The 1991 O-Pee-Chee baseball card set was one of the most iconic releases from the brand during the late 1980s and early 1990s. While not quite as valuable or sought after as some previous years, the ’91 OPC set still contained many memorable and desirable rookie cards as well as inserts that have stood the test of time. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the best cards collectors searched for in packs 30 years ago.
One of the most obvious choices for the best card in the 1991 OPC set is the Kirby Puckett rookie card. Puckett would go on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Minnesota Twins, establishing himself as one of the game’s premier power-hitting outfielders of the late 20th century. His rookie is one of the more iconic from the junk wax era and remains quite collectible to this day for Twins fans and Puckett admirers. In high grade, mint condition examples of Puckett’s rookie can sell for hundreds of dollars.
Another huge rookie card from the ’91 OPC set was Chuck Knoblauch’s debut. Knoblauch broke into the league with the Twins alongside Puckett and also enjoyed a successful career primarily as a second baseman. He made 4 All-Star teams and won 4 Gold Gloves over his 12 year career. Knoblauch’s rookie card isn’t quite as valuable as Puckett’s but still holds nice nostalgic appeal for collectors of Twins cards from this time period. Expect to pay $50-100 for a pristine near-mint copy.
Two other highly sought after rookie cards from the 1991 OPC baseball set belong to Moises Alou and David Justice. Alou went on to play 18 seasons in the majors, winning a World Series with the Marlins in 1997. He batted over .300 four times in his career. Justice, meanwhile, was a 5-time All-Star and 2-time World Series champ with the Braves dynasty teams in the 1990s. Both players experienced solid big league careers and their rookie cards remain popular with collectors today. Alou and Justice RC’s in top condition can sell in the $30-50 range.
In addition to star rookie cards, the 1991 OPC set featured several popular traded and inserted cards that added to the excitement of the release. One of the more iconic traded player cards was Nolan Ryan’s final season with the Texas Rangers. By 1991, Ryan was in the twilight of his career but was still one of baseball’s most legendary power pitchers ever. His Rangers card from that year holds nice historical significance. Graded gem mint examples have sold for upwards of $100.
Another highly sought after traded card was Rickey Henderson’s debut with the Oakland A’s after starting his career with the New York Yankees. Henderson was already a perennial All-Star and base stealing machine by 1991 but collectors loved obtaining his first card in the green and gold A’s uniform. Near-mint Rickey Henderson A’s traded cards can typically sell for $50-75 online.
In addition to traded player cards, the 1991 OPC set featured several popular insert sets that added chase and collecting factors for the release. One of the most iconic was the “Diamond Kings” parallel insert set featuring 24 player cards printed on silver foil stock. Superstar players like Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr. and others made appearances in the premium parallel set. High grade Diamond Kings cards in the $20-40 range are quite collectible today.
Another fun insert from 1991 OPC was the “Traded” parallel showing key players that switched teams in 1990-1991 like Henderson, Dave Stewart, and Jack Morris. These parallel traded cards featured the same photo and design as the base set but with traded text added. They provided an extra layer of team and player collecting options. Near-mint examples often sell for $10-20 each online.
While junk wax era releases like 1991 OPC don’t carry the same monetary value as some earlier sets, they still hold a ton of nostalgia for collectors that enjoyed the baseball card boom of the late 80s and early 90s. Stars like Puckett, Justice, and Knoblauch emerged with iconic rookie cards, while parallels and traded inserts added to the excitement of the release. Thirty years later, the 1991 OPC set remains a memorable part of sports card history with several standouts that continue to attract collectors.
