The 1991 Score Dream Team set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the history of baseball cards. Featuring the “Dream Team” concept of assembling the greatest players ever at each position, the set is highly coveted by collectors due to its memorable concept and the fact that it was the final baseball card set produced byScore before losing the MLB license to rival companies like Upper Deck.
The set consists of 33 cards, with one card devoted to each position – including designated hitter – as well as pitchers and a manager card. Some of the biggest names in the game at the time like Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, and Cal Ripken Jr. received cards, in addition to legends like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and Willie Mays who were selected for “Dream Team” honors based on their incredible careers. With stars both past and present represented, the set had wide appeal among collectors both young and old.
The condition and grade of cards in the 1991 Score Dream Team set can have a huge impact on their value in today’s market. While common PSA 8 or BVG 8.5 graded versions of most cards might sell for $50-300, gem mint PSA 10 or BVG 9.5 specimens can fetch thousands due to their extreme rarity. The supply of high-grade cards was limited from the beginning due to the fragility of the raw cardboard stock used by Score in 1991. Over the past 30 years, circulation and harsh handling has degraded most original copies.
Three cards in particular stand out as the most desirable and pricy in the set – shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., center fielder Willie Mays, and pitcher Sandy Koufax. A PSA 10 Ripken currently sells for $5,000-7,000. The hyper-rare Mays PSA 10 recently sold at auction for an astonishing $27,500. And the elusive Koufax PSA 10 can demand up to $15,000. Even mint 9’s of these big three still pull in the $1,000-3,000 range. The supply of perfect 10’s is exceedingly low with each seeing only single digit populations at the major grading services.
Beyond the shortprinted shortprints and hall of famers, the 1991 Score Dream Team rookies are also very valuable in mint condition today. Most coveted are Ken Griffey Jr. (LF), John Smoltz (P), and Chuck Knoblauch (2B). A Griffey PSA 10 recently sold for a cool $10K while a Smoltz PSA 10 brought in $5,000. Even high grade 9’s of these young stars trade hands for $1,000+ according to market data. Their rarity combined with subject appeal sustains strong collector demand.
Overall set completion in top condition is an enormous challenge. While raw near-complete sets occasionally surface on eBay for $1,000-5,000 depending on observed condition, acquiring the full 33 cards all grading PSA 10 would be virtually impossible. The estimated cost to assembling such a full PSA 10 “Dream Team” collection is probably well over $100,000 based on recent sale prices of the keys. For the truly dedicated card fanatic, it represents the pinnacle vintage project.
In the end, the 1991 Score Dream Team set holds a unique spot in the hobby as one of the most historically significant and visually pleasing issues ever produced. Nearly 30 years after its release, these classic cardboard has endured to maintain extremely strong residuals due to the combination of powerful on-card imagery, memorable players selected, and exceedingly tight supplies in top-grade. Whether completing a high-grade set or cherry picking individual keys, the 1991 Score Dream Team is sure to remain a core investment holding for savvy collectors.
