The 1990 Topps baseball card set included some of the most valuable and sought after rookie cards in the hobby’s history. While prices have fluctuated over the decades, certain rookie cards from the ’90 Topps release continue to demand top dollar at auction due to the legendary status of the players featured. Let’s take an in-depth look at the five most expensive 1990 Topps baseball cards based on recent auction sales.
Coming in at the top of the list is none other than Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best baseball cards of all time due to Griffey’s iconic photo and playing career, a PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey Jr. rookie topped $286,500 at auction in June 2020 according to PWCC Marketplace. The card routinely trades hands for over $200,000 in pristine condition reflecting “The Kid’s” status as one of the most talented and charismatic players ever. It’s no surprise Griffey’s rookie is the costliest card from the ’90 set.
The second most valuable ’90 Topps card belongs to Frank Thomas, nicknamed “The Big Hurt.” Thomas had one of the most dominant and consistent offensive careers for a first baseman in history. A PSA 10 copy of his rookie card sold for $96,000 back in August 2020, a testament to Thomas’s legendary Hall of Fame caliber career. Whenever a true mint condition Thomas rookie appears on the block, it commands in excess of $50,000.
At number three is none other than Chicago Cubs/Boston Red Sox star pitcher Pedro Martinez. Regarded by many as the greatest pitcher of his generation, Martinez was a 5-time Cy Young award winner and 3-time champion. His ’90 Topps rookie recently went for $51,200 in a PWCC sale from August 2021. With such an illustrious career, Martinez rookies have emerged as the third costliest from this landmark set whenever high-grade copies surface.
Holding down the fourth spot is Atlanta Braves pitching phenom Tom Glavine. The artist formerly known as “The Professor” racked up 305 career wins and 2 Cy Youngs over a Hall of Fame career mostly spent in Atlanta. An impeccable PSA 10 copy of Glavine’s rookie brought $47,760 at auction in January 2021. With the continued nostalgia for 1990s Braves teams, Glavine rookies consistently deliver five figures today in top condition.
Rounding out the “Top 5 Most Expensive 1990 Topps Cards” at number five is Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas’s “mini” card #481 from the base set. Strange as it may seem that a common mini card rivals the cost of full size cards, baseball card collectors are willing to pay top dollar for high-grade copies of stars’ early cardboard. Such was proven in April 2021 when a PSA 9 “mini” Frank Thomas sold through Goldberg’s Auctions for $39,600, cementing its spot here among the crown jewels of the hallowed 1990 Topps release.
While prices have increased substantially for true high-grade examples in recent years, cards numbered six through ten from the 1990 Topps set still provide collecting opportunity today. Cards like Greg Maddux, Randy Johnson, Barry Larkin, and Roberto Alomar rookies routinely sell in the four-figure range. And stars like Ripken, Henderson, Thomas with full sized cards still trade hands for low five-figures when in pristine condition.
In summary, Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie remains king of the 1990 Topps set. But cards like Frank Thomas, Pedro Martinez, Tom Glavine, and even Frank Thomas “minis” continue gaining momentum and collectors’ interests as the years go by. For sealed boxes or sets from 1990, recent sales have soared into six-figure territory given these rookies reside inside. The combination of players, design aesthetic, and prospecting fun have cemented 1990 Topps as one of the all-time greatest releases in the hobby. With condition sensitive cards holding tremendous value, the 1990 Topps set is still delivering big for collectors and investors 30+ years later.
