Manufacturer: Fleer
Set Size: 132 Cards
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Set Notes: 1986 Fleer Update is a subset that was available only as a factory set exclusively through sports card dealers. This helps make these cards a little more rare than other 1986 baseball card sets. The fronts of the cards feature a color photo of players with a dark blue boarder. Team logo and player name are printed at the bottom within a colorful box. The backs are black and yellow with player stats.
Key Rookies From 1986 Fleer Update: U-14 – Barry Bonds | U-20 – Jose Canseco | U-25 – Will Clark
Pricing chart includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
These values are collated from a variety of resources including recently sold listings, sales averages and a variety of other sports card pricing data sources. Please see full disclaimer on “Terms Page” for more information.
(Rookiecardprices.com only shows values for regular base set cards. No prices are shown for errors, parallels, subsets, misprints or other cards unless noted.)
DISCLAIMER: This data is not intended as financial advice and should not be used as such. Please do your own research before making any investment or selling/buying decisions.
(–) : No Pricing Data Available | ($) USD Price Value | (¢) USD Price Under $1
1986 Fleer Update Rookie Card Prices
| Rookie | Card # | Raw | 8 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Allanson | U-2 | 75¢ | - | - | - |
| Barry Bonds | U-14 | $10 | $12 | $40 | $650 |
| Bobby Bonilla | U-15 | $2 | $4 | $7 | $32 |
| Jose Canseco | U-20 | $3 | $8 | $15 | $100 |
| Will Clark | U-25 | $2 | $10 | $20 | $565 |
| Andres Galarraga | U-44 | $1 | $5 | $15 | $40 |
| Pete Incaviglia | U-53 | 75¢ | - | $10 | $37 |
| Wally Joyner | U-59 | $1 | $5 | $12 | $35 |
| John Kruk | U-61 | $1 | $5 | $8 | $30 |
| Roger Mason | U-72 | 75¢ | - | - | - |
| Kevin Mitchell | U-76 | $1 | - | $5 | $45 |
| Bip Roberts | U-96 | $1 | - | $6 | - |
| Billy Jo Robidoux | U-97 | $1 | - | - | - |
| Bob Tewksbury | U-111 | 75¢ | - | - | - |
| Robby Thompson | U-115 | $1 | - | $7 | $30 |
| Mitch Williams | U-127 | $1 | - | $5 | $40 |
| Bobby Witt | U-129 | $1 | - | $8 | - |
| Data Updated: January 2026 | |||||
Overview of 1986 Fleer Update Baseball Cards
The 1986 Fleer Update baseball card set is a highly significant collection from the era, valued for its roster of key rookie cards and its unique distribution method.
Set Structure and Design: The 1986 Fleer Update set consists of 132 cards, each with a dark blue border on the front, mirroring the design of the main 1986 Fleer set. The cards are numbered with a “U” prefix (U-1 to U-132) and are arranged alphabetically by the player’s last name. The set’s primary purpose was to showcase players who were either rookies or had been traded during the 1986 MLB season, making it an essential resource for collectors seeking cards of emerging stars.
Unlike the main Fleer set, which was sold in wax packs, the 1986 Fleer Update set was exclusively distributed as a factory set. These sets were only available through hobby dealers and came in a complete, sealed box, a practice that was becoming more common for “update” sets. This distribution method, however, did not prevent the cards from being subject to the same condition issues as the main set, with the dark blue borders being highly susceptible to chipping and wear.
Key Rookie Cards: The 1986 Fleer Update set is famous for a handful of “Extended Rookie Cards” (XRCs) of future baseball legends. These cards are the most valuable and sought-after in the set, with their value increasing significantly in high-grade condition.
- Barry Bonds (#U-14): This is the most important and valuable card in the set. It is considered one of his most significant rookie cards, and a pristine, Gem Mint 10 graded example can sell for a substantial amount.
- Bobby Bonilla (#U-15): Another key rookie card from a player who went on to have a long and successful career.
- Will Clark (#U-25): The “Thrill” is a fan favorite, and his XRC is a highlight of the set for many collectors.
- John Kruk (#U-61): A popular player with a distinctive personality, his rookie card remains a favorite.
- Ruben Sierra (#U-105): A multi-time All-Star, his rookie card is also a significant inclusion.
- Wally Joyner (#U-59): His XRC is another valuable rookie card in the set.
Other notable players in the set include Jose Canseco (#U-20) and Andres Galarraga (#U-44).
Value and Collecting: Due to its factory set distribution and the massive production numbers of the “junk wax” era, the 1986 Fleer Update set, as a whole, is not overly expensive. However, the value is highly concentrated in the condition-sensitive rookie cards. The dark blue borders make finding cards with perfect centering and sharp corners extremely challenging, and this is reflected in the price difference between raw and professionally graded cards.
Popular Rookies From 1986 Fleer Update Baseball
