The 1986 Topps baseball card set was released at the height of the sports card bubble in the mid-1980s. While not the most coveted vintage set, it does feature some highly valuable rookie cards and stars of the era that continue to attract interest from collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1986 Topps cards that can fetch big money today if graded and preserved in mint condition.
One of the true blue-chip cards from the ’86 set is the rookie of New York Mets outfielder Darryl Strawberry. Considered one of the best prospects in baseball at the time, Strawberry’s rookie card has maintained strong demand. In a PSA 10 gem mint grade, it can sell for well over $1,000. Another high-value Mets rookie is pitcher Dwight Gooden. Gooden was already an established star by 1986 after winning Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young award in 1985. Still, his rookie card is a key piece for any full vintage set. Expect to pay $500-800 for a PSA 10 Gooden.
Two other rookies that can reach four figures are those of Boston’s Roger Clemens and Baltimore’s Eddie Murray. Clemens etched his name into Cooperstown after a dominant 24-year career. His ’86 rookie, while not as iconic as those from other sets, is still sought after by Red Sox collectors. A PSA 10 will sell for $800-1,000. Murray had already won two batting titles by 1986 but remained a star throughout the decade. His Topps rookie also fetches $800-1,000 in top condition. Seattle outfielder Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie from 1989 Upper Deck is arguably the most valuable baseball card ever. But his first Bowman card from 1986 holds significant value as well at $500-700 PSA 10.
For established stars of the era, few can touch Chicago Cubs third baseman Ron Cey’s marketability. One of the greatest third basemen of the 1970s and an integral part of the Dodgers dynasties, Cey’s ’86 card has strong nostalgia appeal. High-grade versions can sell for over $1,500. Another Dodger great, pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, also sees big numbers for his ’86 issue. “Fernandomania” had taken baseball by storm just a few years prior and collectors still love his vintage cardboard. A PSA 10 could sell for well over $1,000.
Two other lefty aces fetch impressive sums. Boston’s Bob Welch won the American League Cy Young award in 1990 but was already a reliable starter in 1986. His card has gained value in recent years above $1,200 PSA 10. Meanwhile, Detroit’s Jack Morris won World Series MVP honors that same year and remained at the top of his game. His ’86 Topps is also above the $1,000 mark for a pristine copy. For true mint condition, collectors are willing to spend up to $2,000 or more for either card.
Two of the biggest stars of the 1980s see their ’86 issues sell extremely well. New York Yankees first baseman Don Mattingly was a perennial MVP candidate and the heart of those legendary Bronx Bomber lineups. For top-graded copies, his ubiquitous cardboard routinely sells north of $1,500. Meanwhile, Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Cansecoblazed onto the scene by winning Rookie of the Year and being named the first 40/40 player in history – hitting 40 home runs and stealing 40 bases. As one of the original “Bash Brothers,” collectors are willing to pay $1,000 or more for a PSA 10 Canseco.
No list of valuable ’86 Topps cards would be complete without including the “rookie” of perhaps the greatest player of all-time. While not technically his first MLB card due to prior minor league issues, most agree that New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden’s ’84 Donruss card holds that distinction. Still, his true Topps rookie from two years later is the must-have classic for any collection. The opportunities to acquire a PSA 10 Gooden rookie are quite rare with estimates placing its value today between $3,000-5,000 or more depending on the market. It remains one of the most coveted and iconic cards from the entire vintage era.
While production numbers were much higher in the mid-1980s versus modern issues, clever collectors have long recognized the historic significance and investment potential locked inside many 1986 Topps cards. Aside from notoriously fickle grading scales slightly depressing perceived values, strong demand endures for the top rookies, stars and most recognizable names featured in the set. With condition and provenance paramount to realized prices, today’s savvy collectors are still unearthing hidden treasures within this beloved vintage release some 35 years later.
