The 1993 Score baseball card set saw the rise of stars like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Thomas who would come to dominate the sport in the 1990s. Several rookie cards from this set have become hugely valuable as these players cement their legacies. Let’s take a look at the 10 most valuable 1993 Score baseball cards based on PSA 10 gem mint condition prices:
Tom Glavine Rookie Card #540 – Around $300
Tom Glavine had a hall of fame career as a dominant left-handed pitcher mainly with the Atlanta Braves. His rookie card from the 1993 Score set is one of the more affordable stars from that year. In a PSA 10 gem mint condition, it sells for around $300. Glavine won 305 games over 22 seasons and won 2 Cy Young awards making this an important rookie card for Braves and baseball card collectors.
Frank Thomas #556 – Around $350
Frank Thomas was one of the best hitters of the 1990s and 2000s, being a two-time MVP and one of the few players to hit over .300 for his career. His 1993 Score rookie card can be found for around $350 in PSA 10 condition. “The Big Hurt” smashed 521 home runs and had incredible plate discipline helping him to a hall of fame career primarily spent with the Chicago White Sox.
Ken Griffey Jr. #658 – Around $450
Many consider Ken Griffey Jr. to be one of the most exciting and talented players ever. His 1993 Score rookie card is still surprisingly affordable at around $450 in top gem mint condition. Griffey was a 10-time Gold Glove winner and hit 630 home runs in his career that was shortened by injuries. His rookie card remains popular due to his youthful smile and talent that seemed destined for greatness at the time.
Frank Thomas #609 (Turquoise Parallel) – Around $500
The 1993 Score set featured several parallel subsets with different colored borders. One of the rarer parallels was the Turquoise parallel found one per pack. Frank Thomas’s turquoise parallel rookie card #609 has a PSA 10 value around $500 due to its rarity andCondition. This parallel adds another layer of scarcity and fun to collect for Thomas rookie card collectors.
Shawn Abner #470 – Around $650
Shawn Abner was considered a major prospect in the early 1990s for the Chicago White Sox but injuries derailed his career. His 1993 Score rookie card remains popular for collectors because of its rarity and the “what if” factor around Abner’s potential. PSA 10 examples sell in the $650 range currently. Even though he never panned out, Abner’s rookie captures the excitement of a rising star at the time this set was released.
Frank Thomas #556 (Gold Wave Refractor) – Around $750
The Gold Wave Refractor parallel was one of the short printed chase cards in 1993 Score. Featuring an oscillating rainbow foil pattern, Frank Thomas’s Gold Wave Refractor rookie card is a true treasure for collectors. Only numbering around 10 PSA 10 pop reports exist, driving the value up to around $750. This is one of the most visually stunning versions of one of the era’s greatest sluggers.
Ken Griffey Jr. #658 (Platinum Refractor) – Around $850
Ken Griffey Jr’s Platinum Refractor parallel rookie card takes his desirable base issue to an even higher level. With an iridescent “platinum” parallel treatment, these cards were very scarce and demanded premium prices even back in the 1990s. PSA 10 examples now sell for approximately $850 due to rarity, condition, and Griffey’s legendary playing career. Few parallels command such a premium over the base card.
Frank Thomas #556 (Gold Refractor) – Around $900
Taking the #1 spot among Frank Thomas’s various 1993 Score parallels is the ultra-rare Gold Refractor version. Like the Gold Wave above, these oscillated with a metallic gold hue adding to the already legendary base rookie card. Population reports show there are less than 10 PSA 10 copies known, maintaining their steep $900 average sales price. Finding high end examples of this short printed parallel is akin to discovering gold in card form.
Ken Griffey Jr. #658 (Gold Refractor) – Around $1,000
Much like with Frank Thomas’s Gold Refractor above, Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1993 Score Gold Refractor rookie parallel takes his already iconic card to a new level. Struck in gold foil with extreme rarity and condition demand, price tags hover around $1,000 for a secure PSA 10. Few cards better capture the “rookie phenom” aura around Griffey than this massive chase parallel from the early ’90s cardboard boom.
Barry Bonds #674 – Around $1,300
Claiming top honors for 1993 Score is none other than Barry Bonds. Often derided later in his career for alleged PED use, Bonds’ was dominant from the very beginning. His rookie card highlights one of best statistical starts to a career ever. In PSA 10 condition, this single has cracked the $1,300 threshold, reflecting Bonds’ status as the best player of the 1990s, 2000s, and potential GOAT status should his numbers stand up to time and controversy. While prices may fluctuate, Bonds’ rookie remains king of the 1993 Score singles.
The 1993 Score baseball card set gave collectors their first glimpse at the legends like Griffey, Thomas, and Bonds who would dominate for decades. Their rookie cards, especially tough parallels, have appreciated enormously reflecting both population rarity and on-field performance. Though certainly not cheap, high grade examples remain attainable investments for dedicated collectors of this era. With Hall of Fame careers cemented, don’t expect the prices of these stars’ 1993 Score rookies to crater any time soon.
