The 1991 Donruss baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While most cards from sets of that time period are not worth much today, there are a select few 1991 Donruss rookies and stars that can still fetch big money from serious collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and sought after cards from the 1991 Donruss set.
One of the true heavyweight champions of the 1991 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best player designs of the junk wax era, Griffey’s rookie card showcases “The Kid” in all his youthful glory. Even back in the early 90s, Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars and his card was in high demand. Today, a pristine Griffey Jr. rookie in gem mint condition can sell for well over $1,000. Even well-centered near mint copies still trade hands for several hundred dollars. Griffey’s iconic rookie is undoubtedly the blue chip card of the 1991 Donruss set.
Another massive hitter from the 1991 Donruss set is the Chipper Jones rookie card. Like Griffey, Jones emerged as a true superstar very early in his career and his rookie is one of the most coveted from the junk wax era. In gem mint 10 condition, the Jones rookie has sold for upwards of $800-900 in recent years. Near mint copies can still pull in $300-500 depending on centering and corners. What makes the Jones rookie so collectible is that he was not only a perennial All-Star but also spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Braves franchise.
The 1991 Donruss set is also home to the rookie card of one of the game’s most prolific power hitters – Jim Thome. Though not as well-known or iconic as the Griffey and Jones rookies, the Thome rookie has steadily gained value in recent years as his stellar career has been recognized and appreciated. Pristine mint condition Thome rookies have cracked the $400-500 price range. Even well-centered near mint copies can still sell in the $150-250 range. For those who enjoyed watching “The Big Donkey” mash baseballs over the fence, his rookie remains a prized possession.
In addition to star rookie cards, the 1991 Donruss set also features the rookie seasons of other notable players like Bobby Bonilla, Moises Alou, and David Justice. While not quite as expensive as the headliners above, these lesser-known rookies can still hold value for dedicated collectors. For example, a mint Bonilla rookie recently sold for around $150 while a pristine Alou fetched close to $100. For teams enthusiasts, the 1991 Donruss set also gives access to the rookie cards of franchise cornerstones like Tom Glavine (Braves), Paul Molitor (Brewers), and Craig Biggio (Astros).
Of course, no discussion of valuable 1991 Donruss cards would be complete without mentioning the legendary Ken Griffey Sr. error card. Due to a printing mistake, a small number of Griffey Sr. cards were accidentally inserted into packs with the photo and stats of his son, Ken Griffey Jr. These error beauties are the holy grails for any junk wax collector. In gem mint condition, a Griffey Sr. error card could sell for $10,000 or more. Even well-centered near mint copies still trade hands for $3,000-$5,000 depending on the market. Their extreme rarity and fascinating production glitch make these cards true unicorns in the hobby.
Aside from rookies, the 1991 Donruss set also pays homage to the game’s biggest stars of that era. Nolan Ryan, whose express train to the strikeout record was in full steam, sees his card valued around the $75-100 range in pristine condition. Other veteran superstars like Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, and Tony Gwynn routinely sell in the $30-60 range depending on centering and corners. For team collectors, stars on iconic franchises like Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles), Kirby Puckett (Twins), and Ozzie Smith (Cardinals) command slight premiums over other players at their position.
While the bulk of the 1991 Donruss baseball card set holds little monetary value today, there are still quite a few modern day Hall of Famers and all-time greats that can be found and appreciated. The rookie cards of Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, and Jim Thome remain the true blue-chip investments. Meanwhile, the elusive Ken Griffey Sr. error is the true pot of gold at the end of the junk wax rainbow. For collectors who enjoy preserving memories of baseball’s recent past, picking up some of these valuable 1991 Donruss gems could make for an enjoyable trip down memory lane.
