The 1991 Donruss baseball set is one of the most iconic and collectible issues from the modern era of trading cards. While not the flashiest or most artistically designed set compared to others from the same time period, 1991 Donruss holds significant nostalgia and history thanks to featuring some of the game’s biggest stars from that generation. Not surprisingly, the most sought-after and valuable cards from the 1991 Donruss set revolve around star rookies and future Hall of Famers who were just starting to make their mark.
Heading the list of the 1991 Donruss set’s most valuable cards is none other than the star rookie of Ken Griffey Jr. Widely considered one of the greatest five-tool players of all time, Griffey was already topping prospect lists and showing tantalizing promise in his early MLB career when his iconic Donruss rookie card was released. Featuring Griffey in a Mariners uniform with his smooth left-handed swing on full display, the card became one of the most iconic rookie cards ever printed. In low-print near-mint condition, Griffey’s 1991 Donruss RC now commands prices well into the thousands of dollars. The card saw a massive spike in demand after Griffey’s election to the baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.
Another extremely valuable rookie card from the 1991 Donruss set belongs to Chipper Jones. Like Griffey, Jones was already on the path to superstardom in his first few seasons with the Atlanta Braves and showed all the skills and athleticism that would make him a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate. His Donruss rookie remains one of the more visually appealing from the set as well. High-grade Chipper Jones rookies often sell for mid-four figure prices or more today. Both the Griffey and Jones rookies hold additional nostalgia and collectibility due to being players that many 1981 born collectors grew up watching in their early MLB careers.
Two other extremely valuable cards from the 1991 Donruss set revolve around pitching legends in their early days. One is the rookie card of a fresh-faced John Smoltz, who had begun to establish himself as an ace on the rise for the Braves. The other is the card of 23-year old Pedro Martinez, who was in his first full season with the Dodgers after coming over from the Expos in a trade. Both pitchers went on to have Hall of Fame careers and their rookie cards remain quite scarce in high grades. A PSA 10 Smoltz rookie could sell for over $2,000 while a Gem Mint Pedro Martinez fetches up to $1,500 or more.
The 1991 Donruss set also features two other future Hall of Famers who are just entering their primes – Kenny Lofton and Barry Larkin. Lofton’s exciting brand of speed and defense was already on full display as a Cleveland Indian while Larkin was demonstrating why he would go on to win the NL MVP that same year with the Reds. Near-mint to gem copies of their cards routinely sell for $300-600 depending on condition. The condition sensitive Lofton card in particular holds value since his whirling running form and uniform number make it prone to centering issues.
Two other highly coveted cards of future Hall of Famers come in the form of rookie stars who were just getting their MLB careers underway. One is none other than Tom Glavine, who had broken out as a dominant lefty for the Atlanta Braves in just his second season. Already showing pinpoint control and poise, Glavine’s rookie card retains value. The other is Edgar Martinez, who was in his 5th MLB season but career was about to take off. His smooth lefty swing and accomplishments in 1991 made his Donruss card very popular. High grades of both can reach $400-700 today.
Rounding out the most expensive and sought-after cards from the 1991 Donruss baseball set are the offerings of veteran superstars in the primes of their careers. The flagship card is of course the Kirby Puckett issue, showing the beloved Twins legend with his vintage uppercut swing. Puckett was coming off a 1990 season where he won the first of two batting titles and led Minnesota to the World Series. In pristine condition, his 1991 Donruss sells for $300-400. Also demanding top dollar are the cards of Nolan Ryan (still dominating pitchers at age 44), Rickey Henderson (coming off a record-setting 1990 with the A’s), and Cal Ripken Jr, who was on his way to breaking Gehrig’s iconic streak. Each can reach the $200-300 range in PSA 10.
While not quite as heralded as some other vintage sets, the 1991 Donruss baseball issue holds tremendous nostalgia and features the rookie cards of future stars like Griffey, Jones, Smoltz and Martinez. It also captured veteran greats like Puckett, Ripken and Henderson at the peaks of their powers. As a result, the highest graded and most well-preserved copies of stars from the 1991 Donruss roster remain hugely valuable collectibles for enthusiasts today. The cards serve as a memorable snapshot of the transition era between 1980s baseball and the dominance of the Braves, Yankees and others in the 1990s.
