Jimmy Dean 1993 Baseball Card Price Guide

The 1993 Jimmy Dean baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable card sets from the early 1990s.Released right in the middle of the “junk wax” era of the late 80s and early 90s, the 1993 Jimmy Dean set stands out for its innovative rookie cards and star player photography. While no longer quite as collectible as earlier sets due to the huge numbers printed, the 93 Jimmy Dean cards showcase some of the biggest names in baseball at the peak of their careers. This price guide will explore the top players and rookies featured in the set as well as provide estimated current values for near mint conditioned copies of each card.

The 1993 Jimmy Dean set contains 132 total cards with each player featured on a standard size 3.5×2.5 inch card stock. The front of each card showcases a colorful action photo of the player along with their name, team, and stats from the previous season. The back of the cards feature more in-depth bios and stats along with the Jimmy Dean food branding. Two highly sought after rookie cards populate the set – Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees and Nomar Garciaparra of the Boston Red Sox. Both Jeter and Nomar would go on to have hall of fame caliber careers, making their rookie cards some the most iconic and valuable from the early 90s.

Let’s take a look at the top players and estimated current near mint prices for each of their cards:

Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (#1) – As the star rookie and shortstop for the legendary Yankees, Jeter’s 1993 card is arguably the most sought after from the set. In a PSA 10 gem mint condition, this card has sold for over $10,000. Even in standard near mint condition, most Jeter rookies trade between $500-800.

Nomar Garciaparra, Boston Red Sox (#86) – Another star rookie and future all-star, Nomar’s card hasn’t held value quite like Jeter but is still highly valuable from this set. Near mint copies sell in the $200-300 range currently.

Ken Griffey Jr, Seattle Mariners (#5) – One of the biggest stars of the 1990s and arguably the best player of that era. Griffey’s flowing locks and effortless swing made him a fan favorite. Even well-worn copies sell for $75-125 due to his superstar status.

Frank Thomas, Chicago White Sox (#46) – “The Big Hurt” was coming off back-to-back MVP seasons and his intimidating physique and stats made him a powerhouse. Near mint Thomas cards sell for $50-80 currently.

Barry Bonds, Pittsburgh Pirates (#36) – On the precipice of breaking out as the best hitter of all-time. Bonds’ 1993 card sells in the $35-50 range.

Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox (#12) – The Rocket was at the peak of his dominance on the mound in the early 90s. Near mint Clemens cards carry an $25-40 price tag today.

Cal Ripken Jr, Baltimore Orioles (#23) – Ripken’s consecutive games streak was in full swing, capturing the admiration of fans nationwide. His 93 card sells for $15-25.

Greg Maddux, Atlanta Braves (#54) – Already a seasoned vet and future hall of famer, Maddux’s pinpoint control made him a fan favorite and his card sells for $12-18.

Outside of the biggest stars, most other notable players from the set sell in the $5-10 range including Mark McGwire, Tom Glavine, Wade Boggs, Ivan Rodriguez and more. Rarer short printed parallels and autographed/memorabila cards from highly collectible players can sell for significantly more. Prospect cards of players who didn’t pan out hold very little value.

While produced in huge numbers during the speculative bubble of the early 90s, the 1993 Jimmy Dean baseball card set still captivates collectors today. Headlined by the all-time valuable rookie cards of Jeter and Nomar, it provides a time capsule of the game at a transitional period. For those looking to build a collection of vintage 90s cards without breaking the bank, many stars from this set can be acquired in crisp near mint condition for reasonable prices. The photography, player selection and historical context continue to make it a nostalgic favorite for baseball card enthusiasts.