Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (2024)

The most valuable baseball cards from the 90s are Derek Jeter SP #279 and Alex Rodriguez SP #15. The Frank Thomas No Name version is another with the most value.

The sports card world had a significant change in this decade. Theirsports card trading business was booming since the 1950s, but the massive influx in the 1994-1995 market impacted the whole industry.

People started caring less about sports card trading as a hobby, and the market eventually died down. Although the 90s production was targeted to hold onto their customer base, the collectors were still enthusiastic about it.

Finding valuable cards from the previous collections might provide a few hundred to tens of thousands of bucks as a surprising turn of events.

Following are some of the most popular cards that hold the most value in the present, starting with the tenth card of the list.

Andruw Jones RC #7 From Bowman's Best 1995

Andruw Jones Bowman's Best Rookie Card number 7 from 1995 costs almost $1,000 for the PSA 10 grade. The blue refractor on the card and its rarity made it cost more.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (1)

Jones was the top prospect in 1996 as the player to hit two home runs in the World Series Game 1. His card got much hype due to his achievements in the following years.

The five times MLB All-Star player also received ten Gold Glove Awards and a Silver Slugger. Considering his first World Series performance as a 19 years old boy, people were more interested in his future performances.

His rookie cards were always in demand, and 1995 Bowman's Best set was among the best choices in the market. The shiny foil design made it challenging to retain the Mint grade status. Hence the cost got higher for its rarity.

Roy Halladay RC #212 From Bowman Chrome 1997

The Roy Halladay Baseball card from the Bowman Chrome 1997 is valuable for its PSA 10 grade. The higher rarity versions cost more than the regular prints.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (2)

Two-time CY Young award winner Roy is an exceptional pitcher, and his cards became popular in the following years as he became an MLN All-Star eight times in his career.

He was nominated for the CY Young awards seven times during his career. However, he did not get his first card for two years after his draft.

Although he was the first-round draft pick in 1995, his baseball card was printed only in 1997. Likewise, he became a hot pick for collectors as he racked up awards in the latter years.

Vladimir Guerrero RC #B2 From Bowman's Best 1995

Vladimir Guerrero rookie card #B2 from the 1995 Bowman's Best set was treasured by collectors. Vladimir was among the two best rookies of the 1995 season.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (3)

Guerrero's performance at the Montreal Expo was why fans followed his card, and he swiftly became a top pick of the 90's collection. His results in his rookie year were enough to make the collectors prioritize him in the following years.

The Angels Hall of farmer Hitter was named an All-Star player nine times and got the American League MVP award in 2004. Likewise, he won eight Silver Slugger awards in his entire playing career, making his baseball card more popular.

Mike Piazza RC #U-92 From Fleer Update 1992

The rookie card of Mike Piazza from Fleer Update is a valuable collectible due to its rarity for PSA 10 Grade. Mike is among the most notable catcher in MLB.

Former Dodgers star player was named All-Star player twelve times, starting from his rookie year in 1992. Additionally, he won ten consecutive Silver Slugger awards until 2002.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (4)

With his popularity peaked in the nineties, his baseball cards also got much attention from collectors. He was famous as the greatest offensive catcher in history.

Considering the demand on the auction, his Fleer update card could still make a few hundred bucks unto grade nine while grade 10 could get even more.

Adrian Beltre RC #182 From Bowman Chrome Refractor 1997

The Adrian Beltre rookie card #182 is among the top Bowman Chrome Refractor cards of 1997. Adrian cards are much valuable for the PSA 10 grade collections.

Beltre had the most valuable rookie card from the batch among Travis Lee and Kerry Wood of the same batch. Similarly, his value was higher than that of Roy Halladay and other notable players of his generation.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (5)

Featuring the most popular set of Bowman, Adrian is among the best players of 1992. Similarly, he is a likely candidate for hall-of-fame 2024, which will further raise his card value in the coming years.

The four-time All-Star player Adrian has won five Gold Glove awards, four Silver Slugger awards, and other accolades to support his nomination.

Topps released his first flagship set in 1998, where he was pictured along with fellow third base star Aaron Boone.

Mariano Rivera RC #302 From Bowman 1992

Mariano Rivera Bowman #302 is cherished by collectors as the only true rookie card of the Yankees pitcher. His PSA 10 cards can fetch thousands in the auction.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (6)

The New York Yankees pitcher Mariano is among the greatest closers in MLB history and a five-time World Series Champion. Playing his entire career with the same team, he achieved 13 All-Star titles and became the World Series MVP once in 1999.

Similarly, he holds the MLB record for the Most Number of saves, counting 652, and won the title of MLB Saves leader thrice. The Yankees have retired his number following his accolades, and he was also inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

Following his rise in the major league, the value of his baseball card has increased to a higher level with each trade. Especially after his induction to the HOF, his cards are certainly gaining more attention from collectors.

Chipper Jones RC #333 From Topps Desert Shield 1991

The 1991 Topps Desert Shield #333 Rookie Card of Chipper Jones is unique for its value as a set for soldiers. A PSA Grade 10 card of Jones costs over $16,000.

Jones is among the best Atlanta Braves players as an eight-time All-Star, along with the titles of National League MVP and World Series Champion. His baseball card gained much fame during his time as the MLB Batting Champion.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (7)

His Desert Shield card is more valuable because they were from a unique set printed for the soldiers in the Iraq war. The logo below the draft pick number separates them from the regular bunch. The chances of obtaining a gem mint grade card from this edition are rare, hence the high cost.

Thus the collectors are ready to pay a high price for the best condition card as it would be a worthy investment considering its availability.

Alex Rodriguez RC #15 (Foil Die-Cut) From SP 1994

The 1994 SP #15 Alex Rodriguez rookie card was most popular from the moment they were released. Even his ungraded versions were worth hundreds in his prime.

Likewise, the 1994 SP Foil Die-Cut edition is the rarest of the bunch, with only 59 cards being PSA 10 grade. The current auction market has only three in the best condition, which sold for $118,080 in the recent 2022 auction.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (8)

Rodriguez was a three-time AL MVP with ten Silver Sluggers and two Gold Glove awards. He was named an All-Star player of the year fourteen times during his career and held the title of World Series Champion once in 2009.

Considering his achievements, the value of his baseball cards is not surprising. Meanwhile, the low probability of obtaining a mint-grade version made its worth higher than $100,000.

Frank Thomas RC #414 Topps 1990 With No Name on Front

The 1990 Frank Thomas card with printing error is rare for collectors. The limited stock in PSA 10 Grade made its value higher than $170,000 in the 2022 auction.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (9)

The 1990 #414 Rookie card of Frank Thomas had missed the name on the front entirely, making it one-of-a-kind. Like Barry Bonds's naming error, Franks's card also got a lot of hype among collectors.

Frank is a five-time All-Star player and an American League Batting Champion from the nineties. Likewise, he was a two-time American League MVP with four Silver Slugger awards, making him a famous player of his era.

Derek Jeter RC #279 Foil From 1993 SP Set

The 1993 SP Derek Jeter #279 rookie card's foil edition is the most valuable from the nineties. A Gem grade card of his costs $360,000, as perPSA valuation.

The PSA 10 Grade of this rare set is precious to the collectors, making them spend a fortune to complete their collections.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (10)

Derek is the most remarkable rookie of the nineties, with five World Series Champion titles and one time World Series MVP. The 14-time All-Star player has also won two AL Hank Aaron awards, five Silver Slugger awards, and five Gold Glove awards.

Derek Jeter is famous throughout history as the captain of the New York Yankees that obtained many feats in the game. Jeter played for the Yankees for his entire career and was named a first-ballot Hall of Fame.

Most Valuable Baseball Cards From The 80s And 90s (2024)

FAQs

What baseball cards from the 80s and 90s are worth money now? ›

Most valuable baseball cards from the 80s and 90s include Rickey Henderson, Derek Jeter, Barry Bonds, and Frank Thomas. Baseball cards were collectibles that featured the image and performance of a player. These cards were also called sports trading cards and had a famous market in the 20th Century.

Are 1990 Topps baseball cards worth anything? ›

All 1990 Topps Baseball Cards

The most valuable card of 1990 Topps is currently 1990 Topps error #414a Frank Thomas PSA 7 with a worth of approx. $6,500.00. The most traded card of 1990 Topps in the past 30 days on eBay was for 1990 Topps #336 Ken Griffey Jr. with 54 trades and an average price of $2.94.

What is the most expensive Ken Griffey Jr card? ›

The most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. cards include his 1989 Bowman Tiffany, 1989 Topps Heads Up, and 1989 Upper Deck #1 Star Rookie card. Massive print runs limit the investment value of Griffey's cards. Rally app offers fractionalized shares for valuable cards like 1989 Bowman Tiffany.

How do I know if my baseball cards are worth a lot of money? ›

Specialists appraise baseball cards based on numerous factors, including overall condition, rarity, scarcity, grading, print variation, print quality, and, of course, the person featured on the card. Combined, these characteristics can determine the price and worth of a baseball card.

Are Mark McGwire cards worth anything? ›

Overall about 1053 Cards of Mark McGwire have been traded in the last 30 days on ebay. The average price was $23.76. The price range was from $0.1 for 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter Banner Seasons #BS-50 Mark McGwire by Topps Allen & Ginter from 2022 to $2751.0 for 1985 Topps #401 Mark McGwire PSA 10 by Topps from 1985.

What is the most wanted baseball card? ›

The current record price is the US$12.6 million paid for a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card (Topps; #311) on August 28, 2022, breaking all previous records.

What is the most sought after trading card? ›

While Honus Wagner's card is generally seen as the holy grail for baseball card fans, it's Mantle's rookie that takes the top spot. On August 28 of 2022, a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps Card sold for $12.6 million to an anonymous buyer.

How much is Ken Griffey Jr rookie card worth? ›

The average value of "ken griffey rookie card" is $26.07. Sold comparables range in price from a low of $1.99 to a high of $399.95.

What year of Topps baseball cards are worth the most? ›

10 Most Valuable Topps Baseball Cards
Most Valuable Topps Baseball CardsRecord Sales Price
1969 Reggie Jackson #260$1.005 million
1952 Jackie Robinson #312$960,000
1963 Pete Rose #537$717,000
1954 Hank Aaron #128$645,000
6 more rows
Apr 21, 2023

What's the most expensive Donruss 1990 baseball card? ›

All 1990 Donruss Baseball Cards

The most valuable card of 1990 Donruss is currently 1990 Donruss #4 Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 10 with a worth of approx. $272.77. The most traded card of 1990 Donruss in the past 30 days on eBay was for 1990 Donruss #365 Ken Griffey Jr.

What is the most valuable baseball card from 1989? ›

All 1989 Topps Baseball Cards

The most valuable card of 1989 Topps is currently 1989 Topps Tiffany #647 Randy Johnson PSA 10 with a worth of approx. $1,525.00. The most traded card of 1989 Topps in the past 30 days on eBay was for 1989 Topps #647 Randy Johnson with 32 trades and an average price of $1.28.

What is the rarest Ken Griffey Jr rookie card? ›

  • 1989 Bowman (Tiffany) #220. Credit: eBay. Value: $13,756. By far, the most valuable of Griffey Jr. ...
  • 1989 Topps Traded (Tiffany) #41T. Credit: eBay. Value: $3,668. ...
  • 1989 Fleer Glossy #548. Credit: eBay. Value: $3,606. ...
  • 1989 Upper Deck #1. Credit: eBay. Value: $1,763. ...
  • 1989 Donruss Rated Rookie. Credit: eBay. Value: $320.

Are any Jose Canseco cards worth anything? ›

The most valuable Card of Jose Canseco is currently 2019 Topps Update 1984 Topps Baseball Autographs 150th Anniversary #84A-JCA Jose Canseco /150 PSA 9 by Topps Update from 2019 with a worth of approx. $31.0.

Are Nolan Ryan cards worth anything? ›

The most valuable Card of Nolan Ryan is currently 1972 Topps #595 Nolan Ryan PSA 10 by Topps from 1972 with a worth of approx. $45600.0.

What is the most valuable Bo Jackson card? ›

The most valuable Card of Bo Jackson is currently 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany #50T Bo Jackson PSA 10 by Topps Traded from 1986 with a worth of approx. $7501.0. Other Cards of Bo Jackson to watch are: 1987 Topps #170 Bo Jackson by Topps from 1987 with a value of approx.

What is the most valuable Cal Ripken card? ›

A Gem Mint Cal Ripken Jr. #98T card sold for $20,101 in February 2021, making it the most expensive one ever. The Cal Ripken Jr. 1982 Topps Traded card is a hot item and the most coveted of Cal's cards.

What Barry Bonds cards are worth money? ›

What's the most valuable Barry Bonds card to invest in?
  • 1986 Donruss “The Rookies” Barry Bonds #11. ...
  • 1987 Donruss Opening Day Barry Bonds RC #163. ...
  • 1986 Fleer Update Barry Bonds #U – 14. ...
  • 1993 Finest Refractor Barry Bonds #103. ...
  • 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds #320 RC. ...
  • 1991 Topps Desert Shield Barry Bonds #570.
Feb 15, 2023

Where can I see how much baseball cards are worth? ›

To check the value of your baseball cards, go to eBay.com or access the mobile app. In the search bar, type the name of the player, the card's year, and the brand. Also include relevant details like serial numbering, parallel version, grade, and more.

Is there an app to scan baseball cards for value? ›

CollX uses millions of historical auction prices to calculate a card's average value. As you add cards to your collection, you'll see your overall portfolio value grow. Set conditions or grades on your cards and get more accurate prices.

What is the best way to sell baseball cards? ›

For cards that don't have a high value, listing them on eBay or another online marketplace is usually the quickest and most efficient option. However, if you have more valuable cards, it's best to sell them through a trusted dealer or auction house that specializes in the trading of sports cards.

Are Pete Rose cards worth anything? ›

The average price was $48.7. The price range was from $0.23 for 1983 Topps #101 Pete Rose by Topps from 1983 to $7500.0 for 1964 Topps #125 Pete Rose PSA 8 by Topps from 1964. The value of Pete Rose Baseball-Cards has been decreasing for about -0.05% in the past 30 days and increasing for about 33.16% in the past year.

Are Bo Jackson cards worth anything? ›

The average value of "bo jackson card" is $10.24. Sold comparables range in price from a low of $0.99 to a high of $240.99.

Are Sammy Sosa cards valuable? ›

Overall about 323 Cards of Sammy Sosa have been traded in the last 30 days on ebay. The average price was $6.29. The price range was from $0.15 for 1991 Upper Deck #265 Sammy Sosa by Upper Deck from 1991 to $112.5 for 1993 Finest Refractors #79 Sammy Sosa by Finest from 1993.

What is the holy grail of baseball cards? ›

The "Holy Grail" of baseball cards is the T-206 Honus Wagner issued in 1909. Reportedly, approximately 50 were ever made. Today, very few exist, making it the most sought-after sports card in history. It was created and distributed by the American Tobacco Company and came in a pack of cigarettes.

What baseball card is worth $1 million? ›

The T206 Honus Wagner was produced in 1909 by the American Tobacco Company. The card features Honus Wagner, a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates and one of the greatest players in baseball history. The card's value comes from its rarity, as it is estimated that only around 60 to 200 copies were ever produced.

What is the rarest rookie card? ›

1. 1948 George Mikan. The 1948 Bowman George Mikan rookie card is one of the rarest and most valuable basketball cards of all time.

What are the best trading cards to purchase? ›

What are the best sports cards to invest in 2022?
  • Mickey Mantle cards. Chart tracking price of assets similar to SGC 7 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle card. ...
  • Honus Wagner cards. Chart tracking price of assets similar to Authentic Honus Wagner T206 card. ...
  • Luka Dončić rookie cards. ...
  • Mike Trout cards. ...
  • Ronald Acuna Jr.

Which type of trading cards are worth money? ›

Keep in mind that it can take decades for a trading card to realize its true value.
  • #10. 1961 Fleer Wilt Chamberlain #8 PSA 9.
  • #9. 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 PSA 7.
  • #8. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #144 PSA 8.
  • #7. 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth #149 PSA 8.
  • #6. 1993 SP Derek Jeter (FOIL) #279 PSA 10.
  • #5. ...
  • #4. ...
  • #3.
Jul 13, 2022

Which sports trading cards are worth the most? ›

1980 Topps Larry Bird / Julius Erving / Magic Johnson Rookie Card PSA 10: Sold in April 2021 on PWCC for $840,000. 1957 Topps Bill Russell Rookie #77 PSA 8.5: Sold in August 2021 on Heritage Auctions for $630,000. 1948 Bowman George Mikan #69 PSA 9: Sold in June 2021 on Memory Lane for $426,000.

What is the hardest baseball card to find? ›

There are four Babe Ruth cards in the 1933 Goudey set, but #53—the Yellow Ruth—is the most sought-after card of the quartet. It's considered the hardest to find, though all are highly valued. In July 2021, a Yellow Ruth sold at auction for $4.2 million.

How much is Derek Jeter's rookie card worth? ›

Article snapshot. Derek Jeter rookie cards are some of the most highly sought after cards for any collector. The 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter rookie card is the most valuable, with a maximum sale price of $600,000.

What is Tom Brady's rookie card worth? ›

There are just 99 copies of Tom Brady's 2000 Bowman gold rookie card #236, with a BGS 9 selling for $288,000 in November 2021.

What is my Michael Jordan rookie card worth? ›

In the current market, and at grade 9, this rookie card ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. 1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan graded CSG 1. Lower graded examples of the 1986-87 Fleer #57 still enjoy a robust market, with a grade 1 selling for around $1,500 to $2,000.

What is the rarest Topps card? ›

The Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps rookie card is the most valuable piece of sports memorabilia in the world, with an estimated value of up to $4.2 million.

What is the most valuable Topps baseball card from 1987? ›

All 1987 Topps Baseball Cards

The most valuable card of 1987 Topps is currently 1987 Topps #320 Barry Bonds BGS 10 with a worth of approx. $3,720.00. The most traded card of 1987 Topps in the past 30 days on eBay was for 1987 Topps #170 Bo Jackson with 151 trades and an average price of $2.35.

What is the most valuable error card 1990? ›

1990 Donruss #665 Nolan Ryan King of Kings

Of the three variants of the Nolan Ryan card, the 5000k on the back error card holds the most value.

What is the most expensive 1996 Topps baseball card? ›

1996 Topps #230 Ken Griffey Jr.

stands atop them all as the most desirable.

What is the most valuable Upper Deck card 1989? ›

The most valuable card of 1989 Upper Deck is currently 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 10 with a worth of approx. $7,201.00. The most traded card of 1989 Upper Deck in the past 30 days on eBay was for 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr.

What year did baseball cards stop being valuable? ›

Because so many baseball cards were printed between roughly 1987 and 1993, the values plummeted significantly.” There are, however, some cards from this era that have some value. There's a consensus about one in particular — a 1993 SP Derek Jeter rookie card.

How do I know if my baseball cards are worth any money? ›

How to Check Baseball Card Values. In short, the best way to find card values is to go to eBay and search for your card. You'll want to check the current listings to understand how much you could sell the card for right now, along with the completed listings to see the amount the card has sold for recently.

Are any Mark McGwire cards worth anything? ›

Overall about 1053 Cards of Mark McGwire have been traded in the last 30 days on ebay. The average price was $23.76. The price range was from $0.1 for 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter Banner Seasons #BS-50 Mark McGwire by Topps Allen & Ginter from 2022 to $2751.0 for 1985 Topps #401 Mark McGwire PSA 10 by Topps from 1985.

What baseball cards are worth over $1 million dollars? ›

Other baseball cards that have sold for over $1 million include the 1909-1911 T206 Eddie Plank, the 1916 Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie card, and the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card. These cards, like the T206 Honus Wagner and the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, are incredibly rare and sought after by collectors.

Is there an app to see how much cards are worth? ›

CollX uses millions of historical auction prices to calculate a card's average value. As you add cards to your collection, you'll see your overall portfolio value grow.

Are 1988 Topps cards worth anything? ›

All 1988 Topps Baseball Cards

The most valuable card of 1988 Topps is currently 1988 Topps Tiffany #779 Tom Glavine PSA 10 with a worth of approx. $898.00. The most traded card of 1988 Topps in the past 30 days on eBay was for 1988 Topps #779 Tom Glavine with 31 trades and an average price of $1.20.

How do I find out how much my cards are worth? ›

Head to PSAcard.com/auctionprices and search for your card. The more refined the query, the more accurate the results. It is best to include the year, manufacturer and subject of your card in your search. If you include the card number, expect All-Star results.

What is the rarest baseball card and how much is it worth? ›

1909-1911 Honus Wagner T206

Considered the rarest and most valuable baseball card in existence, there are only about 50 copies of this full-color card from 1909 to 1911, known as the T206 Wagner. In 2016, one sold at auction for $3.12 million.

What Cal Ripken cards are worth money? ›

The 1982 Topps, Donruss, and Fleer rookie cards are among the most valuable and iconic Ripken cards. Other valuable Ripken cards include 1983 Topps, 1984 Fleer, 1984 Topps, and 1985 Donruss Diamond Kings.

Which Barry Bonds baseball card is worth money? ›

The 1986 Topps Traded Tiffany Barry Bonds rookie card is a must-have for any serious baseball card collector. The 1987 Topps Tiffany Barry Bonds card is rare and has a market cap of over $26,000.

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