The 1990 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and sought-after releases from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While the sheer numbers printed made most cards from sets of that time period relatively common, there are still some standout rookie cards, star players, and oddball inserts that have maintained or grown in value over the past 30+ years. For collectors looking to build their vintage baseball collections or make a profitable find at a card show or thrift store, here are some of the top 1990 Fleer cards to keep an eye out for.

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: Widely considered the crown jewel of the 1990 Fleer set, Griffey’s rookie is the undisputed star. Even in well-worn condition, it still fetches $50-100 due to his iconic status as “The Kid” and one of the most talented players of his generation. Near mint copies can sell for $500-1000, while a pristine gem mint 10 graded card has sold for over $25,000. Griffey’s rookie is the most sought-after and valuable card from the set.

Frank Thomas Rookie Card: Like Griffey, Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card from the 1990 Fleer set is highly desirable as well. Not as expensive as Griffey’s, but still a significant find, with worn copies selling for $20-50 and a PSA 10 potentially reaching $1000-2000. Thomas was a perennial MVP candidate throughout the 1990s so his rookie maintains strong collector interest.

Roberto Alomar Rookie Card: Alomar collected over 3,000 hits in his career and won a Gold Glove at second base ten times between the Blue Jays and Orioles. His rookie card isn’t in the same stratosphere as Griffey or Thomas, but it’s still a respected pull from 1990 Fleer. Expect to get $10-20 for a played copy or $100-200 for a PSA 10.

Nolan Ryan Record Breaker Insert: This oddball insert commemorated Ryan breaking Sandy Koufax’s career strikeout record. Only about one per case was inserted into 1990 Fleer packs, making it an extremely rare pull. High grade copies have sold for over $1000 due to the story behind the card and scarcity compared to the base set.

Bobby Bonilla Record Breaker Insert: Parallel to the Ryan insert, this card honored Bonilla’s 1982 Florida State League single season home run record. Equally as scarce and desirable to vintage baseball collectors as the Ryan version.

Ken Griffey Jr. Bat Piece Relic: Not truly a “card”, but these promotional bat piece relics that could be redeemed by sending in UPCs from 1990 Fleer are very collectible for Griffey enthusiasts. Prices start at $50 for a common piece of the bat and can reach $500-1000 for larger displayable relics.

Ozzie Smith Error Card: A printing plate quirk caused some copies of Ozzie’s card to be missing the photo, creating a much-discussed error card in the set. High grade examples have reached $500 due to their anomalous nature within the release.

Ben McDonald Rookie Card: The first overall pick in the 1989 MLB draft, McDonald showed promise during his career with Baltimore. His rookie isn’t in the same league as Griffey or Thomas value-wise, but still holds significance for Orioles fans and 1990 draft collectors. $10-20 in average condition.

Randy Johnson Rookie Card: “The Big Unit” had already spent a few seasons in the league prior to 1990, but his first Fleer issue is still regarded as his true “rookie” card. Not in huge demand, but a fun card for those who enjoyed his dominance in the 1990s and 2000s. $5-10.

Dennis Martinez Perfect Game Card: Issued after Martinez threw the season’s only perfect game in 1991 as a member of the Montreal Expos, this updated issue card remains a key piece for Expos fans and collectors of perfect game memorabilia. $20-40 based on grade.

Buzzzzz Error Card: Like the Ozzie Smith error, a quirk in production led to some 1990 Fleer cards being printed without images, instead featuring the onomatopoeia “Buzzzzz” where the picture would be. Rare anomalies that can reach $100-200 for collectors interested in oddball printing errors.

While the sheer volume of 1990 Fleer cards printed means most common copies retain only minimal value graded or ungraded, savvy collectors know where to look for the premium rookie cards, stars, and oddball inserts that can still pay off big after 30+ years. The stars of Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas still shine brightest in the set, but collectors would do well to keep an eye out for the other keys as well to round out their vintage baseball collections.