The 1991 Donruss baseball set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable releases from the junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While sets from this time period produced cards in enormous numbers, flooding the market and depressing values for many years, some key rookie cards and star players from the ’91 Donruss set have stood the test of time to become highly coveted by collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the best and most valuable cards collectors search for from this vintage release.
Perhaps the most well-known and sought-after card from the 1991 Donruss set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best pure hitters of his generation, Griffey was already showing superstar potential in his first few major league seasons with the Seattle Mariners in the late 80s/early 90s. His smooth left-handed swing and elite defense in center field made him a fan favorite. The Griffey rookie is one of the most iconic baseball cards ever made due to his smiling face on the front and the classic Donruss design. While produced in huge numbers like most cards from this era, strong demand has kept Griffey rookie prices high relative to other ’91 Donruss cards. Even well-worn, low-grade examples can fetch hundreds of dollars today. Near-mint to mint copies often sell for thousands.
Another highly coveted rookie card from the 1991 Donruss set is pitcher Tom Glavine. A left-handed hurler, Glavine went on to have a Hall of Fame career mostly with the Atlanta Braves, winning 305 games and two Cy Young Awards over 22 seasons in the majors. He was already showing promise in his first few years with the Braves in the early 90s. The Glavine rookie is quite scarce in high grades like most cards from this era. But it remains a key piece for Braves and baseball card investors due to Glavine’s stellar career stats and accomplishments. Even well-worn copies can sell for $100 or more.
In addition to rookie stars, the 1991 Donruss set featured several talented veterans and active players who were among the game’s biggest names at the time. One of those is the Nolan Ryan card. Arguably the hardest thrower in baseball history, Ryan was still in his late 30s but still tossing heat for the Texas Rangers in 1991. That season he struck out 210 batters and notched his record-setting seventh no-hitter. The Ryan card remains a highly collectible and valuable piece for any baseball card collection, often selling for well over $100 even in worn condition.
Another standout veteran featured is the Ryne Sandberg card. A perennial All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman for the Chicago Cubs, Sandberg was enjoying one of his finest seasons in 1991. He would go on to win the NL MVP award that year. The Sandberg card is an iconic piece of Cubs history that remains very popular with collectors today. Even well-played copies can sell in the $50-100 range. Higher graded mint versions often command $200 or more.
Two other star players whose ’91 Donruss cards hold value are Kirby Puckett and Cal Ripken Jr. Puckett was already a six-time All-Star and three-time batting champ for the Minnesota Twins by 1991. His smooth lefty swing made him a fan favorite. The Ripken card captures “Iron Man” near the beginning of his record streak of 2,632 consecutive games played with the Baltimore Orioles, a record he still holds today. Both players’ cards often sell in the $50-100 range across all grades due to their sustained career success and popularity.
For investors and collectors seeking condition-graded gems from the 1991 Donruss set to hold long-term, there are also several excellent options. The Griffey and Glavine rookies as well as cards featuring stars like Ryan, Sandberg, Puckett and Ripken are always in strong demand when received high grades from services like PSA or BGS. Even decades after production, pristine near-mint to mint examples can realize four-figure prices or more at auction.
While 1991 Donruss baseball cards were mass-produced like many other releases from the junk wax era, strong enduring demand has kept the prices of some key rookies and star veterans from this set elevated relative to others from that time period. Rookies of future Hall of Famers like Ken Griffey Jr. and Tom Glavine remain the most coveted. But cards featuring all-time greats like Nolan Ryan, Ryne Sandberg, Kirby Puckett and Cal Ripken Jr. also retain solid collector interest and value decades later. For investors, condition-graded high-end copies of cards from these talented players represent some of the safest long-term holdings from the 1991 Donruss baseball release.
