The 1990 Topps baseball card set is highly sought after by collectors due to several key rookie cards and Hall of Fame players featured. While not the most valuable set of all time, there are certainly some true gems that continue to increase in value decades after they were first printed. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable 1990 Topps cards that fetch the highest prices on the secondary market.
Ken Griffey Jr. – Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the most exciting young prospects in baseball when he debuted with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. Not surprisingly, his rookie card from the 1990 Topps set is arguably the most coveted card from that year. PSA 10 Gem Mint versions regularly sell for well over $1,000. Even lower graded copies in PSA 8 or BGS 9 condition can fetch $300-500. Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie remains the crown jewel of the 1990 set.
Frank Thomas – Like Griffey, Frank Thomas burst onto the scene in 1990 and had an MVP-caliber rookie season with the Chicago White Sox. His dominant play established him as the premier power hitter of the 1990s. Thomas’ rookies have appreciated greatly over time. A PSA 10 can bring upwards of $800-1000 while an 8Grade is $150-250. His star power and prolific stats continue to buoy values for this highly popular card.
Roberto Alomar – Arguably the finest all-around second baseman of his era, Roberto Alomar made his Topps debut in 1990 with the San Diego Padres. Alomar won a Gold Glove every year of his career and slugged over .400 multiple times, showing impressive five-tool talents. Graded versions have climbed near the $400-600 range for PSA 9-10s. The smoothness and balance Alomar displayed in his swing translated to cards as well as at-bats.
Gary Sheffield – A multi-time All-Star and one of the game’s premier power hitters, Gary Sheffield broke in as a Milwaukee Brewer in the 1990 season. His Topps RC takes on added significance as it also featured his only baseball card made as a Brewer before quickly becoming an established star with other franchises. Even in lower grades of PSA 7 or BGS 8, Sheffield rookie dollars approach $200 due to his stellar career stats and place among the sport’s all-time sluggers.
Bret Saberhagen – Winning back-to-back Cy Young Awards with the Kansas City Royals established Bret Saberhagen as arguably the top pitcher in baseball during the late 80s. His 1990 Topps update card, sporting his Royals uniforms, reflect the peak of his abilities before injuries limited his later career. Higher grades still steadily sell north of $200 even today given his Cy Young accomplishments with KC. Saberhagen was among the elite hurlers who forged the industry of collecting pitchers’ cards.
Tom Glavine – Though not destined to stardom like Griffey or Thomas, Tom Glavine established himself as a future Hall of Famer beginning with his rookie season split between the Atlanta Braves and AAA Richmond in 1987. Graded examples of his scarce 1990 Topps rookie card can fetch $150-300 dependent on condition. Glavine went on to compile over 300 wins and 2 Cy Young trophies of his own to validate early collectors’ faith in his cardboard value.
Randy Johnson – “The Big Unit” made his baseball card debut in 1990 after 3 years of minor league refining in the Expos system. Considered one of the most overpowering pitchers ever due to his blazing fastball, Johnson rookie cards have steadily appreciated in the $75-150 range for quality samples. His Topps rookie serves as the earliest tangible connection to a career that culminated with over 4,000 strikeouts and 5 Cy Youngs spread across 4 different franchises.
Mark McGwire – In the infancy of his powerful career, Mark McGwire blasted 49 homers for the Oakland Athletics in 1987 and followed with 32 more in 1990. While not his true rookie issue, McGwire fans seek out his early Topps updates. Pricing has remained affordable, between $50-125 for graded copies. McGwire’s record-setting power displays and later admission to PED use created complexity for his memorabilia market, but 1990 remains an attainable link to one of baseball’s preeminent sluggers.
Candy Maldonado – An unlikely star, Candy Maldonado was an unknown prospect in the Minnesota Twins system before hitting .333 in 62 games of his rookie season. His near-complete absence of any other career stats make his 1990 Topps RC incredibly scarce and highly coveted byCompletionists needing this one-year wonder. Even poorly graded Maldonado’s crack five figures when they surface. He epitomizes the element of surprise that enlivened the early days of collecting.
While the 1990 Topps set lacks true Superstar rookies on the level of Griffey or Bonds’ debuts, these elite cards show the sustained demand for early issues of future Hall of Famers, Cy Young winners and even short-lived statistical oddities. Condition remains key, but the combination of compelling rookie talent, career achievement and nostalgia ensure prices will remain hearty for top examples from this beloved vintage release. The quest for cardboard keepsakes from the greatest players of the 1980s and 90s endures.
