The 1987 Topps baseball card set marked the 25th anniversary of Topps’ iconic baseball card production. With 792 total cards in the base set, the 1987 issue contained many rookie cards and memorable players that have stood the test of time. Several factors contribute to what makes certain 1887 cards among the most valuable in the hobby today. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most coveted and expensive 1987 Topps baseball cards.

Perhaps the single most valuable baseball card from the 1987 set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Often considered one of if not the best baseball cards ever produced, the Griffey Jr. rookie is the undisputed holy grail for collectors from this era. Griffey was already viewed as a can’t-miss superstar coming up through the Seattle Mariners system in the late 1980s. He didn’t disappoint, going on to have a Hall of Fame career and leaving an indelible mark on the game.

Griffey’s rookie card showcases him in the iconic Mariners uniforms with solid blue front and sleeves with navy pinstripes and trident logo. What makes this specific rookie so highly sought after is the perfect storm of factors – Griffey’s iconic career and likeness, the card’s extremely limited print run from Topps in 1987, and its impeccable design that has stood the test of time. In high grade it’s not unusual to see PSA 10 Griffey rookies sell for well over $100,000. Even well-centered near-mint copies can fetch $10,000+. It’s truly one of the most elite rookie cards ever produced.

Another huge star from the 1987 set is Barry Bonds. Like Griffey, Bonds was already displaying his prodigious five-tool talent very early in his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His rookie card shows him in the classic Pirates black and gold uniforms. Bonds went on to have one of the best careers in baseball history and repeatedly rewrote the record books, making his rookie one of the most historically significant. In high grades it consistently sells for well over $1,000 due to its subject’s hallowed status in the game.

Rookies of other all-time greats like Mark McGwire also hold significant value. Big Mac’s rookie exposes him swinging away for the Athletics in their classic green and gold color scheme. McGwire burst onto the scene by blasting 49 home runs in his rookie campaign of 1987, setting the rookie record. He went on to smash the single-season home run record of 70 just a decade later. High-grade 1987 McGwire rookies can reach $500-700.

While star players drive the bulk of valuable 1987 cards, there are also several key short prints and error cards that command top dollar. The most notorious and expensive short print is the Riffer Torre manager card, highlighting him in a Baltimore Orioles uniform despite never playing for them. Due to an error in production, only 10-25 of these “Orioles” Torre cards are believed to exist. In pristine condition they can eclipse $25,000 sales.

Other highly sought short prints include the Dennis Eckersley Athletics card, only approximately 50 of which were printed. High-grade examples have recently sold for over $10,000. The Steve Sax Dodgers short print also typically commands well over $1,000 due its rarity.

Hidden gems and oddball cards can also hold great value. The Mike Schmidt Futures card showcasing a teenage version of the future Hall of Famer has sold for $3,000 in Mint condition. The unique Steve Carlton Vikings Football card, mistakenly portraying the pitcher in a football uniform instead of his Phillies duds, has reached over $4,000 for quality copies.

Condition, of course, is absolutely critical for maximizing return on valuable 1987 cardboard. Low-grade examples of even the best rookie cards may only yield a few hundred dollars. To truly capitalize, collectors need pristine copies fresh from manufacturing in Near Mint to Mint status. These elite condition copies will exponentially multiply in value versus lower graded counterparts.

While inflation and increases in population have inevitably driven up prices over the decades, the 1987 Topps set remains a premier investment and collecting opportunity. Its mixture of all-time franchise players, impact rookies, andproduction anomalies make it a classic within the hobby. For serious collectors, owning high-quality examples of the headlining Griffey, Bonds and McGwire rookies, as well as the elusive Riffer Torre short print, represents owning some of the crowning jewels from the 1980s trading card boom. Their cachet, rarity, and historical significance should ensure they remain hugely valuable for years to come.

The perfect storm of future Hall of Fame talents and rare production variations have cemented many 1987 Topps baseball cards among the most prized and investment-worthy commodities in the hobby. Cards like the Griffey Jr. and Bonds rookies as well as errors like the Torre short print highlight the set’s enduring appeal and establish it as a pinnacle release from the golden era of the sport. For avid collectors, owning a high-quality sampling of these elite ’87 cards represents a true collecting accomplishment and sound long term portfolio holding.

The 1986 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the golden era of baseball cards in the 1980s. While it may not be the most sought after year overall, it features several cards that have become extremely valuable for collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most expensive gems from the 1986 Topps set.

One of the most notable rookies featured is slugger Mark McGwire’s rookie card. As the #383 card in the set, McGwire’s rookie card was relatively easy to pull from packs as a kid. It has skyrocketed in value in recent decades. This is largely due to McGwire breaking the single season home run record in 1998, then later admitting to steroid use. In pristine mint condition, a 1986 Topps McGwire rookie in a PSA 10 grade routinely sells for over $15,000 today. Even well-centered near mint copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition can fetch $3,000-$5,000.

McGwire’s accomplishments and controversies are a big reason for the card’s demand. But another key factor is that 1986 Topps had a large print run so there are fewer high grade copies left around compared to other rookie cards from less widely produced sets. The combination of McGwire’s fame and the card’s rising scarcity makes it the most valuable from the ’86 Topps set by a wide margin.

While no other rookie comes close to matching McGwire’s value, some notable pitchers’ first cards have also climbed significantly in price. One is Dwight Gooden’s cardboard debut, the #181 card. As one of the most hyped rookie pitchers ever after winning Rookie of the Year in 1984 and the Cy Young in 1985, Gooden’s first Topps issue is a beloved piece of memorabilia for Mets fans. Near mint PSA 8 versions can sell for around $2,000 today. Meanwhile, a PSA 10 mint Gooden rookie would likely fetch over $5,000 at auction among serious collectors.

Another coveted rookie pitcher in the set is David Cone’s #344 card. Despite suffering injuries that slowed his early career, Cone went on to win 194 games over 18 seasons and five World Series titles. His dominance in the late 90s as a Yankees ace added to his first card’s appeal. A PSA 8 David Cone rookie generally sells in the $800-1,200 range now. It’s not as pricey as Gooden’s yet, but certain condition pop report stats indicate it could appreciate faster long term since higher grade Cone rookies seem to be rarer finds.

Moving beyond rookies, some veteran superstars from the 1986 set have also maintained strong collector interest and value over time. One is Nolan Ryan’s #139 card, featuring the legend mid-windup for the Astros. While not his true rookie, it’s one of the most visually dramatic and memorable cards in the entire set. Pristine PSA 10 examples have sold for over $1,000. But Ryan cards in any grade hold value considering how iconic he remains as baseball’s all-time strikeout king.

Another perennial all-time great, Wade Boggs, possesses a valuable card from the ’86 set as well. His #454 Red Sox issue picturing Boggs at bat has remained popular. Near mint PSA 8 copies in strong demand routinely trade hands for $500-700. That’s likely due to Boggs’ elite career numbers, memorable RBI Baseball video game cover, and long tenure in Boston cementing his stature among collectors. Condition matters highly for Boggs cards, accounting for the price gap with lower grades.

Rookies and future Hall of Famers understandably drive most of the value in the 1986 Topps set. There are a couple unique circumstances resulting in individual common cards achieving tremendous prices as well. One example is Bob Horner’s #642 issue, which has sold for over $6,000 in high grade. The reason? It featured an unintended printing error showing Horner in an Expos uniform despite being traded to the Cardinals a year prior. Quirks like this demonstrate how anomalies can flip otherwise pedestrian cards into six-figure items.

An even curiouser situation surrounds Bill Gullickson’s #153 card from the set. With no real accolades to drive it normally, this card has still achieved over $2,000 sales. The bizarre backstory is that several Gullickson family members and friends obtained thousands of 1986 Topps wax packs directly from the printer within the first year of the cards releasing. This cache of cards included over 1,000 PSA 10 Gullickson rookies. With so few believed to exist officially outside that group, a strange scarcity was artificially created around this random card. It shows how rumors and lore can spike even singular issues at times.

While 1986 Topps may lack the singular absolutely blue chip rookie or superstar cards of select other releases, it consistently produces affordable stars and surprises for collectors. Cards like McGwire, Gooden, Cone, Ryan and Boggs might have relatively lower PSA 10 price tags than comparable players’ rookie cards elsewhere. But their availability across all conditions retains residual appeal. Factors like rarity quirks, legends cementing, and individual nostalgia ensure particular pieces from the ’86 set like Horner and Gullickson still hold bizarre intrigue as well. It serves as a reminder for collectors to watch conditions, histories and stories rather than just chase only the costliest Hall of Famers.

The 1987 Sportflics baseball card set introduced some of the biggest stars of the late 1980s to the hobby. A select few rookie cards and players from that set have grown to become tremendously valuable in the decades since. These scarce and coveted pieces of cardboard have brought in huge sums at auction and helped define the 1987 Sportflics set as one of the all-time classics.

Heading the list of the most valuable 1987 Sportflics cards is none other than Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the single best rookie card ever printed, Griffey’s 1987 Sportflics card #130 is the true crown jewel of the set and hobby. Often fetching well into the thousands of dollars even in low grades, mint condition Griffey rookies have sold for astronomical prices topping $100,000 at auction. The card perfectly captures a young pre-superstar Griffey smiling with potential greatness still ahead of him. His rookie card endures as one of the most iconic and investment-worthy cards in the industry due to Griffey’s legendary career and continued fan popularity.

Another surefire first ballot Hall of Famer with an extremely valued 1987 Sportflics rookie is Frank Thomas. “The Big Hurt’s” card #480 routinely brings in healthy sums in high grades, with gem mint 10 copies easily clearing $1,000 at auction. Like Griffey, Thomas went on to have one of the best careers of his generation while also retaining a strong fan following in retirement. His rookie perfectly pays tribute to the beginnings of one of baseball’s most decorated sluggers of the 1990s and 2000s.

Staying with impact rookies, Mark McGwire’s debut Sportflics card #345 is highly sought after by collectors to this day. Big Mac came out swinging in his first major league season and went on to set the single season home run record, making his rookie one of the more historically significant in the set. Near-mint to mint copies routinely sell for several hundred dollars. Meanwhile, McGwire’s career may be tainted for some due to steroid connections, but demand has held strong for his vintage cardboard.

A true dark horse for value potential from the 1987 set is Darren Daulton’s rookie card #493. As the longtime Philadelphia Phillies catcher of the early 1990s “Macho Row” clubs, Dutch quickly became a fan favorite during his career and has retained popularity in the city and beyond. The combination of his status as an underrated star and Philadelphia roots have lifted his rookie card value considerably in recent years. Even well-centered near-mint copies can sell for $200 or more when auctioned off. Condition is crucial here too, as pristine gem mint Daulton rookies have sold for over $1,000.

Staying with catchers, 1989 Rookie of the Year Sandy Alomar Jr’s card #105 routinely fetches $100+ for quality copies due to his solid all-around MLB career spent mostly with the Cleveland Indians. Meanwhile, cards of Canseco, Clemens, and other future stars like Craig Biggio and John Smoltz feature prominently in value guides and enthusiastic collector demand as well due to Hall of Fame-caliber careers. Even mid-range stars like Lenny Dykstra, Wally Joyner, and David Wells command interest and dollars for their rookie cards in the set too.

Of the true stars featured who were past their rookie years by 1987, Nolan Ryan’s card #75 leads the way. As arguably the single greatest power pitcher in baseball history, and an active player still doing big things on the mound for the Astros at the time of the set’s release, Ryan’s Sportflics card has always held tremendous collectible weight. Mint copies now sell for hundreds due to his legend and the card’s old-school style featuring one of the game’s most intimidating hurlers.

Rounding out some of the headliners, Ozzie Smith’s signature backward flipping defensive wizard card #494 is a true fan favorite and always in high demand. Often described as the finest defensive shortstop ever, even Ozzie’s upbeat player photo makes for an iconic baseball collectible three decades later. Other big name veterans like Don Mattingly, George Brett, and Tony Gwynn round out consistent value performers in the set due to sustained Hall of Fame careers as well.

The 1987 Sportflics set defined the late 1980s baseball card market and created a who’s who of future Cooperstown inductees and beloved MLB stars through career-defining rookie cards and classic veteran images alike. Cards like rookie Griffey, Frank Thomas, McGwire, and Daulton have since emerged as truly epic finds for collectors, while perennial greats like Ryan, Smith, and others retain legendary status in the hobby as well. For anyone holding mint examples from this true classic set, they have pieces of cardboard history in their collections.