The 1994 Fleer Ultra baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues from the junk wax era of the late 80s and early 90s. While sets from this time period are not generally very valuable compared to older vintage cards, there are still some highly coveted rookie and star player cards that can command huge prices in the collectibles marketplace. Here are the 10 most valuable 1994 Fleer Ultra baseball cards based on their average sold values:
Ken Griffey Jr. (#171) – Widely considered one of if not the greatest baseball cards of all time, Griffey’s iconic Upper Deck rookie card from 1989 certainly holds that distinction. His 1994 Fleer Ultra rookie/stars subset card is nearly as desirable and highly sought after by collectors. Featuring “The Kid” swinging a bat with his number conspicuously placed above his head, this card beautifully captures Griffey in his prime. PSA 10 gem mint copies have sold for well over $1,000 with the highest sale ever being $3,120 back in 2016. Even well-centered, but lower graded copies still fetch $200-300 depending on condition.
Frank Thomas (#80) – “The Big Hurt” emerged as one of the game’s premier power hitters in the early 90s and his intimidating presence is evident on this Fleer Ultra card. Thomas finished 2nd in MVP voting in 1993 and went on to win the award in 1994. High grade PSA 10 copies often sell for $500-700 while PSA 9s can be found for $150-250. A true star of the era, Thomas’ cards remain highly relevant to collectors.
Greg Maddux (#64) – Widely considered one of, if not the greatest, pitcher of all time, Maddux dominated the NL throughout the 90s. This Fleer Ultra issue comes from the height of his career when he was winning Cy Young awards and delivering pinpoint control on a nightly basis. PSA 10 gems are valued around $400 while PSA 9s go for $150-200. Even in lower grades, there’s interest due to Maddux’s immense talent and sustained excellence.
Roberto Alomar (#78) – A perennial all-star and one of the premier second basemen of his generation. Alomar’s rookie card values have suffered some due to off-field controversies later in his career. Collectors still recognize his elite skills and this issue commemorates him during his time with the Toronto Blue Jays and first World Series championship in 1992. Highest sales have been around $275-350 for pristine PSA 10 examples. Most PSA 9s trade hands in the $100 range.
Jeff Bagwell (#105) – While not technically a rookie card, Bagwell’s 1994 Fleer Ultra is considered his iconic early issue and captures him mid-swing during his breakout 1993 season with the Houston Astros where he finished 4th in MVP voting. Bagwell would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and PSA 10 specimens crack $250-350 consistently due to his popularity and sustained excellence as one of the game’s best hitters through the late 90s and early 2000s. PSA 9s are a solid $100-150 investment.
Frank Thomas SP (#167) – Fleer Ultra included “Super Premier” parallel photo variations of some of its biggest stars and Thomas’ imposing figure was undoubtedly one to feature. Print runs on SP parallels tend to be lower which drives up values. PSA 10 gems have topped $1,000 in recent years while PSA 9s are steady around the $250 mark showing strong demand. Arguably one of the more visually striking cards in the already flashy base set.
Chipper Jones RC (#166) – Jones is one of the franchise cornerstones of the Atlanta Braves dynasty years. While his more famous rookie cards came in 1991 and 1995 Bowman issues, this marked his first Fleer Ultra and gets credit as a semi-rookie. PSA 10s have cracked $400 with exceptional eye appeal. Most PSA 9s trade between $150-200. Jones’ sustained excellence and feel-good image make him a fan favorite of collectors to this day.
Moises Alou (#97) – The son of MLB veteran Felipe Alou, Moises emerged as a premier outfielder in the 1990s. This card highlights him in his prime Expos years before injuries hampered his career later on. Higher grades crack $150-250 territory due to his strong connection to Montreal fans and collectors who grew up watching him play. Even lower grade copies retain $30-50+ of value.
Carlos Delgado RC (#149) – Big-hitting Delgado broke into the leagues with Toronto in 1993 and this was his first mainstream rookie card released. While not quite as highly regarded historically as later 1988 and 1989 Fleer issues, it still captures interest from Blue Jays collectors. PSA 10s have reached $200 while most PSA 9s trade around $80-120 depending on eye appeal and popularity of the auction.
Ken Griffey Jr. Autograph (#171) – Fleer Ultra included rare autograph Parallel variations which are true gems for superstar PC collectors. Naturally, Griffey’s is among the most coveted. Only a handful are known to exist in PSA/BGS 10 condition and those rarities have sold into the $3,000-5,000 range when they come to market. Even in lower grades, examples still fetch $1,000+ prices. About as scarce and elite an insert as you’ll find from the era.
While 1994 Fleer Ultra overall has low monetary values compared to older cardboard, there remain some true gems centered around star rookie cards, Hall of Fame talents in their primes, and extremely rare parallel insert variations. The lasting popularity of players like Griffey, Maddux, Thomas, and Bagwell ensure strong ongoing collector demand and relevance for these issues within the larger marketplace. Condition is king, but even well-loved lower graded copies provide affordable options for enthusiasts of the 1990s MLB era.
