The 1993 Score Select trading cards were part of Score Board’s groundbreaking Score Select insert set released in packs of Score and Studio baseball cards that year. The flashy insert cards stands out for featuring innovative 3D lenticular technology that allowed certain portions of the cards to appear to move when tilted or viewed from different angles. This cutting edge design helped make the 1993 Score Selects some of the most sought after and valuable baseball cards of the early 1990s.

While not the most famous or iconic baseball card set of all time, the 1993 Score Selects hold nostalgia and fascination for many collectors due to their unique appearance and the incredible talents of the players featured on the cards at the height of their careers. Several rookies and young stars cracked the Score Select lineup in ’93 as well, creating cards that have grown in value as those players became established names. Over 25 years later, the technological marvel and historic moments captured on 1993 Score Selects continue to amaze and attract collectors.

Some key factors that contribute to the enduring desirability and strong secondary market prices for 1993 Score Select cards include:

Innovative Lenticular Technology: The lenticular printing technique gave the illusion of motion on certain portions of the card, typically a player’s face or batting swing. This was a true novelty in the collectibles world at the time and made Score Selects a tremendously exciting and talked about insert set in the hobby. The technology is a pivotal part of the cards’ inherent cool factor.

Star Power of Featured Players: Rosters were loaded with future Hall of Famers and true icons of the game like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza and more. Having rookie or early career versions of these legends on flashy lenticular cards is a major draw.

Historical Significance: The 1993 season marked some incredible individual and team achievements like Bonds’ NL MVP campaign and Toronto’s World Series title. Landing cards from that specific year ties collectors to memorable on-field moments.

Strong Initial Demand: Score Selects were hot commodities upon release thanks to the buzz around the lenticular technology. High initial print runs have thinned out over time as many raw copies were graded, lost or damaged overtime. Steady collectors interest has tightened available supply.

Increasing Nostalgia: As the 1990s recede further into the past, collectors who enjoyed Score Selects as kids are now adults with more disposable income to acquire the cards that sparked their love of the hobby years ago. Nostalgic appeal will likely remain strong for the foreseeable future.

Let’s take a closer look at some examples of particularly valuable 1993 Score Select cards and examine factors driving their current secondary market pricing:

Ken Griffey Jr. #153 – Widely considered the most desirable Score Select of all. Griffey was already a superstar at age 23 on the cusp of his back-to-back AL MVP awards. PSA 10 copies recently sold for $6,000+, a tribute to Griffey’s legend status and the card’s iconic lenti subject.

Barry Bonds #159 – Another no-doubt Hall of Famer highlighted in his NL MVP season at age 28. Bonds cards in any condition gain value annually as records are broken and PED questions fade. PSA 10 recently commanded $4,000 after starting around $300-500 just years ago.

Frank Thomas #177 – “The Big Hurt” captured at 25, a year before winning his first batting title. Even very high grade Thomas rookies have doubled+ in the last few years as he awaits a Hall call. A PSA 10 recently went for $3,200, up from the $800-1200 range in 2015-16.

Greg Maddux #183 – The pitching staff ace and NL Cy Young winner exemplified at 26 years old and destined for Cooperstown. Condition sensitive due to its low initial print run, a PSA 10 sold in 2019 for $2,900 after a steady increase throughout the 2010s.

Mike Piazza #188 – Considered one of the all-time great offensive catchers, Piazza burst onto the scene in 1993 at 24. Graded examples climb as his Hall case strengthens and LA Dodgers collectors drive demand. A PSA/DNA 10 brought $1,500 last year.

Rookie Pearls – Young stars like Derek Jeter (#174, $1,300 PSA 10), Sammy Sosa (#180, $900 PSA 10) and Garret Stephenson (#187, $600 PSA 10) offer affordable alternate options. Value surges as they cement Hall careers.

Condition is king with any collectible but especially lenticulars which are prone to wear from natural handling. Anything graded PSA/BGS/SGC 9 or 10 for a big name player will command the highest current market value. But even well-preserved raw copies hold value measured in the hundreds as part of a complete 1993 Score Select set. From investments to vintage baseball nostalgia, the 1993s continue captivating collectors over a generation later. With their blend of innovation, star power and historical context, the 1993 Score Selects secure their place among the most enduring and iconic sports card releases ever produced.