The 1994 Fleer Ultra set marked the return of the Ultra brand, which was one of the popular insert sets released during the baseball card boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While the base cards themselves did not contain any particularly rare or valuable rookies, the Ultra set did include several highly sought after insert cards that are among the most valuable from the entire 1994 baseball card season. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top cards collectors search for from the 1994 Fleer Ultra set.
Ken Griffey Jr. Auto /50 (1847 points): Widely considered the crown jewel of the 1994 Fleer Ultra set, the Ken Griffey Jr. autograph parallel ranks as one of the most valuable modern baseball cards in existence. Only 50 of these cards were printed with Griffey’s actual signature, making each one extremely rare. Griffey was already one of the biggest stars in baseball during the mid-1990s and his autographed cards from this era always demand huge prices. In gem mint condition, a Griffey Ultra Auto can fetch well over $50,000. Even poorly graded copies in rough shape still sell for multiple thousands. Finding one of these mythical parallels would be a true Holy Grail discover for any collector.
Ken Griffey Jr. Gold Refractor /25 (1689 points): A close second to the autograph is Griffey’s gold refractor parallel, which was limited to only 25 copies. Like the autos, these refractors carried the prized Griffey rookie design swathed in a brilliant gold coating. Needless to say, being one of only 25 produced makes each card incredibly rare. Pristine PSA 10 examples have sold at public auction for over $25,000 before. Even lower graded copies still command mid five-figure prices due to the extreme scarcity. Griffey’s star power and the limited parallel combine to create probably the most iconic card from the entire 1994 Ultra set.
Chipper Jones Rookie /1000 (788 points): While not quite on the Griffey superstar level, Chipper Jones’ rookie is still a major key card from 1994 Fleer Ultra. Jones went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Braves and his cards from his debut season are legitimate gems for any collection. The standard rookie is plentiful enough, but the parallel version limited to 1000 copies takes the rarity and desirability up a notch. Top graded PSA 10 specimens have reached $3000-4000 at auction, with most others still achieving prices well into the four figure range depending on condition. The Chipper rookie parallel cemented its status as a highly valuable 90s issue.
Ken Griffey Sr./Jr. Father-Son Refractor /25 (602 points): An innovative dual portrait highlighting the father-son bond between Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr., this refractor parallel brought a fresh new concept to baseball cards. Like the Griffey Jr. gold above, only 25 of these Father-Son refractors were printed, giving each a true sense of exclusivity. While perhaps not quite as iconic individually as the Griffey singles, being one of few co-depicting both stars makes these quite the desirable find. Six figure prices are not unheard of in flawless condition for this slice of 90s cardboard history.
Roberto Alomar Refractor /1000 (592 points): Another star of the era who shone brightly, Roberto Alomar’s refractor parallel from 1994 Fleer Ultra gains tremendous appeal from being restricted to a print run of 1000 copies. Alomar was a perennial All-Star at his peak and his top rookies remain cherished by collectors. High grade versions of this refractor routinely bring $500-1000 minimum on today’s market depending on condition nuances. It serves as an iconic representation of Alomar’s excellence during a golden age for the sport.
Mariano Rivera Rookie /1000 (554 points): Somewhat lost amidst the other Griffey big hitters is another future Hall of Famer’s rookie, that being Mariano Rivera. The Yankee closer redefined his position and his debut is a key piece of baseball history. As with the Chipper and Alomar above, the limited parallel version at /1000 markedly boosts the rarity and value potential versus the base. Even poorly graded examples still sell for $100-200 based purely on significant alone. In gem mint, a PSA 10 could demand well over $1000 given Rivera’s legendary career.
Robby Alomar / Derek Jeter Rookies (475 points): Showcasing stars from opposite coasts, this dual rookie card of Robby Alomar and Derek Jeter was a popular pull for collectors in 1994. Both players went on to Hall of Fame careers and this encapsulates their exciting arrival. While not nearly as scarce as the above inserts, it still carries significance as a representation of two titans from the 1990s. High grade copies can reach $300-400, with most others holding value around the $100 mark still decades later. Its subjects alone give this card lasting interest.
While the 1994 Fleer Ultra base set lacks some of the truly scarce rookie hits of other years, its insert parallel cards featuring the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Roberto Alomar and others make for true headline attractions. In particular, anything carrying Griffey’s signature or refractors at small print runs sit comfortably among the most valuable modern baseball cards available. For collectors, finding any of these iconic parallels would represent an incredible addition to any collection.
