Baseball cards from the 1990s can contain hidden gems that are worth a significant amount of money today. The 1990s saw huge growth in the baseball card industry as collectors became obsessed with chasing rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, and Derek Jeter. While it’s unlikely the average 1990s baseball card holds much value, here are some of the top cards from the decade that could earn you a nice profit if found in your collection today.
1993 SP Derek Jeter Rookie Card – Widely considered one of the most valuable modern-era rookie cards, Jeter’s 1993 SP rookie is the crown jewel of 1990s cards. In PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, this iconic card regularly sells for $200,000 or more. Even well-centered raw copies can fetch $5,000+. Jeter went on to have a Hall of Fame career with the Yankees and his rookie is one of the most sought-after cards on the market.
1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card – Griffey was already a star as a teenage rookie and his 1991 Upper Deck issue is one of the most iconic rookie cards ever printed. High-grade PSA 10 copies have sold for over $100,000, with most graded examples bringing $3,000-$10,000 depending on condition. Even raw copies in excellent shape can sell for $1,000 or more due to Griffey’s popularity and status as a true rookie card superstar.
1992 Bowman Chipper Jones Rookie Card – As a high draft pick out of high school, Chipper Jones’ rookie arrived in 1992 Bowman and it remains one of the most valuable cards from the set. PSA 10 examples have sold for $50,000, with most graded 9s bringing $5,000-$10,000. Well-centered raw copies can still net $1,000+ due to Jones’ Hall of Fame career spent entirely with the Atlanta Braves.
1994 SP Alex Rodriguez Rookie Card – A-Rod arrived on the scene as a can’t-miss prospect and his 1994 SP rookie is one of the most iconic cards from the mid-1990s. High-grade PSA 10 copies have sold for over $20,000, with most 9s bringing $3,000-$5,000. Even raw near-mint copies can sell for $500-$1,000 due to Rodriguez’s huge career numbers and status as a true superstar.
1995 Pinnacle Refractors – The first-ever refractors were inserted randomly in 1995 Pinnacle packs and included stars like Griffey, Frank Thomas, and Sammy Sosa. High-grade PSA 10 examples of star players have sold for $5,000-$10,000 each. Even raw copies in excellent shape can sell for $500-$1,000 due to their historic significance as the first refractors produced.
1996 Ultra Ken Griffey Jr. – Considered one of Griffey’s best and most iconic cards, the 1996 Ultra captured “The Kid” in Mariners uniform. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $5,000, with most 9s bringing $1,000-$2,000. Well-centered raw copies can still fetch $300-$500 due to Griffey’s popularity and the high-quality photography on this issue.
1997 Metal Universe Mike Piazza – Piazza was already an MVP caliber catcher by 1997 and his Metal Universe parallel captured him on the trading block before his blockbuster deal to the Mets. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $3,000, with most 9s bringing $500-$1,000. Even raw copies in excellent condition can sell for $100-$200 due to Piazza’s star power.
1998 Bowman’s Best Chipper Jones – As one of his final mainstream rookie cards, Jones’ gorgeous 1998 Bowman’s Best issue features sharp photography and a die-cut design. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $2,000, with most 9s bringing $500-$1,000. Well-centered raw copies can still fetch $100-$200 due to Jones’ Hall of Fame career.
1999 Upper Deck Derek Jeter – Capturing Jeter on the verge of superstardom, his 1999 Upper Deck issue remains one of his most iconic modern issues. PSA 10 examples have sold for over $1,000, with most 9s bringing $300-$500. Even raw near-mint copies can sell for $50-$100 due to Jeter’s popularity and status as a true baseball icon.
While it’s unlikely your run-of-the-mill 1990s baseball cards will be worth much, it’s always worth taking a closer look through your old collection. Even heavily played copies of the above rookie cards and parallels could have value in the $25-$100 range depending on condition and player. The 1990s saw huge growth in the hobby and produced many of the game’s modern stars, so you never know what hidden treasures could be waiting in your childhood collection from the decade. Taking the time to sort and assess what you have from the 1990s is highly recommended.
