The 1991 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Produced at the height of the baseball card boom, the ’91 Topps set featured many young superstar rookies as well as established stars that are still fan favorites today. As a result, many key cards from this 792 card release have maintained or increased in value over the past 30 years. Here’s a look at some of the most valuable and sought after 1991 Topps baseball cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC (#1): Widely considered the crown jewel of the ’91 Topps set, the rookie card of “The Kid” Ken Griffey Jr. is the undisputed most valuable card. Griffey was already a young phenom and living up to the hype in his rookie year with the Seattle Mariners in 1990. His perfect swing and electrifying plays made him an immediate fan favorite. With his boyish grin and effortless talents, Griffey’s rookie card became one of the most iconic in the modern era. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have sold for over $100,000 in recent years, with lower graded copies still fetching thousands. Griffey’s talent and popularity ensured this would become one of the elite rookie cards in the hobby.
Frank Thomas RC (#166): Like Griffey, Frank Thomas burst onto the MLB scene in 1990 with the Chicago White Sox and immediately proved he was a special talent. “The Big Hurt” smashed 21 home runs and drove in 105 runs in his rookie campaign, winning the American League Rookie of the Year award. Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his ’91 Topps rookie is one of the most desirable from the set. High graded PSA 10 copies have sold for over $10,000, showing its premier status. This is one of the elite power hitter rookie cards from the early 1990s baseball card boom.
Chipper Jones RC (#680): Despite being drafted #1 overall by the Atlanta Braves in 1990, Chipper Jones did not make his MLB debut until 1993. Collectors recognized his talent early and began snatching up his rookie card from 1991 Topps in anticipation of his arrival. Jones more than lived up to the hype with a 19 year Hall of Fame career, mostly with the Braves, making this one of the top long term investments from the set. Even well centered PSA 9 Jones rookies can bring over $1,000 today.
Barry Larkin (#156): The smooth fielding Barry Larkin had already established himself as an All-Star caliber shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds by 1991, his fifth MLB season. Larkin went on to win the National League MVP award in 1995 and helped lead the Reds to the 1990 World Series title. As a perennial All-Star and Gold Glover, Larkin’s ’91 Topps card remains a Cincinnati staple. Higher graded PSA/BGS Gem Mint 10 copies have sold for over $1,000 in recent auction markets.
Other Notable Stars: Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine (#5), Randy Johnson (#420), Pedro Martinez (#704), John Smoltz (#324), Craig Biggio (#253), and Piazza(#231) had all made their MLB debuts by 1991 and their cards hold significant value as a result. Glavine’s card has topped $400 PSA 10 while PSA 10 versions of Martinez, Johnson, Smoltz and Biggio have reached at least $200-$300. Star players like Jeff Bagwell (#359), Juan Gonzalez (#328), and Carlos Baerga (#652) also command over $100 in top condition from their 1991 rookie or early career issues.
The 1991 Topps set has continued appreciating in value and collecting interest more than 30 years after its release. Keys cards like Griffey Jr., Thomas and high end Hall of Famer rookies/stars remain very collectible and hold their luster. For true ’90s card investors, this 792 card release maintains its appeal as a favorite of the baseball card boom era. Prices are likely to remain strong or potentially increase further for prized ’91 Topps pieces in the future.
