The 1992 Score Select baseball card set is one of the most valuable vintage card issues from the early 90s. Score Select featured premium quality photographs printed on thicker stock than the standard Score base set cards released that same year. Only 80 players were highlighted in the Score Select subset, making these cards quite scarce compared to the base cards. Due to their limited print run and superior production quality, 1992 Score Select cards have maintained and increased in value significantly over the past three decades.
One of the most valuable and sought after 1992 Score Select cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. This Griffey rookie card is considered by many to be the best and most iconic rookie card of all time. Even though it was not Griffey’s true rookie card in the traditional sense, the 1992 Score Select Griffey perfectly captures his electric popularity and dominance at the onset of his Hall of Fame career. This card ranks near or at the top of almost any vintage baseball card value guide. In pristine mint condition, a PSA 10 graded 1992 Score Score Select Griffey rookie card recently sold at auction for over $347,000, setting the current record price for this single. Even well-worn lower graded examples still command thousands in market value. The Griffey is truly the crown jewel of the set and one of the holy grails for any serious vintage card collector.
Other extremely valuable and sought after 1992 Score Select cards include Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Dennis Eckersley. A PSA 10 graded Bonds would be valued around $12,000-$15,000. High graded Thomas rookie cards can reach $8,000-$10,000. First-year cards of successful pitchers like Glavine and Maddux that helped define the Atlanta Braves dynasty of the 1990s range from $3,000 to $6,000 in top condition. The Eckersley near the end of his Hall of Fame career can fetch $1,500-$3,000 in a PSA 10. All of these elite player cards set the standard for the impressive overall value and strength of the 1992 Score Select checklist.
While the headliner rookies and stars command top dollar, there are also many solid mid-range and value picks to be found throughout the set if one is willing to forego mint condition or settle for lesser names. Cards of successful but not superstar players like Scott Rolen, Jeff Bagwell, Jason Isringhausen, David Wells, and Paul Molitor in PSA 8 or 9 can often be acquired for $300-$700. This makes them accessible collector’s items from the set. Even borderline PSA 7 graded versions of these second-tier talents rarely dip below $100 auction prices.
For players who had decent MLB careers but were never All-Stars, there is still worth in higher graded versions. Examples include Steve Avery, Bret Saberhagen, Jack McDowell, and Tino Martinez in PSA 8-9 value ranging from $50 to $150 each. More common lower end talents might max out around the $25-50 range in top shape, such as Bill Pecota, Tim Belcher, or Jeff Conine PSA 8s. But even these can be had for well under $20 in worn PSA 6 condition. So there are prospects at various affordable price points depending on needs and collector preferences.
Rookies and prospects that never panned out but were once highly ranked still hold appeal to set builders, especially in pristine mint. Top draft picks like Paul Shuey, Jeffrey Hammonds, and Billy Ripken command $30-100 in PSA 9-10 despite unremarkable careers. Backup catchers and middle relievers and org players that had cups of coffee in the show might start at $10-20 in gem mint and sometimes less. But that’s the nature of collecting – taking risks on unknown potentials equals reasonable prices compared to proven superstars.
The 1992 Score Select set endures as an iconic release due to its photo quality, limited print numbers, and capturing so many young future Hall of Famers, MVPs, and championship contributors at their beginnings. While the headliners like Griffey, Bonds, Thomas obviously demand premium today, savvy collectors can still find plenty of value throughout the checklist at different budget levels depending on personal grading and name standards. Condition is critical across the board, as even lesser players tick up significantly from PSA 7 to PSA 9. Overall the 1992 Score Selects remain a vibrant and liquid segment of the vintage sports card market worthy of demand more than 30 years later. With history looking only more favorably on the talent featured, their staying power as a collectible seems solid for years to come.
