The 1991 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the more desirable vintage sets from the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it didn’t feature the same rookie stars as some other contemporary sets, there are still several key cards that can hold significant value for collectors. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 1991 Donruss cards that frequently attract buyers.
One of the most coveted and expensive cards from the 1991 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best players of his generation, Griffey’s rookie card is a highly sought after piece for any collection. In top gem mint condition, a 1991 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card can sell for well over $1000. Even well-centered near mint copies often trade hands for $300-500. The iconic photo and Griffey’s eventual hall of fame career make this one of the most iconic and valuable cards from the entire 1990s.
Another rookie standout is Chipper Jones’ 1991 Donruss card. Like Griffey, Jones had a phenomenal career that led to a spot in Cooperstown. Extremely well-centred mint copies of Chipper’s rookie have sold for $800-1000, though most grade around $300-500. The card captures Jones as an up and coming young star, foreshadowing what was to come. Collectors love having franchise cornerstones like Griffey and Jones from their early days.
For Cardinals fans, the big draw is the 1991 Donruss Ozzie Smith card. An incredibly skilled defensive wizard, Smith was a 13 time Gold Glove winner and fan favorite in St. Louis. His 1991 Donruss card often attracts bids above the $150-200 range for pristine specimens. Smith isn’t a typical superstar like Griffey or Jones when it comes to raw statistics, but collectors recognise his Hall of Fame talent and value his cards highly.
Some other notable 1991 Donruss cards that bring significant prices include rookie cards for Will Clark ($100-150 mint), Bobby Bonilla ($75-100), and Chuck Knoblauch (around $50). Clark was an elite slugger for the Giants and Cardinals in the late 80s/early 90s. Bonilla was a productive power hitter for over 15 years in the majors. And Knoblauch displayed great speed and contact ability as he won the 1991 AL Rookie of the Year award. All were young talents on the rise, captured in their early Donruss cards.
Beyond rookies, star veterans like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, Cal Ripken Jr., and Tony Gwynn command prices upwards of $50-100 per card as well. No matter the team, position, or era, collectors love obtaining Hall of Famers like these from the brands and years they became famous in. Ryan’s dominance as a hurler well into his 40s is legendary, while Henderson, Ripken, and Gwynn all put together incredible careers defined by consistency of excellence. Even in played condition, their 1991 Donruss issues attract attention.
The 1991 Donruss set is home to premium rookie cards of eventual Cooperstown talents like Ken Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones. Franchise icons for teams like Ozzie Smith with the Cardinals also carry meaningful value. Additional rookie issues for stars like Will Clark and Bobby Bonilla have appreciation over the decades as well. And premium copies of veteran superstars like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn demand prices reflecting their legendary careers and status in the sport. For collectors, acquiring any of these key 1991 Donruss cards remains a worthwhile pursuit and sound investment decades later.
