The 1986 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable vintage sets from the late 1980s. While it doesn’t contain any true gem mint condition rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, there are still several standout cards that can fetch big money from serious collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1986 Topps cards.
The biggest star and most coveted card from the ’86 set is #1, Nolan Ryan of the Houston Astros. Ryan was already a legend by this point in his career, but his colorful Astros uniform, fiery pitching motion, and prestigious #1 placement make this one of his most iconic and sought after cards. High grade versions regularly sell for thousands of dollars, with a PSA 10 Gem Mint copy going for over $20,000. Even well-centered near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range will demand $500-1000.
Another Astros ace, Mike Scott, has card #109 which is highly sought after by collectors due to his dominance during the time period. Scott won the NL Cy Young award in 1986 after posting an incredible 18-10 record with a majestic 2.22 ERA. He tossed two no-hitters that season to further cement his fame. His card sells for $100-400 depending on condition.
While not a star player, Dodgers shortstop Mariano Duncan has the rare distinction of having card #420 in the set. As you might expect, this “weed number” card has taken on a major cult following amongst collectors in recent years. Pristine PSA 10 copies now sell for $300-500, a huge jump from just a few years ago when uncirculated ones went for under $100. The novelty factor and meme popularity keep driving prices higher on this quirky card.
Moving outside of the star players, one of the most visually appealing designs from 1986 Topps belongs to Angels pitcher Don Aase, found on card #90. The photo features Aase mid-delivery with an eye-catching blue and red backdrop. High grades have sold between $75-150.
Perhaps the biggest bargain from the 1986 set can be found on card #144, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Kevin Gross. Gross boasted fine credentials as a 16-game winner that year and the photo captures him winding up on the mound. His career was short-lived. Nonetheless, mint condition copies in PSA 10 holders crack the rare air of pristine vintage cards by selling for $400-500 consistently. Well-centered examples in PSA 8-9 condition trade hands for $75-150.
On the rookie front, there are no true bargain deals to be found. The only noteworthy first-year player is Yankees reliever Dave Righetti on card #338. But “Rags” went on to become a solidly above average pitcher in his decade-plus career, he did not achieve superstar status. Mint Righetti rookies still pull in $100-300 due to their status as a sought-after first issue. Other stars like Dwight Gooden and Mark McGwire had barely debuted in the Majors in 1986 and do not have rookie cards in the set.
While the 1987 rookie classes were stronger, the 1986 Topps base set endures as a profitable and fun vintage investment for card collectors due to its array of popular veteran stars, oddity cards, and hidden gems like Kevin Gross that still sell cheaply graded top condition. For a mainstream set released during the post-strike era when interest in the hobby was rekindling, ’86 Topps holds up very well monetarily decades later. With some savvy tracking of auction prices and newly-slabbed examples coming to market, there are still deals to be found on vintage cards from this beloved baseball year.
While it lacks true rookie cup superstars, the 1986 Topps set holds lasting value for collectors due to its memorable photographs, inclusion of all-time great veterans like Nolan Ryan and Mike Scott, cult oddity cards, and hidden cost-effective gems in pristine grade like Phillies hurler Kevin Gross. Condition-sensitive flagship sets from the 1980s will always have buyers due to the excellent photography and affordable vintage options still available. The 1986 Topps baseball card set endures as one of that era’s most collectible issues.
