Hey guys! Matt here with Graded Card Investor and today, I’m highlighting the recent sales and values of Barry Bonds rookie cards. In this analysis, I dive into various Bonds rookie cards from sets like 1987 Donruss, Classic Travel Update, Toys R Us Rookies, Donruss Opening Day, Topps, Fleer Glossy, Tiffany cards, and the coveted O-Pee-Chee.
Each card is examined in terms of its grading, recent sale prices, and market supply. Notably, the 1987 Donruss Opening Day error card, where Bonds is mistakenly replaced with Johnny Ray, stands out for its rarity and high value, especially in top graded conditions.
Similarly, the limited edition 1987 O-Pee-Chee Bonds card, targeted at the Canadian market, commands attention due to its scarcity and high demand in pristine condition.
This comprehensive overview offers insights for collectors and investors into the dynamic and often lucrative world of Barry Bonds rookie cards, emphasizing the importance of grading, rarity, and market trends in determining their value.
Without any further ado, let’s jump into this list!
1987 Donruss Barry Bonds RC #361
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $124
Market Analysis: 1987 Donruss Barry Bonds RC #361
- Supply: PSA has graded 29,071 of the 1987 Donruss Barry Bonds rookies with 1,886 grading gem mint 10, 11,753 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
1987 Classic Travel Update Yellow Back Barry Bonds RC #113
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $192
Market Analysis: 1987 Classic Travel Update Yellow Back Barry Bonds RC #113
- Supply: PSA has graded 1,496 of the 1987 Classic Update Barry Bonds rookies with 455 grading gem mint 10, 626 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 9 sold on eBay in November 2023 for $20
1987 Toys R Us Rookies Barry Bonds RC #4
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $202
Market Analysis: 1987 Toys R Us Rookies Barry Bonds RC #4
- Supply: PSA has graded 2,591 of the 1987 Toys R Us Barry Bonds rookies with 357 grading gem mint 10, 1,395 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
1987 Topps Barry Bonds RC #320
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $260
Market Analysis: 1987 Topps Barry Bonds RC #320
- Supply: PSA has graded 24,000 of the 1987 Topps Barry Bonds rookies with 1,608 grading gem mint 10, 7,221 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 9 sold on eBay in November 2023 for $15
1987 Donruss Opening Day Barry Bonds RC #163
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $277
Market Analysis: 1987 Donruss Opening Day Barry Bonds RC #163
- Supply: PSA has graded 3,011 of the 1987 Donruss Opening Barry Bonds rookies with 244 grading gem mint 10, 831 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
1986 Topps Traded Barry Bonds RC #11T
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: November 2023
- Sale Price: $288
Market Analysis: 1986 Topps Traded Barry Bonds RC #11T
- Supply: PSA has graded 57,978 of the 1987 Topps Traded Barry Bonds rookies with 5,000 grading gem mint 10, 23,835 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
1987 Fleer Glossy Barry Bonds RC #604
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: September 2023
- Sale Price: $338
Market Analysis: 1987 Fleer Glossy Barry Bonds RC #604
- Supply: PSA has graded 8,634 of the 1987 Fleer Glossy Barry Bonds rookies with 588 grading gem mint 10, 4,966 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 9 sold on eBay in November 2023 for $10
1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds RC #320
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: eBay
- Sale Date: April 2023
- Sale Price: $1,280
Market Analysis: 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds RC #320
- Supply: PSA has graded 4,653 of the 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds rookies with 265 grading gem mint 10, 1,395 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 9 sold on eBay in November 2023 for $133
Investment Outlook
Topps Tiffany cards from the late ’80s and early ’90s are special for baseball card collectors because they’re rare and of high quality, unlike the regular Topps sets. Made in Ireland from 1985 to 1991, these cards feature high-quality, vibrant cardstock and a glossy finish, with thick, bright ink.
An added bonus is their scarcity: Topps made far fewer “collector’s edition” sets, with only about 30,000 of the 1987 set. So, if you’re looking for a rare and premium Barry Bonds Topps card, the Topps Tiffany is a great choice. They’re considered the luxury option in card collecting.
1987 Leaf Barry Bonds RC #219
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: March 2023
- Sale Price: $2,310
Market Analysis: 1987 Leaf Barry Bonds RC #219
- Supply: PSA has graded 2,073 of the 1987 Leaf Barry Bonds rookies with 97 grading gem mint 10, 576 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 9 sold on eBay in October 2023 for $75
Investment Outlook
The investment outlook for the 1987 Leaf Barry Bonds rookie card is favorable, primarily due to its limited supply, as it was targeted at the Canadian market. Additionally, the set’s black borders make it particularly challenging to grade, increasing the value of high-grade examples.
The combination of low PSA population numbers, stringent grading standards, and smaller production runs positions the 1987 Leaf Barry Bonds rookie card as a strong investment choice for those interested in Barry Bonds rookie cards.
A strategic approach would be to focus on BGS 9 and SGC 9 graded cards, or PSA 8.5 and PSA 8s, as these could offer significant returns in the long term.
1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds RC #11T
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: September 2023
- Sale Price: $5,640
Market Analysis: 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds RC #11T
- Supply: PSA has graded 2,671 of the 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds rookies with 444 grading gem mint 10, 1,432 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- BGS 10 Value:
- BGS 10 sold on eBay in October 2023 for $13,331
- PSA 9 Value:
Investment Outlook
The 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds rookie card is highly prized among collectors for several key reasons. It’s Bonds’ first appearance in a Topps set, marking it as his true rookie card. The timing of its release in 1986 aligns with Bonds’ debut year, adding to its significance.
Additionally, the Topps Traded Tiffany version stands out for its premium cardstock and glossy finish, indicating a higher quality production than standard cards. According to tiffanycards.com only about 5,125 sets printed, its scarcity enhances its appeal.
The 1986 Topps Trade Tiffany Barry bonds rookie is a valuable addition to any collection, in any condition. However, when purchasing online, such as on eBay, careful examination is crucial, as it can be challenging to distinguish from the standard 1986 Topps Traded set without close inspection.
1987 Donruss Opening Day Johnny Ray Barry Bonds RC Error #163
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: May 2023
- Sale Price: $8,550
Market Analysis: 1987 Donruss Opening Day Johnny Ray Barry Bonds RC Error #163
- Supply: PSA has graded 163 of the 1987 Opening Day Johnny Ray Barry Bonds rookies with 13 grading gem mint 10, 53 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 9 sold by PWCC Auctions in August 2023 for $2,280
Investment Outlook
For a graded card investor, the Barry Bonds error rookie card from the 1987 Donruss Opening Day set is a prime investment opportunity. This rare card mistakenly features teammate Johnny Ray and is estimated to represent just 1-2% of the production, making it highly sought after.
PSA has graded only 155 of these error cards, with a mere 13 reaching a PSA 10 designation. The rarity, combined with the card’s historical significance and condition sensitivity due to its full bleed maroon border, makes it an attractive investment.
High-grade examples, especially those graded PSA 10, could provide significant long-term value for collectors and investors in unique sports memorabilia.
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1987 O-Pee-Chee Barry Bonds RC #320
- Grade: PSA 10
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Sale Date: April 2023
- Sale Price: $9,600
Market Analysis: 1987 O-Pee-Chee Barry Bonds RC #320
- Supply: PSA has graded 1,783 of the 1987 O-Pee-Chee Barry Bonds rookies with 38 grading gem mint 10, 251 mint 9, and the remaining 8.5 or less.
- PSA 10 Value:
- PSA 9 Value:
- PSA 9 sold on eBay in November 2023 for $360
Investment Outlook
The 1987 O-Pee-Chee Barry Bonds rookie card is one of his rarest, especially valuable in top condition (PSA 10). It’s scarce because it was made for the Canadian market, unlike the more common U.S. Topps set.
Only 1,783 have been graded by PSA, with just 38 in perfect PSA 10 condition. This makes them highly sought after. Even cards in slightly lower conditions (Mint 9) are rare, with only 251 known. This card is a key collectible for fans.
Those looking for a more affordable option might consider cards in good but slightly lower grades (PSA 8 or BGS 9), as they’re cheaper and might actually be underrated.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the market for Barry Bonds rookie cards demonstrates a diverse and dynamic investment landscape, driven by rarity, condition, and hobby significance.
The standout cards, such as the 1987 Donruss Opening Day error card and the scarce 1987 O-Pee-Chee card, exemplify how unique attributes and limited supply can significantly boost value, especially in higher grades. Moreover, his 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany and 1987 Topps Tiffany RC standout for rarity and premium quality.
The fluctuating prices across different sets and conditions underscore the importance of meticulous research and understanding market trends for collectors and investors. Ultimately, Barry Bonds’ rookie cards not only represent a piece of baseball history but also offer intriguing possibilities for those engaged in the world of graded card investing.
Thanks for checking out the article. Let me know in the comments what you think is the best Barry Bonds rookie card to collect and invest in. Be sure to check back for updates!
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
