The 1991 baseball card season produced some of the most valuable and sought after cards of the modern era. While the early 90s saw the peak of the baseball card boom start to decline, 1991 cards featured many future Hall of Famers and highly coveted rookie cards that have stood the test of time. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1991 baseball cards that still fetch high prices in today’s market.

Perhaps the single most valuable 1991 card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars in 1991 and his rookie card became a holy grail for collectors. With its stunning photo of Griffey in his distinctive backwards hat and flawless centered image, this card became hugely popular. In pristine mint condition, Griffey’s rookie now sells for well over $10,000 and even well-centered near mint copies can go for $3,000-$5,000. The card’s rarity, subject, and Griffey’s eventual Hall of Fame induction have cemented this as one of the most iconic and valuable modern rookie cards.

Another massive hitter who also had one of the best rookie cards of 1991 was Frank Thomas. Like Griffey, Thomas was a true five-tool talent who went on to a Hall of Fame career. His rookie card featured an action shot and also became a highly sought after piece for collectors. Thomas rookies in gem mint condition have sold for over $3,000, showing the card has maintained great value long after its initial printing. Collectors love the card for its subject and the fact that it captures a future all-time great early in his career.

While Griffey and Thomas had the flashiest rookie cards, one of the most valuable 1991 cards overall was the Chipper Jones rookie. As the #1 overall draft pick in 1990, Jones arrived with huge expectations that he ultimately lived up to with a 19 year career, all with the Atlanta Braves, that will land him in Cooperstown. His 1991 Fleer rookie is exceedingly rare in high grades and an example in pristine mint condition would be worth $5,000+ in today’s market. Even well-centered near mint copies can sell for $1,500 or more. Jones’ Hall of Fame career and the rarity of finding this card in top shape make it a true blue chip investment for collectors.

Staying in Atlanta, the 1991 Upper Deck Deion Sanders rookie card is also hugely valuable and sought after today. As arguably the first true “dual-sport” star, Sanders was already making waves in the NFL when this baseball card was issued. His electrifying talents translated to both the gridiron and diamond and his rookie card captured the beginning of his brief but dynamic MLB career. High grade Sanders rookies have sold for over $2,000 due to his fame, rarity, and the card’s subject matter highlighting the rise of the two-sport phenom.

While those were the highest profile rookies of 1991, there were also many valuable cards issued that year featuring established stars. Perhaps the most iconic was the Nolan Ryan Upper Deck card, which featured a stunning action photo of the Express firing a 100 mph heater. This card became hugely popular with collectors and examples still sell for over $500 today in top condition due to Ryan’s legendary career and the iconic nature of the image. His collection of records and Hall of Fame enshrinement give this card lasting investment value.

Two other superstar pitchers who had valuable 1991 cards were Roger Clemens and Tom Glavine. The Clemens card from Upper Deck highlighted the Rocket in his Boston prime and examples can sell for $300-400 today. Glavine meanwhile had a stellar rookie season in 1991 and his rookie card from Fleer Update has maintained great value, with pristine copies selling for over $500. Both pitchers went on to Hall of Fame careers and 300-game milestones that buoy the value of their early 90s cards.

While position players tended to have the most valuable rookie cards, two star pitchers from 1991 who broke out were Pedro Martinez and John Smoltz. Martinez’ rookie from Score was hugely popular at the time and examples still sell for $150-250 today due to his dominant career and Hall of Fame enshrinement. Smoltz meanwhile had a stellar Donruss rookie that can still fetch $100-200. Both pitchers went on to Cooperstown careers and their early 90s cards remain strong investments decades later.

While 1991 was a transitional year for the baseball card market, it produced some of the most iconic and valuable modern cards. Stars like Griffey, Thomas, Jones, Clemens and Martinez had rookies that have stood the test of time. Meanwhile, veterans like Ryan, Glavine and Smoltz had popular cards that gain value from their Hall of Fame careers. For discerning collectors, high grade examples from 1991 of these players remain sound long term investments over 30 years later. The combination of star subjects, memorable photography, and rarity in top condition make certain 1991 cards perennial blue chips for the hobby.