The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most iconic and collectible issues from the brand during the late 1980s and early 1990s. While not quite as valuable or sought after as some previous Donruss sets from the late ’80s, the 1990 cards still featured some extremely popular rookie cards and stars from that era that have held their value well over the past 30 years. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the best and most desirable cards collectors search for from the 1990 Donruss baseball card set.
One of the headliners of the 1990 Donruss set that still commands big money to this day is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already establishing himself as a superstar outfielder in his early years with the Seattle Mariners and his rookie card became one of the most iconic in the hobby. High grade Griffey rookies in PSA 10 condition have sold for well over $10,000. Even well-centered near mint copies still fetch thousands. The card captured Griffey at the beginning of what became a Hall of Fame career and it remains one of the most sought after modern rookie cards.
Another hugely valuable rookie card from 1990 Donruss is the Frank Thomas issue. “The Big Hurt” went on to have an outstanding career winning two MVP awards and is also enshrined in Cooperstown. Like Griffey, PSA 10 Thomas rookies have sold for five figures. Most copies have print issues or centering problems keeping true gem mint 10s extremely rare. Still, high grade PSA 9s trade for $1,000+ and are essential for any serious baseball card collection from the early 90s.
While not rookies, the Nolan Ryan and Ozzie Smith cards from the 1990 Donruss set are also very desirable for collectors. Ryan was approaching the end of his legendary career but was still one of the most feared pitchers in baseball. His card remains quite popular for enthusiasts of the “Ryan Express.” Ozzie Smith meanwhile was in his prime as perhaps the greatest defensive shortstop ever. His flashy style and wizardry in the field made him a fan favorite. High grade versions of these star player cards can reach $200-300.
Other top stars well-represented in the 1990 Donruss set include Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, Roger Clemens, and Barry Bonds. Each were superstar players in their respective primes at that time. While not quite as valuable as the rookie cards, cards of these Hall of Fame talents still hold value in the $50-100 range if graded and preserved well. The set also featured rising young talents like Tom Glavine, David Justice, and Bobby Bonilla who were all on the verge of stardom.
In terms of chase cards and short prints, the 1990 Donruss set included several insert sets that added to the excitement for collectors. The “Record Breaker” parallel cards highlighted notable career milestones. And the “Diamond Kings” parallel featured glossy photos on a textured stock that was very popular. The “Diamond Anniversary” subset honored greats from baseball history. And the “League Leaders” parallel cards highlighted statistical champions from the previous season. All of these added parallel sets within the set became highly collectible at the time.
While not the most expensive vintage set overall, the 1990 Donruss baseball cards still hold great nostalgia and value for collectors today. Headlined by the ultra-popular Griffey and Thomas rookies, the set also featured many other stars of that era in their primes. Parallel and short print subsets added to the chase. High grade examples of the key cards can still command four-figure prices. For those who enjoyed the sport in the late 80s and 90s, it’s a classic yearly issue that brings back memories of the players, designs, and experience of opening packs from that time in hobby history. The 1990 Donruss set endures as one of the most iconic releases from that brand during their peak popularity.
