The 1989 Bowman baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While many sets from this time period are not worth very much today due to immense print runs that caused an oversaturation of the hobby, the 1989 Bowman set stands out as one that retains substantial collector interest and secondary market value. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the key cards and price points from the 1989 Bowman baseball card set.

The set includes cards for all 26 Major League teams at the time and features 312 total cards. Some notable rookies included in the set are Ken Griffey Jr., Gregg Olson, Derek Bell, and Bobby Thigpen. The Griffey Jr. rookie card, in particular, led the 1989 Bowman set revival and demand in the late 2010s as one of the most iconic and valuable modern rookie cards ever produced. In top graded gem mint condition, Griffey Jr.’s rookie now regularly demands well over $10,000 and has even achieved prices upward of $100,000 for mint PSA 10 specimens.

In addition to rookies, the set also contained stars already established in the big leagues like Barry Bonds, Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, and Ozzie Smith. High-grade examples of star cards from popular players have also held their collectors’ value quite well relative to other late 1980s/early 1990s sets. For example, a PSA 10 Barry Bonds card currently sells for around $800-1000 while a PSA 10 Nolan Ryan fetches $400-600.

Outside of headline cards, there are also several others in the set that have cult followings and command four-figure prices in top condition. The Craig Biggio rookie, in PSA 10, sells for $1500-2000. The Bobby Thigpen rookie, known for his record-setting 57 saves in 1990, brings $800-1000 in a PSA 10. And the Gregg Olson rookie has a PSA 10 value of $600-800 due to Olson’s solid career as a closer for Baltimore and Florida in the late 1980s/early 1990s.

For star veterans beyond the very top names, PSA 10 graded versions tend to sell in the $200-400 range. This includes cards such as Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, Darryl Strawberry, Dwight Gooden, and Dennis Eckersley. Solid condition vintage commons and short printed variations have smaller but dedicated followings as well. For example, a PSA 8 or 9 Ozzie Smith base card might sell for $50-80 while versatile starting pitcher/reliever Jesse Orosco, known for his longevity, has a smaller cult following and his base PSA 9 moves for around $30-50.

In terms of team sets, the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles are particular favorites due to their respective star players of the era. A full Detroit Tigers team set in PSA 8-9 condition can reach $150-250. Meanwhile, a full Baltimore Orioles near-mint team set approaches $200-300. Both teams were powerhouses in the late 1980s that captured widespread fan interest.

For raw, ungraded versions in near-mint to excellent conditioned, Griffey Jr., Biggio and Thigpen rookies typically sell in the $100-300 range depending on centering and quality. Star veterans can be acquired raw for $10-50 with the very best capturing upwards of $100. Common player cards in solid near-mint shape change hands for $1-5.

While print runs for 1989 Bowman were enormous, key rookie cards and selected star veterans have retainedcollector appeal. The Griffey Jr. rookie reigns as by far the most coveted and expensive card in the set. But there are also plenty of other solid singles investments available across varying price points that make the 1989 Bowman set an iconic and worthwhile pursuit for both vintage baseball card collectors and investors. With vintage on the rise, cards from this release should remain a relevant part of the hobby for years to come.