Donruss was a popular sports card manufacturer in the 1980s and 1990s that produced some memorable error cards over the years. While mistakes can decrease a card’s value for collectors seeking perfection, errors have also become highly sought after items. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most significant Donruss error cards that continue to intrigue collectors.
One of the most famous and valuable Donruss errors is the 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card missing the “Jr.” Griffey was already one of baseball’s brightest young stars and his rookie card was in high demand. A small number of these cards were accidentally printed with his name listed as just “Ken Griffey” instead of “Ken Griffey Jr.” This subtle difference makes the card a true error. In gem mint condition, a 1989 Ken Griffey missing “Jr.” can sell for over $20,000, whereas the standard rookie fetches around $2,000.
Another notable rookie year error involves Mark McGwire’s 1986 Donruss card. On most versions, McGwire’s first name is spelled correctly as “Mark.” But a small printing omitted the “k,” listing his name as “Marc McGwire.” Like the Griffey error, the missing letter transforms an otherwise ordinary issue into a significant collector prize. High grade “Marc McGwire” cards have sold for upwards of $10,000, far more than the typical “Mark McGwire” rookie.
Donruss also made mistakes on team-related aspects of some cards. In 1989, Nolan Ryan’s card was accidentally printed showing him as a member of the Texas Rangers instead of the Houston Astros, where he actually pitched that season. The Rangers logo and team name on his uniform are dead giveaways that this is an error. Graded examples in the $8,000 range have traded hands.
One of the rarest Donruss errors involves Bo Jackson’s 1986 rookie. On most copies, his first name is spelled correctly as “Bo.” But a tiny subset had his first name misspelled as “Bd.” The missing “o” is subtle but obvious. In pristine condition, a “Bd” Jackson rookie can sell for over $50,000 – an immense return on investment considering most ’86 Jackson rookies trade for $300-500.
In addition to name and team mistakes, some error cards had miscut dimensions. In 1989, Ken Phelps’ card was accidentally cut vertically off-center during the manufacturing process. His image extends dramatically past the standard card borders on the right side. Phelps was never a superstar, yet high grade examples of his miscut error have sold for $1,500 or more.
Some errors were even more bizarre. In 1991, Donruss printed a small number of Nolan Ryan cards that had another player’s photo mistakenly inserted – in this case, it was Jimmy Key who was pictured instead of Ryan. The mix-up of photos makes for a truly head-scratching error. Just a handful are known to exist today.
While rarer mistakes have higher price tags, even more common errors from the late ’80s and early ’90s Donruss sets can hold value. A misspelling of a fairly prominent player’s name may be worth $100-300, depending on condition. Subtle uniform or team blunders that would go unnoticed to the untrained eye can appeal to error collectors on a $50-100 level. And of course, the more obscure the mistake, the fewer were likely produced, increasing its potential worth.
For savvy sports card investors, scouring old Donruss collections for overlooked errors can yield profitable finds. The brand manufactured cards for several sports in the 1980s and 1990s before losing its license, so there are many sets still out there waiting to be rediscovered. Any name, stat, photo or production mistake from the period qualifies as an error. With the right one, a collector could uncover a four or five figure gem that others may have missed. Even more common errors offer a nice return over bulk common cards. By understanding the most notable Donruss mistakes and learning what to look for, collectors and investors can gain an edge in the error card market.
While perfect cards may have broader appeal to all collectors, Donruss errors from the late 20th century have achieved iconic status among sports memorabilia investors. Stories behind errors like the Griffey Jr., McGwire and Bo Jackson misprints give these cards part of their allure, in addition to their sheer statistical rarity. Although fickle, the error card market allows overlooked production anomalies to far outpace their regular issued counterparts. By recognizing the most significant Donruss mistakes and their current valuations, collectors can hunt errors with an eye toward long term appreciation.
