The 1990 Score brand baseball cards were highly anticipated upon their release due to Score’s prominent photography and creative card designs. While most packs and boxes of 1990 Score contain fairly common cards valued around $1-5 each today, there are some extremely rare and valuable gems that have stood the test of time as hugely expensive investments. Let’s take a look at some of the priciest 1990 Score baseball cards that collectors seek to this day.
The all-time most valuable 1990 Score card belongs to none other than Ken Griffey Jr. Sporting his trademarkbackwards hat and devastating left-handed swing on the front, Griffey’s rookie card was exceptionally scarce in its original printing. Only 10 copies of Griffey’s rookie were given the coveted “black label” stamp of approval by Beckett grading authorities for being in pristine mint condition. One of these rare Griffey rookies in a Beckett Black Label Gem Mint 10 grade was recently sold for an astounding $426,160, setting a new record as the most expensive Score card ever.
Another incredibly significant 1990 Score rookie is that of Frank Thomas, known as the “Big Hurt” during his remarkable Hall of Fame career. Much like Griffey, Thomas’ rookie card saw an extremely limited original print run. Fewer than 20 PSA/Beckett Gem Mint 10 graded examples are believed to exist today. A flawless Thomas rookie in this elite condition was sold in early 2020 for a jaw-dropping $250,000, a true milestone price for any 1990 Score item.
Roberto Alomar’s 1990 Score rookie card also experienced a major influx in value over recent years after Alomar’s induction into Cooperstown in 2011. Though not quite as scarce as the Griffey and Thomas rookies, Alomar’s slick photography and clean design remains iconic. A PSA/Beckett 10 graded Alomar rookie reached $40,000 at auction in late 2018, highlighting this card’s blue chip status among collectors.
Not every ultra-valuable 1990 Score card revolves around an all-time great rookie, however. The card of journeyman outfielder Eric Yelding has gained widespread notoriety in the hobby for its unbelievable rarity and mystique. Yelding appeared in just 159 career MLB games yet his 1990 Score issue features one of the set’s most aesthetically intriguing photos. Only a small handful are believed to exist, with one flawless example changing hands privately for a jaw-dropping $125,000 back in 2010.
Similarly scarce cards from 1990 Score include those of pitcher Jimmy Key and outfielder Darren Daulton, both of whom experienced significant appreciation over the past decade. Key’s off-centered action shot was pulled at an extremely low rate from packs while Daulton’s unique posing attracted attention. PSA/SGC 10 graded versions of these two cards have reached $35,000-$45,000 in recent auction results, making them priority items for serious vintage collectors.
Beyond specific rookie and rare player cards, highly coveted parallel and autographed 1990 Score issues can also achieve enormous prices. An extremely limited green parallel variation of Ken Griffey Jr’s awe-inspiring rookie recently sold for $55,000 after being certified authentic and in top condition. Autographed rookie cards from stars like Frank Thomas, Larry Walker and Moises Alou with a verified authentic John Hancock could sell in the $25,000-$40,000 range as well based on recent auctions.
Condition is undoubtedly king when valuing modern vintage cards from the 1980s and ’90s like 1990 Score. Even greater care was taken with these cards compared to earlier decades due to the blossoming speculator boom. As such, having older cardboard slabs in the ultra-elite 9.5 and Pristine 10 designations from SGC or BGS is a must to achieve maximum dollar amounts from serious investors. Even well-centered examples in lower grades retain interest and can sell in the thousands depending on the player and parallels involved.
The 1990 Score brand set the standard for baseball card photography, design and collectibility over 30 years ago. While a forgotten common card may only be worth under $5 today, the true keys from this iconic release like rookie gems of Griffey, Thomas and Alomar continuously prove their value at auction in the five and six figure range. With conditions being paramount, the sky remains the limit for what pristine examples may sell for down the road as vintage interest keeps growing exponentially. The 1990 Score set endures as a veritable gold mine for astute collectors.
