The 1992 Upper Deck baseball card #424, featuring Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr., is one of the most iconic and valuable cards from the 1990s subset era. Ripken was one of the greatest players of his generation and cemented his status as an all-time great during the 1991 season, which is depicted on this particular card.
Released in 1992 as part of Upper Deck’s seminal second baseball card series, #424 stands out as one of Ripken’s most commonly sought after rookie cards from his early career. While not technically a rookie card since Ripken had already played several MLB seasons, 1992 was the year Upper Deck gained the MLB license and their designs and production quality set a new standard in the industry. As such, many consider key cards from that inaugural Upper Deck set as the functional rookies for players who had previously only had commons issued by other manufacturers in prior years.
On the surface, #424 highlights Ripken during the 1991 campaign, his eleventh in the big leagues. That season was one for the ages for the Iron Man as he set the new record for most consecutive games played with 2,632, shattering Lou Gehrig’s legendary mark of 2,130 that had stood for over 50 years. With this astounding feat of consistency and dedication, Ripken cemented his place as one of the game’s true iron men and greatest all-around players.
The card’s design encapsulates Ripken’s 1991 season perfectly. In the foreground, Ripken is depicted in his classic Orioles batting stance, showcasing his muscular build and intensity at the plate. In the background, the B&W photo highlights the crowd at Memorial Stadium going wild and honoring Ripken as he makes his record-setting appearance. The banner above declares “2632 GAMES & COUNTING,” emphasizing the magnitude of Ripken’s ongoing streak at that point in his career.
In terms of rarity, #424 is considered a fairly common card within the 1992 Upper Deck set since Ripken was a perennial All-Star and the face of baseball in the early 90s. Demand has always been high due to Ripken’s iconic status, the significance of the 1991 season, and the overall quality and iconic designs from that premier Upper Deck release. In raw condition straight out of the pack, mid-grade copies regularly sell for $25-50. But as with any star player card, higher grades command significantly more money.
A PSA Gem Mint 10 copy of #424 is about as rare as they come, with authenticated editions seldom coming on the market. When they do, prices have crossed into five-figure territory, with several ten-thousand-dollar sales recorded. Even PSA 9s with consistently strong corners and edges can reach $1,000-2,000 depending on the market. Slightly lower graded copies in the PSA 8-8.5 range hold value from $300-800.
For Ripken collectors looking to add this holy grail to their long-term holdings, patience and persistence will likely be needed. Less than 1% of all #424s have achieved a PSA 10 grade, so securing one requires luck meeting opportunity. Even mid-grade copies provide an affordable way to own an iconic piece from Cal Ripken Jr.’s historic 1991 campaign immortalized on cardboard. Over time, as Ripken’s legend grows, so too will demand and value for any relic from the career of baseball’s one and only “Iron Man.”
While not the most expensive baseball card of the era, #424 remains widely heralded as one of the defining rookie cards of the 1990s. Featuring one of the true good guys and greatest players in MLB history at the pinnacle of his career, this Upper Deck issue connects collectors to Ripken’s iconic 1991 season of intangible dedication to the game. Simply put – it marks one of those special moments in time that sports cards were made to commemorate. For Cal Ripken Jr fans and investors alike, #424 always warrants strong consideration as a premier long-term hold within any collection.
