The 1991 Topps Traded baseball card set is one of the most popular and valuable traded sets produced. It was issued midway through the 1991 MLB season and featured many popular players who had been traded to new teams since the initial 1991 Topps Baseball base set was released earlier that year.
Some key things to know about the 1991 Topps Traded set include that it has 180 total cards and was produced by the Topps Company. Unlike base sets which have fairly standard print runs in the millions of packs, traded sets usually have much lower print runs since they only feature players who were recently traded and Topps has to do additional printing and distribution halfway through the season.
This limited supply factor combined with the set featuring many star players in new uniforms makes 1991 Topps Traded cards among the most sought after and holders of premium player cards can often fetch high prices from collectors. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable and desirable cards from the 1991 Topps Traded set to gain an idea of their current market values.
Arguably the most coveted and expensive card in the entire 1991 Topps Traded set is the Nolan Ryan card (#T96). As one of the best pitchers of all time, Ryan was hugely popular with collectors. In 1991 he was traded from the Texas Rangers to the Houston Astros, so his card shows him in an Astros uniform for the first time. In top graded gem mint condition this card can sell for well over $1000. Even well-centered moderately played copies often trade hands for $200-500.
Another true blue chip card is the Kirby Puckett (#T17) who was in the early prime of his Hall of Fame career when traded from the Chicago Cubs to the Minnesota Twins in 1991. High grade Puckett cards from this set sell for $400-700 consistently. The Dennis Eckersley (#T3) who was dealt from the Chicago Cubs to the Oakland A’s is also a perennial $300-500 card despite being a relief pitcher.
Star hitters like Roberto Alomar (#T99), Will Clark (#T100), and Eric Davis (#T104) routinely sell in the $150-300 range depending on condition. Solid mid-tier players moved in 1991 like Bip Roberts (#T101), Denny Neagle (#T110), and Mike Scioscia (#T174) can be acquired for $50-150 based on grade. Even more affordable but still desirable are cards featuring journeymen or role players who were dealt that year.
The 1991 Topps Traded baseball card set remains an extremely popular and valuable release among vintage card collectors decades after its production. Featuring many all-time player greats in new uniforms midway through the 1991 season combined with its much lower print run than a standard base set make individual high-grade cards quite valuable, especially for the biggest star players. Prices reported here can vary based on changing market conditions but provide a good overview of where key 1991 Topps Traded cards generally trade in today’s market.
