The 1991 and 1992 Upper Deck baseball card sets were groundbreaking issues that changed the hobby forever. Produced by the then fledgling Upper Deck company, these sets featured sharp photography, quality card stock, and innovative security features that made them stand out from Topps and Donruss offerings of the time. Due to their superior product and business model, 1991 Upper Deck became the best selling baseball card set of all-time.

While the glut of production from the early 1990s damaged the long-term value of the era’s cards overall, 1991 and 1992 Upper Decks still hold significance for collectors and have retained respectable values for their most desirable stars. Understanding the rarity and demand for different players from these classic sets can help you determine which cards are worth holding onto and potentially increasing in worth over time.

Let’s take a look at some of the top stars and their card values from the ’91 and ’92 Upper Deck sets to get an idea of what certain examples may be worth today if graded and preserved in high condition:

Ken Griffey Jr.: As one of the most iconic players and set cover athletes of the early ’90s Upper Deck era, Griffey Jr. rookie and base cards from 1991 are highly sought after by collectors. PSA 10 examples of his rookie card routinely sell for $1,000-2,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies can fetch $500-800. His ’92 base card holds value as well, with PSA 10s selling in the $150-300 range.

Barry Bonds: Bonds was already establishing himself as one of the game’s best players by 1991. His rookie card from that year remains quite valuable in top grades, with PSA 10 copies selling between $400-800. PSA 9 examples typically sell for $200-400. His ’92 base card isn’t as valuable but still holds value at $50-100 in PSA 10.

Cal Ripken Jr.: As arguably the biggest star of the early ’90s, Ripken’s cards hold steady value. His ’91 Upper Deck rookie card has sold for as much as $500 in PSA 10 condition, with PSA 9s around $200-300. His ’92 base card in a PSA 10 has sold for $100-200.

Derek Jeter: Jeter’s highly coveted rookie card came in the 1992 Upper Deck set. PSA 10 examples have sold for as much as $2,000, with most bringing between $1,000-1,500. Even PSA 9 Jeter rookies can sell for $500-800. This remains one of the most iconic and valuable modern rookie cards.

Chipper Jones: Jones’ stellar career and likable persona have made his 1991 Upper Deck rookie card a steady riser. PSA 10 examples now sell in the $400-600 range, with PSA 9s bringing $200-300. His ’92 base card holds less value but is still sought after.

Tom Glavine: The Hall of Fame lefty’s rookie card from the ’91 set holds value due to his accomplishments. PSA 10 copies have sold for $150-250, with most PSA 9s bringing $75-150. His ’92 base card is worth $20-40 graded PSA 10.

Other notable stars from the era like Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux, and Tony Gwynn have cards from these sets that can be worth grading and holding long-term if they receive high marks. Unless a card receives a PSA or BGS grade of 9 or 10, the value usually isn’t significant enough to justify the cost of slabbing.

For most common players, even mint condition base cards are only worth a few dollars. But there are exceptions, as error cards, photo variations, serial number parallels and other scarce variations can increase values dramatically depending on the specific card. For example, a serial numbered parallel of Chipper Jones’ rookie in a high grade could be worth hundreds due to its scarcity.

When considering 1991 or 1992 Upper Deck values, it’s also important to factor in the high-grade population reports from services like PSA. Sets from the early ’90s boom era were massively overproduced, so finding examples in pristine condition has become difficult over time. Population data helps determine true rarity. A card with a PSA 10 pop of only 50 copies, for example, would be significantly more valuable than a common parallel with a PSA 10 pop of 500.

While 1991 and 1992 Upper Deck baseball cards may not retain the same lofty values as their counterparts from the late 1980s, the classic rookie cards of stars like Griffey Jr., Bonds, Ripken, Jeter and others as well as select serial numbered and error cards can still hold long-term collecting and potential investment appeal – especially when preserved in top grades. For today’s savvy collector, discerning which specific examples from these groundbreaking sets possess the best combination of player performance, rarity and demand can uncover hidden gems still worth adding to your collection.