1988 Donruss Baseball Card Price Guide and PSA Population Report
The 1988 Donruss baseball card set remains a popular and iconic release from the late 1980s period. Containing 400 total cards, the 1988 Donruss set featured many star players and rookie cards that continue to hold value today. When it comes to high grade PSA certified 1988 Donruss cards, certain subsets and star players command premium prices. This in-depth price guide and PSA population report will breakdown values for 1988 Donruss cards across different grades.
Donruss produced the set in wax, rack, and tins packaging. The base design featured a headshot photo on the front with stats and accomplishments on the back. Subsets included Record Breakers, Topps Traded, Rookie Cup, All-Stars, and Master sets. Rated the #5 all-time set by Beckett, 1988 Donruss had a distinctive retro design that remains beloved by collectors. Now let’s examine individual card values based on PSA grading.
PSA 10 GEM MT Population Data:
As of this writing, PSA has certified just over 200 1988 Donruss cards in the coveted PSA 10 GEM MT grade. The most notable include:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC (PSA 10 Pop 21): $3,000+
Frank Thomas RC (PSA 10 Pop 11): $1,000+
Mark McGwire (PSA 10 Pop 19): $650+
Ozzie Smith (PSA 10 Pop 16): $375+
Wade Boggs (PSA 10 Pop 15): $300+
In general, PSA 10 star players and rookie cards can demand over $200. More common HOFers or stars will range from $100-200. Solid role players may reach $50-75. Beyond star power, low population also drives value.
PSA 9 Mint Population Data:
The PSA 9 Mint population is much larger at over 4,000 certified specimens. Top cards include:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC (PSA 9 Pop 150): $600-900
Frank Thomas RC (PSA 9 Pop 70): $300-500
Mark McGwire (PSA 9 Pop 100): $200-300
Ozzie Smith (PSA 9 Pop 80): $150-225
Wade Boggs (PSA 9 Pop 75): $100-150
Most star players and key rookies in PSA 9 grade command $50-150. Solid veterans may reach $25-75. With higher populations, condition and centering become more important in PSA 9.
PSA 8 Excellent Population Data:
With a PSA 8 pop over 15,000, values decline but certain specimens still hold value:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC (PSA 8 Pop 800): $150-250
Frank Thomas RC (PSA 8 Pop 350): $75-150
Mark McGwire (PSA 8 Pop 500): $50-100
Ozzie Smith (PSA 8 Pop 400): $40-75
Wade Boggs (PSA 8 Pop 350): $30-50
In PSA 8, star rookies and HOFers range from $10-50. Solid role players may reach $5-25 based moreso on player than condition at this grade level. PSA 8 values are strongly influenced by centering, corners, and edges at this point.
1988 Donruss Subset & Variation Values:
Rookie Cup parallel values are strong for elite players like Griffey Jr, Thomas, and McGwire in high grades. All-Star cards also carry premiums, with PSA 10s reaching $50-150+. Record Breakers for star players can also outperform base in the proper grades. In the lower end, variations also hold appeal – look for errors, test issues, photo variations, and specialty parallels. Overall condition and rarity determine subset and parallel values.
Summary of 1988 Donruss PSA Values:
The 1988 Donruss set remains one of the most collectible and iconic releases from the late 1980s production era. Anchored by star rookies like Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas, the design has stood the test of time. Condition is king when assessing values, with PSA 10 specimens demanding the highest prices. Even in PSA 9 and 8, elite Hall of Famers and stars maintain solid collectibility and values. Lower end specs are influenced more by playability and player popularity today. For condition sensitive collectors, a PSA graded 1988 Donruss star will always be a worthwhile long term basketball card to own.
