1987 Topps Tom Seaver #170
Tom Seaver · Topps · Base Card / Hall of Fame
Player
Tom Seaver
Set
1987 Topps Base Set
Year
1987
Card #
#170
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT). Visual assessment: Centering appears decent but slightly heavy toward the right (60/40); corners look relatively sharp through the toploader; surface appears clean without major waxing issues typical of this era.
Category
Base Card / Hall of Fame
Manufacturer
Topps
Demand Level
Moderate. High supply from the mass-production era limits value, but steady demand exists from Hall of Fame collectors and Red Sox/Mets fans.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$1.00 - $3.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $15-20, PSA 9: $45-60, PSA 10: $250-350
Comparable Sales
Recent raw sales range from $0.50 to $2.50 plus shipping. PSA 9 examples have recently settled around $50, while PSA 10s command a significant premium due to the difficulty of finding perfect wood-grain borders without chips.
Description
A classic example of the iconic 1987 Topps wood-grain border design featuring Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver during his brief stint with the Boston Red Sox. The card features a sharp portrait of Seaver in a Red Sox cap with the bold red 'RED SOX' team header. This card is a staple for 80s collectors and 'Tom Terrific' completists.
Key Features
Features Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver; iconic 1987 Topps wood-grain edge design; one of Seaver's final contemporary career cards.
Authenticity Indicators
Authenticity confidence is High. This is a common card from the 'junk wax' era and is not a target for counterfeiting. Card stock, printing halftone patterns, and wood-grain detail match original factory production.
Flaws to Note
Slight rightward centering bias. Potential for white chipping on the wood-grain borders which is extremely common for this set. Mild softening on bottom corners visible through the holder.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a Buy It Now or part of a HOF lot), COMC for slow-burn sales, or local card shop bulk bins.
Selling Tips
Unless the card is absolutely flawless (potential PSA 10), it is not worth the cost of grading. To maximize value, bundle this with other 1980s Hall of Fame cards. If listing on eBay, use 'Plain White Envelope' (PWE) shipping for $1.00 to keep the total cost attractive to budget collectors.