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I always loved the look and feel of 1988 Topps baseball cards...
They had a classic and straightforward design while featuring a lot of great action photography.
Team name across the top. Player name in the banner on the bottom right.
These cards got straight to the point.
The set contained 792 cards in total so trying to build an entire set could be quite a challenge and required ripping pack after pack.
You can find all the stars of the day as well as rookie cards of Hall of Famers Tom Glavine and Roberto Alomar (in the Topps Traded set).
And in this guide, I will cover the 10 most valuable 1988 Topps baseball cards that are still worth a decent amount.
Let's jump right in...
Ross Uitts - Owner
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Brief disclaimer: most of the cards on this list will generally not be worth anything...
Much like their 1988 Donruss, Fleer, Score counterparts, so many of them were produced that their values really took a nosedive.
The only way they can have much value is by either being the Tiffany version (Topps' premium factory set) and/or being graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition (PSA 10).
That means the card needs to be basically flawless.
Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the top ten:
1988 Topps #300 Don Mattingly (World of Baseball)
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $175
You won't find this oddball card in the standard 1988 Topps or Topps Traded checklists, but it is indeed a Topps card.
Though its origin remains a bit of a mystery throughout the hobby, somehow this card made it into circulation, and today there are 62 PSA-graded examples in existence.
By comparison, there are 273 PSA-graded examples of Mattingly's standard 1988 Topps card (which we'll get to in a bit).
Given its mysterious nature, I thought there would be far fewer "World of Baseball" variations in PSA holders than the standard base card.
However, where the card does becomeextremely rareis when it comes to PSA 10 examples, as there is justoneexample of this card that PSA has graded as a Gem Mint 10.
You'll notice the rest of the cards on this list reflect pricing in PSA 10 condition, while this Mattingly card outpaces them all even in PSA 9 grade, given how tough it is.
It's anyone's guess how high a price the PSA 10 example would fetch in today's market.
The card's design is bland as Mattingly has no Yankees logos on his hat or shirt.
And instead of the Yankees team name, "NEW YORK A.L." is emblazoned across thefrontof his cap, while the regular cards in this set featured a player's team namebehindhim.
It's a strange card.
1988 Topps #779 Tom Glavine Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $75
Check prices on: Amazon
I remember watching Tom Glavine and the rest of the Atlanta Braves starting rotation dominate year after year during the 1990's.
And because his stuff wasn't overpowering, he out-dueled batters with extreme control and smarts.
Only a few lefties in the history of the game posted more wins than Glavine's career total of 305.
His Hall of Fame career is why his is one of the key rookie cards in this set.
1988 Topps #250 Nolan Ryan
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $75
Check prices on:Amazon
Like Ripken, Nolan Ryan was one of the game's biggest stars during his era and his cards will always be among those in the highest demand in any set.
1988 would be Ryan's last year with the Astros so this was one of the last time's we'd see him in that awesome uniform on a baseball card.
The legendary fireballer is pictured ready to mow down yet another batter with his blazing speed.
1988 Topps #580 Mark McGwire
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $65
Check prices on:Amazon
Everyone wanted this card during the 1980's.
McGwire was one of the game's most exciting players of the era as his amazing power helped him burst onto the scene hitting 49 bombs during his 1987 debut.
Many collectors still like to own Mark McGwire rookie cards but this card in its Tiffany version still holds some good value as well.
It's a great-looking card design overall showing a young McGwire in his A's uniform with the "Topps All-Star Rookie" trophy in the bottom right corner.
1988 Topps #750 Bo Jackson
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $65
Check prices on:Amazon
During the late 1980's, Bo Jackson was one of the most popular athletes in the world.
Famous for playing both football and baseball, he was a hero to many kids during those days and beloved by fans as well.
Pictured in that awesome Royals jersey, Jackson is pictured following through on a big cut.
His popularity among young kids of the day who collected then and are now re-entering the hobby today in their 30's and 40's is a big reason why his cards still hold decent value.
1988 Topps Traded #4T Roberto Alomar Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $60
Check prices on:Amazon
Roberto Alomar was another Hall of Famer who I loved watching during the 1990's and early 2000's because he was consistently great.
His solid defensive skills, disciplined hitting, and terrific base running ability were a combination that you just don't see too often out of a second baseman.
Alomar played with seven different teams over his career but I mostly remember him at his very best during his time with Toronto, Baltimore and Cleveland.
Pictured as a member of the San Diego Padres, Alomar's is another key rookie card in the 1988 Topps set.
1988 Topps #650 Cal Ripken Jr.
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50
Check prices on:Amazon
Cal Ripken Jr. is one of those guys whose cards are among the keys to pretty much any set from the 1980's.
His legendary career with the Baltimore Orioles propelled him to Hall of Fame status and he remains one of the most popular players of his era.
His 1988 Topps card shows a great image of him standing ready at the plate ready to do what made him standout so much: hit for power as a shortstop.
The Tiffany version of this card still holds up well in terms of value.
1988 Topps Traded #42T Mark Grace Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50
Check prices on:Amazon
Growing up in Indiana, I remember Mark Grace being one of the most popular players in the area since there were a lot of Cubs fans where I lived.
He wasn't overpowering at the plate but it seemed like you could always depend on him for about 85 runs and 85 RBI every year.
His rookie cards were extremely popular back then and have still held up well over time.
Because he didn't achieve Hall of Fame status like Glavine or Alomar, his 1988 Topps rookie card isn't nearly as valuable but it still can go for around $75 in the Tiffany version.
1988 Topps #450 Barry Bonds
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45
Check prices on:Amazon
Despite the controversy that will always hang over his career, Bonds was no doubt one of the game's most talented players.
Barry Bonds rookie cards can still be worth a lot of money and even his 1988 Topps card has decent value in its Tiffany form.
A young Bonds is pictured on a bright day in his pirates uniform with a huge smile on his face which really makes the card pop.
1988 Topps #600 Mike Schmidt
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $45
Check prices on:Amazon
This card may look a bit boring because of the image but Mike Schmidt was anything but that during his career.
The three-time MVP terrorized opposing pitchers with his ability to hit for power as he led the league in homers eight times over his career.
Schmidt is shown during warming up for batting practice wearing a jacket taking a big cut.
Because he's an all-time great, his card can still go for decent money if its the Tiffany version and graded in PSA 10 condition.
1988 Topps #70 Roger Clemens
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40
Check prices on:Amazon
Like Bonds, Roger Clemens' career will forever carry with it a huge amount of controversy but his popularity among collectors is still there.
Clemens was one of the game's most dominant power pitchers so it's fitting that Topps displayed him in that form.
The seven-time Cy Young winner brought nothing but fear to opposing hitters as no one really wanted to face him.
I always thought it was interesting that he ranks third on the all-time strikeout list despite never having thrown over 300 strikeouts in a single season.
He did get close during the 1988 season, however, after he'd go on to strike out 291 batters that year.
1988 Topps Baseball Cards In Review
So there you have it, the ten most valuable 1988 Topps cards.
As you can see, it will take them being professionally graded in gem mint condition in their Tiffany form to be worth much.
It's a great set overall and features rookie cards of a couple of great Hall of Famers and many other base cards of stars of the day.
Within the set were also several different subsets, including:
- All-Stars
- Checklists
- Manager Cards
- Record Breakers
- Turn Back The Clock
While many of the cards in this set are basically worthless in today's market, it really is a pretty decent set overall.
And for those of us who grew up collecting these as kids, they'll always have a huge nostalgic factor to them despite not having the most monetary value.
FAQs
How much is a 1988 Tom Glavine card worth? ›
| Sale Date ▲ ▼ | Title ▲ ▼ | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-09-22 | 1988 Topps Tom Glavine #779 Rookie RC Braves PSA 9 Mint HOF | $14.99 |
| 2022-09-19 | 1988 Topps Baseball #779 Atlanta Braves Tom Glavine PSA 9 MINT ROOKIE RC #779 | $11.58 |
| 2022-09-18 | 1988 Topps Tom Glavine #779 Rookie RC Braves PSA 9 Mint HOF | $14.95 |
| Sale Date ▲ ▼ | Title ▲ ▼ | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-02-05 | 1988 Topps Baseball Barry Bonds 2nd Year Card #450 PSA Graded 7 NM #450 | $12.99 |
| 2022-01-10 | 1988 Topps Barry Bonds #450 Pittsburgh Pirates Beckett 7.5 #450 | $2.70 |
| 2021-12-14 | 1988 Topps #450 Barry Bonds Pittsburgh Pirates PSA 7 | $4.25 |
| Sale Date ▲ ▼ | Title ▲ ▼ | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-04-09 | 1988 Topps Roger Clemens #394 Baseball Card PSA 9 MINT #394 | $9.99 |
| 2021-07-05 | 1988 Topps Roger Clemens #394 Baseball Card PSA 9 #394 | $10.49 |
| 2021-04-05 | 1988 Topps ROGER CLEMENS Red Sox #394 Baseball Card NM-Mint PSA 9 or PSA 10 | $3.59 |
| Sale Date ▲ ▼ | Title ▲ ▼ | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-07-26 | 1988 Topps #650 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT | $53.00 |
| 2022-04-10 | 1988 TOPPS CAL RIPKEN JR. #650 PSA 10 | $125.00 |
| 2022-03-05 | 1988 Topps Cal Ripken Jr PSA 10 Gem Mint #650 | $115.00 |
| 2022-01-30 | 1988 TOPPS CAL RIPKEN JR. #650 PSA 10 | $129.99 |
Sammy Sosa is featured in at least 11 baseball cards in our database including this 1990 Upper Deck Base. We track this card in 1 grade including PSA 10. The highest price we're tracking for Sammy Sosa's 1990 Upper Deck Base is $499.99 and the lowest price is $31.99.
How much is a Greg Maddux rookie card worth? ›1987 Leaf Greg Maddux Rookie RC #36 PSA 10 GEM MINT ($2,675.00) On February 16, 2021, this 1987 Greg Maddux PSA-10 Gem Mint graded card sold for $2,675.00 USD on eBay's auction site. For his first six seasons as a star pitcher, he started out with the Chicago Cubs.
How much is a 1988 Topps Nolan Ryan card worth? ›Nolan Ryan is featured in at least 73 baseball cards in our database including this 1988 Topps Base. We track this card in 1 grade including PSA 10. The highest price we're tracking for Nolan Ryan's 1988 Topps Base is $159.98 and the lowest price is $79.99.
Which Barry Bonds card is worth the most? ›1986 Donruss The Rookies Barry Bonds RC #11
In 1987, the team would stop using that hat design altogether. Speaking of changing designs, The Rookies expansion set borrowed the 1986 Donruss design but swapped the blue scheme for a green one. The Barry Bonds rookie card is by far the most valuable in the 56-card set.
Some of the '85 McGwire Topps cards are going for prices as high as $5,000, with most of the mint condition cards settling in a range of $125 to $275.
How much is a 1989 Cal Ripken baseball card worth? ›| Sale Date ▲ ▼ | Title ▲ ▼ | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-07-26 | 1989 Topps #250 Cal Ripken Jr. Baltimore Orioles HOF PSA 10 GEM MINT | $39.00 |
| 2022-07-24 | 1989 TOPPS #250 CAL RIPKEN JR. ORIOLES HOF PSA 10 A3386925-176 | $62.10 |
| 2022-07-22 | 1989 Topps #250 CAL RIPKEN, JR. - Orioles - PSA 10 GEM MINT #250 | $50.00 |
How much is a Topps Ryne Sandberg rookie card worth? ›
Ryne Sandberg Rookie Card Value
The 1983 Topps Ryne Sandberg rookie card is valued at about $700 in PSA 10 condition according to PSA's own Sports Market Report Price Guide.
| 1986 Donruss Rookies #11 Barry Bonds | $7.53 |
|---|---|
| 1990 Star Bonds #11 Barry Bonds | $0.26 |
| 1990 Topps #220 Barry Bonds | $0.26 |
| 1990 Topps Big #128 Barry Bonds | $2.53 |
| 1990 Topps Coins #40 Barry Bonds | $1.25 |
As of May 2021, there are ~450 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Baseball's Best rookie cards and the card value is ~$680.
How much is a Bo Jackson rookie baseball card worth? ›Bo Jackson's face featured on a Sportflics rookie card in Gem Mint can be worth up to $350.
How much is Pete Alonso rookie card worth? ›We track this card in 9 grades including PSA 10, PSA 9, BGS 10 Pristine, BGS 9.5, BGS 9, SGC 10, SGC 9.5, SGC 9 and Raw. The highest price we're tracking for Pete Alonso's 2019 Topps Base is $424.99 and the lowest price is $3.00.
How much is a Darryl Strawberry baseball card? ›| 1983 TCMA Tidewater Tides #28 Darryl Strawberry | |
|---|---|
| 1983 Topps Traded #108 Darryl Strawberry | $50.53 |
| 1984 Donruss #68 Darryl Strawberry | $10.53 |
| 1984 Fleer #599 Darryl Strawberry | $20.53 |
| 1984 Fleer Stickers #104 Darryl Strawberry | $2.53 |
| 1987 ProCards Gastonia Rangers #29 Sammy Sosa | $16.53 |
|---|---|
| 1991 Topps Desert Shield #414 Sammy Sosa | $8.53 |
| 1991 Topps Micro #414 Sammy Sosa | $0.34 |
| 1991 Topps Tiffany #414 Sammy Sosa | $4.22 |
| 1991 Ultra #82 Sammy Sosa | $0.34 |
Ripken Update Rookies usually run $200-$250 for a 9; $100-$125 for an 8 and 10s shoot up to $750-1,000. Ripken also appeared in the 1982 Fleer and Donruss sets. The Fleer (#176) is the only one of the four Ripken rookies to show him in action and in a defensive position.
How much is Barry Bonds rookie card worth? ›1987 Fleer Barry Bonds Rookie Card #604
Another iconic Barry Bonds rookie card is the 1987 Fleer #604. Similar to the Topps Traded set, these cards were massed produced. But, the average selling price for a Gem-Mint 10 is slightly higher at $100.
We track this card in 8 grades including PSA 9, PSA 8, PSA 7, PSA 6, PSA 5, PSA 4, PSA 3 and PSA 2. The highest price we're tracking for Pete Rose's 1963 Topps Rookie Stars is $39,999.99 and the lowest price is $1,449.85.
How much is a Dan Marino Rookie Card worth? ›
In average, a Rookie Card from Dan Marino is valued with $38.00. Here's a list of Football Rookie Cards of Dan Marino that are currently for sale on eBay and some other online shops. 1984 Dan Marino Topps Sticker #222 Rookie NM/Mint SHARP CARD?
How much is an Ozzie Smith Rookie Card worth? ›| Sale Date | Title | ▲ ▼ Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-09-27 | 1979 Topps Set-Break #116 Ozzie Smith EX-EXMINT *GMCARDS* #116 | $26.00 |
| 2022-09-26 | 1979 Topps Ozzie Smith #116 NM-MT MC Rookie RC HOF San Diego Padres Cardinals #116 | $14.50 |
| 2022-09-26 | 1979 Topps #116 Ozzie Smith EX-MINT SHARP HOF Padres | $17.50 |
| 1986 Jennings Southern League All Stars #23 Tom Glavine | $10.27 |
|---|---|
| 1988 Score #638 Tom Glavine | $1.35 |
| 1988 Topps #779 Tom Glavine | $0.91 |
| 1988 Topps Stickers #44 Tom Glavine | $0.75 |
| 1988 Topps Tiffany #779 Tom Glavine | $10.53 |
Bo Jackson's face featured on a Sportflics rookie card in Gem Mint can be worth up to $350.
What is a mark McGwire rookie card worth? ›Some of the '85 McGwire Topps cards are going for prices as high as $5,000, with most of the mint condition cards settling in a range of $125 to $275.
How much is Nolan Ryan baseball card worth? ›| No. | Nolan Ryan Baseball Card | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | 1981 Topps Baseball Nolan Ryan | $990 |
| 22 | 1988 Topps Nolan Ryan Houston Astros | $2,000 |
| 23 | 1991 Upper Deck Heroes Nolan Ryan | $900 |
| 24 | 2016 Nolan Ryan Finest Refractor | $550 |
| 1983 TCMA Tidewater Tides #28 Darryl Strawberry | |
|---|---|
| 1983 Topps Traded #108 Darryl Strawberry | $50.53 |
| 1984 Donruss #68 Darryl Strawberry | $10.53 |
| 1984 Fleer #599 Darryl Strawberry | $20.53 |
| 1984 Fleer Stickers #104 Darryl Strawberry | $2.53 |
This is a list of the highest known prices paid for sports cards. The current record price is the US$12.600 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card (Topps; #311) on August 28, 2022, breaking all previous records.
How much is a Ken Griffey card worth? ›Estimated PSA 10 Value: $1,750
Upper Deck made headlines when they entered the card market in 1989 with a more premium quality product. And they chose wisely in making Griffey Jr. card #1 in the set.
In average, a Rookie Card from Deion Sanders is valued with $7.00. Here's a list of Football Rookie Cards of Deion Sanders that are currently for sale on eBay and some other online shops. 1989 Topps Traded Deion Sanders #30T PSA 10 GEM MT Rookie Card ?
How much is a Barry Bonds card worth? ›
| 1986 Donruss Rookies #11 Barry Bonds | $7.53 |
|---|---|
| 1990 Star Bonds #11 Barry Bonds | $0.26 |
| 1990 Topps #220 Barry Bonds | $0.26 |
| 1990 Topps Big #128 Barry Bonds | $2.53 |
| 1990 Topps Coins #40 Barry Bonds | $1.25 |
| 1987 ProCards Gastonia Rangers #29 Sammy Sosa | $16.53 |
|---|---|
| 1991 Topps Desert Shield #414 Sammy Sosa | $8.53 |
| 1991 Topps Micro #414 Sammy Sosa | $0.34 |
| 1991 Topps Tiffany #414 Sammy Sosa | $4.22 |
| 1991 Ultra #82 Sammy Sosa | $0.34 |
Ripken Update Rookies usually run $200-$250 for a 9; $100-$125 for an 8 and 10s shoot up to $750-1,000. Ripken also appeared in the 1982 Fleer and Donruss sets. The Fleer (#176) is the only one of the four Ripken rookies to show him in action and in a defensive position.
How much is Barry Bonds rookie card worth? ›1987 Fleer Barry Bonds Rookie Card #604
Another iconic Barry Bonds rookie card is the 1987 Fleer #604. Similar to the Topps Traded set, these cards were massed produced. But, the average selling price for a Gem-Mint 10 is slightly higher at $100.