The 1990 Donruss baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the “junk wax” era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While most cards from sets released during this time period are not worth much today, there are a few standout rookie cards and stars from the 1990 Donruss set that can sell for significant money.
One of the most well-known and valuable cards from the 1990 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was one of the most hyped rookie prospects ever and went on to have a legendary Hall of Fame career. His iconic swinging pose made his 1990 Donruss rookie one of the most sought after cards ever released. In near mint to mint condition, Griffey’s rookie routinely sells for thousands of dollars. A PSA 10 gem mint Griffey rookie has sold for over $25,000 at auction. Even lower graded copies in EX-MT condition can bring $500-$1,000. Griffey’s rookie is arguably the most iconic card from the 1990s and one of the best baseball cards of all time in terms of design, player, and long term value.
Another extremely valuable rookie card from the 1990 Donruss set belongs to one of the other all-time greats, Frank Thomas. Like Griffey, Thomas enjoyed a sensational career and put up Hall of Fame worthy stats. Though he wasn’t as hyped a prospect as Griffey, Thomas’ rookie has seen its value skyrocket in recent years. A PSA 10 mint Frank Thomas rookie now sells for $5,000-$7,000. Even a PSA 8 copy can bring over $500. Any Thomas rookie in gem mint to near mint condition graded by PSA or BGS is worth significant money. This card is a must have for White Sox and Frank Thomas fans and investors.
Two other highly valuable rookie cards from the 1990 Donruss set belong to Bobby Witt and Mark McGwire. Witt was a hugely hyped pitching prospect who had a solid MLB career. His rookie carries a BV around $150-$300 in PSA 8-10 condition. While not in Griffey/Thomas territory, the Witt rookie is still sought after. Meanwhile, Mark McGwire’s early career rainbow foil card holds great nostalgia and value due to his iconic home run chasing seasons later in the 1990s. A PSA 10 McGwire foil sells for $2,000+. Even a PSA 8 commands $150-200.
Moving beyond the rookies, cards of superstar players Barry Bonds and Nolan Ryan are also highly valuable from the 1990 Donruss set. Barry Bonds was already establishing himself as the game’s premier power hitter by 1990. His cards from this set routinely sell for $50+ even in low grades due to his popularity and massive career stats accumulated later on. The added rarity of Bonds’ short print variations take his card values even higher. Meanwhile, legendary hurler Nolan Ryan’s 1989 stats and career place his 1990 Donruss card amongst the most coveted in the set. A PSA/BGS gem mint Ryan can fetch over $150.
Star cards of Kirby Puckett, Wade Boggs, Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens, and Ozzie Smith are in high demand from collectors due to their accolades and performances during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Graded examples of these future Hall of Famers in excellent condition can sell for $25-$100 depending on the player and grade. The unique action shot designs on1990 Donruss cards also add to the nostalgia and demand for stars of this era.
Rookies like Sandy Alomar Jr., Moises Alou, and Chuck Knoblauch also hold value potential despite not being true superstars. Any PSA/BGS 10 for these players would sell for $50-150. Prospect hotties like Pat Listach and Erik Hanson also appeal to team collectors. But the true stars and big name rookies like Griffey, Thomas, Bonds, and McGwire make the 1990 Donruss set truly stand out amongst the junk wax era. Even in low end grades, their cards retain value based on proven performance and nostalgia decades later.
For team and subset collectors, there are also valuable niche cards to be found. The coveted Sox/Jays Team Now subset pairs short prints of future Red Sox and Blue Jays stars like Nomar Garciaparra and Carlos Delgado. High grade examples command $50-150. Milwaukee Brewers fans love the Team Now cards of future MVPs Cal Ripken Jr. and Robin Yount in Brewer uniforms. Complete league leader and award winner subsets can sell for over $100 as well.
When acquiring cards from the 1990 Donruss set, condition is king. The paper stock quality was quite poor during the junk wax era so finding high grade gems is difficult. Collectors are often better off investing in PSA/BGS slabbed examples versus raw cards. Top grades bring a substantial premium. With the renewed nostalgia from the 1990s, the iconic designs, and proven young stars who went on to great careers like Griffey and Bonds, certain 1990 Donruss cards remain standouts with solid long term value and demand. Overall it was one of the most impactful and historically important card sets despite being released during the industry’s downturn in the early 1990s.
