The 1990 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic releases of the 1990s. While not the flashiest or most innovative set of the era, it captured Michael Jordan’s move to baseball and featured rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Greg Maddux. As with any vintage set, some 1990 Topps cards have increased tremendously in value over the past few decades. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most expensive and desirable 1990 Topps baseball cards on the hobby market today based on condition, serial number, and other factors that drive Collector interest and demand.
Ken Griffey Jr. (card #1)
The heir apparent to Mickey Mantle in 1990, Ken Griffey Jr. was already one of the most exciting young Outfielders in baseball during his early career with the Seattle Mariners. Naturally, his rookie card from the flagship Topps set is among the most coveted and valuable from the year. High-grade Griffey rookies in Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) condition regularly sell for $400-600. Examples grading Mint 9 or higher through services like PSA or BGS can bring $1,000-2,000+. The card is ubiquitous, but high-end specimens still hold impressive value more than 30 years later for collectors targeting noteworthy rookie cards.
Greg Maddux (card #343)
Perhaps the greatest pitcher of his generation, Greg Maddux was just getting started in 1990 as a 23-year old with the Chicago Cubs. His rookie card isn’t quite as hyped as Griffey’s, but it remains a key piece for competitive vintage baseball collectors. NM-MT Maddux rookies sell in the $150-300 range. Like Griffey, the card appreciably increases in value at the absolute top of the grading scale – PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $2,000. Since Maddux went on to dominate for two decades and win four Cy Young Awards, his rookie maintains long-term appeal.
Frank Thomas (card #416)
As a star hitter for the Chicago White Sox during the 1990s, “The Big Hurt” Frank Thomas established himself as one of the game’s most feared sluggers. His rookie card served as an early glimpse of his dominant power production years ahead. High-grade NM-MT versions are valued around $150-300 today. PSA 10 Gems have topped $1,000 at auction. While not in Griffey and Maddux territory, the card still holds strong interest from collectors targeting one of the game’s premier hitters of his generation.
Roberto Alomar (card #480)
A Puerto Rican second baseman who played from 1988-2004, Roberto Alomar became renowned for his smooth fielding skills and ability to get on base. His 1990 Topps card showcases him as a gifted youngster still with the San Diego Padres prior to his trade to the Toronto Blue Jays. Pristine NM-MT Alomar rookies sell within the $100-200 range at present. The card is fairly plentiful overall but rises above similar late-1980s/early-1990s peers due to Alomar’s eventual Hall of Fame induction in 2011.
Ozzie Smith (card #642)
Regarded as arguably the greatest defensive shortstop in baseball history, “The Wizard” Ozzie Smith was already a superstar throughout the 1980s with the St. Louis Cardinals when the 1990 Topps set was released. High-grade copies of his veteran card remain valuable today given Smith’s iconic status in the sport. PSA 10 Gems have sold for over $300 in recent years. Even NM-MT 7-8 graded versions are valued around $50-100 currently among aficionados of Smith’s fantastic fielding prowess and influence on the position.
Ken Griffey Sr. (card #714)
The 1990 Topps set showcased both generations of Griffeys together for the first time during father Ken Griffey Sr.’s final major league season. While not as heralded as his son’s rookie, collectors still seek out the elder Griffey’s card showcasing this neat baseball family dynamic. Pristine NM-MT copies in the $50-100 range are attainable. The cardboard connection to the whole Griffey dynasty maintains collector interest even as a basic veteran card of a solid-yet-unheralded role player like Sr.
Bo Jackson (card #727)
One of the most physically gifted athletes ever, Bo Jackson’s tumultuous career was split between pro football and baseball. His 1990 Topps card captured him during his tenure with the Kansas City Royals and as one of sports’ early dual-sport stars. High-end NM-MT versions command around $100 today given Jackson’s cultural longevity as a crossover icon of raw athleticism and injury misfortune. While not historically rare, the card elicits strong nostalgia for his incredible exploits in two sports during the late 1980s-early 1990s.
Cal Ripken Jr. (card #781)
All-time great hitter, fielder and iron man Cal Ripken Jr. was already a Maryland franchise player by 1990 during his unbelievable consecutive games played streak with the Baltimore Orioles. Vintage Ripken cards nearly always hold value given his folklore status. Top-graded NM-MT copies of his ’90 Topps card are priced within the $50-100 range on the open market presently. Ripken’s all-time accomplishments and enduring popularity as an Oriole continues to support interest and demand for his vintage cardboard.
Nolan Ryan (card #792)
By 1990, “The Ryan Express” Nolan Ryan was closing in on the end of a legendary 27-year pitching career spent with four different teams. His longevity and status as baseball’s all-time strikeout king gives Ryan cards lasting hobby attraction. About on par with Ripken, pristine NM-MT examples of Ryan’s 1990 Topps issue command around $50-100 range in today’s market. Along with the likes of Ripken, Ryan maintains blue-chip appeal amongst collections of timeless baseball greats.
Chipper Jones (card #795)
Bursting onto the scene in 1995, Atlanta Braves slugging third baseman and lifelong franchise icon Chipper Jones is widely considered one of the best hitters of the late 1990s-2000s. His 1990 Topps rookie card has surfaced infrequently despite the hobby frenzy surrounding his early career status as a top prospect. Examples in NM-MT condition have sold on the secondary market recently for over $1500 given the extreme scarcity and Chipper’s legacy as a modern Atlanta sports legend and first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2018. His rookie remains elusively valuable for dedicated Braves collectors.
While not the most plentifully produced or designed set, the 1990 Topps baseball card release contains a treasure trove of all-time great players and Hall of Famers in their early career primes or as established veterans. Led by stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux and Frank Thomas, many examples from the set holding high grades continue to command four-figure prices. Even outside the true blue-chip rookies, longtime icons like Cal Ripken Jr. and Nolan Ryan retain noteworthy worth. For investors and collectors of vintage cardboard, the 1990 Topps baseball set remains a linchpin of the late 80s/early 90s era.
