The 1991 Topps baseball card set is among one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the junk wax era. While many sets from the late 1980s and early 1990s hold little monetary worth today, there are still some key rookie cards and stars from the 1991 Topps set that maintain value for collectors. Let’s take a deeper look at the most valuable and sought after cards from the 1991 Topps baseball card collection.
One of the headlining rookies from the 1991 Topps set is Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Roberto Alomar. Alomar had a Hall of Fame career playing for multiple teams over 17 seasons. He was a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner. The Roberto Alomar rookie card is one of the most valuable from the entire junk wax era. In near mint to mint condition, ungraded examples typically sell for $80-$150. Higher graded PSA/BGS gems can reach $300-$500 due to Alomar’s iconic status as a player.
Another noteworthy rookie card is Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Todd Stottlemyre. As the son of former MLB pitcher Mel Stottlemyre, Todd had an 11-year MLB career. Though not as decorated as Alomar statistically, the Todd Stottlemyre rookie has appreciated in value over the years. Pricing ranges from $15-50 for an ungraded copy to $100+ for high graded examples.
Ken Griffey Jr’s rookie season with the Seattle Mariners in 1989 made him one of the faces of the sport in the early 90s. While his acclaimed rookie Bowman card from 1989 is the true blue chip, the Griffey Jr 1991 Topps update card still holds decent value due to his stardom. Clean copies in the $10-30 range are common, with higher graded versions reaching $50-100.
Pitching legends Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux both had rookie cards in the 1991 Topps set during their early seasons with the Atlanta Braves. Each have had Hall of Fame careers and remain popular figures for collectors. Glavine and Maddux rookies typically sell in the $10-30 range depending on condition, with higher graded copies reaching $50-100 as well.
Although he was past his prime, Nolan Ryan’s 1992 Topps Traded card has become one of the more iconic and sought after cards from this entire era, if not one of the most recognizable baseball cards ever made. It features Ryan in mid delivery, wind up during his record breaking time with the Texas Rangers. Mint condition PSA/BGS 10 copies have reached over $1000 due to the ultra-rare photography and nostalgia factor of collector favorite Ryan. Even well-centered, lower graded versions go for $250-500.
Outside of rookies, the set also features other valuable stars who maintained all-time great careers. For example, a Ken Griffey Sr. (Ken Griffey Jr’s father) scarce short printed rookie sub set card in high grade can reach over $500. Randy Johnson, Frank Thomas, Cal Ripken Jr, and Chipper Jones regular issue rookie cards typically sell in the $20-100 range depending on condition and grading. The Ripken and Jones can exceed $200 for pristine PSA/BGS 10 copies.
The World Series highlights and All-Star cards commonly feature the biggest names from that year and grab collector interest. For instance, a 1991 Topps Nolan Ryan All-Star “Return of the Ryan Express” card in near mint condition has sold for over $800. But generally these special parallel cards attract $50-300 for top stars depending on player, photo, and grading.
Overall condition and centering greatly impacts the 1991 Topps values, as with any set from the junk wax era. Though mass produced, truly pristine copies have shown to still pull in solid returns – reflecting that not all cards were carelessly handled back in the early 90s. The 1991 Topps design has also endured to become a classic among collectors. While out of the reach of most common fans during production, today’s market has made values accessible again – especially with the renewed interest in vintage cards from this time period. For savvy collectors, bargains can still be found by picking the right rookie, star, or short print from within the 1991 Topps assortment.
