It was made in a limited set of 50 and this card that sold at a Goldin auction was #50/50. Hes widely regarded as one of the best baseball players to come from the Dominican Republic and was a great all-round athlete who had a long-spanning career. The only Leaf card to make the list, their 1996 set is one of the best the company ever released. Its the 24k gold foil overlay that really makes this card stand out. While cards are easily available for purchase, the most valuable ones have reached seven-figure territory. Unfortunately for Oakland, Canseco was even worse in the World Series, batting 0.083 (1-12) with one home run and two RBI. Rookies have a history of booming and busting. While his 1992 Bowman rookie is one of the iconic cards of the 1990s, it's actually his 1992 Fleer Update card that earns a spot on this most valuable list. Both players are shown side by side, wearing caps that help to denote the team they play for. In this case, its just a couple hunks of the black links surrounding the name box and not the name itself that are missing. The back of the card references his hitting ability that he displayed in high school but also makes reference to him being though of as the next Mario Lemieux. And, after a brief September call-up, there was at least a chance Juan Gonzalez would be doing his mashing in the bigs in 1990. Smith was already an All-Star closer as the 1990 season dawned, but his biggest seasonal save totals still lay ahead, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He seemed on a sure path to Cooperstown, and it was always a good day as a collector when you pulled a Gwynn card, like this 1990 Topps batting shot. His only rookie cards are in the 1995 Bowman and Bowman's Best sets, as Bowman Chrome would not be introduced until two years later. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Choosing between this card or number 3 on the list, the Lebron James refractor, I would choose the Lebron card over the Zion. The internet was still in its infancy and not as widely used or trusted as it is today. 1990 Fleer Baseball Cards 25 Most Valuable Plus Bonus Listings! Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, . He would finish in the top five in Cy Young balloting a total of seven times in his career, and he was undoubtedly one of the elite pitchers of his generation. Still, The Iron Man played well enough to earn his eighth straight trip to the All-Star game. Many of the most valuable 1990 Fleer baseball cards on eBay are standard cards with autographs. 1991 Topps Desert Shield #333 Chipper Jones RC ($200) 1993 Stadium Club Murphy Derek Jeter RC ($60) 1991 Wild Card Brett Favre #119 5 Stripe ($40), 10 Stripe ($80), 20 Stripe ($120), 50 Stripe ($250), 100 Stripe ($350), 1000 Stripe ($1,800) The action shot features a young Jeter primed to make a catch, with the player superimposed over the holofoil. Of the six Kevin Maas Rookies, its the 1990 Upper Deck that resonates most. The value of this card is $5 million. The second, however, showed its value by nearly doubling the price of the former record holder. Sports Card Investing: Maximize Portfolio Returns (Ultimate Guide), 10 Best Football Card Packs to Buy in 2023, In-Depth Sports Card Market Trends and Statistics (2023). At his peak, ungraded versions of his 1994 SP rookie card regularly sold for hundreds of dollars, though his eventual PED suspension and subsequent fall from grace took a significant bite out of their value. The most expensive cards tend to be rare, and theyre often serial numbered. Added to that, there are presidential artifact collectors who also drive up the price for it. Table of Contents. A number of steroid sagas have somewhat marred his legacy in recent years, but theres no denying his talent. The normal 1991 Topps is worth a fraction of the price, and youll be able to tell the difference by looking for a see-through gold emblem under the 1st Draft Pick logo on the front of the card. 1997 Bowman Chrome #182 Adrian Beltre Buy on eBay #10. Cards number 2-5 tell the story of Nolan Ryan's career with the Mets, Angels, Astros and Rangers up to that point in time. It includes both Griffey and Mickey Mantles profiles, accompanied by their Sharpie signatures. David Justice was already 24 years old when the Braves called him up for the second time, in May of 1990. The 1997 Bowman set was one of the most popular of the late 1990s. I really dont know much about Scores motive for putting him on a baseball card but Im assuming it was some sort of promotional gimmick. Like the Griffey card on this list, this may not be the most exciting card in the world. Card #137 in the Skybox Premium Star Rubies Set is this 1999 Ken Griffey Jr. card. And then there are some pretty interesting subjects, from draft picks to error cards to scads of Nolan Ryans. The blue and yellow borders on this card matched up perfectly with the Mariners uniforms back then. Topps cards were relatively error-free throughout the 1980s, so its a bit surprising in retrospect that they uncorked such a doozy to lead off the new decade. That 5000th strikeout that Ryan recorded in 1989 did wonders for his hobby profile, beginning right at the front of the 1990 Topps set. This card was produced for US servicemen and women serving in Operation Desert Storm so imaginably, there arent many out there and even less in mint condition. Its hard to find in good condition, which is why high PSA grades are so expensive. Well start off with a rare card from 1991. had made good, that we were pretty sure Grissom could live up to his advance billing. Find out for yourself with our FREE checklist to guide you step-by-step. With a well-rounded offense led by the heavy-hitting Bash Brothers Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco, the As had no problem putting runs on the board all season long. But, while Ripken enjoyed a hobby resurgence in 1991 on the back of maybe his greatest season ever, this particular card lands on our list because its an error . Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. While many cards from the 90s are effectively worthless, there are a number of solid options that have increased in value rapidly over the past decade. Entering 1990, Barry Bonds was still mostly potential, flashing consistent tools across the board but never completely wowing in any one area of the game. $59.95. Well, no, actually. The checklist also contains rookie cards of Jeff Kent and Tim Wakefield. A dynamic power-speed threat early in his career, he eventually settled in as more of a middle-of-the-order run producer. After all, the strapping young lad looked more like a linebacker than a first baseman, and we didnt have the sort of 24-7 access to baseball information and images back in those pre-internet days. While batting .318 with 32 home runs, 104 runs scored, and 109 RBI, Thomas also led the league in walks (138), OBP (.453), and OPS (1.006), helping to launch his reputation as a disciplined and well-rounded hitter. And he was an integral part of the Yankees dominance of that era. Michael Jordan Cards: The Most Expensive of All Time. Contact us: contact@baseballloveclub.com, The 30 Most Valuable Baseball Cards From 1990-1994, Top 25 Most Valuable Baseball Cards from the 1990s Rookie Cards Only. Occasionally, hed pop something really gaudy, like that Ty Cobb-esque .363 batting title in 1993. This Traded entry was their answer, and its still evocative of that magical summer all these years later. With six straight All-Star appearances and one MVP during the 1980s, Mattingly seemed to be on a clear path towards the Hall of Fame. Hiding in commons bins with the rest of his 1986 brethren. That decision was one of the worst in baseball history. If its the former, its a wrong back and might have a small premium over a regular Ripken for collectors of one or both of the players. Prices for 1990 Topps Baseball Cards 1990 Topps card list & price guide. I've always liked the look of these cards, and as a kid, I loved ripping packs in search of rookies and star players. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Topps continued their Ryan celebration here by showing him with the Houston Astros, who had made the future Hall of Famer the first baseball player to earn $1 million+ when they signed him as a free agent prior to the 1980 season. By the time this card was issued, Cal Ripken was starting to draw heavy flak for his slipping performance at the plate. When he burst onto the scene, his rookie cards were among the hottest sellers in the entire hobby. Also Check: National League Standings For Baseball. They also created a subset for him as a tribute to his legendary career that spanned across his time with the Mets, Angels, Astros and Rangers which we'll get to a bit later on this list. Similar to Bo Jackson, even though Mattingly's career declined at the height of his prime, he was one of the hottest names in the hobby of that era, and collectors still love his cards today. He would extend that 0-fer to three years in 1990 before getting off the snide and reigniting his cards in 1991. An example that Beckett graded a 10 sold on Goldin for $57,600, giving it the top spot in this athletes card series. It amounted to a hobby fire that still burns brightly today. After the initial production run, someone may detect the error and pull the card from the line. Over the years since this card was issued, NNOF has become a one-name wonder that lets collectors know right away what youre talking about, sort of like Uribe these days, but with the chops to back it up. In his first full season back in Oakland after a four-and-a-half-year stint with the Yankees, Rickey Henderson played lights out in 1990, to put it mildly. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. By 1990, Cal Ripken Jr. was starting to take flak for continuing The Streak in spite of slipping performance at the plate. Is it a Thomas back on a Ripken front, or some other configuration? The Investment Case for the 1989-1990 Hoops Michael Jordan #200 Basketball Card. The most expensive baseball cards of the 1990s were released by Ken Griffey Jr. Seen as a parallel to the main collection, each card has a print run of 100 only and can be identified by the holographic foil found at the top of the card. As many sets had excessive print runs, (think millions, although nobody knows for sure) the majority of 1990s options are worth little more than the cost of the materials that they were printed on. #8. You May Like: Nike Dri Fit Baseball Shirts. You May Like: Baseball Tournaments In Southern California. 1997 - 1998 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 $599,999.99. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Topps Baseball Cards. On the card itself, Jordan is pictured during batting practice with the, The 1993 SP Jeter is one of the best cards from the 1990s, produced on a foil background that can be ruined by the faintest touch. Its hard to find in good condition, which is why high. We had an avenue toward Smiths first Cards card, and this was it (Topps division). The cheapest Jordan rookie by a significant margin, its a chance for collectors to own a bona fide piece of sporting history, even if the cards are slightly overpriced due to the latest influx of MJ fans and hype around his RC options. It wasnt often that a base card of an individual player landed card #1 back in those days, but Ryan was entering bonafide legend territory, and the following years would only solidify that standing and boost his card values across the board. The 1990 Topps baseball card set went to great lengths to pay tribute to Nolan Ryan's achievement of surpassing the 5,000 career strikeout mark. I feel for the investment, the Lebron card is a less risky buy. The No. This is about as bland a card as youre likely to find for one of the greatest pitchers of all time, but I guess that was Roger Clemens punishment for having not won a Cy Young award for two years running at the time of issue. The GOAT took some time away from basketball to chase his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball. In the 1990 set, that RB card celebrated Rickeys 40th career leadoff home run late in 1989, which extended his own record. Besides being the best Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, it helped usher in a new era in the hobby that included glossy card stock and premium production values. Like wow like comic books have (something I first realized while reading a post from Night Owl Cards). The only Leaf card to make the list, their 1996 set is one of the best the company ever released. Beware of listings on eBay for hundreds of thousands of dollars on cards like these they probably arent verified or even real foil. Its perhaps one of the most valuable cards of the 90s and definitely, one to be kept as its value is likely to continue to soar. . Thats a testament to how good he really was. Pitchers with 300 Wins and Their Baseball Cards. On the baseball field, Jackson had a cannon for an arm and a compact, powerful swing, which is on full display on this card. Today, even after the great slugger downfall of the 2010s, Sosas rookie cards maintain enough hobby swagger to appear on lists like this one. The record for this card was set at a Goldin auction for $26,400. It all solidified Cal as an ironclad collector favorite, and we still love him today. Check prices on: Bo Jackson was an incredibly popular athlete during the late 80s and early 90s. Basketball legend Michael Jordans ill-fated attempt to become a baseball star is generally meme-worthy, but his RC from 1991 is still one of the better cards from the decade. The era was ended by the baseball players strike of 1994, and the hobby has never truly recovered in terms of national attention. The card companies came calling, and collectors were happy to scoop up rookie cards of the young slugger in 1990, especially when he bashed 29 long balls at Triple-A Oklahoma City that summer before connecting on four more in just 25 games for the Rangers in September. Both of his rookies eclipsed $100 raw following his Hall of Fame announcement, but it's the Ultra version that sells for slightly higher in high-grade condition. Mike Piazza is one of the most iconic catchers in the game. His first Topps card didn't come until the 1998 flagship set. Juan Gonzalez was already a solid prospect heading into the 1989 season, and his 21 home runs with Double-A Tulsa at just 19 years of age put him on the hobby radar. Of course, before that could come to pass the Red Sox had to ship him to St. Louis, which they did during that summer of 1990. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? Of the 19,386 submitted to PSA to date, only 621 have even received a PSA 9 grade, with a mere 21 coming back with the vaunted PSA 10 gem mint grade. Read our methodology. Fast forward a year and a half, though, and Thomas was one of the best hitters in baseball, well on his way to becoming the Big Hurt and, ultimately, a Cooperstown denizen. Cal kept plugging, though, even when the Orioles were bad, and even when he himself wasnt great. The next few years saw McDonald settle in as a solid but not spectacular rotation piece who never quite lived up to his next Roger Clemens billing. The Most Valuable 1990s Baseball Cards: Summary, As well as rarity due to the small release, (estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,500), the majority had to get to an active war zone and back before being encased by the likes of, (Okay, we said that you wont find any of these cards hidden down the back of the couch, but this is the exception!). Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Topps Baseball Cards. Still known as David Arias when his rookie cards were printed, it wasn't until he made his MLB debut late in the 1997 season that he informed the Twins that he preferred David Ortiz. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. But, Donruss had a tribute of their own, albeit less flashy. Many thought there were no limits to where his first cards might go. to look like when his full name appears at the bottom of the card. We'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe at any time.. Posted by Adam Hughes | Baseball Card Values, Baseball Cards | 4 |. 1 1992 Bowman Trevor Hoffman #11 Trevor Hoffman isn't as well-known as the other players on this list, but his #11 Bowman card is still worth a decent bit of money. That got his cards perking again after a bit of a lull during the in-between years. And I don't think I ever pulled one from a pack. This one is scarce enough that pics are tough to come by, though PSA has a few on its Auction Prices Realized tool for this set. The young, toolsy prospect made a decent showing in his new climes, cracking double-digit home runs and stealing 32 bases. He led the Bulls to three more NBA titles after his stint with the White Sox, dominating the league with wins in 1996, 1997 and 1998. If its something else, it would be interesting to see whats up. So, just how costly are the most sought-after baseball cards? However, the 1990 Fleer Soaring Stars #6 card in near-mint condition may sell for closer to $50. The combination of the two greats and a dual autograph is enough to drive interest, which is why it makes the list. As well as rarity due to the small release, (estimated to be between 6,000 and 7,500), the majority had to get to an active war zone and back before being encased by the likes of PSA. The autographs themselves are found on the chest of each player, signed in black ink, and the background has a blue-green hue. However, the following types of cards are likely to hold more value: Error cards are often more valuable when the manufacturer corrects the error. Jones had a great career with the Atlanta Braves and was a key figure in their success during the 90s. Still, that doesn't mean 1990 Fleer cards have no value. Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the list: 1990 Upper Deck Heroes Reggie Jackson Autograph Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $750 The 1990 Upper Deck set contained a monstrous 800-card checklist that was distributed in two series: the Low Series (#1-700) and the High Series (#701-800). However, things changed in the World Series as they couldnt seem to figure out the Cincinnati Reds pitching and shockingly found themselves on the other end of a sweep. How Much Should You Invest Annually In Sports Card. There are a few of them about but its nearly impossible to find copies with high-quality grades. Well, first of all, you might see the card with a Ken Griffey Jr. auto only, or a Mantle auto only, and then of course, the dual auto that is basically the greatest combo dual auto to ever grace a baseball card. Ken Griffey Jr. is back again, in one of the most important sets from the 1990s. 1990 Topps #414 Frank Thomas Rookie Card Estimated PSA 10 Value: $175 Check prices on: Amazon Now, this is what Thomas's rookie card is supposed to look like when his full name appears at the bottom of the card. However, if you want to get real serious with Frank Thomas cards, it really doesnt get any better than this rare piece. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. At 36, Gary Carters best days were behind him in 1990, but he still put up a solid season at the plate for the Giants that summer. Chipper Jones won a World Series and made eight All-Star appearances for the Atlanta Braves in a storied career. Heres a list of seven of the most valuable baseball cards from the 1990s, with info about each one, including an explanation as to why theyre so expensive. Recently a PSA 10 gem mint condition version of his 1997 card sold at auction for $1,591 making it one of the most valuable cards of the 90's. Adrian Beltre (1997 Bowman Chrome International Refractor #182) Beltre's rookie card from 1997 recently sold at auction for $3,016. Despite such controversy, the 90s produced some fantastic highs and quality players which would affect the baseball card market in the long term. In 1999 he was still with the Chicago White Sox. Check prices on: Amazon. Technological advancements were on the rise but the world was yet to be completely changed by increased connectivity. Much of the attention is due to the fact that Jordans, RC is extremely valuable, while prices of all MJ cards have increased rapidly following the release of. And he also gave us the chance to see him on a Giants card, a reality Topps helped facilitate that fall in their Traded set. The card features Griffey, Jr. against a green background with a rainbow effect. During the 1990s, Griffey Jr. was one of the hottest stars in the sport and seemed destined to break all kinds of records. It's hard to make the claim that any 1990 Fleer baseball cards are really "most valuable" from a monetary standpoint. Baseball cards were mass-produced in high volumes during the 90s so values of cards from this period tend not to peak too high. Top 25 Most Valuable Baseball Cards from the 1990's - Rookie Cards Only . Leading the league in runs scored and stolen bases was nothing new for Henderson, but it was the first time in his career that he outpaced everyone in OBP and OPS. The top card in a major debut release, it has a memorable look for a generational talent. The card has a large photo of a rookie A-Rod with a bat clasped in both hands, smiling towards the camera. The 1997 Skybox E-X2000 Essential Credentials was ahead of its time in many respects, with a small serial number, an iconic image selection, and a luxurious border design. Recommended Reading: Baseball Practice Plans For 10 Year Olds. It was the first to offer an auto in every pack, with signatures from some of the biggest stars from the time. Because of his accomplishment the year before of eclipsing the 5,000 strikeout mark, Topps placed him as the first card in their 1990 set. Not surprisingly, Henderson picked up the AL MVP award that year. Dates back to 80s and 90s. And then there is the photography, which is pretty sharp in some cases. Alright, lets play ball, 1990 Topps style! His standard rookie (which we'll get to later) is the key rookie card in this set, but the version without his name on the front is an incredibly rare error and collectors are willing to pay up big time for it. It turns out there was. He also set a personal best for stolen bases (52) while leading the league in slugging percentage (.565) and OPS (.970). This Upper Deck card shows Frank Thomas in the motion of striking a ball. The impressive home run and RBI tallies would fade, causing Mattingly to be overlooked for any All-Star selections in the 1990s. And, while this one may not inspire thoughts of grandeur, its good to see The Man of Steal back where he began and where hed set a slew of records over the next several seasons. Seen as one of the key reasons behind their success, its all the more impressive considering he won his last World Series in 2009, 13 years after his maiden victory. Even with that honor under his belt, though, Boogers cards like this 1990 Topps rookie never exploded in popularity or value and offer the chance to own some Cooperstown cardboard on the relative cheap. One of the most popular players of his era, Vladimir Guerrero was the No. Basketball legend Michael Jordans ill-fated attempt to become a baseball star is generally meme-worthy, but his RC from 1991 is still one of the better cards from the decade. Bush money, but its still a decent payout for a 90s baseball card! But, because of Bonds popularity and legacy, it still holds decent value in top grade. Ortiz spent six seasons with the Minnesota Twins before joining the Boston Red Sox in 2003, and he immediately broke out as one of the game's premier run producers. I used to love watching him play--he was a class act. In any case, they help to make the 1990 Topps set what it is, and they deserve some of our cardboard love, too. Heres our rundown of the most valuable baseball cards from 1990-2000. As with the SP cards above, the player is outlined to help him to stand out, going so far as to put him above the border in places. If you continue to use this site, we'll assume you're OK with that. The issue is then corrected before production resumes. 1 prospect in baseball at the start of the 1996 and 1997 seasons, Andruw Jones is one of the most hyped minor leaguers of all time, and homering twice in Game 1 of the 1996 World Series when he was only 19 years old only fueled the fire. Frank Thomas is no John Littlefield, after all. Within that OBP stat was the remarkable fact that Henderson either walked or hit safely in 125 of the 136 games he played that season. Like the 1990 Donruss,Fleer, Leaf, Score, Bowman and Upper Deck sets, far too many of them were printed and the market is over-saturated with them. In 1989, Bo Jackson reached career highs in games played (135), home runs (32), and RBI (105), and he also stole 26 bases for the Kansas City Royals. He is also currently leading in assists above Luka. Hed never get a World Series ring but during the mid to late 80s, he was one of the sports best players and his cards were on fire in the hobby as a result. With Walter Johnson years in his rearview, Nolan Ryan sailed past 5000 strikeouts in 1989, on his way to baseball immortality. Right, but where were his *Detroit* cards? Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Read the full disclosure here. The following cards either dont quite measure up to the biggies on our list, or they are oddball cases that you just dont see very often. With six straight All-Star appearances and one MVP during the 1980s, Mattingly seemed to be on a clear path towards the Hall of Fame. I mean, wow. Aside from the emblem and the potential for a few battle scars, its a fairly simple card that features Jones with a bat slung over his shoulders, with a couple of trees in the background. I remember searching for this card left and right. He was playing against the Cleveland Naps after the Philadelphia Athletics made an exchange in 1910. But, Belle wasnt exactly known for playing cleanly either, although he was more known for using corked bats instead of PEDs. While his 1992 Bowman rookie is one of the iconic cards of the 1990s, it's actually his 1992 Fleer Update card that earns a spot on this most valuable list. There was no bigger rookie heading into the 1990 season than Ben McDonald. Lower-grade cards can sell for around $1000 whilst a higher-grade edition went for $8,655 in 2018. After a slow start to his minor league career, he put together a breakout season at High-A in 1991, hitting .277/.344/.540 with 27 doubles, 29 home runs and 80 RBI in 117 games. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. 1990 Classic card list & price guide. Only three other players hit more home runs than Albert Belles 351 dingers during the 1990s: Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, and Ken Griffey Jr. We know that two of those guys had a lot of help from PEDs. That was old for a prospect, and he hadnt exactly torn up the minors, either.