Introduction
The 1991 Donruss baseball card set was released at the tail end of the junk wax era during which production of baseball cards exploded, driving down individual card values. Still, the 1991 Donruss set holds nostalgia and value for collectors for capturing a unique time in the sport. This price guide provides details on the most valuable and sought after rookie and star player cards from the 1991 Donruss set to help collectors understand relative values.
Top Rookie Cards
One of the most coveted rookie cards from the 1991 Donruss set is Chipper Jones. As a future Hall of Famer who spent his entire 19-year career with the Atlanta Braves, Chipper Jones rookie cards remain some of the most valuable from the early 1990s. In PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, his 1991 Donruss rookie card in on the higher end, fetching between $500-800. Another top rookie is Jim Thome’s 1991 Donruss card. Thome hit 612 home runs in his career and remains one of the best power hitters of all-time. In a PSA 10, his rookie card sells for $300-500.
Other notable rookies include Scott Rolen ($150-250 PSA 10), Gary Sheffield ($100-200 PSA 10), and Derek Jeter ($75-150 PSA 10). While Jeter was not yet a star in 1991, his career took off shortly after and his rookie card became one of the most iconic and valuable from the 1990s junk wax era. Collectors should also keep an eye out for rookie cards of future stars like Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, and Frank Thomas, though in lesser condition their 1991 Donruss rookies typically sell for $20-75.
Star Player Cards
When it comes to star veterans of the early 1990s, collectors are on the hunt for graded gems of the game’s biggest names. At the top of the list is a PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. card, which in today’s market can reach $1,000-1,500. Griffey was already one of baseball’s brightest young stars in 1991. Another star outfielder, Barry Bonds, has seen rising values in recent years and his 1991 Donruss PSA 10 sells between $400-700.
Pitchers also hold value, with Nolan Ryan’s 1991 Donruss card reaching $300-500 in PSA 10 condition given his status as a future Hall of Famer and single season strikeout king. Tom Glavine, one of the best pitchers of the 1990s, has a PSA 10 valued around $150-250. Other notable star cards include Roberto Alomar ($100-200 PSA 10), Cal Ripken Jr. ($75-150 PSA 10), and Wade Boggs ($50-100 PSA 10). In lower grades, star cards from the set typically sell from $10-50.
Insert Cards
Beyond base rookie and star player cards, collectors seek out special parallel and insert cards found among the 1991 Donruss checklist. One of the premier short prints is the Ted Williams tribute parallel card, limited to only 100 copies. High grades in this parallel routinely sell for $1,000-2,000. Other popular inserts include the Diamond Kings parallel, which features foil stamped portraits. A PSA 10 Griffey Diamond Kings has sold for over $500.
The Glossy Sendbacks parallel is also popular, showing a glossy player photo instead of the standard issue. Notable rookie sendbacks like Jeter, Piazza, and Bagwell can reach $75-150 in top condition. For team collectors, regional parallel cards highlighting specific MLB franchises hold value as well. Any rare or short printed parallel from the 1991 Donruss set in high grade is worth a premium over the base issue.
Grading and Condition
As with any older sports card, the all-important factor is the card’s condition. Even for the most coveted rookie cards or stars, a well-worn, beat up example will have significantly less value. It’s highly recommended collectors have valuable 1991 Donruss cards professionally graded by PSA or BGS to receive an impartial condition assessment. This provides buyers confidence in the grade and protects the value long term. For most key cards in the set, there is a vast difference in prices between a PSA 8 versus a PSA/BGS 10 gem.
Summary
While 1991 Donruss cards don’t carry the same astronomical prices as the true vintage issues, there is still nostalgia and value to be found – especially in the star rookies and parallels. For collectors just starting out, plenty of affordable graded examples exist across the checklist in lower tiers. With patience and a keen eye, valuable gems can also be uncovered in collections and at card shows. Three decades later, the 1991 Donruss set endures as an iconic snapshot of the players and teams that defined baseball in the early 1990s.
