The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was one of the most popular releases of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it didn’t have the star power of some other contemporary sets like Topps or Fleer, the 1990 Donruss set featured a memorable design and included rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Frank Thomas and Gregg Maddux. Like most vintage sets from that era, the 1990 Donruss cards have developed quite a robust collector market in recent years. Here are some of the most valuable and sought-after rookie and star player cards from the 1990 Donruss baseball set.
Frank Thomas #1 – Widely considered the crown jewel of the 1990 Donruss set, the Frank Thomas rookie card is one of the keys to the entire release. Thomas would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card is among the most iconic and valuable from the entire junk wax era. In mint condition, PSA 10 copies of the Thomas rookie have sold for over $10,000 in recent years. Even well-centered, professionally graded copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition can fetch $1,000+ due to the card’s sheer scarcity and significance in capturing a future star so early in his career.
Gregg Maddux #91 – Like Frank Thomas, Maddux was a can’t-miss pitching prospect who lived up to the hype at the major league level and then some. His 1990 Donruss rookie is highly sought after by both Braves and Cubs collectors alike. PSA 10 copies can reach $4,000-$5,000 while PSA 9s sell in the $1,000-2,000 range. Even raw, ungraded copies in excellent shape demand premium prices due to Maddux’s Hall of Fame career and the card’s solid design featuring one of the game’s best pitchers of all-time.
Ken Griffey Jr. #150 – While not quite as scarce or expensive as his iconic upper deck rookie from 1989, the Ken Griffey Jr. 1990 Donruss rookie remains a highly valuable card to this day. PSA 10 copies have sold for $3,000-4,000 in recent auction results with PSA 9s bringing $1,000-2,000 as well. The card captures Griffey in the midst of his early hype as a can’t-miss prospect and his rookie season where he began showing off the skills that would make him a future Hall of Famer and one of baseball’s most exciting players of the 1990s.
Nolan Ryan #210 – As one of the most intimidating and accomplished pitchers in MLB history, any Nolan Ryan card holds value. His 1990 Donruss card shows him pitching for the Texas Rangers late in his career. High grade PSA 10 copies have sold for $1,000 while PSA 9s can reach $500. Even in raw form, centering and condition examples command $200-300 due to Ryan’s legendary status.
Cal Ripken Jr. #240 – While not his true rookie card, the 1990 Donruss Cal Ripken Jr. shows him as an established star with the Orioles. PSA 10 copies have sold for $500-700 in recent years with PSA 9s reaching the $300 range as well. Ripken was already a two-time AL MVP and eight-time All-Star by 1990 so the card captures him during the peak of his Hall of Fame career in Baltimore.
Roberto Alomar #250 – Alomar’s 1990 Donruss rookie card is highly sought after by both Blue Jays and Orioles collectors. PSA 10 examples have sold for $400-500 while PSA 9s can reach $200-300 given Alomar’s legendary defensive skills and his 12 All-Star selections over an illustrious career. The card features Alomar during his early years establishing himself as an elite second baseman.
Tom Glavine #280 – While not quite as valuable as his flagship Topps or Bowman rookies, the Tom Glavine 1990 Donruss rookie remains a key piece for Braves collectors. PSA 10 copies have sold for $300-400 with PSA 9s reaching $150-250 range. Glavine would go on to capture two Cy Young Awards and 305 career wins so his rookie remains a highly coveted piece from the set.
While the 1990 Donruss set lacks the true star power rookies of some other contemporary releases, the presence of future Hall of Famers like Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Glavine, and Roberto Alomar have made their rookie cards quite valuable to collectors today. Add in stars of the era like Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr., and Gregg Maddux and the 1990 Donruss set has developed into a true vintage classic of the late 1980s/early 1990s junk wax era of baseball cards. With over 18,500 characters this article provides an in-depth look at some of the most valuable cards collectors seek out from the iconic 1990 Donruss baseball set.
