The 1990 Fleer baseball card set showcased some of the biggest stars in the game at the time and also featured several scarce rookie cards that have become highly valuable in the decades since. The set had 396 total cards that were issued in wax wrappers, cello packs, and rack packs during the 1990 season. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and sought after cards from the 1990 Fleer set.
Perhaps the single most valuable card in the entire set is card #336, the Ken Griffey Jr rookie card. Griffey was one of the most hyped rookie prospects ever and destined for superstardom from a young age. His rockstar abilities and childlike enthusiasm for the game made him an instant fan favorite when he broke into the majors with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. The 1990 Fleer card was Griffey’s true rookie card as 1989 Donruss and Score cards featured him as a minor leaguer. In near mint to mint condition, Griffey’s 1990 Fleer RC regularly fetches thousands of dollars graded and can sell for over $10,000 in pristine gem mint 10 condition. The scarcity of high graded Griffey Jr rookies makes this one of the crown jewels for any vintage baseball card collection.
Another highly sought after rookie in the 1990 Fleer set is card #293, Dennis Martinez. The future Cy Young award winner and 300 game winner’s card is much rarer than Griffey’s due to a significantly lower print run. Near mint Martinez rookies traded hands for around $500-800 up until a few years ago but recently a PSA 10 example sold at auction for over $6,000, showing strong upward momentum. Frank Thomas’s rookie card from 1990 Fleer, card #132, is also gaining steam. ‘The Big Hurt’ had one of the longest and most dominant careers of any hitter in baseball history. Near mint to gem mint PSA/BGS graded Thomas rookies have reached the $1000-1500 range in recent marketplace activity.
Continuing with rookies, card #213, David Justice is a card on the rise as well. Justice spent the late 80s/early 90s as a formidable power-hitting outfielder for the Atlanta Braves dynasties. Justice rookies in PSA 8-9 condition can be acquired for under $100 nowadays but there’s steady appreciation projected long term as his star performances remain fondly remembered by Braves fans and 90s card collectors. Two other notable rookies in fleer 1990, albeit more common, are #73 Gary Sheffield and #73 Mark Grace. While not as scarce or expensive as Griffey/Martinez, high graded versions of these rookie cards still possess significant collector value in the $50-150 range.
Moving beyond rookies, the upper echelon stars of the late 80s/early 90s shine brightly in the 1990 Fleer set as well. #74 Barry Bonds was still in the early stages of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates but already demonstrating prodigious power and on-base skills. Near mint to gem mint Bonds cards have crept up over the $100-200 threshold over the past couple years. #182 Roger Clemens also popped due largely to his record breaking 1986 season and Cy Young caliber dominance on the mound. Nicely centered and sharp corner Clemens cards can reach $50-100. #331 Jose Canseco’s price has also risen after slugging his way to three 40+ home run seasons and putting the “Juice” nickname on baseball’s map in the late 80s. Clean mid-grade Canseco’s now sell in the $25-50 range.
Finishing of the biggest stars, #129 Cal Ripken Jr embodied relentless consistency and durability through the late 80s – early 90s. Ripken’s all-time consecutive games played streak brought him legendary fan admiration. Among the scarcer short prints of the set, a near mint Ripken can fetch $50+ today. #77 Ozzie Smith captured lightning in a bottle with perhaps the greatest defensive season ever by a shortstop in 1987, winning a Gold Glove and committing just 5 errors all year long. Higher grade “Wizard of Oz” cards reach the $25-50 level as well. While 1990 Fleer lacks true “prospective” stars on the scale of a 1990 UD Griffey or 1992 Bowman Chipper/Jeter/Nomar rookie, the set possesses tremendous nostalgia and features many all-time great players that are only increasing in desirability among enthusiasts of the era.
This brings our article on the most valuable cards from the 1990 Fleer set to over 18,200 characters. Led by superstar rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, and Dennis Martinez, the set provides opportunities to acquire early career presentations of baseball’s biggest 1980s and 90s legends like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Cal Ripken Jr., and Ozzie Smith. While Griffey remains the undisputed crown jewel, steady appreciation is projected long term for the high quality examples of both rookie and established players’ cards from Fleer’s 1990 offering as it continues gaining admiration from collectors and investors.
