The 1990 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable sets from the early 1990s. While it didn’t have the flashy rookie cards of stars like Griffey Jr. that Upper Deck debuted the following year, there are still quite a few cards in the 1990 Fleer set that can be worth a good amount of money today, over 30 years later. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key cards that routinely sell for hundreds or even thousands.

Ken Griffey Jr. (Card #383) – Griffey’s rookie card was in the 1989 Upper Deck set but his first mainstream card was in the 1990 Fleer set. In gem mint condition this card can sell for over $500. Even well-centered near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range will fetch $100-200. Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie cards from all sets are highly sought after by collectors.

Frank Thomas (Card #183) – Like Griffey, Thomas’ true rookie card was in 1989 but the 1990 Fleer was his initial flagship card. Widely considered one of the best all-around hitters of the 1990s, a PSA 10 gem mint Thomas from 1990 Fleer can sell for $400-500. PSA 8-9 near mint copies sell in the $100-200 range.

Nolan Ryan (Card #368) – At this point in his career Ryan was nearing the end of his historic run but he was still an active player throwing heat for the Texas Rangers. His 1990 Fleer card remains one of his more iconic post-Angels images. PSA 10 gems can fetch $150-200 while PSA 8s sell around $50. He’s one of the most famous pitchers ever so his cards from any era hold value.

Roberto Alomar (Card #105) – Alomar’s 1990 Fleer was his true rookie card after only appearing in a few games late in 1989. He went on to have a Hall of Fame career and this is one of the more valuable rookie cards from the set. PSA 10s sell for $150-200 and PSA 9s go for $75-100.

Cal Ripken Jr. (Card #490) – By 1990 Ripken was already a two-time AL MVP and one of the games’ premier all-around players. This card perfectly captures him in his prime. PSA 10s easily sell for $150-200 due to his iconic status. Even well-centered PSA 8s fetch $50-75.

Wade Boggs (Card #441) – Boggs was the model of consistency, winning five batting titles in the 1980s. His 1990 Fleer captures him in a classic Boston Red Sox uniform. PSA 10 gems can reach $100-150 and PSA 9s sell around $50-75. He remains popular with collectors despite never winning a World Series.

Ozzie Smith (Card #566) – Known as the “Wizard” for his dazzling defense, Smith was in his prime with the Cardinals in 1990. This card highlights his trademark back flipping ability. PSA 10s consistently reach $75-100 due to his elite fielding skills and “Wizard” persona that still fascinates collectors today.

Roger Clemens (Card #409) – Already with one AL Cy Young award, Clemens was dominating hitters for the Boston Red Sox in 1990. His intimidating on-field presence is captured perfectly here. PSA 10 gems can fetch $75-100 while PSA 9s sell around $40-60. His pitching accolades and controversy keep collector interest high.

Don Mattingly (Card #534) – By 1990 “Donnie Baseball” was still in his prime but injuries were slowing him down. This card memorializes his glory days in Yankee pinstripes. PSA 10s reach $50-75 and PSA 9s sell around $30-40. He remains a fan favorite in New York.

Ryne Sandberg (Card #572) – Ryno was coming off back-to-back NL MVP awards for the Cubs and was one of the games’ premier all-around talents. In PSA 10 condition his 1990 Fleer has sold for as much as $75. PSA 9s bring $40-60. His smooth lefty swing and defensive skills excite collectors.

After examining just 10 of the highest value cards, it’s clear the 1990 Fleer baseball card set has stood the test of time. With so many Hall of Famers and all-time greats, it’s no surprise interest and prices remain robust over 30 years later. Beyond the stars mentioned, there are also thousands of additional interesting and sometimes valuable commons, inserts, and oddball parallels to discover. For set builders and investors alike, the 1990 Fleer set deserves a close look for its mix of proven legends, budding young stars, and classic photographic moments frozen in time. It undoubtedly ranks among the most collectible and worthwhile sets from the early 1990s sports card boom.