In the early 1990s, the baseball card industry was booming with the rise of the junk wax era. Companies like Fleer, Donruss, and Topps were mass producing cards at unprecedented levels which led to a massive oversupply. While this glut of cards depressed values for most common cards from this time, there was still a strong collector market for premium and higher-end products. One such product that gained popularity among serious collectors was Score Select baseball cards from 1993.
Score Select was a premium insert set released in 1993 Score baseball wax packs and factory sets. What set Score Select apart from typical base cards was the use of higher quality card stock and enhanced photography. The cards featured a thicker, glossier stock than standard cards from Score or other brands. Perhaps most notably, the photography on Score Select cards was of much higher resolution compared to base cards. Close-up headshots really allowed collectors to appreciate the intricate details in each player’s face and uniform. This superior production quality positioned Score Select as a more desirable collector’s item compared to typical junk wax era cardboard.
In total, there were 144 unique players featured across the 1993 Score Select checklist. The set was broken into three series of 48 cards each that were inserted randomly in wax packs and factory sets over the course of the year. Some of the biggest star players included in Score Select were Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Ken Griffey Jr. Rosters also included up and coming young stars like Derek Jeter, Jim Thome, and Mike Piazza. While star power alone didn’t necessarily drive values, the inclusion of popular players added to the appeal of completing the set.
Condition is especially important when evaluating the value of 1993 Score Select cards today. Given their thinner stock compared to modern cards, the Score Selects are more prone to wear and damage over time. Near mint to mint condition examples in independent grading service holders like PSA or BGS can still demand respectable prices. Played or damaged cards in raw form have relatively little value. It’s not uncommon to still find worn out Score Select commons available for just a few dollars. Investors are wise to only consider high graded examples of even less notable players when building a collection.
Of the 144 total players, there are inevitably some that have achieved much greater collector demand than others over the past almost 30 years. Rookie cards and early career superstars tend to command the highest prices within the set. For example, a PSA 9 graded Derek Jeter 1993 Score Select rookie in a recent Goldin Auctions sale fetched nearly $800. Other notable rookie cards that often sell for $100 or more in top condition include Jim Thome, Mike Piazza, and Jason Giambi. Star pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz also tend to have strong followings that drive up their Score Select values.
Completing a full 144-card Score Select set presents a serious challenge and investment even for the most well-funded collectors. In top PSA 10 condition, a full factory-sealed set recently sold through Heritage Auctions for over $22,000. But for those working on a long-term project, individual Score Select cards can still be acquired across the spectrum of prices depending on player, condition, and grading status. While some will require four-figure sums, others remain affordable for budget collectors in the $10-50 range. With patience and diligence, it’s possible to piece together this highly regarded ’90s insert set over time.
The 1993 Score Select baseball card set stands out from the typical junk wax era mass produced cardboard due to its superior production values and collector focused design. Nearly 30 years later, high graded examples continue to hold meaningful value for enthusiasts, especially the most popular rookie cards and stars of the era. Condition is paramount, and finding affordable opportunities in the middle price tiers allows completion of this 144-card set to remain a realistic long-term goal for dedicated ’90s collectors. The combination of memorable players, visually striking photography, and limited print runs have solidified Score Select as one of the premier insert sets from the early ’90s trading card boom.
