The 1991 Leaf baseball card set is one of the more unique and valuable vintage card sets from the early 90s. While it didn’t receive the same fanfare as flagship Topps and Donruss sets at the time, the unique artwork and limited print runs have made several 1991 Leaf cards quite valuable in today’s market. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the key 1991 Leaf baseball cards that are worth money for collectors.
One of the most valuable and iconic 1991 Leaf cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars in 1991 and his rookie card has always been in high demand. The Griffey Leaf rookie has a much lower print run compared to his Topps and Donruss rookies as well. In top graded gem mint condition, a PSA 10 Griffey Jr. rookie can fetch well over $10,000. Even lower graded copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition are still worth several hundred dollars. The Griffey rookie is truly one of the crown jewels of the 1991 Leaf set.
Another huge star with a valuable rookie in the 1991 Leaf set is Chipper Jones. Like Griffey, Jones burst onto the scene in 1991 and had a hall of fame career. His Leaf rookie isn’t quite as iconic as the Topps or Donruss versions but it has plenty of collector demand. A PSA 10 Chipper Jones rookie can sell for $2,000-$3,000 while PSA 9 copies still bring over $500. Even in raw near-mint to mint condition, this rookie holds value well over $100. Jones is a lock for the Hall of Fame so his rookie cards from the early 90s will remain highly sought after.
While the big rookie cards get most of the attention, there are several other valuable 1991 Leaf cards collectors should be aware of as well. Kirby Puckett had already established himself as one of baseball’s best players by 1991 but his Leaf card #119 is one that stands out. Puckett is depicted winking with the text “Kirby the Clown” and it became a fan favorite. High graded examples in PSA 8-10 condition can sell for $150-$300 due to the unique artwork and Puckett’s popularity.
Another 1991 Leaf card with very unique and collectible artwork is the Nolan Ryan card #109. Ryan is shown windmilling a pitch with a ferocious expression. This card caught the attention of collectors and has strong demand because it perfectly captures Ryan’s intensity on the mound. PSA 9 copies can sell for $100-150 while gem mint PSA 10s have reached over $250 at auction.
In addition to big name stars, 1991 Leaf also featured the rookie cards of several future Hall of Famers like Jeff Bagwell, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. While not as valuable as their flagship Topps and Donruss rookies, these 1991 Leaf rookie cards are still highly sought after by completionists. A PSA 9 Bagwell rookie can sell for around $75-$125 depending on the market. Near-mint to mint Glavine and Smoltz rookies in PSA 8 condition typically sell in the $30-50 range. For diehard Braves and Astros fans, these Leaf rookies hold significant nostalgia and value.
The 1991 Leaf set is also known for featuring some of the game’s biggest stars in rare parallel and serial numbered insert sets. For example, the Ken Griffey Jr. “Gold Leaf” parallel card #54 is one of the rarest and most valuable 1991 Leaf parallels. Only 10 copies were produced and a PSA 9 recently sold at auction for over $3,000. Another coveted parallel is the Nolan Ryan “Silver Leaf” card which is serial numbered to only 50 copies. High graded examples have reached $500+. These ultra-short printed parallel inserts created a whole new layer of rarity and excitement for the 1991 Leaf issue.
While it didn’t have the same initial fanfare as flagship sets in 1991, the unique artwork, low print runs and presence of huge stars like Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones have made the 1991 Leaf baseball card set one to watch over the past 30 years. Several key rookie cards like Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Bagwell, Glavine and Smoltz hold tremendous nostalgia and long term value. Iconic star cards like the Puckett “Kirby the Clown” and intense Nolan Ryan have also caught the eyes of collectors. And the extremely rare Gold Leaf and Silver Leaf parallels show there were additional layers of chase to the 1991 Leaf issue beyond the base set. For vintage card collectors, key 1991 Leaf cards represent a unique opportunity and will likely remain highly sought after for decades to come.
