1988 Topps Tom Glavine Rookie Card #179
Tom Glavine · Topps · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Tom Glavine
Set
1988 Topps Baseball
Year
1988
Card #
#179
Condition Grade
Estimated PSA 6 (EX-MT). Centering is heavy to the right (approx 70/30). Corners show visible rounding/softness on the bottom left and top right. Edges have slight chipping. Surface appears dull with potential light print snow common to this era.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. While it is a HOF rookie, there is a massive supply. Demand is primarily driven by set builders or collectors seeking high-grade (PSA 9 or 10) specimens.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 6: $5-8, PSA 7: $10-15, PSA 8: $20-30, PSA 9: $80-100, PSA 10: $600+
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales on eBay average $1.50 plus shipping. PSA 10 copies have recently sold for $550-$800, but lower grades (PSA 7/8) often sell for less than the cost of the grading service itself.
Description
This is the classic 1988 Topps Tom Glavine Rookie Card. It features a portrait of the young Braves pitcher against the iconic blue-bordered background with the yellow diagonal name bar. The card captures Glavine at the beginning of his Hall of Fame career. The card is currently housed in a standard top loader.
Key Features
Hall of Fame Rookie Card; Major 300-game winner; Iconic 1980s Topps design; High population card making high grades very valuable.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence (99%+). This was mass-produced during the 'Junk Wax Era' and is rarely counterfeited as raw copies are extremely common. Authentic features include the characteristic Topps grainy cardboard stock and flat ink printing.
Flaws to Note
Significant right-side centering bias; visible whitening and softness on the corners; typical 1988 card stock print defects including small ink spots; top loader appears used/scratched which may obscure surface details.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as part of a lot or cheap PWE listing), COMC, or a Local Card Shop (LCS) bargain bin. Shipping cost is a major factor for a card of this value.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this specific card; the grading fee ($19+) far exceeds the value of a PSA 6 or 7. Sell it 'Raw' in an eBay Standard Envelope to keep shipping costs under $1. Use keywords: 'Tom Glavine RC', 'Braves HOF', '1988 Topps Rookie'.