The 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 baseball card set was among the most popular and valuable released in the early 1990s. While Series 1 contained mainstream rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Chipper Jones and Tom Glavine, Series 2 featured several short print chase cards that became highly coveted by collectors. Now over 25 years later, many of these rare cards have appreciated greatly in value.
One of the standout short prints from the 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Though Griffey had debuted in the majors in 1989 and appeared in the 1989 Upper Deck and Score sets, his rookie card in the mainstream set was the iconic 1989 Upper Deck. While not technically a true rookie, his Ultra card captured him in his early prime with the Seattle Mariners and became a major chase item given its limited production run. Today PSA Gem Mint 10 copies of Griffey’s Ultra rookie regularly sell for $3,000-$5,000, a testament to his enduring popularity and the rarity of high grade examples from this set.
Another Blue Chip short print is the Frank Thomas rookie card. Like Griffey, Thomas debuted earlier in the majors but his Ultra issue marked his first card in a mainstream release. Also sporting his early Chicago White Sox uniform, the “Big Hurt” rookie is considered among the more visually appealing of his issues. PSA 10 copies have brought over $1,000 at auction. Even higher grades in the PSA 9-9.5 range can still fetch $500-800, underscoring the demand for this seminal White Sox star’s rookie in top condition from this set.
Perhaps the single most valuable card in 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 is the Derek Jeter rookie. Considered the true first-year card for the future Yankees captain and first-ballot Hall of Famer, the Jeter rookie had an extremely limited print run. Population reports from the main third-party grading services such as PSA and BGS suggest less than 10 Gem Mint PSA 10 or BGS Black Label examples even exist of this iconic issue. Unsurprisingly, when a pristine Jeter rookie does surface in a sale, it can sell for record prices. In 2021, a PSA 10 sold for $99,363, while a 2010 BGS Black Label 9.5 sold for over $200,000 the following year. Needless to say, any near-pristine Jeter rookie from this set holds tremendous collector value.
Another key rookie from the 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 set is that of Mo Vaughn. Breaking in with the Boston Red Sox, Vaughn went on to win the 1995 American League MVP and helped lead the Sox to the 2013 World Series title. While not in the same league as Jeter or Griffey for rarity, high grades of Vaughn’s rookie card can still command $200-500. This is partly due to his late career resurgence which rekindled collector interest after being traded to the Mets and Angels following his Boston tenure. The large upside potential for rising prices on 90s stars who played deep into the 2000s or 2010s partly explains Vaughn’s card’s enduring appeal over 25+ years after issue.
Two other set standouts commanding 4-figure prices graded gem mint are the Ryan Klesko and Darren Daulton rookie cards. A San Diego native who played 12 seasons mostly with the Atlanta Braves, Klesko came up with high expectations that he lived up to as a 30 home run, 100 RBI contributor. His Ultra rookie is particularly valuable as one of the best portrayals of the 1990s San Diego Padres version. PSA 10 Klesko rookies now sell for $1,500-$2,500 depending on bidding activity levels. Phillies fan favorite Darren Daulton’s well-centered rookie is also scarce in high grades. An accomplished career .247 hitter who won the 1997 World Series as Philadelphia’s starting catcher, PSA 10 Daulton rookies have hit $2,000-$3,000 at auction. His leadership and character made him a cult hero to Phillies devotees.
While short prints of the elite names drive the values at the tippy top of the 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 food chain, a number of other key rookies and stars from the set command mid-range prices today as well. Indians ace Charles Nagy, whose 1997 season included a 20-win campaign and Cy Young consideration, has emerged as a steady riser. His Ultra rookie graded PSA 10 has cracked $500 in recent years. Other rookies such as Dante Bichette, Trevor Hoffman, and Larry Walker in PSA 9-10 can be acquired in the $200-400 range. And stars like Frank Thomas graded PSA 9, Kirby Puckett PSA 8.5, and Ozzie Smith PSA 9 hold values of $150-250 based on recent transactions.
While the 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 set overall is quite attainable to build relative to other early 1990s issues, its true short prints and elite rookie cards have appreciated enormously to represent some of the most prized vintage investments in the hobby. From record-setting Derek Jeter and four-figure cards of Griffey, Vaughn, Klesko and others, this release shaped the careers and collector legacies of many all-time great players. With strong population control and consistent buyer demand, the cream of the crop cards from Fleer Ultra Series 2 have stood the test of time and will likely hold their blue-chip status for collectors of American sports collectibles for generations to come.
