Tag Archives: 1987

ARE ANY 1987 BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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The 1987 baseball card set featured stars from that era such as Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, and Jose Canseco on the cover. Within the set are several key rookie cards and cards of established players that have gained value in the decades since. Here are some of the top 1987 baseball cards that could be worth something based on their condition and demand in the collecting market:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Widely considered one of if not the most valuable modern rookie card in existence, Griffey’s rookie from the 1987 set is iconic. In pristine near-mint to mint condition, examples have sold for well over $100,000. Even well-centered excellent or very good conditioned copies can fetch thousands. Griffey became one of the game’s greats and his rookie remained highly sought after throughout his career and after.

Mark McGwire Rookie Card – McGwire’s explosive home run chasing feats in the late 90s created huge nostalgia and demand for his rookie card. In top grades like a PSA 10, his 1987 card has reached over $20,000. Very good or excellent copies still sell for hundreds to low thousands due to the power hitter nostalgia.

Tom Glavine Rookie Card – The smooth lefty went on to a Hall of Fame career and 300 wins. His rookie is the key card from the set for Atlanta Braves collectors. PSA 10 editions have topped $1500 with most graded very good to excellent copies selling in the $50-300 range based on demand.

Greg Maddux Rookie Card – Another pitching great, Maddux sported pinpoint control and savvy over many years. While not as valuable as some others, high grade PSA 10 versions of his rookie have still sold for over $1000. Very good-excellent range from $50-250.

Ben McDonald Rookie Card – The Orioles flamethrower showed promise but arm issues curtailed his career. Still, his rookie remains popular with Baltimore fans and collectors. A PSA 10 recently sold for almost $800 with very good and better priced between $50-200.

Wally Joyner Rookie Card – The smooth swinging first baseman had several productive seasons. His card retains interest from Anaheim Angels collectors. Perfect PSA 10s have reached $500-600 range with very good and higher copies selling around $50-150.

Eric Davis Rookie Card – Davis was an electrifying 5-tool player plagued by injuries. When healthy he was a star for Cincinnati. Collectors remember his peak years fondly. PSA 10s have surpassed $300 with very good+ priced around $50-150.

Kevin Mitchell Rookie Card – Mitchell had huge power potential shown by his 1990 49 HR season. As a rookie for the Padres, his card is of interest to San Diego collections. PSA 10s have neared $300 with very good+ valued $50-150.

Dwight Gooden Rookie Card – Dr. K’s sophomore campaign or third year cards hold more appeal today. Still, some seek out his true rookie for NYC collections. PSA 10s have broken $200 while very good+ sell in the $50-150 range.

Ozzie Smith Rookie Card – A surefire Hall of Famer, The Wizard began his storied career with the Padres. High grade PSA 10 versions have reached $500-600. Very good and better usually fetch $50-200 based primarily on his great play and persona.

Alan Trammell Rookie Card – A classy player who won a World Series MVP, Trammell wore Detroit across his chest for 20 years. His rookie card retains following amongst Tiger diehards. PSA 10 recently saw high bid of $275 with very good+ around $50-150 range normally.

While not all 1987 rookie cards have retained monster value long term, there are several stars from that year whose cards have held substantial collector interest and price points in high grades. Factors like a player’s career performance and nostalgia play huge roles in the sustained demand for cards like Ken Griffey Jr, Mark McGwire, Ozzie Smith, Dwight Gooden, and others over decades since their debut seasons. In general, 1987 rookie cards and other keys from players of that vintage graded very good or better have the potential to be worth collecting and holding long term based on baseball history and hobby trends. Near-mint to mint PSA 10 examples of stars can reach four or even five-figure prices. But prices at all levels remain influenced by supply and demand dynamics in the trading card market.

In closing, while it can be very challenging to profit directly from sports cards as investments, 1987 and other vintage releases provide an avenue for fans to connect to baseball memories and affordably explore the early careers of legends. Condition remains vital to any potential value, but condition alone does not guarantee profitability – tracking market conditions and finding the right buyers is important when considering liquidating card holdings over time. For collectors who simply enjoy owning tangible pieces of baseball from the 1980s, lower grade 1987 cards can still spark nostalgia while retaining some monetary worth relative to production costs from over 30 years ago.

WHAT 1987 DONRUSS BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 1987 Donruss set is considered one of the most iconic baseball card releases of all time. While it may not contain household name rookies like some other years, there are still several key cards from the 1987 Donruss set that can hold significant value for collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the top cards that frequently fetch a premium on the secondary market:

Ken Griffey Jr. RC (Card #1) – Widely considered one of the best rookie cards ever made, Griffey’s Donruss rookie is hugely desired by collectors. In pristine gem mint 10 condition, this card can sell for upwards of $10,000. Even well-centered near mint copies often trade hands for $500-1000. Griffey was already showing amazing talents as a rookie in 1987 and this iconic card is a must-have for any vintage baseball card collection.

Barry Bonds RC (Card #210) – Similar to Griffey, Bonds’ Donruss rookie is recognized as one of the true heavyweight cards from the set. Bonds would go on to have one of the greatest careers in MLB history and shattered home run records. Top graded examples of this historic card have reached as high as $5000-6000. Most near mint 7-9 copies still pull in a few hundred dollars.

Mark McGwire (Card #331) – McGwire’s breakout 1987 season helped raise excitement around the Donruss release. His highly sought after main rookie card from Topps is out of financial reach for most, making his Donruss card a popular alternate. Pristine mint condition 10s can sell for $1500-2000, with most near mints bringing $200-500.

Frank Thomas ROY (Card #574) – As the 1990 American League Rookie of the Year, Thomas burst onto the scene with impressive power numbers. His iconic Donruss design shows promise of the hitting machine he became. Graded mint 9s have sold for around $400-500 range, with most well-centered near mints around $100.

Nolan Ryan (Card #581) – Arguably the greatest power pitcher of all-time, Ryan’s iconic photo and achievements on the mound make this a favorite for collectors. Top graded examples in mint condition have reached as high as $400-500 in recent sales. Most near mint copies still sell in the $50-150 range.

Jose Canseco (Card #614) – Canseco’s breakout 1986 season made him one of the more popular players during the 1987 release. As one of the early boomer-era sluggers who helped revive fan interest, his Donruss card remains in demand. Near mint copies trade between $50-150 depending on centering quality.

Tom Glavine RC (Card #663) – A Hall of Fame bound southpaw, Glavine’s rookie season showed glimpses of what was to come. His understated Donruss design remains a popular pick for Atlanta Braves PC builders. Near mint examples can reach $30-80, with most others settling in the $10-25 range.

Griffey Jr. & Bonds Combined RC (Card #128-129) – The unique back-to-back Griffey Jr. and Bonds rookie card combos are exponentially rarer finds than their individual cards. Received a perfect Gem Mint 10 grade, a duo recently sold for an astounding $31,200! Even lower graded near mints could fetch $1000+ given scarcity.

This covers some of the headlining 1987 Donruss cards that frequently demand premium prices depending on condition grades. Other key names like Roger Clemens, Walt Weiss, and Greg Maddux rookies also hold value. For a complete set in top mint condition, auction prices have been known to soar into the five-figure range or higher given the star-studded rookie class and iconic design. The 1987 Donruss release is truly one of the finest and most valuable sets from thejunk wax era.

WHAT 1987 BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 1987 baseball card season featured some hugely valuable rookie cards that have increased substantially in value over the past few decades. One of the most prominent is the Ken Griffey Jr rookie card. Griffey was undoubtedly one of the most talented and exciting players of his generation and his rookie card from 1987 Topps has become one of the most iconic and valuable cards ever issued. In Near Mint to Mint condition, Griffey’s rookie currently sells for thousands of dollars and high-grade specimens can fetch over $10,000. Another hugely expensive 1987 rookie is that of Mark McGwire from Donruss. McGwire went on to have one of the most prolific home run hitting careers ever and his rookie card value has soared over time. Nicely centered copies trade hands for $2,000-$3,000 while true high-grades can sell for five figures, making it one of the most valuable cards from the late 1980s.

Speaking of prolific home run hitters, Jose Canseco’s rookie card from 1987 Topps is also very desirable for collectors. Canseco helped usher in the power hitting era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While he never quite lived up to expectations over the long haul, his rookie card remains a key piece for team and player collectors from this period. Mint condition Canseco rookies sell in the $300-$500 range while low-population high-grades can exceed $1,000. Another member of the “Bash Brothers” whose rookie gained recognition was Mark McGwire, this time from his cardboard debut in Donruss. McGwire went on to have one of the most prolific home run hitting careers ever and his rookie card value has soared over time. Nicely centered copies trade hands for $2,000-$3,000 while true high-grades can sell for five figures, making it one of the most valuable cards from the late 1980s.

While position players see the most excitement on the vintage card market, there were also several high-value pitching rookie cards printed in 1987 sets. Perhaps the most notable is Dwight Gooden’s Topps rookie from his Cy Young Award-winning 1985 season. “Doc” Gooden electrified the baseball world as a flame-throwing teenager and his iconic 1985 Topps card remains a must-have for Mets and 80s collectors. Top-graded examples can reach the $10,000+ range for this true blue chip of the vintage period. Another pricey hurler is Orel Hershiser. After breaking Don Drysdale’s scoreless innings streak and winning both the Cy Young and World Series MVP in 1988, interest in his 1986 Donruss and 1987 Fleer/Topps rookies skyrocketed. Near-gem copies can be found in the $500-800 range with pristine specimens selling upwards of $2,000.

It wasn’t just the most star-studded young players who had valuable cards in 1987. Sets from this period also featured key rookie cards for some future Hall of Famers who were still early in their careers at the time. For example, the 1987 Topps Traded set featured premier rookies of Barry Larkin, Tom Glavine, and Mark McGwire that hold premium appeal to collectors. Graded versions of these cards can reach the $200-500 level depending on condition. Additionally, Ripken collectors love chasing his 1980 Topps Traded and 1981 Donruss/Fleer rookies from his early Orioles days. These see prices in the $75-150 NM-MT range. And Tony Gwynn fans seek out his 1981 Topps, 1981 Donruss, and 1982 Fleer debuts priced $50-150 based on condition. Cards featuring rookie seasons of HOF’ers Griffey, Ripken, Glavine, Gwynn, and others make for very strong long-term holds.

The 1987 baseball card season greatly featured the rookie cards of many future Hall of Famers and peak performers who dominated the game in the 1990s. Ken Griffey Jr, Mark McGwire, Jose Canseco, Dwight Gooden and Orel Hershiser stand out amongst the most expensive and recognizable. But collections and investors would also be well served by including the earliest cards of Larkin, Ripken, Glavine, Gwynn and other legends who were just starting their careers in 1987. This makes sets from this window an iconic period for the hobby with cards primed to retain and increase value for decades to come.

WHAT ROOKIES ARE IN 1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the biggest rookie cards featured in the 1987 Topps baseball set was Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell on card #88. Bell had just come off a phenomenal rookie season in 1986 where he batted .273 with 27 home runs and 87 RBI. He would go on to win the American League MVP award in 1987, batting .308 with 47 home runs and 134 RBI. The 1987 Topps rookie card of George Bell is one of the all-time iconic rookie cards from the 1980s and remains a highly sought after card by collectors today.

Another highly valuable rookie card from 1987 Topps was Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Teddy Higuera on card #456. Higuera broke out in 1987 with a record of 15-9 and an ERA of 2.96 in 31 starts. While he did not win Rookie of the Year, Higuera established himself as an elite pitcher in the league. He would go on to three straight All-Star selections from 1987-1989. The error-filled 1987 Topps Higuera rookie is one of the most desired Brewers cards from the late 1980s.

One of the most anticipated rookie cards in 1987 Topps was Atlanta Braves pitcher Tom Glavine on card #480. Glavine made his MLB debut in 1987 and had a very solid season, going 13-8 with a 3.68 ERA in 31 starts. While he lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to Cardinals catcher Todd Zeile, Glavine established himself as a future ace. He would go on to win two Cy Young Awards and help the Braves win the 1995 World Series. Glavine’s sharp rookie card is highly sought after by both Braves and baseball card collectors.

Another notable rookie in the 1987 Topps set was California Angels pitcher Chuck Finley on card #210. Finley made his MLB debut in 1987 after being selected 5th overall by the Angels in the 1984 draft. In his first full season, Finley went 11-11 with a 3.68 ERA in 30 starts. He finished 4th in Rookie of the Year voting. Finley went on to become one of the top left-handed starters in the American League throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. His well-centered 1987 Topps rookie card is a key piece for Angels collectors.

One of the standout shortstop rookies featured in 1987 Topps was Oakland A’s prospect Walt Weiss on card #256. Weiss made his big league debut in 1987 and batted .268 in 105 games as Oakland’s regular shortstop. He finished 6th in Rookie of the Year voting. While he never developed into a superstar, Weiss had a long, respectable career spanning 19 seasons in the majors. His 1987 rookie card is an important piece in any A’s or shortstop collection.

Another notable rookie card in the 1987 Topps set belonged to Chicago White Sox catcher Carlton Fisk on card #340. “Pudge” was in his early 30s but was still performing at an All-Star level for Chicago when Topps included his rookie card in the 1987 set in error. While not truly a rookie card, Fisk’s 1987 issue is still highly coveted by both White Sox and Hall of Fame collectors alike due to the rarity of the error.

The 1987 Topps baseball card set featured the debut cards of several future all-time greats like Tom Glavine and standout rookie seasons from George Bell, Chuck Finley and Teddy Higuera. More modest debuts from Walt Weiss and others are also keys for team collectors. Cardinals fans eagerly await the return of the rookie card error starring Carlton Fisk to lists of collectibles. The rookie class of 1987 produced many memorable players and their debut cards remain highly valuable in the hobby today.

HOW MUCH WAS A PACK OF BASEBALL CARDS IN 1987

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In 1987, the average price of a pack of baseball cards at retail stores in the United States was generally around $1 per pack. The exact price could vary slightly depending on the brand, series, and location. Most major baseball card manufacturers like Topps, Donruss, Fleer, and Score sold their standard wax packs of about 11 cards for right around a dollar during that time period.

Some specialty or premium packs from certain brands might have been slightly more expensive. For example, Topps Traded sets usually retailed for $1.25 per pack since they featured current star players and were considered a higher-end product line. Wax packs from the early season series put out by Topps in particular, known as Series 1 in 1987, were also sometimes priced at $1.10-$1.25 at retail initially before settling in around a buck once distribution was widespread.

Inflation factors into the pricing as well. Compared to today, a 1987 dollar had more purchasing power. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics inflation calculator, $1 in 1987 would be equal to around $2.35 in 2021 when adjusting for currency devaluation over the past 34 years. So while packs seem very inexpensive by today’s standards, the price point was reasonable for consumers and maintained the affordable, mass-market appeal of the baseball card hobby at that time.

Geographical location could also cause slight variances in baseball card prices from store to store across different parts of the country back then. Rural areas or small hometown shops tended to mark items up a nickel or dime compared to big city outlets or card stores in major league markets that benefited from higher volume sales. But generally within around 25 cents either way of a greenback was the going rate pretty much nationwide during the peak 1987 season.

1987 saw sky-high popularity for the baseball card collecting frenzy of the late 1980s. Sales were booming as kids of all ages snapped up packs hoping for star rookies or a chase card of sluggers like Don Mattingly or Rickey Henderson. With astronomical print runs to meet demand and the influx of multiple competing manufacturers all vying for attention on the hobby shop shelves, keeping pack prices low was crucial for attracting every potential new customer. The $1 price tag played a big part in ensuring affordability and accessibility for collectors of all skill levels and income brackets.

Beyond the standard wax packs, some specialty products released that year offered added value at slightly higher but still reasonable costs. One such item was the 1987 Topps Traded Giant Baseball Card Packs, which came wrapped in foil and contained an oversized “giant” card averaging around 6×9 inches in size paired with 10 normal size commons. These jumbo card promotions retailed for around $1.49 and generated collector excitement with their unique bonus hits. Boxed sets grouping together complete subsets or league leaders at an above-pack cost also found popularity.

And collectors could score bargain deals too if they knew where to look. Occasionally after the initial rush had died down, leftover 1987 packs might end up discounted 25-50 cents apiece at discount chains trying to clearance out excess inventory. Meanwhile dealers at local card shows hawked loose 1987 commons and stars in plastic team bags at steep bulk prices far below a single pack’s worth. So savvy shoppers had options to both feed their habit and save cash.

In analyzing nationwide retail sales data, market research firms estimated over 2.5 billion baseball cards were purchased across all manufacturers and series in 1987 alone. That incredible concentration of new product entering the hands of collectors every year is a big reason why late 1980s cardboard is still among the most abundant in the hobby today, even as values have risen on some of the coveted rookie cards. At $1 a pack, it’s no mystery how almost everyone with even a passing interest could join in on the fun – making 1987 a true golden age when it came to affordability and accessibility in the baseball card collecting world.

A standard 1987 Topps, Donruss, Fleer or Score baseball card wax pack containing about 11 random cards generally sold at retail stores, hobby shops, convenience stores and supermarkets across the United States for around $1 during the 1987 season. That $1 price helped propel the sports cards phenomenon to never before seen heights, putting collected affordable packs within reach of virtually any kid or fan with a dollar burning a hole in their pocket looking for their next cardboard thrill.

HOW MANY 1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WERE MADE

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In 1987, Topps produced their annual set of baseball trading cards for the 1987 MLB season. The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and popular releases from the classic era of baseball cards from the 1970s through the early 1990s. For the 1987 set, Topps printed a total of 792 baseball cards that made up the base card checklist.

In addition to the base cards, Topps also produced several special and parallel subset series that were inserted randomly in packs. This included short print cards, rookie/star cards, traded sets, and international subset cards. When you factor in all the inserted parallel and special subsets, the total published number of unique 1987 Topps baseball cards reached over 800 different cards.

For the main 792 card base set, Topps’ print run was massive to meet the intense consumer demand for baseball cards during the late 1980s peak of the hobby. Reliable industry sources and sports memorabilia experts who have analyzed production records from Topps estimate that the total number of 1987 Topps base cards printed was around 1.3 billion individual cards.

This print run size of 1.3 billion was a drastic increase compared to print runs from just a few years prior. For comparison, the 1981 Topps set had a print run estimated at around 400-500 million cards. So the 1987 release more than doubled the output from just 6 years earlier. With millions of children, teenagers, and adults collecting at the time, Topps needed to mass produce cards to keep up with demand.

The 1.3 billion card estimate is also backed up by the sheer volume of 1987 Topps cards that still exist today on the marketplace over 30 years later. This huge supply is a testament to the immense print run that Topps undertook. While other 1980s sets have become quite scarce as the years pass, 1987s can still be readily found in collections, at card shows, and online due to the massive initial number printed.

To put Topps’ 1987 print run size into further context, it is important to note that they dominated the baseball card market in the late 1980s. Their closest competitors at Fleer and Donruss were smaller companies that did not have the printing capabilities that Topps possessed. Fleer is estimated to have printed around 400-500 million cards for their 1987 set. And Donruss production was even lower, likely between 200-300 million for that year.

The mammoth 1.3 billion card print run allowed Topps to saturate the market and make their 1987 set the most available offering for collectors compared to the smaller output from Fleer and Donruss. The high supply also helped 1987 Topps cards retain value better over time due to their ubiquity. Even though it has been over 30 years since the set was released, unopened 1987 packs can still occasionally be found at card shops and flea markets today.

In total, when considering all the special parallel and inserted subsets beyond the main 792 card base checklist, Topps’ complete 1987 output reached over 800 unique baseball cards. And the total number of individual 1987 Topps cards printed for distribution is estimated by industry experts to have been approximately 1.3 billion, making it one of the highest print runs in the history of baseball cards thus far. This unprecedented production volume helped make the 1987 Topps set one of the most successful and collectible card issues ever.

WHAT ARE THE MOST VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS FROM 1987

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The 1987 baseball card season saw the rise of some young superstar players who would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Two of the most coveted rookie cards from that year still fetch enormous prices today on the secondary market.

The undisputed crown jewel of the 1987 baseball cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was one of the most hyped rookie prospects ever and he lived up to the expectations by having a stellar 22-year career that will land him in the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. His sweet left-handed swing and great defense captivated fans. As one of the most popular players of his generation, demand for his rookie card has never waned. In pristine gem mint condition, the Griffey rookie has sold for over $100,000. Even well-worn copies in played condition can sell for thousands. The card’s rarity, subject, and Griffey’s legacy make it truly the holy grail for baseball card collectors from this era.

Another massively valuable 1987 rookie card is that of Chicago White Sox pitcher Tim Raines. Like Griffey, Raines was one of the most exciting young players to come into the league in 1987. As a base-stealing machine with blinding speed, Raines electrified fans during his 23-year career. He falls just shy of the Hall of Fame but is considered by many analysts to be one of the most underrated players of all time. His rookie Pinnacle brand card is one of the harder 1987 cards to find in perfect condition due to its flimsier stock. But specimen copies have still sold for well over $10,000.

Besides the rookies of Griffey and Raines, there are several other highly valuable 1987 cards to seek out. Toronto Blue Jays All-Star shortstop Tony Fernandez has a common but hugely popular Topps Traded card which has cracked the $1,000 sales barrier in top grades. Seattle Mariners star shortstop and 1987 AL Rookie of the Year winner Walt Weiss also has a desirably scarce Topps Traded card that is still relatively inexpensive compared to the big guns, but holds strong long term collection value. And Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Barry Larkin’s rookie card from that season continues appreciation as one of the better looking and more historically significant cards from the set.

Condition is king when it comes to 1987 values. The paper stock used for that year’s flagship Topps set was notoriously flimsy and prone to damage. Getting cards rated high on the visual scale greatly impacts their worth – the difference between a well-worn near-mint copy versus a pristine near-mint-mint copy can be a multi-hundred or even thousand dollar gap. Subsets are also desirable, like the rare Glossy Sendbacks and/or Photo Shoot cards inserted randomly in wax packs that year.

While there are hundreds of cards produced in the 1987 season across all the major brands, the rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr. and Tim Raines stand far above the rest as the true blue chip investments. Both players went on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers and their cards, especially superb conditioned copies, are some of the most expensive and liquid examples that can be owned from the entire decade of the 1980s in the hobby. Condition is critical, and any other notable rookie or star player cards that survive in top-notch shape also command substantial prices. The 1987 season gave collectors cards of emerging talents that would go down as all-time greats.

ARE BASEBALL CARDS FROM 1987 WORTH ANYTHING

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Baseball cards from 1987 can potentially be worth something, but there are a few factors that determine the value of any given card from that year. The 1987 baseball card market saw the introduction of several sets from the major card manufacturers that are still popular with collectors today. Some of the major sets released in 1987 include Topps, Donruss, Fleer, and Score. Within each set, certain cards of star players could fetch a premium price if in good condition.

One of the most important things that impacts the value of any vintage baseball card is its condition or state of preservation. Baseball cards from 1987 that are in mint condition or graded as gem mint by professional grading services like PSA or BGS have the greatest chance of holding significant value. Even lightly played or moderately worn cards from 1987 can appeal to collectors if they feature key players. The condition of the card will be the biggest determinant of its monetary worth.

Another factor is which player is featured on the front of the card. Superstar players from the 1987 season like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, or Ken Griffey Jr. have cards that may command higher prices than role players or career minor leaguers – even in the same set and condition. The bigger the name, the better the odds that card has retained interest from collectors. That said, even lesser known players can gain value if they had outstanding individual seasons or accomplishments in 1987.

Beyond condition and player, the specific card set also affects value. The flagship Topps set from 1987 is usually the most desirable among collectors, as Topps has been the longest-running and most popular brand. Within the Topps set, the lower card numbers (#1-100) tend to attract premiums. The higher the card number, the lower its value likelihood. Other popular 1987 sets like Donruss, Fleer, and Score can also hold value for star players depending on grade. Regional oddball sets from that time period may have value as well to niche collectors.

Rarity is another aspect that raises a card’s importance and price point. Common base cards of notable players might have values of $10-20 in mint condition from 1987, but special parallel or short-printed variations could jump over $100 or more depending on the player featured. Short-prints, jersey/memorabilia cards, and special photo variation subsets are examples of rarer card types from vintage sets that warrant higher prices. Similarly, special league leader, award winner, or rookie cards containing stats or accomplishments also carry collector value due to their scarcity within sets.

An often underestimated but important factor is the overall condition and demand cycles within the vintage sports card market. During periods where collectors are more actively pursuing certain eras, card prices can spike sharply. The late 1980s experienced renewed collector interest, causing the prices of high-grade mid-1980s cardboard to climb in recent years. If interest cools or the economy sours, prices could decline again across the board for that era – even for the most coveted stars and scarcest cards. Market forces continually impact demand and pricing.

So to summarize – whether a baseball card from 1987 is worth something depends greatly on factors like its condition and preservation, which player is featured, which set it’s from, its specific printing details, and overall market/collector cycles. A mint rookie card of Barry Bonds could certainly be worth hundreds today, while a common bottom-of-the-roster journeyman’s played card may have little more than a buck or two of value. For the key stars, condition is king. But occasional diamond in the rough lesser names can surface too. Vintage card collecting continues evolving – so value is never fixed in the ever-changing secondary market of decades-old sports memorabilia.

While 1987 baseball cards as a whole won’t make anyone rich, the best conditioned and most historically significant examples featuring perennial Hall of Fame players have appreciated nicely and could hold stronger long-term value. For collectors, it’s understanding the dynamics of vintage card markets and properly assessing all the value factors that will help determine if a given 1987 card in a collection today is worth hanging onto or has topped out in terms of future earnings potential. Condition, players, sets, and current market conditions are the major issues to weigh, but surprises can always emerge that give otherwise average cards newfound worth years later.

WHAT IS A COMPLETE SET OF 1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The value of a complete set of 1987 Topps baseball cards can vary greatly depending on the condition and grade of the individual cards in the set. The 1987 Topps set contains 792 total cards including base cards, rookie cards, stars and Hall of Fame players. It was the 66th year Topps produced baseball cards and is considered one of the more iconic and popular vintage sets from the 1980s.

To give an estimate of value, it’s important to first understand the different grade levels cards can receive. The standard grading scale used is the 10-point scale from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). On this scale, a card in Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) condition would grade between 7-10. Anything 6 or below is considered worn. Most complete 1987 Topps sets on the secondary market today would grade somewhere between Good-Very Good (G-VG), or 4-6 on the scale.

In G-VG condition, a well-centered 1987 Topps complete base set with no stars or rookies could fetch between $300-$500. This assumes the cards are all present with minor flaws like light edge wear or small surface scuffs. If several key cards grade a bit higher around EX-NM, the set could reach $600-800. Now, finding a complete 1987 set all NM/MT 7 or above would be extremely rare and valuable, potentially reaching $2,000-$3,000 given the sheer number of high grade cards needed.

Of course, the inclusion of stars and rookie cards in the set greatly increases its value. The ’87 Topps set features the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. Griffey’s widely considered one of the most iconic and desirable baseball cards ever made. His ’87 Topps rookie in Gem Mint (GM) 10 grade has sold for over $10,000 individually. Even a lowly PSA 7 could fetch $1000+. Finding the Griffey as part of a complete set would add major value.

Key stars of the era like Roger Clemens, Dwight Gooden, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith also drive up interest if their cards grade well. A high-grade ’87 Clemens rookie could add $500 to a set alone. Overall condition of these chase cards is critical – even a single BBGS/PSA 6 star or rookie greatly devalues an otherwise higher-end complete set.

Beyond individual card grades, there are other factors influencing a ’87 Topps set’s worth such as the market at a given time. During hot sales periods for vintage cards, a G-VG set might sell for closer to $700-900. Conversely, it could fall under $300 if the vintage card market is dipping. There may also be premiums applied if the set is especially fresh and nicely presented in original storage such as complete sheets.

While a complete 1987 Topps baseball card set can vary widely based on condition grades, presence of stars/rookies and current market trends – most G-VG quality sets in individual sleeves or binder pages would conservatively sell in the $300-800 range today. Top condition sets with many 7+ graded cards including stars could reach $2,000-3,000, with any high-end Griffey RC dramatically increasing value from there depending on grade. With such a large set, condition is king in determining true worth to collectors and investors.

ARE 1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the more significant releases from the 1980s. While it may not contain legendary rookies on the scale of the 1952 Topps set which featured Mickey Mantle’s rookie card, the 1987 Topps set still holds value for many collectors and fans due to the talent featured. To determine if 1987 Topps cards hold monetary worth, we must analyze multiple factors including the condition of the cards, the players featured, and overall collector demand and interest.

To start, the 1987 Topps set contains 792 total cards released in wax packs. This includes base cards, traded cards, and special subsets. Some of the biggest stars of the late 1980s are prominently featured such as Roger Clemens, Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Rickey Henderson. These star players typically add value to any vintage set they are included in. The 1987 set also contains rookie cards for talented players like Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, and Randy Johnson who all went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Rookie and star player cards from vintage sets tend to retain value better over time.

Condition is also important when assessing the monetary worth of any vintage sports card. For 1987 Topps cards to have significant financial value, they will need to grade at least a PSA 7 or BGS 7 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being gem mint. Cards in pristine condition straight from the pack would earn a PSA 10 or BGS black label 10 and demand the highest prices. It’s rare to find cards from the 1980s maintaining such top grades due to age, handling, and storage issues over several decades. But cards grading at an 8 or higher can still hold value especially for the stars and key rookies.

In addition to individual card demand, the entire 1987 Topps set itself has gained popularity with collectors in recent years. The design features bright team colors and clean lines that have stood the test of time compared to some of the more elaborate anddated designs from the late 80s sportscard boom. Collectors enjoy completing the flagship Topps sets from each season and the 1987 is widely available on the secondary market. This continued collecting interest has helped support prices.

When searching recent sales records, several key 1987 Topps cards have sold for values significantly higher than their original retail price point in the late 1980s. For example, the Roger Clemens rookie card has sold for over $1,000 in PSA 10 condition showing strong demand for this particular card. The Mark McGwire rookie in PSA 9 condition has reached over $500 at auction. Even star players graded lower have sold for hundreds. More common players can still sell for $10-25 each in mid grades if they are in demand. And completed near-set collections in lower grades have gone for thousands showing the sets hold an allure as a whole.

In conclusion, 1987 Topps baseball cards have intrinsic collectible value based on the legendary players featured and enduring fan interest in the set design. While individual cards must maintain high grades to command significant prices, there is a thriving secondary market where collectors are willing to pay more than the cards would be deemed as mere memorabilia. Condition and the specific players or rookies featured impact values most, but overall the 1987 Topps set has proven to retain monetary worth recognized by vintage sports card collectors and fans. For discerning investors and those passionate about the stars of the late 80s, a 1987 Topps card collection may prove a worthwhile addition.