The 1990 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable releases from the late 1980s/early 1990s boom period. While it didn’t have the flashy design or enormous print run of Topps or Fleer sets from that era, Donruss 1990 contained several highly sought after rookie cards that have grown exponentially in value over the past 30 years. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most expensive and desirable cards from this 720 card release.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card (#1)
Undoubtedly the crown jewel of the 1990 Donruss set is the Frank Thomas rookie card. Widely considered one of the top rookie cards of all-time, the “Big Hurt’s” debut is iconic for collectors of any era. Thomas would go on to have a Hall of Fame career hitting 521 home runs and capturing two American League MVP awards. His rookie card has consistently been one of the most expensive modern baseball cards on the market. In pristine mint condition, examples have sold for over $100,000 in recent years. Even well-centered near mint copies can fetch $5,000-$10,000. The card’s rarity, Thomas’ career accomplishments, and its iconic design make this one of the true blue chip cards from the junk wax era.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (#91)
While it may not be Griffey’s most famous rookie from either Donruss or Upper Deck, his 1990 Donruss issue is still an extremely valuable card to collectors today. Often considered the second best player of his generation after Barry Bonds, “Junior” was a once-in-a-lifetime talent and his cards are highly sought after by fans both young and old. High grade copies of his 1990 Donruss rookie in the PSA 9-10 range can sell for $3,000-$5,000. Even well-centered near mint copies typically sell for $1,000 or more. The card captured Griffey at the beginning of his Hall of Fame career and strong on-card images make it a display piece for any collection.
Roberto Alomar Rookie Card (#268)
Alomar made an immediate impact winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1990 and went on to have a career that landed him in the Hall of Fame. His rookie card from Donruss is one of the more valuable commons from the set, routinely selling for $150-$300 in PSA 8-9 condition. Like Griffey and Thomas, the card features a sharp image of Alomar that collectors appreciate to this day. He was one of the premier second basemen of his era and his star power has kept interest high in his rookie card decades after its initial release.
Jeff Bagwell Rookie Card (#363)
Bagwell is another Hall of Famer who debuted in 1990 Donruss and his rookie card is one that has gained quite a bit of value over the years. While not quite in the same class as Thomas or Griffey, PSA 9+ examples can still fetch $500-$1,000 due to Bagwell’s excellent career stats and Houston Astros fan base interest. He was a four-time All-Star and 1991 NL MVP who hit 449 home runs over 15 seasons. The card captured the beginning of what became one of the top careers for a first baseman during the 1990s/2000s.
Derek Jeter Rookie Card (#674)
One of the biggest surprises from the 1990 Donruss set was the inclusion of future Yankees captain and five-time World Series champion Derek Jeter. His iconic career has made this one of the most sought after rookie cards for New York fans and collectors alike. High grade PSA 9s can sell for $2,000-$3,000 while PSA 10 gems have reached over $10,000 at auction. Even well-centered raw near mint copies in the $500 range are very desirable pickups for any Jeter collection. The card features an excellent image of the young shortstop starting his path toward Cooperstown.
Other Notable Rookies
While the cards above stand out as the true blue-chip rookies, there are several other notable first-year players included in the 1990 Donruss set that can hold value depending on grade and condition. Names like Mo Vaughn (#214), Juan Gonzalez (#235), and Todd Helton (#699) routinely sell for $50-$150 in PSA 8-9. Starting pitchers Tom Glavine (#256) and Greg Maddux (#521) also remain popular choices for Braves and baseball fans. For the true junk wax era collector, ungraded commons and stars like Barry Bonds (#47), Cal Ripken Jr (#99), and Nolan Ryan (#640) can usually be acquired quite reasonably in played condition.
Design and Printing
The 1990 Donruss design featured colorful team logo fronts with black and white player photos on the backs. Stats were included along the bottom border. The set used the standard Donruss design template from the late 80s/early 90s. An estimated 1.8 billion+ cards were printed, making it one of the biggest releases during the infamous “junk wax” era. While production numbers remain high, strong rookie class content and iconic players have kept interest and values elevated for many of the key cards over the past 30 years.
While overprinted like many sets from this time, the 1990 Donruss release remains a highly collectible and valuable vintage release due to Hall of Fame rookie cards of Thomas, Griffey, Alomar, Bagwell and Jeter. Strong on-card images and the inclusion of many other notable players also add to the set’s appeal. For collectors, it represents an affordable entry point into some of the most important modern baseball cards and remains a must have for any vintage collection. Graded examples of the top rookies continue their rise in value thanks to the timeless talents they captured at the start of their careers.
