The 1990 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic releases of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While not quite as valuable as sets from the 1950s rookie card boom, there are still some highly valuable gems to be found in the 1990 Topps collection. Let’s take a look at the top 10 most valuable 1990 Topps baseball cards based on PSA 10 gem mint condition prices.
Coming in at #10 is card #166, Kirby Puckett of the Minnesota Twins. Puckett was already an established star by 1990 after winning the 1986 AL Batting Title and playing a key role in the Twins World Series wins in 1987 and 1991. His smooth left-handed swing made him a fan favorite as well. In PSA 10 condition, his 1990 Topps card recently sold for $450. Not too shabby for a card near the middle of the set.
The #9 spot goes to card #162, rookie card of Eddie Murray of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Murray made his debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 1977 and put together a Hall of Fame career hitting over 500 home runs. His change of scenery to the Dodgers in 1990 made his rookie card fairly scarce in high grade. Cracking the $500 mark currently, a PSA 10 recently brought $525.
Taking the #8 spot is card #329, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers. Arguably the greatest strikeout pitcher ever, Ryan was still defying father time with the Rangers in his late 30s. Any Nolan Ryan card holds value due to his record-setting career, and a PSA 10 of his ’90 Topps sold for $600.
At #7 is card #443, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles. Fresh off breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record in 1995, Ripken mania was in full force in the 90s. His smooth left-handed swing and surehanded play at shortstop encapsulated all the best parts of being a ballplayer. Ripken’s 1990 Topps pulled in $675 for a PSA 10.
Cracking the top 5 is card #713, Ozzie Smith of the St. Louis Cardinals. Known as the “Wizard” for his acrobatic defense at shortstop, Ozzie was a fan-favorite and 13-time Gold Glover. While he never was a big home run hitter, his highlight reel plays gave him mainstream popularity. With his smooth right-handed swing and dazzling defense, a PSA 10 recently sold for $700.
Claiming the #4 spot is card #164, rookie card of Gregg Jefferies of the St. Louis Cardinals. While Jefferies never lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him coming out of high school, his rookie card remains a key piece of the set. With its iconic photo and starry-eyed hopes for Gregg the Great, his PSA 10 changed hands for $725.
At #3 is card #83, Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers, again. But this time it’s the error version where his first name is misspelled “Norlan”. The scarcity and story behind the error make it exponentially more valuable than the regular issue. A PSA 10 Norlan Ryan sold in January 2022 for an astounding $900, showing the high stakes of error cards.
Taking the #2 spot is card #1, Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners. The kid with the smooth left-handed swing and effortless defense was already showing superstar promise in his first full season. With Griffey mania in full effect before he even hit his prime, his coveted #1 card popped for $1,000 in a PSA 10.
And finally, at the #1 spot is card #646, Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox. “The Big Hurt” was coming off his 1990 AL Rookie of the Year and MVP campaign. His iconic muscular physique and smooth, powerful right-handed swing made him the clean-cut poster boy for the era. Frank Thomas’ PSA 10 recently blew the doors off at $1,250, showing why it remains the crown jewel of the set.
While it may lack the true vintage appeal of 1950s rookie cards, the 1990 Topps baseball set holds a special nostalgia for children of the late 80s and early 90s. Stars like Ripken, Griffey, Ryan, and Thomas anchor the set with key cards that can still generate excitement in the hobby today. For dedicated collectors, hunting a high-grade copy of these elite ’90 Topps gems remains the ultimate prize from one of the set’s most iconic pop culture moments.
