The 1990 Donruss baseball card set was the seventh edition of Donruss’s popular baseball card lineup. After experiencing huge growth and popularity in the late 1980s at the height of the baseball card boom, the 1990 Donruss set represented a transition period as the baseball card craze started to cool off. The 1990 Donruss cards still featured some of the biggest names and rising stars in baseball at the time and hold nostalgic value for many collectors today.
The 1990 Donruss set included 792 total cards and had a variety of insert sets and parallels to chase after in addition to the base cards. Some of the notable rookie cards and stars featured included Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Jeff Bagwell, Juan Gonzalez, and Roberto Alomar. The design of the 1990 Donruss cards had a classic, clean look featuring a headshot of the player on the front with their stats and team info on the back. Photo variations were more common than in recent years as well.
While the overall print run for 1990 Donruss cards was high compared to modern standards, demand and collector interest has increased the value of some key cards over the past decade. Here’s a breakdown of some of the top 1990 Donruss rookie cards and stars and their estimated average values in various grades:
Ken Griffey Jr. RC – One of the most iconic and sought-after rookie cards ever. PSA 10s have sold for over $10,000. PSA 8s go for $500-800 while PSA 6s can be found for under $100.
Frank Thomas RC – Another extremely valuable rookie card. PSA 10s have topped $4,000 with PSA 8s around $300-500 and PSA 6s $75-150.
Jeff Bagwell RC – Not as valuable as Griffey or Thomas but still highly regarded. PSA 10s $1,500-2,000, PSA 8s $150-250, PSA 6s $30-50.
Juan Gonzalez RC – Had huge power but questions about PED use cloud his legacy. Still a desirable rookie card. PSA 10s $800-1,200, PSA 8s $100-150, PSA 6s $20-30.
Roberto Alomar – Perennial All-Star and still a fan favorite. PSA 10s $400-600, PSA 8s $75-125, PSA 6s $15-25.
Nolan Ryan – Always in high demand from collectors. PSA 10s $300-450, PSA 8s $50-75, PSA 6s $10-15.
Cal Ripken Jr. – Iconic shortstop, consistent performer. PSA 10s $250-350, PSA 8s $40-60, PSA 6s $8-12.
Wade Boggs – Hitting machine, great stats on back. PSA 10s $150-250, PSA 8s $25-35, PSA 6s $5-8.
In addition to star player cards, there are also several valuable 1990 Donruss insert sets that can significantly increase a card’s worth depending on scarcity and condition. Some of the top inserts include:
All-Star Cards – Color photo insert of ASG players, #/990. PSA 10 Griffey $500.
Diamond Kings – Embossed foil parallel, #/990. PSA 10 Ripken $300.
Glossy Sendbacks – Return postcard inserts, #/990. PSA 10 Thomas $250.
Team Leaders – Color photo leaders in stats, #/990. PSA 10 Boggs $150.
League Leaders – Color photo leaders in stats, #/990. PSA 10 Ryan $100.
Turn Back The Clock – Vintage photo inserts, #/990. PSA 10 Mays $75.
Team Checklists – Color photo team rosters, #/990. PSA 10 Yankees $50.
Diamond Anniversary – 30th anniv. logo patch, #/30. PSA 10 $1,000.
As with any older sports card set, condition and centering issues are very common with 1990 Donruss cards even right out of packs. Getting high grade rookie cards especially of stars like Griffey and Thomas slabbed by PSA or BGS can significantly increase their value. But there are still many affordable graded and ungraded cards from this fun set for collectors on any budget.
While the 1990 Donruss baseball card set doesn’t have quite the same cachet as the iconic rookie year issues of the late 80s, it still contains many desirable cards that have appreciated nicely in value in recent years. Keys like the Griffey, Thomas and Bagwell rookies along with stars of the era continue to entice collectors and investors. For those who enjoyed the baseball card boom of that time, 1990 Donruss cards provide a fun nostalgic connection to the tail end of the hobby’s golden age.
