The 1992 Upper Deck baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the early 1990s. Coming off the immense popularity and demand for the inaugural 1989 Upper Deck set, collectors were excited to see what the innovative card company would do for their 1992 offering. While not quite as revolutionary as the pioneering ’89 set, the ’92 Upper Deck cards still featured cutting edge designs and plenty of star power to attract collectors. Several factors like star players, rare parallel prints, and key rookie cards have led to some ’92 Upper Deck cards skyrocketing in value over the past 30 years. Here are the 10 most valuable 1992 Upper Deck baseball cards:
Ken Griffey Jr. (#1) – Around $80-100
The first card in the base set naturally features rookie phenomenon Ken Griffey Jr. Widely considered one of if not the greatest pure five-tool talents of all-time, Griffey was already a budding superstar by 1992 in just his third MLB season. While not as scarce or condition sensitive as other rookie Griffey’s, his ’92 Upper Deck remains one of his most iconic and affordable rookie issues. Strong condition examples in PSA 10 grade have sold for upwards of $150-200 in recent years.
Tom Glavine (#155) – Around $100-150
Atlanta Braves ace Tom Glavine was in the midst of his first of two consecutive Cy Young Award winning seasons in 1992. His strategic pitching motion and pinpoint control made him one of the most dominant left-handed starters of the 1990s. Considered somewhat underrated during his playing days, Glavine’s cards have risen in demand and value from collectors appreciating his Hall of Fame caliber career retrospectively. PSA 10 examples of his centered, action photo ’92 UD card have topped $225.
Barry Larkin (#79) – Around $150-200
Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin was coming off his first All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winning season in 1991 when featured in the ’92 set. A surefire future Hall of Famer, Larkin combined power, speed, and Gold Glove defense at a premium up-the-middle position. While not technically a rookie card, his second year Upper Deck issue remains one of his most iconic and holds solid collectors value. A pristine PSA 10 gem example could reach the $300-350 range.
Frank Thomas (#493) – Around $150-250
One of the rookie gems of the ’92 Upper Deck set is Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas. Coming off a 26 home run, 103 RBI rookie campaign in 1990 that saw him finish third in AL Rookie of the Year voting, “The Big Hurt” was already establishing himself as one of baseball’s rising stars. His aesthetically pleasing rookie card in the popular Traded subset is among the most iconic and widely recognized of all time at any position. High grade PSA 10’s have reached well over $500.
Cal Ripken Jr. (#74) – Around $200-300
Perennial All-Star and future Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. was entering his 12th season as Baltimore Orioles’ shortstop/third baseman in 1992 and had already established himself as one of the game’s most consistent and durable superstars. While not considered a true “rookie” card in the traditional sense, Ripken had seemingly outgrown the “kid” status and this ’92 UD version remains one of his most popular issues from the early 1990s. Solid condition and well-centered examples are desirable to both Orioles and Ripken PC collectors.
Derek Jeter (#307) – Around $250-350
Perhaps the single most iconic rookie card from the landmark ’92 Upper Deck set is that of New York Yankees’ shortstop Derek Jeter. Already showing signs of the five-tool superstar he would become, Jeter’s stellar 18-year career that saw him capture 5 World Series titles and cement his status as a surefire future Hall of Famer has only added to demand for this historically significant rookie card. High grade PSA/BGS 10 Jeter rookies have topped $1,000+ in recent years, with most solid examples in the $300-500 range.
Ken Griffey Jr. Wax Box Min (#94) Parallel – Around $300-500
As one of the early Parallel insert variations introduced by Upper Deck, the elusive Wax Box Mini parallel of Ken Griffey Jr.’s base card took the hobby by storm upon the set’s release. About 1 in every 4 wax boxes contained 9 unnumbered parallel cards in place of the base cards. The extremely difficult pull rates and Griffey star power combined to make the Wax Box Mini one of the most coveted and valuable parallels ever produced. High grade PSA/BGS Mint 9-10 examples can reach well over $1,000.
Gregg Jefferies (#193) Error – Around $500-1,000
A true oddball gem, the ’92 Upper Deck Gregg Jefferies card is mistakenly printed without any stats or player information on the reverse. While seemingly a factory error, the scarcity and mystique surrounding the statistical omission have made it legendary among error card collectors. Only a small handful are believed to exist in mint condition. Few have even changed hands in recent memory, but the last PSA 10 example sold at auction for over $3,000.
Chipper Jones (#1) – Around $750-1,250
Considered the premier rookie card of the ’92 Upper Deck set is that of future Hall of Famer Chipper Jones. Already proving himself as a generational talent in his first full season with the Atlanta Braves, Jones combined power, speed, defense and hitting skills from the left side of the plate in a manner evoking comparisons to Stan Musial. His aesthetically beautiful design remains highly coveted by both Braves and rookie collectors alike. PSA/BGS Mint 9-10 graded examples have topped $2,000.
Nolan Ryan (#1) Retired Players subset – Around $1,500+
Generally accepted as the single most valuable card of the ’92 Upper Deck set is the Nolan Ryan card from the short printed Retired Players insert set. Having just retired after a legendary 27-year career that saw countless strikeout records and a transcendent 100 MPH fastball until age 44, Ryan was already a living legend by 1992. His last card issued combined with the difficult pull rate from wax packs have made high grade copies among the most investment-worthy in the entire vintage era. Pristine PSA/BGS Mint 9-10 Ryan RP cards have reached astronomical prices upwards of $5,000-$10,000 USD.
The 1992 Upper Deck baseball card set saw immense hype and production quality help enshrine several all-time rookie and star player cards into the lore of the vintage collecting world. Powered by names like Griffey, Jeter, Jones, Glavine and Frank Thomas, strong condition examples from the ’92 UD set remain some of the most recognizable and financially desirable vintage issues available on the secondary market today. 30 years later, this historic release continues captivating collector’s attention.
