The 1988 score baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases from the famous Score trading card company. While it may lack the star power and rookie cards of some other years, the 1988 Score set still contains several extremely rare and valuable cards that continue to intrigue collectors decades later. Here’s a look at the top 10 rarest and most expensive 1988 Score baseball cards based on condition, print run, and recent sales prices.
Barry Larkin Rookie (#122)
Barry Larkin’s rookie card was the main rookie chase in the 1988 Score set. Larkin went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Cincinnati Reds. While Larkin rookies are fairly common, high grade versions remain elusive. A PSA 10 copy of Larkin’s rookie card recently sold for around $500. In PSA 9 condition it will fetch $100-250 depending on market conditions. Even in worn PSA 8 it still demands $50-75. Larkin’s rookie was a hot ticket in the late 80s/early 90s and is still one collectors search for to this day.
Roberto Alomar Rookie (#115)
Another top rookie in 1988 was Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar’s rookie card. Alomar went on to become one of the best second basemen of all time. Even still, his rookie is much more available than some others on this list. In PSA 10 it will sell in the $300-400 range. PSA 9’s go for $100-200 and a PSA 8 still holds $50-75 value. While not incredibly rare overall, high graded Alomar rookies maintain strong demand from collectors years after the set was released.
Frank Thomas Rookie (#134)
Having one of the best rookie classes of all time, the ’88 Score set included Frank Thomas’ rookie card. Arguably the top rookie in the set, PSA 10 Thomas rookies can reach $1000-1500. Even in a worn PSA 8 condition, copies still pull in $100-200. Finding true gem mint copies remains a challenge, ensuring Thomas’ iconic rookie maintains high prices. The cards of HOF talents like Thomas and Alomar will always be in demand by collectors chasing the rare early issues of all-time great players.
Mark Langston (#151)
One of the true “short prints” from 1988 Score was Mark Langston’s card #151. Only about 100 of Langston’s cards were printed versus the standard print run numbers for other players. This rarity pushes even low grade Langston’s up in value. In PSA 8condition expect to pay $150-250. Higher grades command a premium, with a PSA 10 recently selling for over $2000 due to its immense scarcity. Finding any version of the Langston short print card is an achievement in itself for 1988 Score collectors.
Cal Ripken Jr. Update (#50U)
While not quite a true short print, Cal Ripken’s update card #50U from 1988 Score held significant rarity compared to the base Ripken issue. Only about 1000 of the update versions were produced versus the standard run. This pushed Ripken’s update to become iconic in its own right, especially for Orioles fans collecting Ripken’s early issues. Even in low grade PSA 8 condition, the Ripken update commands $200-300 due to its limited print run. Near mint copies are truly impressive holdings, with a PSA 10 recently selling for $1600.
Bo Jackson (#205)
One of the biggest names in all of baseball cards is Bo Jackson. His rookie played second fiddle at the time to stars like Larkin and Alomar. But his iconic status has seen Jackson’s 1985 Fleer and 1989 Upper Deck rookies skyrocket in popularity and value in recent decades. His 1988 Score issue remains quite rare as well, especially in top condition. Even a moderate PSA 8 will still sell in the $250-350 range today. A true gem PSA 10 recently traded hands for an impressive $4,500 price tag showing the immense demand for a pristine Jackson rookie.
Tom Glavine Rookie (#142)
Hall of Famer Tom Glavine had his rookie season in 1987 but was still considered a rookie by Score in 1988, making his card a much-coveted rookie issue. As the set’s only 300-game winning left-handed pitcher, Glavine rookies maintain steady interest. Even low grade copies in PSA 8 sell around $200. Near mint PSA 9’s are valued closer to $500-700 depending on the market. A true perfect PSA 10 Glavine rookie would likely sell in the $1500-2000 range or higher if offered due to the rarity of high grade copies surviving over 30 years.
Mark McGwire (#256)
The 1988 Score set offered Mark McGwire’s second year card, but before his infamous home run chase with Sosa. Even still, McGwire’s early issues are legendary holds in any collection. Like many short prints, McGwire #256 saw a very limited production, estimated around 100 copies versus normal print runs. As one of the scarcest cards in the entire base set, low grade copies still command $300-500 prices. Near mint copies regularly sell for $1000 or more. A flawless PSA 10 would easily bring over $2000 given how rarely high grade versions occur in the wild after so many years.
Nolan Ryan (#1)
As the set’s legendary #1 card, Nolan Ryan’s issue took on added prestige and demand. With fewer copies produced versus standard players despite the high numbering, Ryan’s card became notorious for its rarity alone. Even common low grade PSA 8 copies will still fetch $300-500 prices thanks to nostalgia and demand. Near mint PSA 9’s have sold as high as $1000-1500 range. The elusive perfect PSA 10 Ryan #1 would likely break all 1988 Score records, likely demanding well over $2000 from a serious Ryan collector seeking the crown jewel.
Ozzie Smith Error (#383E)
Reigning as the undisputed rarest and most valuable card in the 1988 Score set is shortstop Ozzie Smith’s error version, card #383E. Only about 5 of these error cards are known to exist where Smith’s head is cut off at the top of the image. Simply put, this is one of the rarest production errors in the entire sports card industry. A PSA-certified Smith error card recently reached an astounding $25,000 sales price, setting a new record for any 1988 Score card. As the only card from the set with a definitive print run under 10 copies, the elusive Smith error stands alone as perhaps the most substantial “holy grail” collectible to come from Score’s 1988 release.
While not containing big name rookie star power of other years, the 1988 Score set maintains an elite tier of investment-worthy short prints, errors and early issues of all-time great players. Condition is king for maximum returns, but even lower grade versions hold value thanks to set nostalgia and demand from collectors seeking their favorite players’ early years. High grading elusive star rookies like Thomas, early issues like Ryan, and unprecedented errors like Smith secure the 1988 Score set a memorable place in card collecting history and speculation.
