Bo Jackson was one of the most electrifying and unique professional athletes of all time. Not only did he star in both the NFL and MLB, but he achieved great success in both sports despite only playing a few seasons in each due to injuries. Jackson’s short but incredible baseball career has made some of his baseball cards among the most valuable in the hobby. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of Bo Jackson’s rarest and most expensive baseball cards.
1986 Donruss #138 RC Bo Jackson (Rookie Card)
Considered the true Bo Jackson rookie card, the 1986 Donruss #138 is arguably the most iconic and sought after of all his baseball cards. This was the first mass produced card issued of Jackson as a professional baseball player during his rookie season with the Kansas City Royals in 1986. Graded mint condition PSA 10 examples of this card have sold for over $100,000, making it one of the highest valued modern baseball cards. Even well-centered near mint copies in the PSA 8-9 range can fetch $5,000-$10,000. The rarity and history behind this card as Jackson’s true rookie make it the pinnacle card for any Bo Jackson collection.
1987 Topps Traded #44T Bo Jackson
While not technically a true rookie card since it was issued after his debut season in 1986, the 1987 Topps Traded Bo Jackson is still considered a key card in his collection. This was the first Topps card released of Jackson after he played his first full MLB season in 1987. PSA 10 copies have sold for $30,000+, showing the high demand for pristine examples of this popular traded issue card. Even lower graded copies still maintain strong value in the $1,000-$3,000 range depending on condition. The Traded set was hugely popular during the late 1980s boom, making this a must-have for any serious Bo Jackson collector.
1989 Bowman #1 Bo Jackson
The 1989 Bowman set is highly coveted by collectors due to its beautiful photo and design style from the late 1980s. Naturally, the flagship #1 card of Bo Jackson is a true gem in the set. PSA 10 copies have sold for well over $10,000 before due to the perfect combination of rarity, condition, and subject matter. Even lower graded versions still hold value, with PSA 8s fetching $2,000-$4,000. This was one of Jackson’s best and most popular baseball seasons in 1989 before injuries derailed his career. As a result, the 1989 Bowman card captures Bo at the absolute peak of his baseball powers.
1990 Score #132 Bo Jackson Action All-Star
One of the coolest and most visually striking Bo Jackson cards ever made was the 1990 Score Action All-Star insert set. The cards featured amazing action photography combined with a die-cut action scene along the bottom edge of the card. The #132 Bo Jackson card perfectly encapsulates his raw athleticism and power. Pristine PSA 10 examples have sold for $5,000-$8,000, showing the strong demand for high graded versions of this unique insert card design from Score. Even well-centered PSA 8-9 copies still sell for $1,000-$2,000. This card is a true work of art that perfectly captures Bo’s abilities.
1991 Upper Deck #1 Bo Jackson
The rookie year for Upper Deck cards in 1991 is a legendary set in the hobby. Not surprisingly, the #1 flagship card of Bo Jackson is an absolute gem. Graded PSA 10 copies have sold for astronomical prices nearing $20,000 before due to the perfect combination of subject, set, and condition. Even well-centered PSA 8s can still fetch $3,000-$5,000. This was the absolute peak of the early 1990s baseball card boom. As a result, pristine examples of the 1991 UD #1 Bo Jackson are white whales for serious vintage collectors.
In conclusion, Bo Jackson’s short but spectacular baseball career produced some of the most iconic and valuable modern baseball cards ever made. While injury issues prevented him from achieving his full potential on the diamond, his legacy lives on through sought after cards like his 1986 Donruss rookie, 1987 Topps Traded, 1989 Bowman, 1990 Score Action All-Star, and 1991 Upper Deck flagship. Any true Bo Jackson collection requires examples of these key cards, with the rarest PSA 10 editions selling for record prices befitting one of the greatest athletic talents in sports history.
