Greg Maddux is one of the smartest pitchers to ever take the mound. His career stats speak for themselves.
He won four straight Cy Young Awards and finished with 355 wins. Collectors have chased his cards for decades.
This guide covers his most valuable rookie cards, real recent sale prices, and everything you need to know before buying.
Table of Contents
Greg Maddux: Four Cy Youngs and a Legacy That Never Fades
Maddux dominated the 1990s like no other pitcher. His 1.56 ERA in 1994 remains one of the most untouchable single-season numbers in history.
He won 18 Gold Gloves and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014. First ballot, no question.
His time with the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves defines two eras of baseball. Both fanbases claim him proudly.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card Overview
Maddux’s key rookie cards all come from 1987. The main three are the Donruss #36, Fleer #269, and Topps Traded #70T.
The 1987 Leaf #36 is essentially the Canadian version of the Donruss. It carries serious collector value and often trades higher in top grades.
The 1987 Donruss Rookies #52 is a separate subset card worth tracking. Autographed versions of both Donruss issues command strong premiums.
The Topps Traded Tiffany #70T is the premium parallel of his Topps rookie. Low print run makes PSA 10 copies genuinely rare and expensive.
10 Most Valuable Greg Maddux Rookie Cards Recently Sold
Recent sales are dominated by 1987 Leaf PSA 10 copies and signed Donruss rookies. Prices range from roughly $1,180 to $1,850. Nearly every card on this list is PSA 10 graded. Autographed examples cluster tightly between $1,180 and $1,800.
1. 1987 Leaf #36 PSA 10
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Leaf #36 Greg Maddux RC |
| Grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint |
| Sale Price | $1,850.00 |
| Sale Date | Jan 16, 2026 |
The 1987 Leaf is the Canadian Donruss counterpart. PSA 10 copies are scarce and consistently fetch top dollar.
Multiple PSA 10 Leaf copies sold recently in the $1,799 to $1,850 range. Demand is steady across all three sales.
2. 1987 Leaf #36 PSA 10 (Second Sale)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Leaf #36 Greg Maddux RC HOF |
| Grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint |
| Sale Price | $1,800.00 |
| Sale Date | Mar 1, 2026 |
A near-identical result to the January sale. The Leaf PSA 10 market is very stable right now.
3. 1987 Leaf #36 PSA 10 (Third Sale)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Leaf #36 Greg Maddux RC |
| Grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint |
| Sale Price | $1,799.00 |
| Sale Date | Jan 19, 2026 |
Three PSA 10 Leaf copies sold within weeks of each other. All landed within $51 of each other, showing tight and reliable pricing.
4. 1987 Donruss Rookies #52 PSA 10 Auto
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Donruss Rookies #52 RC Auto |
| Grade | PSA 10 / Auto 10 |
| Sale Price | $1,799.00 |
| Sale Date | Feb 19, 2026 |
The Donruss Rookies auto combines a gem mint card with a perfect signature. That dual grade pushes the value well above a non-signed copy.
5. 1987 Donruss Rookies #52 PSA 10 Auto (Second Sale)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Donruss Rookies #52 RC Auto |
| Grade | PSA 10 / Auto 10 |
| Sale Price | $1,495.00 |
| Sale Date | Feb 3, 2026 |
The same card sold again two weeks later for $304 less. Auto card pricing can vary based on signature quality and timing.
6. 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany #70T PSA 10
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany #70T RC |
| Grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint |
| Sale Price | $1,399.99 |
| Sale Date | Jan 14, 2026 |
The Tiffany parallel was printed in limited quantities. PSA 10 copies are genuinely hard to find and hold strong collector interest.
7. 1987 Donruss #36 PSA 10 Auto
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Donruss #36 RC Auto |
| Grade | PSA 10 / Auto 10 |
| Sale Price | $1,249.99 |
| Sale Date | Feb 27, 2026 |
The base Donruss #36 with auto comes in slightly below the Rookies subset auto. Still a premium piece for serious Maddux collections.
8. 1987 Donruss Set-Break #36 PSA 10 Auto
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Donruss Set-Break #36 Auto |
| Grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint / Auto 10 |
| Sale Price | $1,250.00 |
| Sale Date | Jan 25, 2026 |
Set-break copies come from dealers who break full sets rather than team sets. Condition is typically excellent and graded results are strong.
9. 1987 Donruss #36 PSA 10 Auto (Second Sale)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Donruss #36 RC Auto |
| Grade | PSA 10 / Auto 10 |
| Sale Price | $1,195.00 |
| Sale Date | Jan 23, 2026 |
Another Donruss #36 auto sold within the same price band. The $1,195 to $1,250 range is where these consistently land.
10. 1987 Donruss Set-Break #36 PSA 10 Auto (Second Sale)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Card | 1987 Donruss Set-Break #36 Auto |
| Grade | PSA 10 Gem Mint / Auto 10 |
| Sale Price | $1,180.00 |
| Sale Date | Feb 19, 2026 |
The floor for a PSA 10 auto Maddux rookie sits right around $1,180. That’s the entry price for the best-graded signed copies available.
What Determines the Value of a Greg Maddux Rookie Card
Grade is everything. The difference between a PSA 9 and PSA 10 can mean hundreds of dollars. Always check the grade before buying.
The card brand matters. The 1987 Leaf commands a premium over standard Donruss. Tiffany parallels sit above base Topps Traded copies.
Autographs add major value. A signed PSA 10 Maddux rookie can easily double the price of an unsigned copy. On-card autos grade separately and both scores matter.
Centering affects grade potential. Cards from 1987 often have off-center prints. Clean, well-centered copies are harder to find in gem mint condition.
Demand follows legacy. Maddux’s Hall of Fame status keeps long-term demand steady. Anniversary years and media coverage can create short-term price spikes.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card Price Guide
Right now the market for Maddux rookie cards is active and prices are holding firm. PSA 10 copies of any key rookie are well above $1,000. Autographed gem mint examples cluster tightly around $1,200 to $1,800.
| Card | Grade | Est. Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 Leaf #36 | PSA 10 | $1,750 to $1,850 |
| 1987 Donruss Rookies #52 Auto | PSA 10 / Auto 10 | $1,400 to $1,800 |
| 1987 Topps Traded Tiffany #70T | PSA 10 | $1,300 to $1,450 |
| 1987 Donruss #36 Auto | PSA 10 / Auto 10 | $1,180 to $1,260 |
| 1987 Donruss #36 | PSA 10 | $400 to $600 |
| 1987 Leaf #36 | PSA 9 | $300 to $450 |
| 1987 Donruss #36 | PSA 9 | $150 to $250 |
| 1987 Topps Traded #70T | PSA 9 | $80 to $150 |
| 1987 Donruss #36 | PSA 8 | $40 to $80 |
Final Thoughts
Greg Maddux rookie cards are a smart corner of the baseball card market. His Hall of Fame status is locked in and his story resonates with both old-school fans and newer collectors.
The 1987 Leaf PSA 10 is currently the hottest card based on recent sales. If you want the best return on investment, focus on top-graded copies of the Leaf or a signed Donruss.
Even lower-grade copies hold value. Maddux is not going anywhere in the hobby. Whether you are buying to hold or looking to flip, his cards are worth attention right now.
