The 1999 Topps baseball card set was released at the height of baseball card collecting mania in the late 1990s. While not quite as iconic or valuable as sets from the 1980s, the 1999 Topps cards featured some of the biggest stars and rookie cards from that era. As with any set from that period, several cards have become extremely valuable in the decades since due to the players’ accomplishments and how the hobby has evolved. Here are the 10 most valuable 1999 Topps baseball cards based on the highest average sales values according to PSA’s database of previously sold mint condition specimens:
Chipper Jones #238 – Widely considered one of the best third basemen of all time, Chipper Jones had already established himself as a perennial All-Star for the Atlanta Braves by 1999. His superb career and iconic status with the franchise make his base rookie card a must-have for Braves collectors. High-grade PSA 10 versions have sold for around $600.
Nomar Garciaparra #74 – Coming off consecutive batting titles in 1997 and 1998, Nomar Garciaparra was the superstar shortstop for the Boston Red Sox. Injuries derailed what could have been a Hall of Fame career, but his rookie card remains very popular with Red Sox collectors. PSA 10s bring around $700.
Kerry Wood #374 – On May 6, 1998, Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood electrified Wrigley Field and the baseball world by striking out 20 Houston Astros in just his fifth career start. His dominant rookie season performance made his 1998 Topps rookie card one of the most sought-after of the era. High-grade Wood rookies sell for around $750.
Derek Jeter #268 – As the longtime face of the Yankees franchise, Derek Jeter is one of the most iconic and respected players of his generation. While expensive, high-end copies of his rookies are considered essential holdings for any serious baseball card collection. PSA 10 1999 Topps Jeters have sold for over $850.
Andruw Jones #456 – Andruw Jones announced his arrival as a future star by winning the 1996 Rookie of the Year award with the Atlanta Braves. His defensive talents and prodigious power made him one of the best center fielders of his era. His Topps rookie card often fetches over $900 in PSA 10 condition.
Joe Mauer #624 – Drafted number one overall by the Minnesota Twins in 2001, Joe Mauer was hailed as the best hitting prospect of his generation. He lived up to the hype by winning three batting titles and being named the 2009 AL MVP. As a rare player whose stats exceed even the loftiest expectations coming out of high school, PSA 10 Mauer rookies sell for around $950.
Alex Rodriguez #210 – Already a two-time All-Star by 1999, Alex Rodriguez was proving to be one of the best players in baseball during his time with the Seattle Mariners. His status as a future Hall of Famer and one of the game’s all-time great hitters drives values for his common Topps cards over $1,000 in gem mint condition.
Todd Helton #154 – An integral part of the franchise’s only World Series championship team in 2007, Todd Helton spent his entire 17-year career with the Colorado Rockies. His humble and consistent excellence, plus deep ties to the Rockies organization, make his rookie card among the most coveted in the hobby. PSA 10 Heltons sell for around $1,250.
Ken Griffey Jr. #90 – “The Kid” was already a six-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP by 1999 while leading the Mariners’ resurgence. Griffey cards from the late 80s and early 90s are iconic in the hobby, which is why any of his high-grade rookie variations can cross the $2,000 mark, especially in PSA 10 condition.
Juan Gonzalez #234 – Coming off back-to-back AL MVP seasons with the Texas Rangers in 1996 and 1998, Juan Gonzalez was arguably the most feared power hitter in baseball in the late 90s. His fearsome bat and short-lived peak of dominance fuel monster prices for his Topps rookie card, with PSA 10 specimens routinely bringing over $3,000 at auction due to their great rarity.
While the late 90s produced an overabundance of cardboard, the rookie cards and early stars from sets like 1999 Topps retain immense value for serious collectors decades later. Players with Hall of Fame careers, iconic franchises, dramatic narratives or simply great rarity continue to drive six-figure prices for true “shiny” specimens in pristine condition. As a snapshot in time of some of the best players and teams from that era, the 1999 Topps set remains a fascinating and rewarding collection for those will to hunt the long tail of sleeping hobby gems still waiting to be unearthed.
