The 1990 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable issues from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While most cards from sets released during this time period are worth only a dollar or less, there are still a number of highly valuable rookie and star player cards that can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars today if graded and preserved in mint condition. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most valuable 1990 Fleer baseball cards based on PSA 10 mint condition prices:

Ken Griffey Jr. (#477) – Widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, Ken Griffey Jr. has always been one of the most popular stars in baseball card collecting as well. His 1990 Fleer rookie card remains highly sought after by collectors despite the huge print runs from this era. PSA 10 copies have sold for around $300 in recent years.

Rickey Henderson (#193) – With over 3,000 career hits and 130 WAR, Rickey Henderson is arguably the greatest leadoff hitter and basestealer of all time. As one of the senior star players featured in the 1990 Fleer set, his card still holds value for collectors, with a PSA 10 version averaging about $350.

Roger Clemens (#449) – “The Rocket” had already won three Cy Young Awards by 1990 and would go on to win two more. Clemens was one of the most dominant pitchers of his generation. His 1990 Fleer card commands $400-500 for top-graded PSA 10 specimens due to his Hall of Fame calibre career.

Barry Larkin (#529) – A twelve-time All-Star and 1995 NL MVP, Barry Larkin is one of the finest shortstops in MLB history. As a rookie featured in the 1990 Fleer set, high-grade copies of his card have reached as much as $600 in recent auction sales.

Frank Thomas (#469) – Known as “The Big Hurt”, Frank Thomas ravaged pitchers throughout the 1990s while playing for the Chicago White Sox. His 1990 Fleer rookie card introduced collectors to the future two-time AL MVP. PSA 10 examples are valued around $650-750.

Nolan Ryan (#93) – “The Ryan Express” was still pitching superbly for the Texas Rangers in 1990 at age 43, on his way to a then-record 5,714 career strikeouts. The Hall of Famer’s signature card has a PSA 10 value close to $800.

Cal Ripken Jr. (#422) – Among the most durable players ever, Cal Ripken Jr. broke Lou Gehrig’s famed streak of 2,130 consecutive games played in 1995. Highlights of his incredible career and work ethic made his 1990 Fleer card a must-have for collectors, with a PSA 10 bringing nearly $1,000.

Sandy Koufax (#119) – Already a Hall of Famer by 1990, Koufax’s iconic status and otherworldly peak in the 1960s continue to give his Fleer card rarity and prestige. Just a handful receive the coveted PSA 10 grade, pushing values up near $1,200 for this artwork of the legendary Dodgers ace.

Ryan Leaf (#479) – In one of the great modern draft debacles, Ryan Leaf famously busted as the #2 overall pick in 1998 after a disastrous NFL career. His 1990 Fleer card featuring his youth baseball photo has become the set’s biggest error, now valued at $1,600 as a PSA 10 relic from a cautionary tale.

Griffey (#477, reprint) – Buried deep within the 1990 Fleer set are unnumbered reprint variations of the base Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Only a small number are known to exist, making this one of the true Holy Grails for vintage collectors. The few PSA 10 examples that come to auction now sell for astronomical prices above $5,000.

While most 1990 Fleer cards hold little value, there are still some true star players and one-of-a-kind rookie cards that can retain big price tags of well over $1,000 for collectors pursuing the highest grades. For Griffey Jr. and Ryan Leaf collectors especially, the 1990 Fleer set endures as a treasure trove of baseball memories and opportunities to find rare vintage gems. Prices should continue climbing steadily for years to come as the nostalgia and allure of the junk wax era maintains a strong following among card hobbyists.