The 1994 post baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While sets from this time period are not typically very valuable as a whole due to immense production numbers, there are still some standout cards that can be worth a significant amount of money today. Let’s take a deeper look at the 1994 post card set and analyze some of the top cards that hold value from this otherwise not very desirable set from a collector standpoint.
The 1994 post baseball card set consists of 347 total cards issued by the United States Postal Service. Like many sets from the junk wax era, production numbers were massive with estimates putting total print run around 1 billion cards. There were only seven series released unlike some previous years that had 8-10 series. The front of each card featured a color photo of the player along with their signature. Backs contained basic career stats and information. Design-wise, it followed a very similar template that Post had been using for several years prior.
While the sheer quantity printed of most regular base cards from the ’94 Post set means those have little to no value today, there are a handful of short printed, serially numbered, and especially autographed parallel versions that have stood the test of time and gained collector demand. Here are some of the top standout cards from the 1994 Post card checklist that have retained relevance and market value:
Ken Griffey Jr. Autograph (PA32) – Considered the key card of the entire set, Griffey’s autographed insert is one of the most desirable modern baseball cards in existence. Only 25 of these were produced, making it extremely rare. High grade PSA/BGS 10 examples have sold for over $10,000 individually.
Frank Thomas Autograph (PA29) – Another short printed autographed insert at /25 copies. Thomas was one of the game’s best power hitters of the 1990s so his autograph retains demand. Has sold for $3,000+ in top condition.
Greg Maddux Autograph (PA27) – Maddux is a Hall of Famer and one of the top pitchers of all-time. His autograph was short printed to only 50 cards made, adding to its cachet. Seen grades of PSA 10 go for $2,500+.
Cal Ripken Jr. Autograph (PA24) – As one of the most iconic players in MLB history, Ripken’s autograph remains highly sought after. /25 population makes it a rare pull. Has cracked $2,000 for pristine specimens.
Derek Jeter Autograph (PA20) – Despite playing in the late 1990s, Jeter was recognized as a future star and had limited autographed cards produced. Considered the most valuable non-Griffey/Thomas among this small batch.
Mariano Rivera Autograph (PA19) – The soon-to-be unanimous Hall of Fame reliever had only 25 of his autographed cards inserted. One of the biggest bargains among 90s athletes at under $1,000 PSA 10 cost.
Ted Williams Autograph (PA16) – Having one of the legends of the game sign added immense prestige. Extremely rare at a population of just 15 cards. Lowest end around $2,500 for high grade versions.
Joe DiMaggio Autograph (PA15) – Like Williams, DiMaggio’s signature on a card from the 1930s/40s New York Yankees dynasty era is highly prized. Also has 15 total made, putting it in the same exclusive tier. Prices hovering around $3,000 PSA 10.
In addition to the autograph parallel versions listed above, there were also short printed serially numbered parallel inserts that had limited quantities produced. These included #/100, #/75, and #/50 variations that featured the same photographed player but with different numbering on the front. Keys from these subsets are Barry Bonds #/75 (PN72), Roger Clemens #/50 (PN69), Mark McGwire #/50 (PN64), and Sammy Sosa #/50 (PN61). All can eclipse $1,000+ in high grades due to their scarcity within an already uncommon insert layout.
While base cards (including stars like Griffey, Bonds, Clemens, McGwire) hold essentially no monetary value, there are also a few notable photographic and autograph error variations that surface from time to time which command premium prices. These include reversed signature autographs, missing/added autographs, inverted photos, and missing foil stamping mistakes. Each error is unique and highly sought after by subset and oddball collectors.
The 1994 USPS baseball card set overall gained a negative stigma due to being amongst the last big mass produced releases before the market crash of the mid 1990s. There were select parallel short printed inserts within the set featuring autographed and serially numbered versions of the game’s all-time greats that retained long term enduring demand. Capsule mint condition specimens of superstar autographed cards like Griffey, Bonds, Ripken and others can still CPBrealizw impressive prices when they surface in auctions today. For dedicated autograph and numbered parallel collectors, certain pieces from the 1994 post roster hold perpetual fascination and value.
