1984 Topps Traded Ron Darling Rookie Card #27T
Ron Darling · Topps · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Ron Darling
Set
1984 Topps Traded
Year
1984
Card #
#27T
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) - Centering appears slightly heavy towards the bottom, but corners look relatively sharp through the sleeve. Surface appears clean without major wax stains typical of the era.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. Ron Darling remains incredibly popular in the New York market due to his broadcasting career with SNY. Demand is consistent but market is saturated with high-grade supply.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$3.00 - $8.00
Graded Value
PSA 7: $10-15, PSA 8: $20-30, PSA 9: $60-80, PSA 10: $350-450
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales average $5-10. PSA 9 examples have recently sold for $55-75. PSA 10 examples command a significant premium, typically selling for over $400 due to the registry competition.
Description
Essential 1984 Topps Traded rookie card of Mets fan-favorite Ron Darling. Featuring the classic 1984 design with large team block lettering at the top and the player name at the base. Darling is pictured in a blue Mizuno pullover warm-up jacket against a clear blue sky. This 'T' series card was only available in boxed factory sets, resulting in a cleaner look than standard wax pack cards.
Key Features
True Rookie Card for an iconic 1986 World Series champion and popular broadcaster. Part of the 1984 Topps Traded set which is famous for the Dwight Gooden rookie.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. The 'Traded' set has a brighter, whiter cardstock on the reverse compared to the dull gray/brown backing of the 1984 Topps base set. Print detail on 'Mets' and 'Topps' logo is sharp with no bleed.
Flaws to Note
A common issue with this set is top-to-bottom centering; this example appears shifted toward the bottom border. Mild edge whitening may be present on the reverse dark cardstock. Front surface shows no visible scratching.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best venue for raw copies via 'Buy It Now'. High-grade (PSA 9/10) specimens perform well at sports card shows or specialized auction sites like COMC or MySlabs.
Selling Tips
Do not grade unless you are certain it will hit a PSA 10; the cost of grading usually exceeds the value of a PSA 8 or 9. List with 'Mets' and 'Rookie Card' as key search terms. Ship in a penny sleeve and top loader inside a standard envelope (eBay Standard Envelope) for low-cost tracked shipping.