,000 in recent years showing stability in the hobby. Collectors still enjoy having “Donny Baseball” as a key piece in their vintage collections.
In addition to the above rookies, other standout 1986 Donruss cards include a PSA 10 graded Kirby Puckett which has reached over $2,000 at auction. Puckett was just starting to emerge as a star for the Twins. Also the flagship card of Oakland A’s ace Dave Stewart has achieved $1,000+ for pristine PSA 10 copies recognizing his prominence in the late 80s. And longtime Baltimore Orioles fan favorite Cal Ripken Jr., while not a true rookie in 1986, still attracts solid bids around $500-700 for top graded examples showing his enduring popularity.
While young star rookies and Hall of Famers understandably drive the highest prices, savvy collectors know to also consider valuable team and star player “commons” from the 1986 Donruss set. For example, a PSA 10 graded Mark McGwire rookie/debut card as an Oakland Athletic can sell over $300. Even the basic Carl Yastrzemski card has proven to exceed $100 in top condition showing respect for legacy Red Sox players. Complete set builders seeking pristine “gem mint” PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 graded team sets of 1986 Donruss have sold for well over $10,000 online.
While the entire 1986 Donruss baseball issue contains many interesting commons and stars, the flagship rookies of Clemens, Bonds, Maddux, and Glavine along with iconic veterans like Mattingly, Puckett and Ripken will likely remain the true blue-chip investments from the entire set. Strong demand driven by nostalgia, player accomplishments and scarcity help these select classic ’80s cards persist as some of the most collectible and valuable in the hobby depending on exact player, grade and market conditions. After 35 years, 1986 Donruss continues to captivate collectors both young and old with its memorable photography and historical significance in the industry.
