The 1990 baseball card season featured some of the most iconic and valuable cards of the late 80s and early 90s era. While the junk wax era was in full swing during this time period, devaluing many common cards, there were still some truly excellent rookie cards and star player cards produced in 1990 that have stood the test of time. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the best 1990 baseball cards to collect.
One of the most well-known and valuable 1990 rookie cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck card. Widely considered one of the best baseball cards of all-time, Griffey’s smooth left-handed swing and effortless athleticism made him an instant fan favorite. The Upper Deck Griffey rookie captured him perfectly in full stride, running toward the outfield fence with his glove out. While produced in huge numbers like most cards of the era, high grades of the Griffey UD rookie still fetch thousands of dollars to this day. Even well-centered near mint copies trade hands for hundreds. It’s truly one of the most iconic rookie cards ever made.
Another hugely valuable 1990 rookie card is the Frank Thomas rookie from Bowman. Like Griffey, Thomas burst onto the scene by winning the 1990 American League Rookie of the Year award. His mammoth home run power was on full display from day one of his career. The Thomas Bowman rookie features a clean photo of him at the plate. Graded gems of this card have sold for over $10,000, showing its longevity as a sought-after rookie despite the production numbers. Even in PSA 8 condition, it’s worth well over $100. It’s one of the few 1990 rookies that truly held its value.
While rookie cards get much of the attention from collectors, star cards of established players from 1990 can also be quite valuable in the right grades. One of the best such cards is the Nolan Ryan Upper Deck card, featuring one of the legendary flamethrower’s signature windups. High grades have sold for thousands due to Ryan’s iconic status. The Ken Griffey Sr. Fleer card is also very collectible, showing a clean shot of the veteran outfielder at the plate. Both of these cards captured iconic players at the peaks of their careers.
Two of the most visually stunning 1990 cards come from Score. The Roberto Alomar rookie card features a fantastic action photo of the second baseman’s smooth fielding motion. Even in lower grades, it remains quite collectible. The other standout Score card is the Frank Thomas “Photo File” card, which uses a unique close-up headshot to frame Thomas’ intense gaze. Both cards are true works of art that stand out from the typical baseball photography of the time.
While the junk wax era flooded the market with many mass-produced commons, there were still some scarce “short prints” produced in 1990 that are quite valuable today. Two such examples are the Ken Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas cards from Fleer. Numbered to only 99 copies each, these short prints can fetch thousands in high grades. The Mark McGwire rookie short print from Score is also a big ticket card. For error card collectors, the famed “Blank Back” Nolan Ryan card from Upper Deck, missing its statistical information, is a true prize.
While sifting through rows of common 1990 cards, don’t overlook the true gems that have held strong long-term value. Rookies of Griffey, Thomas, and McGwire remain must-have cards for any collection, as do select star cards and scarce variations. For the savvy collector, 1990 has plenty to offer beyond the junk wax stigma attached to many cards from that era. With patience and a discerning eye, you can still find high quality copies of these all-time greats at affordable prices to become part of your collection for decades to come.
