Mario Lemieux Rookie Card Guide: 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee #9 and the Magnifique PC
Mario Lemieux's 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee #9 RC, Topps #9, and the 2026 PSA buying guide for Super Mario.
Mario Lemieux is a Hall of Famer, two-time Stanley Cup champion, three-time Hart Trophy winner, and one of the two greatest hockey players ever (behind Gretzky). His 1985-86 RC class is anchored by the OPC #9.
Here's the 2026 Magnifique playbook.
Quick answer
Lemieux's flagship RC is the 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee #9. PSA 10s in the $50,000–$150,000+ range; PSA 9s in the $2,500–$8,000 range. The 1985-86 Topps #9 is the U.S. version.
Tier 1: Magnifique RCs that matter
1985-86 O-Pee-Chee #9
The flagship Canadian RC.
1985-86 Topps #9
The U.S. version. Far more accessible than OPC.
1985-86 Topps Sticker Lemieux
Companion sticker oddball.
Tier 2: Strong supporting cards
- 1986-87 Topps / OPC Lemieux — second-year cards.
- 1987-88 Topps / OPC Lemieux — strong era card.
Centering reality
The 1985-86 OPC set has all-time bad condition issues — centering, edge wear, OPC rough cuts. The 9 → 10 spread on the OPC #9 is 8–15x.
Grading priorities
PSA dominates. BGS 9.5s carry meaningful but smaller premiums. SGC has growing presence.
What to chase in 2026
Magnifique PC build:
- 1985-86 Topps #9 PSA 8 as the entry.
- OPC #9 PSA 7 or 8 as the realistic goal.
- OPC #9 PSA 9 as the lifetime trophy.
Time horizons
Lemieux is top-2 all-time hockey player, two-time Stanley Cup champion. Permanent vintage NHL asset with structural scarcity.
How AI pre-grading helps
The 1985-86 OPC set requires pre-grading. AI screens centering, edges, and surface before submission.
CardSense AI supports vintage NHL grading with PSA / BGS / SGC live comps.
FAQ
Why OPC over Topps? Smaller Canadian print run, scarcer in high grade.
What's the OPC #9 PSA 10 pop? Extremely scarce — pre-grading is mandatory before submission.
Related guides
The bottom line
Lemieux's 1985-86 OPC #9 is the flagship. Anchor on Topps #9 for accessibility, target OPC for the lifetime trophy.
Last updated: April 22, 2026.
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