The 1990 Bowman baseball card set was unique in that it featured some rookie cards of future Hall of Famers while also showcasing stars currently in their prime. The set has 225 total cards and includes several highly valuable rookie cards that can fetch big money depending on the player and the card’s condition. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1990 Bowman baseball cards and get a sense of the current estimated market values.
One of the most well-known and expensive 1990 Bowman rookie cards is that of slugger Frank Thomas. Nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame career hitting over 500 home runs and winning two MVP awards. His rookie card in near mint to mint condition can sell for anywhere from $150-$300. If the card is in pristine gem mint 10 condition, the price jumps up significantly with auctions reaching into the thousands. The rarer the card condition, the higher the price tends to go for this Thomas rookie.
Another coveted rookie card from the 1990 Bowman set is Ken Griffey Jr. Often considered one of the most talented players of all time, Griffey Jr. was a 10-time All-Star and won multiple Gold Gloves. His rookie fetching prices between $100-$250 depending on quality. The Griffey Jr. rookie in a true gem mint grade could be worth over $1000. When all factors are considered likeautographed, Griffey Jr. consistently ranks as one of the most valuable modern era cards on the market.
Prior to debuting in the majors, Chad Curtis’ rookie card featured him batting left-handed though he always batted right-handed in his MLB career. This quirk makes his 1990 Bowmancard much more desirable to collectors. In gem mint condition, the Chad Curtis rookie has been known to sell for $800 or more due to its fun obscure attribute. Another under-the-radar valuable rookie is Chuck Knoblauch who had his share of hitting success early on in his career. The Knoblauch in near mint to mint grade commonly sells for $75-$150 values.
Moving beyond just rookie cards, the 1990 Bowman set also included stars already making their mark in the big leagues. One of the most valuable standard issue cards is Nolan Ryan pictured as a Texas Ranger. Known for his record-setting strikeouts, the Ryan card in pristine condition can reach up to $500 online. Additionally, Ryan autographed cards bring huge premiums over the PSA/BGS graded versions. Another all-time pitching great with a valuable standard issue card is Greg Maddux as an Atlanta Brave. The Maddux card has sold for as much as $300 in perfect gem mint condition.
Other notable highly graded 1990 Bowman cards that can fetch three-figure prices include Barry Bonds as a Pittsburgh Pirate ($150+), Roger Clemens as a Boston Red Sox ($200+), Mark McGwire with the A’s ($125+), and Don Mattingly as a Yankee ($175+). Each of these superstar players have varying levels of desirability which impacts pricing. Autographed and game-used versions of their cards multiply in value exponentially compared to the base rookie or standard cards.
While the 1990 Bowman baseball card set as a whole may not have maintained huge numbers, there are certainly some standout singles that sport huge price tags. The combination of Hall of Fame talents, unique attributes, and extremely high grades all factor into driving up consumer demand and secondary market prices. For vintage players like Thomas, Griffey Jr., Maddux, and Ryan – their rookie and early career cards remain consistent blue-chip investments over 30 years since the set’s original release. With patience and savvy collecting, the 1990 Bowman baseball cards continue to unearth hidden gems and provide opportunities to land expensive key pieces to various collections.
