The 1991 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable sets from the junk wax era of the late 80s and early 90s. While most cards from sets during this time period are not worth much at all today, there are a few standout rookie and star player cards from 1991 Fleer that can hold significant value, especially if in pristine mint condition.
One of the most notable and valuable rookie cards from 1991 Fleer is the Ken Griffey Jr. card. Griffey Jr. went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the greatest players of all time. His rookie card from this set, while printed in high numbers, is still a highly sought after rookie card by collectors. PSA 10 graded examples of the Griffey Jr. 1991 Fleer rookie have sold for over $10,000. Even lower graded copies in NM-MT 7-8 condition can still fetch a few hundred dollars.
Another rookie card with big value potential is pitcher Dennis Martinez. Martinez had a solid career but is more notable for being one of the few valuable rookie cards from the junk wax era. High grade PSA 10 copies of his 1991 Fleer rookie have exceeded $2,000 at auction. This is likely due to its scarcity, as Martinez rookie cards were not printed or saved in the same numbers as bigger star players from the time.
For star players, the 1991 Fleer Barry Bonds card can hold value, especially in high grades. Bonds was already an established star by 1991 but remained with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his career took off over the next few years. Fresh PSA 10 examples have sold for around $500. The Nolan Ryan card is also one that can demand over $100 in top condition, as he was a living legend by the early 90s.
Two star rookies that debuted in 1991 and have valuable Fleer cards are Mike Piazza and Cal Ripken Jr. Piazza’s was one of the most hyped rookie debuts ever and he became a Hall of Famer. High grade examples of his rookie in the $200-400 range are commonly seen. Ripken won the AL MVP in 1991 and was a perennial All-Star until retirement. His card can be found for $50-150 in top shape.
Rookies of Don Mattingly and Kirby Puckett also hold moderate collector value today, in the $15-50 range depending on condition, as they were big stars throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Other notable star player cards that can be worth over $20 include Darryl Strawberry, Jose Canseco, Gregg Maddux, and Terry Pendleton.
The highest condition census PSA 10 graded cards will hold the biggest premiums from the 1991 Fleer set. But for the biggest star names and rookie cards, even lower graded NM-MT 7-8 examples can still be worth over $50. Condition is key when valuing any card, but there are still some rookie and star cards from 1991 Fleer that have stood the test of time due to the players’ careers despite the overall saturation in the market from junk wax era production. For the set’s biggest hits in pristine condition, values will continue appreciating over time as the vintage factor increases.
While 1991 Fleer lacks scarce short prints found in earlier sets, thestandout rookie cards of Griffey Jr, Martinez and star cards like Bonds in high grades lead the pack in terms of valuation today. Other notable rookies like Piazza and Ripken along with key star player cards can also carry value well above the average junk wax card from this era when in top condition. For discerning collectors, treasures can still be unearthed in the 1991 Fleer set.
