The Most Valuable 1986 Topps Football Cards: Most Recent PSA 10 Sales & PSA 9 Prices
The 1986 Topps football card set is one of the most iconic issues of the 1980s, instantly recognizable for its bright green borders. It features some of the greatest legends in NFL history, including multiple Hall of Fame rookies who would define an era of football. Because PSA 10 examples are so rare—many cards have only a handful of gem-mint copies or none sold in recent years—this list ranks the most valuable 1986 Topps football cards based on their PSA 9 market value, the highest grade with consistent sales data. For added context, I’ve also included the most recent PSA 10 sale for each card, showing just how high gem-mint examples can reach when they do appear on the market.
1. Jerry Rice (Rookie) #161
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $1,000–$2,400
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $87,000 (October, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 63
Significance: Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver in NFL history. Over his 20-year career, he set many major receiving records, including career receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895), and receiving touchdowns (197). A three-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers, Rice was named Super Bowl MVP (1989), a 13-time Pro Bowler, and 10-time First-Team All-Pro. His work ethic, precise route-running, and unmatched longevity made him the gold standard at his position. His 1986 Topps rookie card is the centerpiece of the set and one of the most coveted football cards ever produced.
2. Steve Young (Rookie) #374
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $1,100–$1,500
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $30,000 (December, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 8
Significance: Steve Young began his career in the USFL before joining the NFL, where he initially struggled with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before finding success in San Francisco. As Joe Montana’s successor, Young became one of the most dynamic quarterbacks of his generation, known for his accuracy, mobility, and dual-threat ability. He won two NFL MVP awards, led the league in passer rating six times, and guided the 49ers to victory in Super Bowl XXIX, earning Super Bowl MVP honors. A Hall of Famer and seven-time Pro Bowler, his rookie card remains one of the hobby’s most valuable.
3. William Perry (Rookie) #20
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $200–$350
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $4,450 (June, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 4
Significance: Nicknamed “The Refrigerator,” William Perry became one of the most popular players of the 1980s due to his size, charisma, and surprising versatility. At 6’2” and over 300 pounds, Perry was a dominant defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears’ legendary 1985 defense, which is considered one of the greatest in NFL history. Though not a Hall of Famer, Perry’s cultural impact made him a fan favorite, and his rookie card is an iconic reminder of the Bears’ dominance.
4. Reggie White (Rookie) #275
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $150–$275
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $6,999 (July, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 43
Significance: Known as the “Minister of Defense,” Reggie White was one of the most dominant defensive ends in NFL history. He played 15 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, and recorded 198 career sacks—second all-time. A two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 13-time Pro Bowler, White anchored the Packers’ defense in their Super Bowl XXXI victory. His blend of power, speed, and technique made him virtually unblockable, and he was named to both the 1980s and 1990s All-Decade Teams. His 1986 Topps rookie is a cornerstone card for defensive legends.
5. Joe Montana #156
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $150–$250
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $3,349 (December, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 24
Significance: Joe Montana is synonymous with clutch performances and Super Bowl greatness. Leading the San Francisco 49ers dynasty of the 1980s, Montana won four Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP three times. Known as “Joe Cool,” he was lauded for his poise under pressure, most famously engineering “The Catch” in the 1981 NFC Championship Game. A two-time NFL MVP and eight-time Pro Bowler, Montana set the standard for quarterback excellence and paved the way for future greats like Tom Brady. His 1986 Topps card captures him in the midst of his dominance.
6. Bruce Smith (Rookie) #389
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $150–$225
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $4,995 (August, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 39
Significance: Bruce Smith is the NFL’s all-time sack leader with 200 career sacks, a record that may stand for decades. Selected first overall in the 1985 NFL Draft, Smith was the cornerstone of the Buffalo Bills’ defense during their four straight Super Bowl appearances in the early 1990s. A two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 11-time Pro Bowler, he was virtually unstoppable as a pass rusher. His durability and consistency over 19 seasons earned him a first-ballot Hall of Fame induction, making his rookie card a must-have for defensive collectors.
7. Walter Payton #11
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$125
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,999 (April, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 72
Significance: Walter “Sweetness” Payton is one of the most beloved players in NFL history. Spending his entire career with the Chicago Bears, Payton retired as the league’s all-time leading rusher with 16,726 yards, a record that stood until Emmitt Smith surpassed it in 2002. Known for his versatility, toughness, and grace, he was a nine-time Pro Bowler and helped lead the Bears to their dominant Super Bowl XX victory. Payton’s legacy extends beyond the field, as the NFL’s Man of the Year Award is named in his honor. His 1986 Topps card celebrates one of football’s most admired figures towards the end of his career.
8. Boomer Esiason (Rookie) #255
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$125
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,399 (July, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 27
Significance: Boomer Esiason was one of the most prolific passers of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Playing primarily with the Cincinnati Bengals, he earned NFL MVP honors in 1988 after leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl XXIII appearance. A four-time Pro Bowler, Esiason was known for his strong arm and leadership on the field. Following his playing career, he became a respected broadcaster further cementing his legacy. His rookie card is a solid value piece from the 1986 Topps set.
9. Bernie Kosar (Rookie) #187
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $75–$125
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,250 (August, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 35
Significance: Bernie Kosar was a fan favorite and one of the most beloved quarterbacks in Cleveland Browns history. Known for his intelligence, quick release, and unorthodox throwing style, Kosar led the Browns to multiple playoff appearances in the late 1980s, including several memorable AFC Championship Games. Though he never reached a Super Bowl, his steady play and leadership kept Cleveland competitive in a highly competitive AFC. His rookie card resonates with Browns fans and collectors of 1980s NFL nostalgia.
10. Bears Team (Walter Payton) #9
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50–$125
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $350 (April, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 50
Significance: The 1986 Topps Bears Team card is a tribute to one of the most dominant teams in NFL history. Featuring Walter Payton front and center, the card captures the reigning Super Bowl champions coming off their historic 1985 season. That team boasted a legendary defense led by Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, and William Perry, alongside Payton’s Hall of Fame running attack. For collectors, the card is a snapshot of the peak of Chicago Bears football, when “Da Bears” were a cultural phenomenon.
11. Mark Bavaro (Rookie) #144
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $80–$110
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $511 (June, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 16
12. Tony Dorsett #126
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $90–$100
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,036 (January, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 12
13. John Elway #112
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $40–$80
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $2,300 (June, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 38
14. Eric Dickerson #78
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $40–$80
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $760 (May, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 14
15. Keith Millard (Rookie) #299
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $55–$75
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $699 (March, 2022)
PSA 10 Population: 8
16. Andre Reed #388
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50–$75
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,596 (February, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 74
17. Earnest Byner (Rookie) #189
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $70
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $750 (March, 2021)
PSA 10 Population: 9
18. Jim McMahon #10
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $60–$70
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $299 (June, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 12
19. Lawrence Taylor #151
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $50–$65
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,300 (May, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 30
20. Jay Hilgenberg (Rookie) #17
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $65
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,825 (June, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 5
21. Karl Mecklenburg (Rookie) #119
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $40–$60
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,142 (April, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 8
22. Wilber Marshall (Rookie) #25
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35–$60
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,458 (July, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 10
23. Dan Marino #45
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $45–$55
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $1,100 (November, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 73
24. Warren Moon #350
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $30–$50
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $405 (April, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 32
25. Super Bowl XX #8
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $25–$50
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $100 (May, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 35
26. Charles Mann (Rookie) #181
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $45
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $799 (June, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 6
27. Walter Payton #7
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35–$45
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $265 (March, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 55
28. Richard Dent #19
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $40
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $355 (June, 2020)
PSA 10 Population: 9
29. Lomas Brown (Rookie) #248
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35–$40
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $669 (May, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 5
30. Steve Largent #203
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $30–$40
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $999 (February, 2022)
PSA 10 Population: 12
31. Anthony Munoz #261
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $35
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $700 (November, 2023)
PSA 10 Population: 3
32. Art Still #311
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $30
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $769 (November, 2021)
PSA 10 Population: 3
33. Dwight Clark #160
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $30
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $200 (June, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 14
34. Ronnie Lott #168
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $20–$30
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $610 (August, 2024)
PSA 10 Population: 18
35. Marcus Allen #62
Estimated PSA 9 Value: $20–$30
Most Recent PSA 10 Sale: $202 (January, 2025)
PSA 10 Population: 48
Final Thoughts
The 1986 Topps football set captures an unforgettable era in NFL history, featuring rookie cards of Jerry Rice, Steve Young, Reggie White, and Bruce Smith—players who defined greatness at their positions—as well as legends like Joe Montana and Walter Payton. With gem-mint PSA 10 copies nearly impossible to find, PSA 9s have become the benchmark for value, and demand for these cards continues to grow. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a collector seeking key vintage investments, the 1986 Topps set remains an important release in football card history.
