1988 Topps Rock Raines (Tim Raines) #140
Tim (Rock) Raines · Topps · Base
Player
Tim (Rock) Raines
Set
1988 Topps Base
Year
1988
Card #
140
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) - Centering is significantly shifted to the top-left (approx. 75/25). Corners show minor whitening particularly on the bottom right. Surface appears clean with original gloss.
Category
Base
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low - Junk wax era common. Significant supply exists in the market. Demand is primarily from set builders or player collectors.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.25 - $1.00
Graded Value
PSA 7: $5-8, PSA 8: $12-18, PSA 9: $25-35
Comparable Sales
Recent eBay sales for raw copies range from $0.50 to $1.50 with shipping. PSA 9 copies have recently sold for $20-30, but these are difficult to achieve with the centering seen on this specific card.
Description
A classic specimen from the 'Junk Wax Era' featuring Hall of Famer Tim Raines in his prime with the Montreal Expos. The card showcases the iconic 1988 Topps design with its bold color blocks and 'name bar' at the bottom. Raines is captured in a dynamic action pose wearing the powder blue Expos road uniform.
Key Features
Hall of Fame player, iconic 1980s Topps design, Montreal Expos nostalgia. Tim Raines was one of the premier lead-off hitters and base stealers of his generation.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity is High. This card is from a mass-produced era and has a very low counterfeit risk. Genuine card stock features the era-specific brown/grey cardboard back with statistical data and a cartoon.
Flaws to Note
O/C (Off-Center) toward the top and left borders is the primary issue. Slight edge roughness on the right side and minor corner softing on the bottom. These defects prevent a high-grade (PSA 10) designation.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold as part of a lot on eBay or Mercari. For individual sale, COMC is the best platform for low-value cards due to their warehouse structure. Shipping individual copies is rarely profitable unless sold via PWE (Plain White Envelope).
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card; the cost of grading ($19+) far exceeds the value of a PSA 8 or 9 return. Listing as part of an 'Expos Team Set' or a 'Tim Raines Career Lot' is the most effective way to maximize sellability.