The 1996 Score baseball card set is a beloved set by many collectors for its unique design and inclusion of some of the game’s biggest stars. The set contains 330 cards and features many rookie cards and stars of the era that still hold value nearly 25 years later. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable cards collectors are seeking out from the 1996 Score baseball set.
At the top of most collectors’ wish lists for 1996 Score is the Ken Griffey Jr. SP card. The Short Print version of Griffey’s base card was inserted around 1 per wax box and is the rarest card in the set. Griffey was in his prime with Seattle in 1996 and considered the best player in baseball by many. His dazzling skills and pure joy for the game made him a collectors’ favorite as well. In near mint to mint condition, Griffey’s 1996 Score SP can fetch over $1,000.
Not far behind is the Derek Jeter rookie card from 1996 Score. As one of the most iconic Yankees of all-time and still going strong in the late 90s, Jeter was a hot commodity for collectors right out of the gate. His base rookie is fairly common in the set but still holds value at $80-150 in top grades thanks to his legendary career. A Black Label Parallel version signed by Jeter himself would be worth exponentially more.
Another future Hall of Famer with a valuable rookie in the 1996 Score set is Chipper Jones. As the homegrown superstar of the Atlanta Braves dynasty, Jones became a fan favorite in the South. His base rookie often sells for $75-150 graded, but a Black Parallel autographed version could go for thousands given his stature. Chipper’s career .303 average, 468 home runs and 3 MVP awards cement his place among the game’s all-time greats.
Now a broadcaster for the Cubs, Nomar Garciaparra made his debut in 1996 Score as well. As the homegrown shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, Nomar became a star with impressive power and consistency at the plate. Though injuries cut his career short, his rookie card remains highly sought after by collectors even in ungraded near mint condition where it sells for $40-80 depending on comps. A PSA 10 of Nomar’s rookie would command over $200.
Continuing on with star-studded rookies, the 1996 Score set featured future HOF’ers Randy Johnson and John Smoltz in their debut seasons as well. Both went on to have hall of fame careers as dominant pitchers. Johnson’s filthy slider made him one of the most intimidating pitchers ever while Smoltz was a reliable starter who transitioned masterfully to a lights-out closer late in his career. Their rookies can fetch $30-70 ungraded but graded specimens sell for much more, with a PSA 10 of Big Unit going for over $300.
The 1996 season saw future home run king Barry Bonds explode for 40+ homers and win his first MVP award after signing with the Giants. His 1996 Score flagship RC is one of the most iconic cards of the era. Though not a true rookie, Bonds was a new star changing hats that season and became a transcendent player thereafter. A “Flagship” title gives notable cards special status and value, making his the most desired of his many RCs. In high grade it sells upwards of $150, cementing its place as one of Score’s most valuable cards from the year.
Speaking of legendary sluggers, Hall of Famer Frank Thomas had one of the best seasons of his storied career in 1996, hitting .356 with 42 homers and leading the league in on-base percentage. “The Big Hurt” was a force to be reckoned with during Chicago’s run of 90s success. His flagship RC from Score ’96 is highly regarded and valuable in top condition, selling for $100-250 depending on its state of preservation. Few players epitomized consistent excellence like Thomas during his two decade career.
The 1996 Score set also included star rookie cards of pitcher Kevin Brown, catcher Benito Santiago, and outfielders Moises Alou and Jermaine Dye who all went on to have solid big league careers. Their base rookies in near mint to mint condition sell for $30-75 each online depending on recent sales comps. For superstar PC collectors, an autographed Black Parallel of any of these players could be worth significantly more, preserved in a PSA/BGS slab.
Moving to veterans, slugger Barry Larkin was a star in Cincinnati in the mid-90s as he neared the end of his Hall of Fame career. Larkin’s smooth defense and timely hitting made him a perennial All-Star and in 1995 he took home the NL MVP award. His base card in ’96 Score typically sells for $15-40 but an autographed version could fetch over $200 depending on condition and authentication. Larkin remains a favorite of Reds fans everywhere for his consistency and class both on and off the field over 19 big league seasons.
Mark McGwire roared into the 1996 season coming off a mammoth 49 home run campaign the year prior. Though injuries limited him to just 99 games, Big Mac still swatted 32 long balls that season. He finished 2nd in MVP voting to Bonds and remained one of baseball’s most feared power threats. McGwire’s base card sits around $15-30 in top shape while an autographed parallel would command much more from collectors to this day. Not many players have redefined what was possible from a power standpoint like McGwire did in the late 90s steroid era.
Last but not least, the 1996 Score set featured several stars of that era in highly desired parallel and inserted variants that drive value. Spectrum refractors 1/250 of players like Ken Griffey Jr., Mark McGwire, Derek Jeter and Frank Thomas can sell for $100-300 depending on star power and condition. SuperFractors 1/500 like of Chipper Jones, Bernie Williams or Mike Piazza are true chase cards valued around $250-500 PSA/BGS graded. Then there are the elusive Black Parallels less than 1/1000 packs that depict stars in a slick black design. Autographed Black Parallels of the above players would be true treasures worth thousands to the right collector, given their rarity and inclusion of all-time great players.
The 1996 Score baseball card set endures as one of the most popular and valuable issues from the junk wax era. It captured many of the game’s greatest talents of that period in their primes or debut seasons en route to the Hall of Fame. From short prints, to rookie sensations, to refractors and parallels – the set has it all. Collectors continue to covet its cards nearly 25 years later thanks to stars like Griffey, Jeter, Thomas and more. For vintage collectors, the 1996 Score set remains must-have as a virtual who’s who of 90s baseball immortalized in cardboard.
