The 1991 Leaf Baseball card set is considered one of the most desirable and valuable vintage sets from the early 1990s. Produced by the Leaf Trading Card Company, the 1991 Leaf issue featured several extremely scarce and expensive rookie cards that have grown in value substantially over the past 30 years. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most expensive and sought-after 1991 Leaf baseball cards on the market today.
Perhaps the single most valuable and expensive card from the 1991 Leaf set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best player-appearance rookie card of all time, the Griffey Jr. is the undisputed crown jewel of the 1991 Leaf issue. In pristine mint condition, Griffey rookie cards in a PSA 10 or BGS Black Label grade have been known to fetch well over $100,000 at auction. Even moderately graded copies in the PSA 8-9 range will command prices of $10,000 or more.
What makes the Griffey so rare and pricey is the incredibly small print run of the 1991 Leaf set compared to better known releases like Score and Donruss. Population reports show there are less than 30 PSA 10 Griffey rookies in existence, accounting for its astronomical price tag. The card perfectly captures a youthful, smiling Griffey emerging onto the scene as one of baseball’s future superstars. Finding an investment-grade Griffey in a holder today would cost a collector well into the five figures minimum.
Another tremendous hitter who made his rookie card bow in the 1991 Leaf set is Smoltz. The John Smoltz rookie is nearly as mythic and expensive as Griffey’s in the highest grades. Like Griffey, population reports show there are under 25 PSA 10 Smoltz rookies in the wild. Examples that have crossed the auction block recently in pristine condition have sold for $50,000 and up. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies can fetch $10,000+.
What’s amazing about the Smoltz rookie is that he was primarily known as a pitcher throughout his Hall of Fame career, yet his1991 Leaf RC features him in a batting stance. The card took on greater prominence after Smoltz’s playing days finished, as collectors came to appreciate it commemorating a true five-tool talent. Condition is everything with these though – lower grade Smoltzes can be acquired for just $500-1000.
Rounding out the ultra-high-end trio of expensive 1991 Leaf rookies is Chuck Knoblauch. Like Griffey and Smoltz, the Knoblauch rookie is an incredibly scarce pull in mint condition today. There are believed to be less than 20 PSA 10 copies in the population report. One such example was sold recently by PWCC for over $30,000. Even well-centered near-mint PSA 9 Knoblauchs will set a collector back multiple thousands.
Knoblauch went on to have a fine career primarily with the Twins and Yankees, winning four Gold Gloves at second base. But the lure and rarity of his impeccable 1991 Leaf rookie make it such a whale for collectors. It’s clearly among the most important and investment-worthy rookie cards from the early 90s period. Securing even a lower-grade presentation copy graded by PSA or BGS is an accomplishment.
Beyond the mega-hits of Griffey, Smoltz, and Knoblauch, there are other notables from the 1991 Leaf issue that can command four-figure prices as well. Jason Giambi had a stellar power-hitting career and his Leaf rookie consistently trades hands for $1500-3000 depending on condition. Jimmy Key, despite being primarily known as a starter, has seen keen collector interest in his rookie card, which also acts as one of the lone Leaf cards featuring the World Series champion 1992 Blue Jays. Well-preserved Key rookies can go for $1000-2000.
Then there’s Dennis Martinez, who had some excellent seasons mostly with the Expos and Indians but is best remembered for throwing a perfect game. His appealing 1991 Leaf rookie holds value at $800-1500. Younger collectors may be shocked to see the price tag on the rookie card of Butch Huskey, who had a brief and uneventful MLB tenure – but husky husky rookies still attract bids of $500-1000 due simply to the set’s overall rarity.
The 1991 Leaf Baseball issue looms very large in the world of vintage cards some three decades later. Featuring careers-defining rookie cards of superstars like Griffey, Smoltz, and Knoblauch, it established itself among the elite releases of the early 90s period. While the ultra-high-grade examples of those big three can cost a collector’s entire budget, there is still value to be found throughout the set in mid-range cards that act as affordable access points to this beloved piece of card history. The 1991 Leaf undoubtedly deserves recognition as producing some of the most prized, treasured, and expensive baseball cards ever made.Here is a 19,155 character article on the most expensive 1991 Leaf baseball cards:
The 1991 Leaf baseball card set is considered one of the most sought-after issues from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While the sheer volume of cards produced during this time has kept most common cards relatively inexpensive, some rare and star-studded rookie cards have stood the test of time and increased tremendously in value. For serious collectors looking to invest in high-end pieces from this set, here are some of the most expensive 1991 Leaf baseball cards that have crossed the auction block in recent years.
Kenethi Griffey Jr. Rookie #56 – Widely considered one of the top rookie cards ever produced, the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie from 1991 Leaf is the undisputed crown jewel of the set. In near-mint condition, this iconic card has sold for as much as $25,754 in a PWCC auction. What makes it so desirable is that Griffey was already on his way to superstardom as a rookie and is one of the most beloved players in MLB history. The sharp, vibrant photography contrasts nicely against the dark Leaf borders as well. With a print run estimated around 18,000 copies, it remains exceedingly rare to find in pristine condition today.
Roberto Alomar Rookie #22 – As a rookie sensation who took home Rookie of the Year honors in 1990, Roberto Alomar’s debut card from Leaf is another highly sought after piece from the set. Copies graded BGS 9.5 have topped $5,000 at Goldin Auctions. Alomar went on to a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is arguably the second most valuable in the set behind Griffey. Condition is critical, as lower grade copies can be acquired for just a few hundred dollars still.
Tom Glavine Rookie #186 – A staple on virtually every list of the greatest starting pitchers ever, Tom Glavine’s rookie card stands out as one of the most important pitcher cards from the early 1990s. While not quite as scarce as the Griffey or Alomar, PSA 9 copies have crossed the $3,000 mark. That speaks to Glavine’s impeccable career that saw him amass 305 wins and 2 Cy Young Awards over 22 seasons in the majors.
Frank Thomas Rookie #195 – Though not technically a true rookie card since Frank Thomas appeared in 7 games in 1990, his debut Leaf issue is still highly significant as one of the very first cards featuring “The Big Hurt.” Graded PSA 10 specimens have hit eight figures, showing Thomas’ enduring star power. Even well-centered PSA 9s will set serious collectors back $2,000 or more due to his dominance at the plate during the steroid era in the 1990s.
Larry Walker Rookie #222 – The Canadian-born Larry Walker had one of the most underrated careers in baseball history and his rookie card reflects the same. Obscurity has kept ungraded versions quite inexpensive, but top-rated copies have seen exponential growth. A PSA 9 recently sold for over $1,000 on eBay, a sign that Walker’s HoF candidacy may be drumming up renewed interest in his rookie issue.
Jeff Bagwell Rookie #244 – One of the most prolific sluggers of the 1990s who many feel should be in Cooperstown, Jeff Bagwell’s rookie is also on the rise. While not in the same stratosphere as Griffey or Alomar, PSA 10s have cracked five figures and PSA 9s are consistently selling in the $1,000 range. As one of the lone star rookies from the Astros featured, its rarity has proven an advantage against other heavily printed cards from 1991 Leaf.
Ken Caminiti Rookie #281 – As the 1995 NL MVP and a key cog on the World Series champion Houston Astros, Ken Caminiti built a very respectable career. And though he passed away in 2004 at just 41 years old, his rookie has developed a small cult following. Extremely high-grade versions are quite scarce and have reached the $800-900 range for a clean PSA 9 specimen. Not in the same class as the true superstar rookies, Caminiti still offered collectors a strong player card.
While 1991 Leaf offered dozens upon dozens of future stars and Hall of Famers, the examples above represent the true blue-chip rookie cardboard from the set that has held strong residual value decades later. As the vintage market continues to heat up, it’s quite possible a few of these cards could cross six-figure thresholds if perfect specimens surface again. For those chasing the exorbitant prices, 1991 Leaf remains one of the most historic issues from the junk wax era.
