1987 Topps Ken Griffey Sr. #218
Ken Griffey Sr. · Topps · Base
Player
Ken Griffey Sr.
Set
1987 Topps Base Set
Year
1987
Card #
#218
Condition Grade
PSA 6 (EX-MT). Assessment: Strong centering for the era, but visible softening on the top-right corner. Notable surface snow/paper flecks in the blue name plate and minor chipping along the wood-grain edges.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. While a base card from the 'Junk Wax' era, Griffey Sr. remains popular among team collectors and those completing the 1987 set. Low financial growth potential unless in PSA 10 condition.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.50 - $2.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $15-25, PSA 9: $40-60, PSA 10: $350-450
Comparable Sales
Raw copies consistently sell for under $2.00 on eBay. PSA 8 copies recently sold in the $18 range. PSA 10 copies are the outliers, occasionally reaching $400+ due to the difficulty of finding perfect 'wood grain' borders.
Description
A classic 1987 Topps baseball card featuring Ken Griffey Sr. of the Atlanta Braves. This card showcases the iconic wood-grain border design of the 1987 set. Griffey Sr. is pictured in his powder blue Braves uniform, holding a bat over his shoulder. The card features the vintage Braves logo in the top left circle and the player's name in a blue block at the bottom.
Key Features
Iconic 1987 'Wood Grain' design; key member of the 'Big Red Machine' later in his career; father of Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.
Authenticity Indicators
Authentic. Features the correct matte card stock of the era, proper semi-gloss on the photo surface, and the 'wood-grain' pattern matches known 1987 Topps production sheets. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Softening on corners (specifically upper right), minor white flecks/print defects on the blue nameplate, and typical rough-cut factory edges common for 1980s Topps card stock.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a lot on eBay or Mercari. High-grade specimens (PSA 9 or 10) are best suited for eBay auctions or COMC.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this specific card; the grading fees will exceed the market value. When listing, use keywords like 'Wood Grain' and 'Braves' to attract team collectors. Ship in a penny sleeve and top loader inside a non-machinable envelope to keep costs low.