Topps holds the undisputed monopoly as the leading producer of baseball cards year after year. Their 2016 baseball card releases included Series 1, Series 2, Stadium Club, Chrome, and Allen & Ginter among others. Let’s take a look at the rookies, veterans, and inserts from 2016 Topps issues that hold great value on the collectibles market today.
One of the biggest storylines leading into the 2016 season was the emergence of Japanese pitching sensation Shohei Ohtani, who had just signed with the Los Angeles Angels. As a desirable rookie card from a hyped international star, Ohtani’s base Topps cards from Series 1 and Series 2 carry values of $20-30 in near mint condition. His short print parallels from Chrome and Stadium Club can fetch $50-100 depending on the insert. Any autographed or memorabilia cards of Ohtani from 2016 Topps releases are considered quite valuable and regularly sell for hundreds of dollars or more.
Staying in Los Angeles, Corey Seager’s rookie season with the Dodgers made him one of the breakout stars of 2016. Seager’s base Topps rookie cards are steady sellers at $15-25 but his short prints and parallels carry significantly higher values. Low serial numbered printing plate autographs of Seager have brought in over $1000 at auction. Also making their debuts in 2016 were Red Sox pitcher Anderson Espinoza and Yankees hurler James Kaprielian, whose rookie cards maintain values of $10-15 and $5-10 respectively despite injuries derailing their careers.
On the veteran side, legends like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., and Tony Gwynn continued to command high prices as their cards become more scarce. A well-centered PSA 10 mint condition Griffey Jr. 1989 Topps rookie is worth thousands today. Ripken’s iconic 1991 Topps error card without a photo is one of the crown jewels of the hobby, valued over $10,000 in high grade. Meanwhile, Tony Gwynn autographs and rare parallels from his final Topps issues in 2001 maintain values up to several hundred dollars.
Exciting rookies like Corey Kluber, Jake Arrieta, and Kris Bryant were shining on the field in 2016 and their cards reflect that success. A Kluber2014 Topps Update rookie PSA 10 would sell for $150-200 given his two Cy Young awards. Bryant’s 2015 Topps Update Update rookie remains a sought-after card at $50-75 raw. Arrieta, coming off a Cy Young/no-hitter season in 2015, carried values of $20-30 for his base 2012 Topps Update rookie in 2016 before his decline. Their 2016 base rookie cards held values of $10-15.
Fan favorites like Clayton Kershaw, Mike Trout, and Buster Posey continue dominating on the diamond and their cards are cornerstones of any collection. A Kershaw 2009 Topps Update rookie PSA 10 could fetch over $1000 based on his legendary career. Trout’s prized 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects Superfractor 1/1 is considered the crown jewel of modern cards, valued well over $100,000 in today’s market. Meanwhile a Buster Posey 2010 Topps Update rookie PSA 10 holds a value around $250 reflecting his 3 World Series rings.
Highly sought after 1987 Topps rookie cards of Tom Seaver, Nolan Ryan, and Don Mattingly command prices befitting legends. A Seaver PSA 8 would sell for $400-500 while a Ryan PSA 9 could bring in well over $1000. “The Hitman’s” iconic 1984 Topps Traded card is valued around $150-200 at a PSA 8. Their 2016 Topps Update Veteran cards held steady values of $10-20.
While base rookies and veteran cards form the backbone of collections, the insert cards prove the most valuable from 2016 Topps issues. Autographs, memorabilia cards, printing plates, and parallels attract the biggest prices. Low numbered Carlos Correa and Kris Bryant autographs from 2016 Topps Archives Signature Series fetched $500-1000 on release. Game-worn memorabilia cards of Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout from 2016 Topps Museum Collection sold for over $200 due to the highly coveted relic swatches. Serial numbered printing plates of vintage star rookies like Griffey Jr. in 1989 Topps or Ryan in 1968 Topps commanded well over $1000 each. Rare 1/1 parallels of current superstars Trout, Harper, and Kershaw from Topps Chrome and Finest held estimated values up to $5000 based on player performance and card design.
With this overview of some of the highest valued 2016 Topps baseball cards based on rookies, veterans, and inserts, it’s clear Topps continues dominating the sports card market with fresh and throwback designs that connect to fans both nostalgically and currently. Savvy collectors seeking investment picks would do well to snap up PSA 10 graded gems of rookie sensations as well as scarce veteran cards and coveted inserts featuring the games’ biggest stars like Trout, Kershaw, Bryant and more. Topps’ undisputed popularity and widespread distribution gives their modern issues and classic designs a stability and longevity that preserves long-term collectible value.
