The 1990 Score baseball card set was one of the most popular and desirable sets of the late 1980s and early 90s. The sleek design features player photos against colorful card borders with team logos prominently displayed at the top. The set size was 660 cards and included major stars, prospects, and veteran players from that era of baseball. Several factors have contributed to certain 1990 Score cards rising above the rest in value over the decades. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 1990 Score baseball cards today:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (#131) – Widely considered one of if not the most iconic rookie card of all-time, Griffey’s 1990 Score RC is the crown jewel of the set. Even with high pop reports numbering in the tens of thousands, this card still commands big money in top grades. A PSA 10 gem mint Griffey Jr. rookie can sell for well over $10,000. In a BGS/SGC 9.5 black label or PSA 9 condition, values are still easily $2,000-5,000 range. For such an attractive, well-centered card that was pulled from packs so frequently, it’s amazing any remain in pristine mint condition after 30+ years. But demand has never waned for Jr.’s rookie due to his electrifying talent and being a fan favorite during his peak years.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card (#486) – One of the most accomplished power hitters of the 1990s, Thomas posted Hall of Fame numbers during his storied career. His rookie in the 1990 Score set became highly valuable due to his sustained success at the major league level. In top PSA 10 or BGS/SGC 9.5 grades, “The Big Hurt’s” rookie reaches up to $2,000-3,000. PSA 9 copies are in the $500-1,000 range. Despite a higher print run compared to Griffey, Thomas rookies have held their worth very well long-term for collectors.
Chipper Jones Rookie Card (#373) – As a longtime Atlanta Braves star and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, demand for Chipper Jones’ rookie is very strong three decades later. His smooth lefty swing and ability to dominate both sides of the plate make him a fan favorite. Top graded PSA 10 examples of his 1990 Score RC have sold for over $2,000. SGC/BGS 9.5 black labels usually fall in the $1,000-1,500 range. PSA 9 copies still fetch several hundred dollars. Jones was a franchise cornerstone for the Braves dynasty years, cementing the value of his first major league card.
Roberto Alomar Rookie Card (#221) – A switch-hitting second baseman with impressive power and speed skills, Alomar put together a solid 12-year career. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011. Despite being over 30,000 printed according to the Pop Report, gem mint PSA 10 versions of Alomar’s Score RC are over $1,000. Near-mint+ PSA 9s sell for $300-500. Fans appreciate his outstanding all-around ability during his playing days.
Tom Glavine Rookie Card (#512) – A legendary 300-game winner and two-time Cy Young Award winner, Glavine anchored Atlanta’s rotation for over a decade. His rookie is always in demand from Braves collectors. Pristine PSA 10 specimens top out at $800-1000, while PSA 9s are $200-300. As one of the best left-handed pitchers of the 1990s, Glavine’s No. 1 card holds great significance.
Barry Larkin Rookie Card (#409) – The smooth-fielding shortstop and lifetime Cincinnati Red was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2012. Larkin’s 1990 Score rookie is one that steadily gains value every year. Top graded mint PSA 10s have broken $800, with PSA 9s in the $200-300 range. He was the cornerstone of some very good Reds teams in the early-mid 1990s that makes this a desirable rookie for true NL collectors.
Ken Caminiti Rookie Card (#512) – The 1996 National League MVP’s RC has appreciated nicely over time. In PSA 10 condition, they have reached $600-800 due to his outstanding campaign leading the San Diego Padres. BGS/SGC 9.5 mint copies are $300-500. As one of the scarce higher-end rookie cards from this set, Caminiti’s has grown among collectors.
Jeff Bagwell Rookie Card (#512) – Enjoying over a decade and a half of all-star caliber play at first base in Houston, Bagwell fell just short of the Hall of Fame in recent years. His extremely rare PSA 10 rookie from 1990 now trades hands north of $500. Near-mint PSA 9 versions settle at $150-200 range thanks to Bags’ long, productive career and popularity in his hometown.
Candy Maldonado Rookie Card (#522) – As one of the true short prints from the 1990 Score set, Maldonado’s rookie card carries significant scarcity value. The Dominican catcher played just three years in the bigs. Top graded PSA 10 Maldonado rookies have brought over $600 on the market due to the card’s elusiveness. Even beat PSA 8 copies without centering issues sell for a few hundred dollars. This remains a true key card from the 1990 release.
While the 1990 Score set included over 650 total cards printed over 30 years ago, certain key rookie cards and memorabilia pieces of legendary players continue to retain strong collector demand and financial worth. The Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas rookies reign as the true blue chip RCs, followed closely by the likes of Chipper Jones, Roberto Alomar, and Barry Larkin as elite career performers who first appeared in the 1990 set as fresh-faced prospects. Factors like on-field success, Hall of Fame induction, scarce print runs, and high-grade preservation all contribute to individual 1990 Score cards appreciating far beyond the typical release from that era. This nostalgic set remains an iconic and investment-worthy part of baseball card history.
