The 1980s were a boom time for Topps Traded cards. Just as Topps lost its trading card monopoly with the appearances of Donruss and Fleer in 1981, the company decided it was time for a new product. The result was a 132-card set of traded veterans and rookies who debuted too late for inclusion in Topps’ regular set.
The name might suggest veterans, but the rookies stole the show. In a one-series card world, not having to wait a full year for a card of a star rookie was an immediate hit. Topps made the 132-card sets on a higher quality of stock than their normal cards and sold them only as sets, so the product worked perfectly.
The Traded set existed before and after the ’80s. In 1990, it was sold in packs and it soon disintegrated. But here are the top five 1980s Topps Traded cards– not necessarily in price, but in terms of impact, importance, collectability, and fun.
Fernando Valenzuela’s Impact in 1981
Fernando Valenzuela was a supernova across baseball in 1981. He brought a new audience to the game, kept the Dodgers relevant, and gave a major spike to 1981 Topps Traded. Valenzuela isn’t in the Hall of Fame and probably won’t be.
But he’s an icon, and his Topps Traded rookie– a nice contrast to his three-player base 1981 rookie– can be had for $20-$40 raw or for $100-$200 in a PSA 8.
Cal Ripken Jr.’s Solo Card
Cal Ripken Jr. has a 1982 Topps card, but it’s a 3-in-1 rookie card. Collectors who wanted the king of the Orioles on his own card had to nab his 1982 Topps Traded card. One massive record and a Hall of Fame career later, it’s one of the best cards of the 1980s.
It’s still available today in raw condition for around $150, and it commands significantly more in a high grade, with PSA 9s selling for around $500.
The 1986 Topps Traded Set Standouts
The best Topps Traded set is probably 1986. In its heyday, the rookies of Jose Canseco and Bo Jackson drew perhaps the most attention. There’s a nice Will Clark rookie in there too. But as time has gone by, Barry Bonds has become the biggest rookie of the bunch.
Then and now, the card’s price hangs low. Maybe it was initially because Bonds played in Pittsburgh, maybe it was because then or now, he could be a bit difficult to embrace. Of course, there is the PED elephant in the room. But it’s an iconic rookie that can be bought raw for $5-$10 and in a PSA 9 for around $50.
Maddux and Griffey Jr. Round Out the Top Cards
Once a relatively anonymous young Cubs pitcher, Maddux became one of the best arms of his era and the consummate thinking man’s pitcher. Still, his wood-panelled 1987 Traded rookie remains a bargain, available raw for $5 or so and even in a PSA 10, it often commands less than $100. Given that 300-game winners are becoming rarer and rarer, it’s a must-find.
There’s been enough said about Ken Griffey Jr. and his rookie cards to fill this column and many more. But the card above is extra special.