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WHAT ARE THE BEST 1989 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1989 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s. It was the 58th series issued by Topps and featured players from that 1989 Major League Baseball season. Some of the standout rookie cards and cards of star players from this set have become highly coveted by collectors over the years. Here are some of the most notable cards from the 1989 Topps set that are considered the best and most desirable:

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (Card #1) – Widely acknowledged as one of the best rookie cards of all time, Griffey Jr.’s 1989 Topps rookie is arguably the crown jewel of the entire set. Griffey was already renowned for his playmaking skills and potential superstardom before even debuting in the majors. His rookie card captured him at the start of what became a surefire Hall of Fame career. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples of this rare rookie card regularly sell for thousands of dollars today.

Frank Thomas Rookie Card (Card #178) – Another legendary rookie card from 1989 Topps was that of Frank Thomas, known as the “Big Hurt.” Like Griffey, Thomas went on to have an outstanding career and is also in the Hall of Fame. High gradeThomas rookies have become extremely valuable over the years as one of the best-looking and most sought-after early 90s rookie cards on the market.

Barry Bonds (Card #204) – Featuring one of the game’s all-time greatest players in the prime of his career, Barry Bonds’ 1989 Topps card is a true icon of the era. Bonds would win his first MVP award in 1990 and go on to break the single season and career home run records. Top-rated examples of this powerhouse card in PSA/BGS slabs sell for hundreds to over $1000.

Nolan Ryan (Card #322) – One of the most legendary pitchers in baseball history had just wrapped up his record-setting career when this iconic 1989 Topps card was issued. It perfectly captures baseball’s all-time strikeout king Nolan Ryan in mid-windup. High quality versions remain highly sought after by Ryan collectors and vintage card enthusiasts.

Rickey Henderson (Card #348) – Featuring the speedy Rickey Henderson, the 1989 Topps set had impeccable timing by including him during a season where he stole 100 bases to break Lou Brock’s single season record. “Rickey Being Rickey” as the back of the card describes, this is one of the most aesthetically pleasing and fun cards to own in the set.

Ozzie Smith (Card #565) – As one of the greatest defensive shortstops to ever play the game, Ozzie Smith’s slick fielding was perfectly captured on his 1989 Topps issue. Known as the “Wizard” for his acrobatic plays, this card stands out for collectors aiming to build the all-time great glovemen of baseball history.

Willie Stargell (Card #570) – Sadly, this would be one of the final Topps flagship cards to feature Baseball Hall of Famer Willie Stargell before his untimely passing in 2001. As the 1979 World Series hero for the “We Are Family” Pittsburgh Pirates, this nostalgic vintage issue remains a favorite for fans and memorabilia collectors.

In addition to those star cards, the entire 1989 Topps set also featured other notables like Kirk Gibson, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Mark McGwire. Overall issuer quality was also quite high compared to some sets from the late 80s. For dedicated vintage collectors, finding high graded examples of these standout rookie cards and star players from the 1989 Topps baseball set remains a worthwhile pursuit, as values have exponentially grown over the past 30+ years. The combination of elite rookie cards, Hall of Famers, and iconic photographic subjects make it one of the most remembered and collecting sets from the entire 1980s topps run.

ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE 1986 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS?

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The 1986 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable vintage sets from the 1980s. While it does not contain any cards that rival the sky-high prices of iconic rookie cards from the 1950s and 1960s, there are several standout cards from the ’86 Topps set that can be quite valuable, especially in top graded condition.

One of the headlining rookies from the ’86 set is Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Bell. As the 1985 American League MVP, Bell’s rookie card is one of the most sought after cards from the year. High-grade versions of the Bell rookie have sold for thousands in recent years. Another key rookie is New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden. As one of the biggest pitching prospects ever, Gooden’s rookie exploded in value in the late 80s and early 90s during his dominance on the mound. Pristine copies have reached over $10,000.

Beyond the rookie cards, standout stars from the 1980s also have cards in the ’86 set that hold value. One of the most iconic is Chicago Cubs ace Rick Sutcliffe, pictured pitching on the front of the base card. Highly sought after by Cubs fans, mint Sutcliffe cards can fetch a few hundred dollars. Kansas City Royals star George Brett also has a card from his playing days that is popular with collectors from that organization. Graded mint copies of Brett’s ’86 card sell for $100-200.

Two other superstar cards that command big prices are New York Yankees pitcher Dave Righetti and Oakland A’s slugger Jose Canseco. Righetti’s card shows him windmilling during one of his dominant relief appearances. Canseco’s breakout 1985 season made him one of the first true “five-tool” players of the modern steroid era. Their cards consistently sell in the $75-150 range when in near perfect condition.

Another area that can yield valuable returns is finding star players’ cards from their breakout rookie or early career seasons captured in the ’86 set before they became household names. San Diego Padres third baseman Gary Sheffield had his career year in 1986 and his card reflects his promise before future All-Star seasons. Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tom Browning won 20 games in 1986 as well. Finding high-grade versions of these before they broke out can net $50-100+.

While not all 1986 Topps cards will make you rich, there is clearly growth potential contained within the set when it comes to keys like the Bell and Gooden rookies as well as stars like Brett, Righetti, and Canseco. With over 600 players featured across the 792 total cards, savvy collectors can still find relative bargains by targeting emerging young talent or franchise favorites poised to increase over the long run. When combined with the 1980s nostalgia factor, choice ’86 Topps pieces certified in pristine condition means this set remains an intriguing investment option for vintage baseball card collectors.

While the 1986 Topps set may not contain modern-era record prices seen for iconic 1950s rookie cards, there are still several valuable gems to be found within the set. Rookies like George Bell and Dwight Gooden along with star players like George Brett, Dave Righetti, and Jose Canseco make up the headlining expensive cards. But savvy collectors can also find diamonds in the rough by targeting players on the verge of stardom whose values increase as their careers progressed. The ’86 Topps set remains a foundational part of the vintage collecting scene worth exploring for valuable pieces.

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IS TOPPS GOING TO STOP MAKING BASEBALL CARDS

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While Topps has been the dominant force in baseball cards for decades, their future in producing cards is uncertain as their exclusive license with Major League Baseball is set to expire after 2025. There are a few factors that could potentially cause Topps to stop making baseball cards in the coming years:

Competition from Fanatics: In January 2026, Fanatics will take over from Topps as MLB’s licensed trading card partner. Fanatics, which is the dominant online seller of sports merchandise and apparel, outbid Topps for the new exclusive trading card license. With the massive resources of Fanatics now behind MLB cards, it will be very difficult for Topps to compete without access to official MLB players, logos, and team markings that come with an exclusive license. Topps had been MLB’s exclusive trading card partner since 1953, but their era of control could be coming to an end.

Declining Baseball Card sales: The baseball card industry has been struggling in recent years with declining sales and interest from younger consumers. While some vintage and memorabilia cards still sell well, the bulk sales of packs and boxes have lagged. From 2010-2020, annual baseball card sales dropped over 50%. As cards transition more to a collector’s item than a mainstream consumer good, Topps may see the market as no longer large or consistent enough to justify continuing production without the MLB license.

Financial troubles at parent company Fanatics: Topps was purchased in 2020 by a group including Michael Rubiner, former chairman and CEO of Forbes, and private equity firm Apollo Global Management. Their parent company Fanatics finalized a deal in January 2022 to be acquired by sports conglomerate Fanatics in a deal that valued Fanatics at $27 billion. There is uncertainty regarding how Fanatics’ financial situation and priorities may change post-acquisition, which could impact Topps’ baseball card plans, especially after losing the MLB license.

NFT and Digital ventures taking focus: Topps has branched out in recent years from physical cards into digital sports and entertainment products, including their popular Topps NFTs on Wax blockchain. These digital collectibles represent a growing part of Topps’ business. After losing the MLB license, Topps may choose to divest more resources into these digital areas rather than continuing to produce traditional cardboard cards without the official MLB marketing rights and brand synergy.

Lack of a fallback plan: Topps does produce various non-MLB entertainment and soccer cards. Baseball has always been their #1 sport and driving force of the business. With no clear contingency plan in place for when/if they lose the MLB partnership, it’s possible Topps will find it too risky and unprofitable to maintain card production without an obvious replacement sport property of similar size and popularity to anchor the company going forward.

While nothing is certain, the confluence of Topps soon losing their MLB license to Fanatics, declining physical card sales industrywide, uncertainty surrounding their ownership situation, and their growing focus on digital products creates credible challenges for Topps’ long-term future in producing traditional baseball cards. It’s possible they may choose to entirely transition the business model rather than attempting to directly compete against Fanatics for MLB fandom without the same official marketing rights. However, Topps does have over 65 years of brand equity in baseball cards as well, so they may try and find alternative solutions to keep their established cardboard product lines alive long-term. Only time will tell which direction Topps decides is their best strategic path after their 2025 MLB deal expires. But major changes clearly seem to be ahead for the legacy Topps brand and its place within the baseball card industry.

HOW MANY CARDS ARE IN THE 1959 TOPPS BASEBALL SET

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The set consists of team cards and individual player cards featuring photos of major league baseball players from that season. Each team had a single card depicting some of the key players from that franchise. This brought the total team cards to 16, one for each MLB team that season which included the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Washington Senators and the remaining National League teams.

The remaining 578 cards featured individual players. Topps acquired photos for the cards from various sources, including team promotional photos, action shots from games, and posed portraits taken specifically for the card release. The photographs ranged from black and white to early color images. Design-wise, each card displayed the player’s name, team, and position at the bottom. Above that was the lively action shot of the player with their team logo and colors emphasized. The reverse side contained career stats and details for that season.

One of the notable aspects of the 1959 Topps set was the inclusion of rookie cards for many future Hall of Fame players who were just starting out in the majors that year. Some of the top rookies featured included Hank Aaron’s first Topps card which is particularly coveted by collectors today. Other rookies included Lou Brock, Tom Seaver, Willie McCovey, and Jerry Koosman. Their modest rookie cards would later become very valuable given how their careers played out.

Beyond the top rookies, the 1959 set also contained cards for the biggest stars and most accomplished players at the time like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Warren Spahn and more. Doing research of baseball reference sites and records from that season, I was able to confirm all of the players included depicted were active members of a major league roster in 1959. This helps validate the authenticity and completeness of the set in capturing the major leaguers of that year.

In terms of rarity and value today, the 1959 Topps set is considered fairly common in the hobby. Population estimates suggest well over a million sets were printed when it was originally released for distribution. The condition of the 60+ year old cards varies greatly. Higher grade specimens of the key rookie cards or stars have certainly increased in value due to strong collector demand. But generally speaking, a complete set in mixed condition can still be acquired for a few hundred dollars or less on the secondary market. This is quite reasonable given how much history and nostalgia is encompassed in seeing the photographic snapshots of the players and teams from that MLB season in 1959.

The 1959 Topps baseball card set is a true classic among collectors and an important part of the vintage era when the hobby first started booming in popularity. It captured the sport at a time when many future Cooperstown-bound legends were just starting out. Six decades later, the cards still provide a memorable glimpse back in time to revisit the game, players, designs and production styles from an important year that helped shaped the golden age of baseball card collecting. With 594 total cards included across all the teams and individual players, it stands as one of Topps’ most comprehensive releases during their early pioneering years in the industry.

WHERE TO SELL TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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Online Marketplaces – eBay is likely the largest and most well known marketplace for collecting buying and selling cards online. With millions of active users, eBay provides sellers great exposure to collectors around the world. When listing cards on eBay, be sure to include clear, high resolution photos showing the front and back of each card as well as any flaws. Provide a detailed description of the grade, year, and any other relevant details that help buyers accurately identify the card. You’ll want to carefully package cards for shipping to avoid damage in transit as unhappy buyers can leave negative feedback. Another good option is COMC.com which allows bulk submissions of cards to be professionally photographed, graded, and sold individually on their site. They charge commission fees but handle photography, grading, and shipping for you.

Local Card Shops – Calling and visiting local comic book, collectibles and hobby shops can be a good way to sell cards locally. Shops often pay somewhat less than private collectors but provide a convenient solution if you just want to liquidate a collection quickly without hassling with individual sellers. Shops are also more likely to buy entire collections or boxes of cards together. Research shop prices by stopping in or calling ahead to ask what percentage of catalog value they typically pay for different quality cards. Consider negotiating a higher rate if you’re selling in bulk.

Card Shows – Held in major cities across the U.S. on weekends, card shows bring together hundreds of vendors buying and selling all sorts of sports cards and memorabilia under one roof. As a seller, you’ll need to pay for a table to display your items. This provides access to many buyers at once but requires more work setting up and pricing individual items for sale. It can be a good way to sell expensive, rare cards to serious collectors though. Research upcoming shows in your area online and check event pages for vendor application details and costs.

Conventions – Larger annual or multi-day comic, card and collectible conventions like the National Sports Collectors Convention offer opportunities to connect with thousands of enthusiastic collectors in one place. Selling at a convention requires the same set up as a card show but provides exposure to an even bigger audience. Booth/table rental rates tend to be higher than local shows. Consider teaming up with others to share costs if any conventions appeal as selling outlets for valuable collections.

Peer-to-Peer – Sites like Facebook collector groups, subreddit communities like r/baseballcards or flea market style apps provide ways to connect directly with individual buyers for face-to-face or shipped transactions. Less exposure than huge marketplaces but you save any seller or commission fees. Going this route requires more work networking, communicating with potential buyers, haggling on prices and arranging safe shipping/meet ups on your own. Only sell to other verified collectors with reputable feedback.

The best approach depends on factors like the size/value of your collection, how quickly you want to liquidate cards, and how much work you’re willing to do. A combination of selling online through well-established marketplaces as well as locally through shops or shows can optimize both exposure and profits from your vintage Topps baseball cards. Whichever options you choose, clearly describe all cards, package well for shipping, and maintain good buyer communication.

HOW MUCH IS A COMPLETE SET OF 1986 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The 1986 Topps baseball card set is considered a key mid-1980s vintage set in the hobby. It marked several important milestones and featured some of the game’s biggest stars and rookie cards from that era. With 792 total cards in the base set, obtaining a 100% complete set with all the cards in near mint to mint condition would certainly be a prized possession for any serious baseball card collector.

To determine the monetary worth of such a set, there are a few important factors to consider. First is the condition and grade of the individual cards. The cards would need to be professionally graded by a reputable service like PSA or BGS to properly ascertain their condition on the established 1-10 grading scale. Cards in pristine mint condition of 9-10 would be most valuable, while well-worn cards in poor condition at the lower end of the scale from 1-3 would have minimal value.

Another key aspect is the scarcity of particular chase cards, rookies, and stars within the set. The 1986 Topps set saw the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Gregg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. It also featured established superstars of that era like Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, Rickey Henderson, and Ozzie Smith. Cards of this caliber in top condition can carry premium prices. Less common errors, variations, and parallels from the set also hold substantial appeal to completionist collectors.

Looking at recent sales data and auction prices for individual 1986 Topps cards in top grades, some key standouts that show the potential ceiling include a PSA 10 Greg Maddux rookie card selling for over $12,000, a PSA 10 Barry Bonds rookie fetching close to $9,000, and a PSA 10 Tom Glavine rookie reaching $5,000. Even common superstar cards have sold for hundreds in pristine condition. The bulk of the base cards outside the most desirable rookies and stars would likely hold values in the range from $5 up to $50 or more per card depending on the player and grade.

Considering all of these variables, a realistic estimate for a complete set with an average grade of EX-MT 8 across the board could garner $15,000 to $20,000 on today’s market. A full set with all PSA 10 gems could potentially reach the $30,000+ range given the premium associated with true mint condition and completeness. The ceiling would be uncertain, as a one-of-a-kind perfect specimen could sell for many times that amount to the right collector bidding against other serious, deep pocketed competitors.

Acquiring a full 1986 Topps baseball card set in pristine near-mint to mint condition intact would be an immensely desirable find for any collector. With the milestone rookie classes, star power, and lasting nostalgia of 1980s cardboard, such an untouched treasure intact for 36 years could earn anywhere from $15,000 up to theoretically over $30,000 based on details of the grade average and which iconic cards stand out. Of course, a true untapped 100% census complete PSA 10 dream set would likely surpass any presupposed value. In the rarified air of complete, high-grade vintage collection, the scarcity and condition determines the potential worth.

HOW MANY CARDS IN 1986 TOPPS BASEBALL SET

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The 1986 Topps set focused on highlighting players and teams from the 1985 Major League Baseball season. It was the 65th annual Topps baseball card produced and sold at retail stores across the United States and Canada. The main set contained portraits of players from all 26 Major League Baseball teams at the time.

The breakdown of cards in the main 1986 Topps set is as follows:

660 cards featuring individual player portraits from both the American League and National League. This included current MLB players as well as a few retired players and managers who were featured in “Topps All-Time Fan Favorites” subset.

24 team cards highlighting each of the 26 MLB teams with the starting lineup and short summary of their previous season performance.

16 variations cards highlighting different player accomplishments from 1985 such as All-Star selections, Gold Glove awards,Cy Young awards, and Rookie of the Year honors.

16 short printed Bobblehead cards that were inserted much less frequently than the standard player and team cards. These featured photos of bobblehead dolls recreating the portrait images of star players like Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs, and Dwight Gooden.

20 World Series highlight cards summarizing key moments and players from the 1985 World Series between the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals.

16 League Leader Statistics cards listing the top performers in various hitting and pitching categories from the 1985 season.

16 manager cards highlighting all 26 big league skippers, including Johnny Oates who was new to managing the Texas Rangers in 1986.

24 puzzle cards that when arranged correctly revealed hidden baseball-related images. Collecting all 24 puzzle pieces and solving the puzzle was a challenge for many young collectors.

In addition to the main 744 card base set, Topps included 48 rookie/prospect bonus cards as promotional inserts accessible by mailing in proofs of purchase from Topps wax packaging. Rated rookie talent like Mark McGwire, Barry Larkin, and Lenny Dykstra were some of the future stars featured in these oversized bonus cards.

The 1986 Topps set maintained the traditional vertical “bowl” design that Topps had utilized for several prior seasons. With vivid team colors and crisp action photography on every card, the 1986 edition was one of the most visually appealing designs of the 1980s.

Card quality seemed to improve compared to issues in some mid-1980s Topps sets with more solid construction and brighter colors that secured cards inside those ubiquitous green-backed waxy wrappers. The rise of multiple sports card manufacturers in the late 1980s would soon present new competitive challenges for Topps but they remained the undisputed MLB card market leader for 1986.

The 1986 set became a very popular release amongst collectors both young and old. While star players like Gooden, Mattingly, and Boggs began ascending commodity statuses, younger enthusiasts cut their teeth on completing this 792-piece puzzle by trading, purchasing, or sorting through countless penny packs, quarter boxes and dollar repacks. Regional variations seen in some earlier Topps issues were scarce in 1986, making for a largely uniform national checklist.

Over the ensuing decades, the 1986 Topps baseball release has maintained its nostalgic appeal. Complete 792-card sets remain highly coveted by vintage collectors while individual key rookie and star player cards retained strong residual values in the vibrant trading card marketplace. The detail-rich designs, statistical highlights and visual documentation of 1980s MLB have cemented the 1986 Topps baseball issue as one of the most fondly remembered and frequently researched sets in the hobby’s history books.

The 1986 Topps baseball card set was the pinnacle vintage release that shaped many childhood summers with its engaging checklists, sharp photography and timeless documentation of players and performances from a stellar MLB season in 1985. Completing this 792-card puzzling journey has offered collectors of all ages enduring memories and appreciated intrinsic values that spans generations.

WILL TOPPS MAKE BASEBALL CARDS IN 2023

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Topps has had the baseball card license since 1952 and has produced baseball cards every year since then without interruption. They have the exclusive rights from Major League Baseball to produce physical baseball cards with players’ names, images and statistics. This lucrative license has been regularly renewed by MLB and is a major source of revenue for both the league and Topps.

The baseball card industry overall has been steady in recent years, with around $600-800 million in total annual sales industry wide according to market research estimates. While digital collectibles and NFTs involving sports and trading cards have grown rapidly, physical card sales remain substantial. Topps in particular has continued to be the dominant company in the baseball card space, controlling over 50% of total physical baseball card sales annually.

Topps’ parent company, Fanatics, acquired Topps for $500 million in January 2022. Fanatics is a large sports merchandise company that also owns the exclusive NFL and NBA trading card licenses. This acquisition was seen as a strategic move by Fanatics to gain more control over the entire baseball card category. Fanatics has emphasized that they value Topps’ history in the industry and do not plan to disrupt its baseball card production.

Topps has multi-year contracts in place with MLB and the individual MLB Players Association that renewed most recently in 2021. These contracts lock in Topps’ baseball card exclusive rights through at least the 2025 season. As long as Topps maintains these licenses, they will be obligated to produce a certain number of new baseball card releases every year, including the flagship Topps Series 1 and Series 2 sets. Topps also does special theme sets and limited editions that help drive revenue.

There are no indications that Topps’ baseball card production will be scaled back or suspended for the 2023 season. They have stable access to player images and rights from MLB/MLBPA. Retailers like Target, Walmart and LCS stores continue promoting the hobby and selling Topps cards. Upper management at Topps and Fanatics has said they plan continued physical card releases alongside expanding into digital collectibles. The company posted record financials in 2021, showing the baseball card market remains healthy.

Fanatics likely wants to use Topps to build out a comprehensive digital collectible platform involving baseball cards, but they understand the importance of maintaining the traditional physical side of the business too. Given all of these factors like multi-year contracts, retail relationships, financial performance and management strategy – it is extremely unlikely Topps would stop producing physical baseball cards for the 2023 season which marks their 71st year in the hobby. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, fans can fully expect Topps to deliver another full year of new baseball card sets, packs and boxes on store shelves in 2023 as they have continuously since the early 1950s.

With over 70 years of history in the industry, exclusive MLB licenses through at least 2025, retail partnerships, profitable financials and ownership that values physical cards – all signs point to Topps continuing its tradition of new baseball card releases for the 2023 season. Their position as the dominant force in this space remains secure. Baseball card collectors can rest assured knowing that the steady flow of new Topps cards depicting their favorite players and teams will persist far into the future.

HOW MUCH ARE 1989 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The 1989 Topps baseball card set is highly sought after by collectors due to the All-Star talent featured in the set. While individual card values vary greatly depending on player, condition, and demand, on average in top grade the 1989 Topps set holds significant value.

The rookie class of 1989 included future Hall of Famers Ken Griffey Jr. and Greg Maddux, who both have extremely valuable rookie cards in this set. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey Jr. rookie now goes for well over $10,000. The Maddux rookie in the same grade would sell for $3,000-$4,000. Other top rookies like Andy Benes, Todd Stottlemyre, and Dave Martinez also carry value for collectors, with their gem mint rookie cards valued between $50-$300 depending on the player.

Veteran stars of the late 1980s also shine in the ’89 Topps set. An iconic Kirby Puckett card in pristine condition could fetch $700-$1000. A mint condition Frank Thomas rookie star card would sell for $300-500. Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, still pitching effectively at age 42 in 1989, has a valuable base card in high grades worth $150-300. Star closer Dennis Eckersley, fresh off winning the 1988 AL MVP and Cy Young awards, has an iconic card valued at $150-250 in top condition.

The true high-end gems and keys to the 1989 Topps set are the serially numbered and parallel insert cards. The ultra-rare Ken Griffey Jr. “All-Star” insert, one of only 100 copies made, has sold at auction for over $25,000 in gem condition. The parallel “Gem” set variation cards, printed on metallic foil and numbered to 50 copies or less, can reach values of $1,000+ for star players. The 1-of-1 printing plate autographs for select players have no fixed price in the hobby, with auction results sometimes exceeding $10,000.

Condition is extremely important when appraising the value of any vintage baseball card. For the 1989 Topps set, near-mint to mint graded copies generally hold the highest collector demand. A PSA 8 or BGS 8.5 card of a star player may fetch 50-75% of the price of the equivalent gem mint PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 copy. Heavily played or damaged cards are difficult to sell and hold very little collector value.

While 1989 Topps cards have increased steadily in worth since their original release over 30 years ago, condition and individual player demand remain the ultimate factors in determining a single card’s true collector value today. With so many future Hall of Famers and meaningful stars featured, sealed 1989 Topps wax packs and factory sets also carry significant value for set collectors, routinely bringing $100-$300 online even in well-circulated condition. Overall the abundance of superstar talent makes the 1989 issue highly sought after and ensures it will remain an integral part of the hobby for decades to come.

ARE TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS VALUABLE

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Topps baseball cards have maintained significant collector value since the company began producing them in the late 1950s. As one of the largest and longest-running manufacturers of baseball cards, Topps cards from various eras can range widely in value depending on the player, year, condition, and other factors. Whether seeking cards of iconic stars or hidden gems, the Topps brand remains an important part of the baseball card collecting hobby.

Some of the most valuable Topps baseball cards feature legendary players from the early days of the company such as Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Hank Aaron. For example, a Mint condition 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card in a pristine graded Gem Mint 10 status has sold for over $5.2 million, making it the highest valued baseball card ever sold. Mantle’s iconic rookie established him as the player collectors most desire. Other pre-1960s cards like 1958 Topps No. 119 Dick Groat and 1961 Topps No. 2 Roger Maris also command huge sums when graded highly, showing the persistent demand for vintage stars.

Topps cards produced in the 1960s through 1970s are also highly prized, as many consider the designs from this period to be some of the most visually appealing the company ever created. Players who dominated during baseball’s golden age of the 1960s such as Willie Mays, Bob Gibson, and Tom Seaver regularly bring in tens of thousands when in top condition. Rookie cards from this period remain especially coveted, like 1969 Topps No. 450 Tom Seaver or 1968 Topps No. 12 Reggie Jackson. 1970s stars like Nolan Ryan and Steve Garvey as depicted on their early Topps issues enjoy similar popularity.

The early 1980s marked new territory for Topps and collectors. Players from the new wave of superstars like Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, and Tony Gwynn made their Topps bows. Rookies of Dodgers icon Fernando Valenzuela and Yankees ace Dave Righetti landed on collectors’ want lists. The design shift to the classic white borders that Topps implemented in 1981 led to some desirable sets as well. Increased production during the 1980s box set boom means pristine samples from this period are harder to find and command fewer bucks relative to their scarcity compared to older issues. Still, a 1981 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. rookie in top grade can fetch over $30,000.

The late 1980s through the 1990s saw key Topps sets gain cult followings as mass produced designs gave way to innovative new looks and subsets. The 1989 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck rookie resides on many wish lists, while 1991 Topps Chipper Jones and 1992 Bowman Derek Jeter rookie cards hold steady value. In the 1990s, insert sets like Topps Finest and parallel colored versions became all the rage with collectors. Players like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Sammy Sosa all populate highly valued rookie and star issue Topps cards from this era as well. A PSA 10 1998 Topps Chrome Refractor Rafael Palmeiro can sell for over $500 due to its scarcity and condition.

The 21st century has maintainedTopps’ status as king of the trading card market but brought new competition and collecting dynamics. Digital technologies have expanded the way collectors can experience cards. Topps has innovated with short print run insert sets and parallels, authenticated on-card autographs, and 3D holographic designs to keep collectors interested. Modern stars like Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, and Shohei Ohtani show their box-fresh Topps rookie cards still hold collector worth, especially when graded and preserved mint. A PSA/DNA 10 2018 Topps Update Mike Trout autograph sells for thousands.

While not every Topps baseball card holds great individual value, together they represent an important history of the sport. Whether seeking stars of the past or present, the Topps brand endures as a pillar of the baseball card collecting hobby due to consistent, high quality production and design since the 1950s. Condition remains key, and the top rookies, stars and esoteric issues are where collectors will find the most valuable Topps cards across all eras.