1987 Topps Ruben Sierra Record Breaker #4
Ruben Sierra · Topps · Insert / Subset (Record Breaker)
Player
Ruben Sierra
Set
1987 Topps Base Set
Year
1987
Card #
#4
Condition Grade
PSA 5 (EX). Centering is heavily shifted left-to-right (approx 70/30). Top-left corner shows visible softening. Noted edge wear on the left border mid-way down.
Category
Insert / Subset (Record Breaker)
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Low. Sierra was a highly touted prospect and star in the late 80s, but this card is from the 'Junk Wax' era and was mass-produced in the millions.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$0.10 - $0.50
Graded Value
PSA 4: $2-5, PSA 5: $5-8, PSA 6: $10-12. Note: Grading costs far exceed the market value of this card.
Comparable Sales
Recent individual sales for raw versions of this card typically range from $0.25 to $1.00 including shipping on eBay. A PSA 9 recently sold for approximately $20-25.
Description
This 1987 Topps Ruben Sierra card commemorates his 1986 achievement as the 'Youngest Player to Switch-Hit HR's in Game.' Featuring the iconic faux wood-grain border design, the card shows Sierra in his Texas Rangers away grey uniform mid-swing. The Topps logo is located in the bottom left, with the player name and record details highlighted in a red box at the bottom right.
Key Features
Features the classic 1987 Topps wood-grain design, which is one of the most recognizable patterns in hobby history. Commemorates a specific MLB record from the 1986 season.
Authenticity Indicators
Authentic. The card stock is standard 1987 Topps grey-back cardboard. The 'Record Breaker' yellow text and 'Topps' logo exhibit correct dot-matrix printing patterns under magnification. Confidence: High.
Flaws to Note
Significant left-to-right centering issues. Visible softening/rounding on the top-left and bottom-right corners. Faint 'white' chipping on the left-hand edge wood-grain printing. Surface likely has standard wax-pack era pitting if examined under light.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
Best sold in a 'quarter box' at a local card show, as part of a 1987 Topps complete set, or in a bulk lot of 1980s Texas Rangers cards on eBay.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card. The cost of shipping and grading ($20+) is significantly higher than the value of the card itself. If selling online, list as part of a 'lot' to save on shipping costs. Use '1987 Topps Record Breaker' and 'Texas Rangers' in your keywords.