The 1993 Upper Deck baseball card set was one of the most coveted issues in the hobby during the early and mid-1990s. Upper Deck shattered the traditional approach to baseball cards that had been established by Topps for decades. Their innovative technology, photorealistic images, and quality control made Upper Deck the premier brand almost immediately.
Not surprisingly, some of the rarest and most valuable 1993 Upper Deck baseball cards feature the true superstars and rookie sensations from that season. Let’s take an in-depth look at several of the highest valued 1993 Upper Deck cards that collectors seek to this day.
Derek Jeter Rookie Card #397
Arguably the single most iconic rookie card of the 1990s is Derek Jeter’s 1993 Upper Deck #397. As the shortstop for the rising New York Yankees dynasty, Jeter instantly became a fan favorite and one of the faces of baseball. His rookie campaign was impressive with a .250 batting average, 10 home runs, and 78 RBIs in50294at-bats.
In gem mint condition, Jeter’s rookie card now fetches thousands of dollars. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $100,000 each. Even mid-graded copies in PSA 8 still demand $1,000+. What makes this card so attractive is that Jeter went on to have a Hall of Fame career capped by 5 World Series titles. He’s universally regarded as one of the greatest Yankees of all time. As long as he retains icon status in the sport, his rookie will remain highly sought after.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card #91
No baseball card from the 1990s is more recognizable than Ken Griffey Jr’s upper deck rookie. Like Jeter, Griffey was a true five-tool player destined for greatness from an early age. He had a brilliant debut in 1989 with the Seattle Mariners, batting .284 with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs in only 89 games. That hype and promise is perfectly captured on his rookie card photo of him ready to swing his iconic uppercut.
Griffey’s card challenged Jeter’s for top rookie status through the 1990s. PSA 10 examples have reached astronomical prices upwards of $150,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies can command over $10,000 in today’s market. Few players had as immediately exciting or successful of a career as “The Kid.” Spending over a decade each with Seattle and Cincinnati, Griffey smashed 630 home runs and remains one of the most prolific sluggers in baseball history.
Chipper Jones Rookie Card #243
The #1 overall pick in the 1990 draft, Chipper Jones exploded onto the MLB scene in 1995 with the Atlanta Braves. In his rookie campaign, the third baseman hit .265 with 20 home runs and 82 RBIs. His performance helped lead the Braves to a World Series title that year. Jones went on to have a Hall of Fame worthy career spent entirely with Atlanta, batting .303 lifetime with 468 home runs.
Jones’ 1993 Upper Deck rookie holds huge nostalgic value for Braves fans and collectors alike. Graded gem mint PSA 10 copies have recently sold for over $20,000 each. Even well-centered PSA 9 versions can still fetch $3,000-$5,000 or more. As one of the most decorated switch hitters in MLB history with 8 All-Star appearances and an NL MVP award, demand for Chipper’s flagship rookie remains very strong decades later.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card #107
Nicknamed “The Big Hurt,” Frank Thomas established himself as the premier power hitter of the 1990s almost immediately with the Chicago White Sox. In his rookie season of 1990, Thomas blasted 21 home runs and drove in 75 runs while batting .317. That impressive debut translated perfectly to his 1993 Upper Deck rookie card photography, which shows his hulking 6’5″ frame in the batter’s box.
Thomas went on to smash 448 career home runs and win back-to-back AL MVP awards in 1993-1994. As a true offensive force of nature, his rookie card is extremely desirable for both White Sox fans and baseball collectors worldwide. PSA 10 specimens have reached $30,000-$40,000 at auction in recent years. Even mid-grade PSA 8 versions still command $1,000+ in today’s market. Demand remains very strong for one of the all-time great sluggers’ flagship rookie issue.
Greg Maddux Rookie Card #156
One of the most dominant and consistent pitchers in baseball history was Greg Maddux. Between his rookie season of 1986 through 2008, Maddux put together a 23-year career with a 355-227 record and 3.16 ERA split between the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres. He won 4 Cy Young Awards and led the league in wins an astonishing 8 times.
As a premiere starting pitcher, Maddux’s 1993 Upper Deck rookie card unsurprisingly holds significant value. PSA 10 specimens have topped $15,000 at major auctions. Well-centered PSA 9 copies can still fetch $3,000+. Maddux is a lock for the Hall of Fame and highly decorated with World Series rings. Collectors appreciate his rookie card as a seminal issue from one of the greatest hurlers who ever took the mound. Demand remains robust many years after Maddux retired.
Roberto Alomar Rookie Card #166
A twelve-time All-Star and ten-time Gold Glove second baseman, Roberto Alomar dazzled between 1988-2004 for the Blue Jays, Orioles, Mets, Indians, Diamondbacks and White Sox. He hit a robust .300 lifetime while capturing two World Series rings with Toronto in 1992-1993. Alomar’s combination of skills made him one of the finest defensive infielders and contact hitters of his era.
All of that pedigree is captured perfectly on his 1993 Upper Deck rookie card. PSA 10 copies have reached $20,000+ at auction. Even mid-grade PSA 8 versions still demand $1,500+ on the secondary market today. With his flashy play, championship tenure, and Cooperstown-caliber career, Alomar’s rookie retains tremendous nostalgia value decades after its initial release. It remains in high demand among both Toronto and baseball collectors.
Ken Griffey Jr. Autograph RC #91
For the true superstar cards, nothing compares to rare autographed rookie issues. The holy grail is considered to be Ken Griffey Jr’s 1993 Upper Deck autographed rookie card #91. Only about 50 are believed to exist in the hands of private collectors and institutions today. In gem mint PSA/DNA 10 condition, recent public sales have shattered records at six-figures – including a jaw-dropping $340,000 price in January 2021.
Even in lower grades of PSA 8 or BGS 9, Griffey’s autographed rookie still commands tens of thousands based on scarce population reports. It’s truly a trophy card that collectors spend decades searching for. To own an autograph of “The Kid” from his true rookie campaign is the ultimate prize recognizing his legendary Hall of Fame career. Condition sensitive demand may never be higher for this mythical key card in the hobby.
The 1993 Upper Deck set established itself as one of the most iconic vintage issues ever produced due to the arrival of future Hall of Famers like Jeter, Griffey Jr., Thomas, and Maddux. Their flagship rookie cards remain bellwethers that other modern issues are compared against. While the printing quantities were larger than previous decades, condition sensitive mint examples still pull record prices reflective of baseball nostalgia and competitive collecting decades later. The technological and visual revolution spearheaded by Upper Deck took the hobby to new heights in the early 1990s.
