The Dugout│Best Barry Bonds Rookie Cards To Invest In

Barry Bonds is one of baseball's all-time greats, and his cards are just as legendary. From his 1986 rookie card to his 2011 reissue, Barry Bonds's cards have retained their value and are some of the most wanted cards in the world.

This will help you decide if a Barry Bonds rookie card is worth your money.

Born July 24, 1964, in Riverside, California, Barry Lamar Bonds was birthed into a family of baseball greatness. His father, Bobby Bonds, was a former major leaguer, and his mother, Patricia Howard, was a well-known athlete. Bonds attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, California, before becoming an outstanding player at Arizona State University.

In 1985, he was the sixth pick in the MLB draft by The Pittsburg Pirates where he spent eight years before getting signed by the San Francisco Giants. Bonds was one of the greatest hitters in MLB history with his impressive 23-homer record.

He holds MLB records like most home runs in a single season, and most career walks, and was just 16 stolen bases away from the 500-500 club—a feat which earned him the nickname the ‘finicky hitter.’

Over his career, Bonds took home seven NL MVP awards, with a record of 2,558 walks. He was a 14-time All-Star, eight-time NL Gold Glove winner, 12-time Silver Slugger, and three-time Hank Aaron Award recipient. He also led the Pirates to three National League Championship Series and the Giants to the 2002 NLCS and World Series. With his mighty swing and unbreakable spirit, Barry Bonds remains an iconic figure in MLB history.

Barry Bonds is a living legend, and his prowess on the field is legendary. With 762 home runs under his belt, he's the all-time king of dingers. Barry Bonds PSA-certified rookie cards offer the best chance for huge returns.

We've picked out the best of the best, from his 1986 Donruss to his rare 1993 Finest and, most importantly, his 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany. With these awesome cards in your collection, you're sure to get tons of bang for your buck—maybe even a whole lot more.

1. 1986 Donruss “The Rookies” Barry Bonds #11 

• Price Range: $8 to $499
• Highest Sale Price: $675 
• Supply: 1,633
• Brand: Donruss

The 1986 Donruss Barry Bonds rookie card is a no-brainer for any investor. Its iconic representation of Bonds career is well worth the price and ranks high in the sports collectible market. Barry Bonds 1986 Donruss The Rookies card shows him wearing the famous three-striped Pirates cap from the "We Are Family" World Series-winning Pirates team of the 70s.

The 1986 Donruss design got a makeover the following year, trading in the blue for a cool green. Its PSA grade 9 indicates high quality, and the card's rarity—less than 2,000 copies in existence—makes it a bankable asset.

Over the last year, its value has increased by 33.93%, adding more than $50 to its overall worth. As its market cap keeps rising, collecting this card is a surefire way to make your wallet smile.

2. 1987 Donruss Opening Day Barry Bonds RC #163

• Price Range: $1,500 to $3,800
• Highest Sale Price: $4,136 (PSA 10 Johnny Ray) 
• PSA 10 Johnny Ray Supply: 13
• PSA 10 Barry Bonds Supply: 242
• Brand: Donruss

The 1987 Donruss Opening Day Barry Bonds card is highly collectible due to its rarity and error. The PSA population report confirmed the card error, of which 2% of Bonds cards featured Johnny Ray. The original Bonds has a black border and the Opening Day version has a maroon border. The card numbers are different on each version.

PSA 10 copies of the error card cost as much as $1,500, with the highest graded example from the Dmitri Young collection being the most sought-after. The entire set of the corrected version card is worth an average of $20, but the Bonds card alone is available at $10.

3. 1986 Fleer Update Barry Bonds #U – 14

• Price Range: $10 to $375
• Highest Sale Price: $725 (PSA 10)
• Supply: 1,372
• Brand: Fleer

The 1986 Fleer Update Barry Bonds card sports his name in a bright yellow background and him ready to swing for the fences at home plate. In the past month, the market value of this Fleer Barry Bonds card rose by 7.25%, with an average selling price of $400.

This card’s value has increased over time, making it a safe, reliable, and attractive investment choice. Its iconic image is sure to leave a lasting impression and is a must-have for any collection.

4. 1993 Finest Refractor Barry Bonds #103

• Price Range: $325 to $2,199
• Highest Sale Price: $7,988
• PSA 10 Supply: 38
• Brand: Topps

Hit a home run with  Barry Bonds's 1993 Finest All-Stars Refractor #103 card. With only 38 PSA 10 graded copies out of 241 total, it's no surprise that this card is treasured. And let's remember the unique design elements too. Bonds's bright and vibrant action shot contrasted against a reflective background is a sight to behold.

This card has an impressive cap of over $74,000 and recently went for a cool $2,499. But, the highest it's ever sold for is just short of the $8,000 mark. Raw copies are available for about $400. Expect this card’s worth to spike with time.

5. 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds #320 RC 

• Price Range: $1,025 to $5,776
• Highest Sale Price: $4,200
• PSA 10 Supply: 257
• Brand: Topps Tiffany

The 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds card is a rare find with all the classic Tiffany qualities, like a glossy-fronted black and white photo framed by a faux wood grain border, the Topps logo in black lettering, and the San Francisco Giants team logo at the upper corner.

But its real value lies in its PSA 10 grade. So, not only do you get a beautiful card to add to your collection, its value spike over time is likely. With a market cap of over $26,000, the 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds card could be just what you need to get into the rare sports card market without breaking the bank.

6. 1991 Topps Desert Shield Barry Bonds #570 

• Price Range: $25 to $7,999
• Highest Sale Price: $3,200
• PSA 10 Supply: 29
• Brand: Topps

This Barry Bonds card is the 570th of the 1991 Topps Desert Shield baseball cards set. It's a worthy pick, with only 29 PSA 10 graded copies out of 347 cards in the collection. Not only is the card in near-perfect condition with pristine image quality, sharp white edges, and the distinctive Desert Shield stamp on the upper right corner, but it is also part of an impressive 792 card checklist.

Also, 1991 Topps was the last set to include gum in wax packs, making this card all the more special. Prices for a PSA 10 version of the card range from $400 to an incredible $12,000, making it an excellent investment for any baseball enthusiast.

7. 1987 Leaf Barry Bonds #219 RC

• Price Range: $10 to $2,700
• Highest Sale Price: $4,500 
• PSA 10 Supply: 94
• Brand: Leaf

The 1987 Leaf Barry Bonds rookie card #219 is one of the most iconic cards from the ’87 Leaf set and the entire decade. This card is arguably one of the most significant cards in modern baseball-card history, with only 86 cards graded PSA 10 and an estimated $1,500, making it one of the rarest cards.

Leaf cards are designed with unique black-colored borders and a smooth glossy image of a young Barry Bonds dressed in his rookie uniform, ready to step up to the batter’s box.

PSA 10 ‘87 Leaf Barry Bonds cards fetch sky-high prices and will keep growing in popularity among collectors—which will please investors for years to come.

8. 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds RC

• Price Range: $6,500 to $20,000
• Highest Sale Price: $16,600
• PSA 10 Supply: 444
• Brand: Topps

The 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds rookie card is a must-have for any serious baseball card collector. This card—released before the modern baseball card market was flooded with Topps cards—has retained its value and popularity since its 1986 release.

The card, printed on a premium card stock, displays the San Francisco Giants outfielder with a bat against his shoulder. Although this card is a mid-1980s commodity, it still pops with vibrant colors and is easily recognizable by any collector.

The card’s rarity has boosted its demand. With only an estimated 5,000 Tiffany versions available, this card can fetch much higher prices than the 1987 Topps card.

Professionally graded cards have sold for over $40,000 in auctions, while the non-graded 1986 Topps Traded Bonds card can be worth double the value of the 1987 Topps one.

The 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds rookie card value will likely appreciate over time. With its vibrant colors, classic photo, and historical significance, it is a must-have for any serious collector.

Bonds is the all-time leader in home runs and arguably the only member of the 500-500 club, having over 500 home runs and 500 stolen bases over his career. He's also the only 400-400 club member and holds the second-highest Wins Above Replacement rank, second only to Babe Ruth.

Bonds rookie cards can range from only $100 to over $10,000 depending on the card and its condition. A PSA 10 Barry Bonds rookie baseball card can sell for up to $10,000, but numerous PSA 10s are listed on marketplaces for around $500.

Investing in his rookie cards makes for a great opportunity, as even his most valuable ones are affordable. Many ungraded Bonds rookies can be bought for under $1. At the same time, highly collectible graded cards like a 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany or the 1987 Topps Tiffany and OPC singles, can hardly be found for under $3,000.

Bonds’s omission from the Hall of Fame has actually helped up the value of his cards. And if he gets in, his card prices will likely soar. So, you can't go wrong investing in some Bonds rookie cards, but the best time to buy Bonds cards would be when all the hype about him is down as prices will drop.