The Dugout│Mark McGwire Rookie Cards to Invest in
With accomplishments like Rookie of the Year, 50 home runs in a season, and the memorable 58th home run of 1997, Mark McGwire's rookie cards make excellent collectibles for baseball fans.
Updated May 22, 2023
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Mark McGwire is a legendary baseball powerhouse who left an indelible mark on the sport, with his early rookie cards continually growing in value. As the American League Rookie of the Year, he led the Oakland Athletics to a 1989 championship with an astonishing .343 playoff batting average.
The 1987 Leaf Mark McGwire RC #46 card…piques interest as it once reached $2,000, but now you can find it for $7 to $650.
McGwire's status quickly rose to mythical proportions when he became the 13th player to smash 50 home runs in a single season and set a legendary 58th home run record for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1997.
With the growing demand for McGwire memorabilia, now could be the time to consider investing in his rookie cards. But which ones pack the most punch? Let’s drill into the most valuable Mark McGwire rookie cards.
Who is Mark McGwire?
Who is Mark McGwire?
Mark McGwire is the definition of resilience and success. Born and raised in the Los Angeles suburb of Pomona, Marky Mac was always an athlete. After graduating from Damien High School, he attended (and dominated) USC, proving his baseball chops.
Fast forward, Mark got drafted by the Athletics in the 1984 MLB draft—not to mention his 1984 Olympics silver medal-winning performance.
The hits never stopped for Big Mac, as he forged an unbreakable bond with the game. In 1987, he shattered both the American League and Major League rookie home run records by slamming 49 balls across the diamond.
His unstoppable momentum led to breaking more records and crushing legendary home runs. Although injuries eventually took a toll on him, Mark still racked up an incredible 583 career home runs.
He shared his expertise post-retirement by coaching the successful St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Most valuable Mark McGwire rookie cards to invest in
Most valuable Mark McGwire rookie cards to invest in
Increasing in value and deserving of every penny of their baseball renown, Mark McGwire's rookie cards are now blipping on the radar of modern card collectors. His achievements as a rookie make them irreplaceable and draw the attention of investors.
Let's take a gander at the most valuable Mark McGwire rookie cards, their history, and how the market for them performed.
1. 1985 Topps Tiffany Mark McGwire Rookie Card #401
- Price Range: $10 to $11,685
- Highest Sale Price: $30,000
- PSA 10 Supply: 35
- Brand: Topps Tiffany
The USA Olympic team subset 1985 Topps Tiffany Mark McGwire card #401 is one of the most sought-after cards, fetching up to $30,000.
Source: psacard.com
The 1985 Topps Tiffany Mark McGwire RC #401 was an instant classic. The base card of the 1984 USA Olympic team member has a glossy finish with only 35 PSA 10 graded copies available.
This card is relatively rare as Topps released only a few of them—making it a valuable addition to any collection. It has also seen its fair share of premium prices, with a hefty $30,000 highest sale price in March 2021.
2. 1993 Finest Refractor Mark McGwire RC #92
- Price Range: $235 to $2,075
- Highest Sale Price: $2,074
- PSA 10 Supply: 34
- Brand: Topps Finest Refractor
Prices for 1993 Finest Refractor Mark McGwire #92 cards can reach $2,000.
Source: psacard.com
This 33-card subset, featuring All-Stars from both leagues, has Mark McGwire's 1993 Finest base card, worth up to $2,000 in gem-mint condition. Be prepared to nab this eye-catching card by $235 to $2,075.
Plus, a jumbo All-Star card of McGwire is included in every box, believed to have a print run of 1,500.
3. 1987 Topps Mark McGwire RC #366
- Price Range: $3 to $103
- Highest Sale Price: $600
- PSA 10 Supply:1,734
- Brand: Topps
There are over 1,700 gem mint copies of the 1987 Topps McGwire RC #366.
Source: psacard.com
The 1987 Topps Mark McGwire rookie card #366 is an iconic memorabilia from a legendary player. The base card is framed with a faux wood grain border and the Topps logo in black, and it features a color photo with the ballplayer’s name in white lettering enclosed in a green box.
Prices for the base card range from $3 to $103, with its gem-mint supply of over 1,700 as of April 2023.
4. 1991 Topps Desert Shield Mark McGwire #270
- Price Range: $8 to $494
- Highest Sale Price: $685
- PSA 10 Supply: 18
- Brand: Topps Desert Shield
The 1991 Mark McGwire Topps Desert Shield rookie card #270 has a PSA 10 supply of 18 cards, making it a rare pick.
Source: psacard.com
This Mark McGwire 1991 Topps Desert Shield card features a rarely-seen photo of him sliding into third base. This special set was made available to military personnel during Operation Desert Shield. It features McGwire in top form, sliding into third base against a yellow and green backdrop.
The card's gold stampings enhance its appeal with a luxurious touch. The average price for near-mint Topps cards of this treasure is around $145, while a gem-mint can reach upwards of $490 based on recent prices.
5. 1987 Donruss Rookies Mark McGwire #1
- Price Range: $4 to $125
- Highest Sale Price: $325
- PSA 10 Supply: 144
- Brand: Donruss Rookies
Collectors can buy a mint 1987 Donruss Mark McGwire #1 for around $125.
Source: psacard.com
Baseball fans are well aware of the elusive 1987 Donruss Rookies Mark McGwire #1 card, valued for being tough to find in good condition. The card has a color photo, a green border, the player's name, position, and "The Rookies" label.
It holds promising future potential, and prices vary from a steal at $3 to a reasonable $125.
6. 1987 Leaf Mark McGwire RC #46
- Price Range: $7 to $666
- Highest Sale Price: $2,000
- PSA 10 Supply: 43
- Brand: Leaf
The 1987 Leaf Mark McGwire #46 hit its highest sale price of $2,000 in June 2020.
Source: psacard.com
Many modern collectors covet the 1987 Leaf Mark McGwire RC #46. It boasts a bold design with a black-and-gold border surrounding McGwire in action in a yellow-colored jersey and a prominent Leaf logo.
This card piques collectors’ interest as it once reached $2,000, but now you can find it for $7 to $650. With only 43 gem-mint copies out there, this rookie card’s rarity makes it even more appealing.
7. 1987 Fleer Update Mark McGwire #U-76
- Price Range: $5 to $41
- Highest Sale Price: $300
- PSA 10 Supply: 428
- Brand: Fleer Update
A PSA-graded 1987 Fleer Update Mark McGwire #U-76 will cost you $40 or more.
Source: psacard.com
The 1987 Fleer Update Mark McGwire #U-76 could pass for a solid addition to your baseball card collection, and here's why: not only does it feature McGwire's bold portrait shot and Oakland Athletics logo, but it also offers a unique two-tone border with a good design.
This rookie card has maintained relatively consistent pricing, with gem mint cards currently worth about $40.
8. 1988 Topps Mark McGwire #580
- Price Range: $3 to $76
- Highest Sale Price: $104
- PSA 10 Supply: 155
- Brand: Topps
A gem mint Topps Mark McGwire #580 sold for $76 in December 2022.
Source: psacard.com
The 1988 Topps Mark McGwire #580 card has white borders and a diagonal banner featuring McGwire's name. This design provides a classic look that will stand the test of time.
The highest sale price for a PSA 10 was $104 at an April 2021 eBay auction. If you're trying to decide whether to invest in this rookie card, keep in mind that only 155 PSA 10-graded copies are in circulation as of April 2023, making gem mints super scarce.
Are Mark McGwire rookie cards a good investment?
Are Mark McGwire rookie cards a good investment?
Diversifying your sports card collection with a Mark McGwire rookie card from exclusive sets like Desert Storm and Topps Tiffany can be an exciting asset to expand your collection with.
It's crucial to research the player’s history and background—the fact that McGwire admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs might impact his cards’ value. Always account for factors like rarity and condition when choosing a card. Platforms like PWCC and Goldin offer a wide selection of sports cards, so sign up and start hunting for that next grail.