Introduction
The 1990 Score baseball card set was one of the most popular and valuable releases of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Score was known for its sharp photography, player bios on the back of each card, and inclusion of both major and minor leaguers. The 1990 set in particular featured some of the game’s biggest stars and future Hall of Famers. Let’s take an in-depth look at the 1990 Score set and get a sense of what key cards from that year have sold for in recent years.
Background on the 1990 Score Set
Score released packs with 11 cards each in 1990. The base set included 792 cards spanning all 26 major league teams at the time. Some of the top rookies featured were Gregg Jefferies, Frank Thomas, and Derek Bell. The set also included “Traded” cards to account for players who were dealt to new teams mid-season. Score paralleled other major brands of the time like Donruss and Fleer in design but stood out for its photography and write-ups. Factors like centering, corners and edges can significantly impact a card’s grade and value. Top-graded PSA 10 examples of stars from this set have sold for thousands.
Key Rosters and Players
The Oakland A’s dynasty of the late 1980s and early 90s was well-represented, with stars like Jose Canseco, Rickey Henderson, and Dave Stewart featured prominently. The Cincinnati Reds’ “Nasty Boys” bullpen of Norm Charlton, Randy Myers, and Rob Dibble also had cards. The Boston Red Sox featured Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Oil Can Boyd. And the New York Mets had cards for Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, and David Cone. Rookies like Ken Griffey Jr., Juan Gonzalez, and Chuck Knoblauch also had their first Score cards in 1990.
High-End Cards and Recent Sale Prices
Here’s a look at some of the most valuable and desirable individual cards from the 1990 Score set and what top-graded examples have sold for in recent years:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie – PSA 10s have sold for over $4,000. High-grade examples in the $1,000-2,000 range are more common.
Frank Thomas Rookie – Another hugely popular rookie. PSA 10s have topped $3,000 with most graded 9s selling for $500-1,000.
Nolan Ryan – The all-time strikeout king’s 1990 Score card consistently sells for $100-300 in high grades.
Barry Bonds Rookie – Not technically a true rookie card but one of his earliest. PSA 10s have reached $2,000.
Roger Clemens – Consistently a $100-200 card in top condition for one of the era’s best pitchers.
Rickey Henderson – Another consistent $100-200 card. He holds the single-season stolen base record.
Jose Canseco – As one of the leaders of the “Bash Brothers” A’s, PSA 10s have sold for around $500-800.
Dwight Gooden – “Dr. K” was one of the most dominant pitchers of the mid 80s. PSA 10s reach $300-500.
Ozzie Smith – A defensive wizard at shortstop. Near-mint to gem mint examples sell in the $50-150 range.
Cal Ripken Jr. – Even in the midst of his record consecutive games streak, PSA 10s only reach $150-250.
Tips for Building a 1990 Score Collection
The 1990 Score set had such a strong, star-studded roster that it remains a very collectible vintage release over 30 years later. While PSA 10 gems of top stars can be pricey, there are still many affordable graded and ungraded options available. Minor stars and role players can often be found for $5-10 even in high grades. It’s also a set where you can find bargain bins of commons and fill out your player and team collections with patience. Condition is still very important – aim for at least near-mint copies for long-term appreciation. The 1990 Score set endures as one of the iconic releases that defined the junk wax era boom of the late 80s/early 90s.
In Closing
This overview of the 1990 Score baseball card set highlighted some of its biggest stars, rookies, and teams represented. We took a close look at recent sale prices for PSA-graded gem mint examples of the most valuable individual cards to get a sense of where collector demand and pricing has settled years after the set’s original release. While seven-figure cards are still rare outside of true rookie cards of all-time greats, there remain many affordable graded and ungraded options to build a collection around players, teams or specific years that hold personal significance. The 1990 Score set remains a fun and nostalgic reminder of the hobby’s peak popularity during that era.
