The 1990 Topps baseball card set was issued during Barry Bonds’ breakout season and rookie seasons of future Hall of Famers, Frank Thomas and Craig Biggio. While not the most expensive vintage set, many key rookie cards and stars from the ’90s hold value. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the top cards from the 1990 Topps set and what they fetch on the current collectibles market.

One of the premier rookies from the 1990 Topps set is #450 Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox. Nicknamed “The Big Hurt,” Thomas would go on to have a Hall of Fame career hitting .301 with 521 home runs. His 1990 Topps rookie card remains one of the more sought-after and valuable cards from the set. In PSA 10 gem mint condition, Thomas’ rookie has sold for upwards of $3,000. Even in raw near mint to mint condition, examples can fetch $100-200.

Another standout rookie is #81 Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros. A three-time Gold Glove second baseman, Biggio racked up 3,060 career hits on his way to Cooperstown. His 1990 Topps rookie has cracked the $1,000 mark in PSA 10 but more commonly sells for $300-500 even in top grades. Raw near mint copies can be acquired for $50-100.

One unique card is the #1 Barry Bonds rookie. It’s from his year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, not his dominant run with the San Francisco Giants that saw him break Hank Aaron’s all-time home run record. still, the 1990 Leaf Bonds rookie graded PSA/DNA 10 has reached $6,000 at auction. Most PSA 10 examples end up between $2,000-4,000 with mint or raw copies around $100.

Pitching prospects are also highly sought after and the 1990 Topps set included future aces. #450 Tom Glavine, who would win 305 games and two Cy Young Awards, has a rookie that has reached $1,500 in PSA 10 condition. More typically, mint and raw copies trade hands for $50-150. #642 Greg Maddux’s rookie has cracked $2,000 in the highest grades but usually sells for $500-1,000 even in top condition.

Other star sluggers in the 1990 set maintain value including #157 Ken Griffey Jr. who has had PSA 10’s reach $600. #2 Mark McGwire’s card has crossed $500 in gem mint 10 while near mint copies appraise around $50-150 depending on the grade. #557 Jose Canseco, who led the league in home runs that year, has a $200 PSA 10 value with raw or low graded copies around $10-20.

Upper eck names like #511 Cal Ripken Jr., #130 Wade Boggs, #1 Ozzie Smith and #521 Kirby Puckett have their PSA 10 rookiesreaching the $250-400 range. Mint condition examples often fetch $50-100 individually while raw copies are around $10-20 each.

Condition is still king when it comes to value and collectibility. While raw, played copies of stars might fetch just pennies on the dollar, higher graded gems continue to gain value as the vintage cards age. Completing a full 1990 Topps set presents a fun collectible challenge but can be done relatively affordably if your card standards aren’t too strict. Scouring card shows or group breaks is a cost-effective way to build your collection.

While not viewed as elite in the hierarchy of vintage sets, the 1990 Topps collection remains a solid investment. Keys like the rookies of Thomas, Biggio, Maddux and Glavine along with stars Griffey Jr., Bonds, Ripken and McGwire will hold long term appeal to both investors and baseball card enthusiasts. With patience and savvy shopping, a complete rainbow collection at different quality levels is achievable and will gain value over time. The nostalgia and history captured within the 1990 Topps cardboard continues to fuel passion for the hobby.