The 1994 Donruss set is one of the most iconic baseball card releases of the 1990s. While it didn’t have the flash or hype of Upper Deck at the time, Donruss cards from ‘94 hold a special place in the hearts of collectors. The designs were clean and classic with professional photography dominating over cartoonish illustrations. For many kids in the 90s, ripping packs of these cards was a rite of passage during that summer. While most cards from the set hold little value today, some star rookies and key veterans have seen their prices skyrocket over the past few decades. Here are the 10 most valuable 1994 Donruss baseball cards based on PSA 10 Gem Mint condition:

Ken Griffey Jr. – At the height of his popularity in 1994, Griffey was already a two-time All-Star and fast becoming one of the game’s biggest stars. His rookie offering from 1989 Upper Deck is one of the most coveted and expensive cards ever. While not a rookie in Donruss ’94, Griffey still delivers huge nostalgia and demand from collectors. High-grade copies typically sell for $150-250.

Frank Thomas – “The Big Hurt” was coming off back-to-back AL MVP awards in ’93 and ’94 when this card was produced. A consistent power hitter throughout the 1990s, Thomas is remembered as one of the top right-handed sluggers of his generation. PSA 10s trade hands for around $200-300 depending on recent sales comps.

Roberto Alomar – A career .300 hitter and one of the finest second basemen ever, Alomar was in his prime during the mid-90s playing for the Orioles and Blue Jays. Renowned for his slick fielding and ability to spray line drives from gap to gap, Alomar always seemed to come through in big spots. Mint condition copies of his ’94 Donruss card change hands for $300-400.

Jeff Bagwell – The early 90s Astros star first baseman had already put up All-Star caliber numbers by 1994. Bagwell would go on to post a .297 average, 449 home runs, and 1549 RBIs over his 15 year career. As one of the top first basemen of his generation, a PSA 10 of his Donruss card averages around $400-500.

Cal Ripken Jr. – By 1994, Ripken was well on his way to breaking Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games played record, capturing the admiration of fans nationwide. His iconic workhorse image and consistency at the plate made him one of baseball’s most respected stars. A PSA 10 of his Donruss card can be found for $500-700.

Barry Larkin – The smooth-swinging Reds shortstop was coming off an MVP campaign in 1994 where he hit .308 with 19 home runs and 96 runs scored. Larkin combined graceful defense, timely hitting, and leadership to cement his Hall of Fame plaque. High-grade copies of his Donruss card attain prices of $600-800.

Dennis Eckersley – At 37 years old in 1994, Eck was still dominating as arguably baseball’s premier closer, notching 45 saves for the Indians. His 1.91 ERA that season was among the lowest of his career. As one of the pioneering one-inning relief aces, a PSA 10 of Eck’s Donruss sells for $800-1,000.

Ivan Rodriguez – The future Hall of Famer smashed onto the scene in 1991 at age 20, winning AL Rookie of the Year honors. His defensive mastery behind the plate was perfectly captured in the clean photography on his ’94 Donruss RC. High-grade copies are prized by collectors chasing rookie cards of one of the sport’s all-time great catchers, with PSA 10s going for $1,000-2,000.

Ken Griffey Jr. rookie – This is Griffey’s coveted upper deck rookie from 1989—the crown jewel of any collection and constantly one of the highest valued modern cards. While not from the 1994 Donruss set, this card often trades hands surpassing $10,000 in Gem Mint condition. Even well-centered PSA 9s can sell for $3,000-5,000. Simply put, this is one of the most iconic and valuable cards ever issued.

Derek Jeter rookie – The future Captain of the Yankees was just a bright-eyed 20-year-old breaking into the Show in 1996. Even then, his on-field talents and championship pedigree were evident. Jeter’s Donruss rookie has become arguably the most sought-after card from the1990s, consistently achieving record prices. PSA 10 Jeter rookies are piecemeal under $20,000, but truly pristine examples have realized over $100,000 at public auction. No list of valuable cards from this era is complete without mentioning the sport’s surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer.

While the world of sports cards has greatly expanded in the past quarter century, the legendary names and nostalgia of stars from the mid-1990s continue captivating collectors. Vintage issues like 1994 Donruss remind us of a simpler time before social media took over pop culture. Those who invested in high-grade editions of stars like Ripken, Bagwell, and Jeter reap the rewards of holding cards that ignited childhood memories for a whole generation.