The 1991 Score baseball card set marked a transition period for the hobby as production values increased and newer chase cards started to emerge. While the core rookie and star player cards from this era remain popular, a few key 1991 Score cards have risen far above the rest in value due to rarity, player achievement, and collector demand. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1991 Score cards on the modern market.
Perhaps the single highest value card from the entire 1991 Score set is the Sammy Sosa rookie card. As one of the most prolific home run hitters of all-time who smashed countless records in the late 90s steroid era, Sammy Sosa became a true superstar and fan favorite. His rookie card, card number 250 from the base set, has ascended to the very top of the want lists for Cubs collectors and vintage hobbyists alike. PSA 10 gem mint copies regularly sell for over $5,000 given Sosa’s amazing 609 career home run total and dominance during the heart of the steroid power era in Major League Baseball. Plenty of near-mint to excellent condition copies still trade hands for $1,000 or more as well since this rookie card saw significantly lower initial production and survival rates than flagship cards.
Another rookie card that has gained tremendous collector interest in recent years is the Chipper Jones card from 1991 Score, numbered 136 in the set. As a legendary switch hitter who spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Braves, amassed over 450 home runs and a .303 career batting average, Chipper Jones is revered by many as one of the best third basemen ever. His rookie card price has followed suit, with PSA 10 examples routinely selling for $3,000-4,000. Even well-centered Near Mint to Mint copies can still approach $1,000 given how iconic Jones became both on the field and in the Atlanta community. Like Sosa, the print runs on Chipper Jones’ rookie were not massive so pristine copies have maintained strong desirability.
Another somewhat difficult to find rookie card that has achieved high value is card number 232 from 1991 Score, depicting a young Gregg Jefferies of the New York Mets. While Jefferies never fully lived up to his immense talent and hype due to injuries and other issues, collectors still covet his ultra-sharp rookie because of the mystique around his tools and potential. PSA 10 Jefferies rookies have broken the $2,000 sales barrier, with PSA 9s and BVG 8.5 copies staying north of $1,000. Even roughly centered NM/MT 7s can still pull $300-500 given the cachet and lack of high grade population for this specific card.
On the veteran star player cards, one of the 1991 Score inserts that absolutely pops in value is the Michael Jordan Baseball card from the set. Numbered to only 99 copies, this scarce Jordan memorabilia/parallel insert shows His Airness in a Chicago White Sox uniform during his brief time playing minor league baseball. Extremely few high grade copies exist of this ultra-premium Jordan variation, with PSA/BVG Gem Mint 10s recently selling for well over $10,000. Even lower graded PSA 8-9 versions still command $3,000-5,000 prices. While Jordan purists argue his true sport was always basketball, this tremendous rarity from his baseball period continues to captivate collectors.
Another star player card that holds tremendous value potential from 1991 Score is the Ryne Sandberg “Captain Card” parallel, numbered to only 50 copies in the set. As one of the best second basemen of all-time who battled and overcame adversity to become the Cubs franchise leader in several offensive categories, Sandberg was an icon for Chicago fans of that era. His Captain parallel takes on premiere status as one of the lowest printed individual cards ever. Even well-centered NM/MT copies have been known to reach $3,000 at auction given the extreme scarcity and player prestige involved. Needless to say, the few PSA/BVG 10 Sandberg Captains that surface command five figures whenever they hit the popup market.
The Nolan Ryan card from 1991 Score, numbered 147 in the standard base set, remains one of the most iconic and visually stunning veteran cards ever produced. As a living legend with countless records, seven no-hitters, and 5,714 career strikeouts, “The Ryan Express” was must-own material for any collector focusing on star power pitchers. High quality PSA 10 Ryan cards still pull in excess of $1,000 with regularity given how instantly recognizable and historically significant he was to the sport and hobby. Even well-centered Nolan Ryan rookies in the PSA 8-9 range can reach $300-500 prices today due to his enduring fanbase and baseball exploits as a true pitching immortal.
While 1991 Score had its fair share of other valuable inserts, parallels, and star players like Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken Jr., and Barry Bonds—the key cards highlighted here truly stand above the rest in terms of rarity, condition scarce population, and superstar player prestige. From rookie sensations like Sosa and Jones to ultra short printed inserts like the Michael Jordan baseball card, these specific 1991 Score key cards continue to fascinate collectors decades later and achieve top dollar prices fitting of their significance in the vintage trading card landscape. The card values and hobby demand for these select few has only grown stronger with time, showing that condition sensitive scarcity combined with iconic players is a winning formula.
