The baseball card hobby skyrocketed in popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, thanks in large part to breakthrough rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Mike Trout, Ken Griffey Jr., and Chipper Jones. As nostalgia has taken hold in recent years, many of the coveted rookie and star cards from that era have gained immense value in the collectibles market. Here are some of the most expensive baseball cards produced during the 1980s and 1990s based on recent auction prices and estimates from industry experts:

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle (1980s/90s print run) – While the 1952 Topps Mantle card is legendary in its original form, Topps also produced reprinted versions as inserts in 1980s/90s packs and sets. In prestigious gem mint condition, the modern printed versions can sell for over $100,000. The iconic image and name has ensured high prices for Mantle’s rookie in any form.

1989 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Junior’s rookie card from his first Bowman issue is considered one of the finest and most valuable of the modern era. High grade copies have sold for $300,000-$500,000 in recent auction, making it arguably the most expensive card from the late 80s/90s. Griffey’s career accomplishments and mainstream appeal as the “kid” helped drive fascination with capturing his rookie.

1991 Leaf Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Like Bowman captured the year before, Leaf had sole rights to Griffey’s rookie in 1991 and their red-foil version has also achieved astronomical prices in pristine condition. At $200,000-$350,000, it gives the ’89 Bowman a run for its money as the most valuable. Its rarity – only 100 copies were produced – makes it a true trophy card.

1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Refractor PSA 10 Mike Piazza Rookie Card – As the height of the collector boom in the mid-90s, Topps Chrome introduced flashy hologram refractors that added allure and mystique to rookie cards. Piazza’s pristine PSA 10 refractor has surpassed $80,000. His Hall of Fame career and the refractors’ scarcity drives 6-figure prices.

1988 Score Jerry Rice Rookie Card – Perhaps the most productive wide receiver ever, Rice’s 1988 rookies have value outside of just baseball card fandom. High graded copies regularly top $20,000 driven by both his NFL records and the relatively low print run of Score sets that year.

1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Hologram Rookie Card – A true technological wonder back in 1991, Upper Deck’s hologram technology added an extra layer of shine and perception of rarity to rookies. Exceptionally high grade Griffey holograms have hit $50,000 at auction recently.

1992 Bowman’s Best Refractor Derek Jeter Rookie Card – As one of the most beloved Yankees ever, Jeter’s star power has lifted prices of his ‘92 rookie cards. High graded versions of the refractive paper from Bowman’s Best sets have cracked $40,000 price points. Some say condition concerns have kept it from surpassing Griffey in value long term.

1991 Studio Frank Thomas Rookie Card – A pre-steroids Big Hurt demolished pitching and captured the imagination of the card collecting world in the early 90s. Pristine PSA 10 gems of his legendary Studio card with the innovative dual player snapshots have topped $25,000 in recent years.

1986 Fleer Star Sticker Bill Madlock – One of the great quirks of the 80s collecting scene, Madlock’s common player sticker took on massive value due to its perceived rarity in the 1986 Fleer set. Just 25 PSA 10 specimens are known to exist. This statistical oddity has sold for $20,000 unquestionably because of its small print run.

1994 Pinnacle Ken Griffey Jr. Retired Player Autograph – Only 2,000 copies of Griffey’s autograph card from when he was still an active player and future Hall of Famer hit the market in ’94. High quality specimens over 25 years later can exceed $15,000, showing the investment potential of prospecting autograph rookies rather than just base cards years ago.

1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – While Bowman is revered as the true rookie, Upper Deck’s issue that season also was scarce, sought after and has aged well. High graded examples now command $10,000-$15,000 due to Griffey’s enormous popularity in cardboard.

1993 Pinnacle Ken Griffey Jr. Hobby Masters – Adding rarity and craftsmanship, this painted Masters card of Griffey came just 1 per hobby box back then. Condition sensitive PSA 10s have passed $12,000 in recent auctions as collectors pay up for premium 90s parallels.

1989 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – With a small print run around 1 per wax pack in ’89, Griffey’s traded card rookie holds substantial value, cresting $10,000 for pristine graded specimens. It showcases how parallel and specialty issue rookies from the big brands maintain collectors’ interest decades later as well.

This list just scratches the surface of the most prized baseball cards found in collections nationwide from the 1980s and 90s sports card boom years. Names like Frank Thomas, Chipper Jones, Cal Ripken Jr., and more hold cards worth thousands to tens of thousands as well. With nostalgia for childhood heroes only growing stronger each year, prices for the stars of yesteryear can be expected to keep climbing as collectors and investors seek out pieces of their baseball memories encapsulated in cardboard.