The 1990 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the more iconic and valuable sets produced in the modern era. While it may not contain the star rookies or hall of famers of some previous years, the 1990 Topps set endures as a favorite of collectors due to its memorable photography and designs. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and desirable cards from the 1990 Topps baseball set.
The superstar of the 1990 Topps set is undoubtedly Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie card. Widely considered one of the most iconic baseball cards of all-time, Griffey’s rookie lived up to the hype as he went on to have a Hall of Fame career. In near mint to mint condition, Griffey’s rookie typically fetches $300-500 raw. High-grade copies in the PSA 9-10 range can sell for $1000-2000 or more. The card remains extremely popular with collectors due to Griffey’s electrifying talent and marketability during his playing days.
Another young star making his Topps rookie debut in 1990 was Barry Bonds. While Bonds wouldn’t fully breakout as the all-time home run king until later in his career, his rookie card showed the Five Tool talent that would someday make him a superstar. Bonds’ 1990 Topps rookie in a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade recently sold for over $3000, showing strong demand. Most raw copies in good condition sell in the $100-200 range.
Two other notable rookies appearing in the 1990 Topps set were Robby Alomar and Frank Thomas, both of whom would go on to have Hall of Fame careers. Alomar’s rookie appears less frequently than the other stars and can fetch $50-100 in mint condition. Thomas’ iconic rookie card image where he’s pictured taking a big swing usually sells for $75-150 depending on grade. Both Alomar and Thomas provide strong long term holds for collectors.
Dodgers ace Orel Hershiser was coming off a record-setting 1988 season that saw him post a record 59 consecutive scoreless innings. His starred status is reflected by the rarity and desirability of his 1990 Topps card, which usually sells in the $50-100 range in top condition. Another pitcher with numerous ’90s accolades was Greg Maddux, whose first Topps card looks less imposing than his future dominance would suggest but remains quite collectible at $10-30.
Rickey Henderson, arguably the greatest leadoff hitter and basestealer of all time, posted big numbers throughout his Hall of Fame career that began in the 1970s. His iconic 1990 Topps card image, frozen in the act of stealing a base, remains a fan favorite. Rickey’s ’90 Topps card typically sells in the $15-30 range. Meanwhile, cards featuring all-time sluggers like Eddie Murray, Andre Dawson and Dave Justice can usually be acquired for $5-15 in mint condition.
Moving beyond star players, there are a few oddball parallels and short prints that add variability and excitement to the 1990 Topps set. The ‘Captains Collection’ parallel subset features photo variations of team captains like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith and Dave Stewart. These scarce parallel versions usually sell for $40-80 each.
Topps also included ‘Glossy Sendbacks’ among the 1990 issue, which featured high-gloss photo variants that could be submitted back to Topps. These glossy parallel versions regularly command $15-40 due to their rarity compared to the standard issue.
Completing a full 1990 Topps base set in pristine condition remains a challenge for most collectors. A high-grade PSA/BGS gem mint master set would undoubtedly command well into the five figures. But for the average collector, it’s still possible to acquire many of the stars and key cards from the set in affordable grades. Three decades later, 1990 Topps endures as one of the most recognizable and collected modern issues due to its magnetic photography, impressive rookie class and fun, memories of 1990s baseball it evokes.
While it may not be the most expensive vintage set, the 1990 Topps baseball issue remains a perennially popular choice for collectors due to memorable stars, designs and affordable individual cards, even for key rookies. Cards like Ken Griffey Jr, Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas and Robby Alomar lead the desirability chart in top grades. The set also features opportunities to find oddball parallels and short prints that add to the collectibility. The 1990 Topps set is one that will surely stand the test of time for baseball card collectors and enthusiasts.
