1987 Topps Orel Hershiser #495
Orel Hershiser · Topps · Base Card
Player
Orel Hershiser
Set
1987 Topps Base Set
Year
1987
Card #
495
Condition Grade
PSA 6-7 (EX-MT). Assessment: Left-to-right centering is significantly heavy toward the right (est. 70/30). Top-to-bottom centering is also shifted toward the bottom. Bottom-right and top-left corners show light fraying/whitening. Wood-grain edges show minor chipping characteristic of 1987 card stock.
Category
Base Card
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate-Low. Highly liquid as a common but high supply makes individual base cards slow to move unless graded PSA 10 or sold as part of a team set.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.50 - $1.50
Graded Value
PSA 7: $8-12, PSA 8: $15-20, PSA 9: $45-60
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for $1 or less plus shipping. PSA 9 copies recently sold for $40-55. PSA 10 copies reach $250+ due to the difficulty of finding perfect centering in this set.
Description
A classic specimen from the iconic 1987 Topps wood-grain border set. This Orel Hershiser card features 'The Bulldog' in his pitching motion wearing the Dodgers home uniform. The front includes the Dodgers team logo circular graphic at top left and a blue name box at the bottom. The wood-grain design is a hallmark of the Junk Wax era.
Key Features
Iconic wood-grain border design; Features 1988 Cy Young winner and World Series MVP Orel Hershiser; High nostalgia value for collectors of 1980s baseball.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence genuine. Authenticated by correct card stock thickness, the specific dot-matrix pattern in the printing, and the vintage 'cardboard' scent. This card is not commonly counterfeited due to high print volume.
Flaws to Note
Significant centering issues on both axes (shifted right and down). Minor corner wear visible on the bottom right corner. Dark wood-grain borders are prone to showing small white 'nicks' on edges which are visible upon close inspection.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a PWE/Standard Envelope listing), COMC for bulk processing, or local card show dollar bins.
Selling Tips
Due to centering flaws, grading this card is not recommended as it will likely not achieve the PSA 9 or 10 required to cover service fees. Best sold raw using eBay Standard Envelope to keep shipping costs low. Use keywords like 'Dodgers,' '87 Topps,' and 'Bulldog.'