The 1990 Donruss baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it may not contain any true “gems” on the level of rare rookie cards from the 1950s, some key cards from the 1990 Donruss set have retained or increased in value over the past 30 years and could be worth a decent amount of money today, especially in top grades. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the cards that collectors should be on the lookout for from the 1990 Donruss set as potential money-makers.
The biggest star and most valuable card from the 1990 Donruss set is without question the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best rookie cards of all time due to Griffey’s Hall of Fame career and popularity as arguably the most talented five-tool player of his generation, the Griffey Jr. rookie in pristine, near-mint to mint condition could fetch well over $1,000 today. In top grades of mint 9 or gem mint 10, the Griffey Jr. rookie has sold for upwards of $3,000-$5,000 at auction depending on the market. Even well-centered near mint 8 copies can sell for $500 or more. Needless to say, the Griffey Jr. rookie is the true blue-chip card from the 1990 Donruss set and a card any collector would love to have in their collection.
Another highly valuable rookie card from the 1990 Donruss set is that of future 500 home run club member Jim Thome. Like Griffey, Thome put together a stellar 22-year career and was one of the premier power hitters of the 1990s and 2000s. His rookie card isn’t quite as iconic or plentiful as Griffey’s, which helps maintain a strong price. Near mint to mint Thome rookies can sell for $150-$300, with gem mint copies bringing over $500. The Thome rookie is a card that increased steadily in value over the past 10-15 years as his Hall of Fame credentials became more apparent.
Two other notable rookie cards that could have value from the 1990 Donruss set are those of future Cy Young winners Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine. Both Maddux and Glavine went on to have Hall of Fame careers and were the anchors of the dominant Atlanta Braves pitching rotations in the 1990s that led the franchise to multiple World Series titles. Their rookie cards aren’t in the same stratosphere as Griffey’s or Thome’s but can still hold value for collectors. Near mint Maddux and Glavine rookies typically sell in the $50-$100 range, with the occasional gem mint fetching over $150. Their rookie cards won’t make anyone rich on their own, but are valuable pieces for any Braves or 1990s collector.
In addition to rookie cards, there are also a handful of star veterans from the 1990 Donruss set that maintain strong collector value in high grades. Arguably the most valuable established star card is that of Nolan Ryan, who was entering his age 43 season but was still one of the most popular and accomplished players of all time. His 1990 Donruss card can sell for $50-$100 in near mint condition but over $150 in gem mint. Another power pitcher who was still in his prime, Roger Clemens, also has a valuable 1990 Donruss card. Near mints sell for around $50 while gems have sold for over $100. The 1990 Donruss card of Wade Boggs, who was chasing his seventh straight batting title in 1990, can also sell for $50-$75 in high grades.
Aside from the aforementioned star rookies and veterans, there are a few other longshot cards and parallels from the 1990 Donruss set that could hold significant value for collectors if obtained in pristine condition. The Ken Griffey Jr. “Diamond Kings” parallel insert card, which featured select stars on diamond-encrusted backgrounds, has sold for over $1,000 in mint condition. The 1990 Donruss Glossy All-Star card of Nolan Ryan, which features a photo of Ryan on the mound with a glossy finish, has sold for upwards of $300 in gem mint. And the 1990 Donruss “Team Set” parallel insert cards, which are essentially team-colored parallels of major stars like Griffey and Clemens, have sold for over $100 each in mint condition.
While it may not have the true “investment” cards of the pre-1960s era, there is certainly money to be made in high-grade examples of star rookies, veterans and select parallels from the 1990 Donruss baseball card set for savvy collectors. Cards like the Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Thome and Greg Maddux rookies will likely only continue increasing in value as their careers are further immortalized. With patience and a keen eye, there could be hidden gems waiting to be discovered by sorting through collections and collections of 1990 Donruss for true pristine copies. For collectors both young and old, the 1990 Donruss set remains one of the most visually appealing and historically significant releases that also offers the chance for financial returns down the road.
