The late 1990s was an interesting time for baseball cards. The hobby was in decline due to overproduction in the early and mid-90s which saw an abundance of cards flood the market. Sets were much smaller than in the heyday of the late 80s. Many future Hall of Famers were just entering their primes and some incredible rookie cards from this era have stood the test of time in terms of value. While 1990s cards overall don’t carry the cachet of those from the 1980s golden age, there are certainly some that can still hold substantial monetary worth, especially if in pristine condition. Here are some of the top late 90s baseball cards that are worth notable money today:
1998 Bowman’s Best Refractor Ken Griffey Jr. (#B-JR): Widely considered the holy grail of 1990s baseball cards, Griffey’s refractive rookie from Bowman’s Best is arguably the most coveted and valuable card of the decade. High-grade examples in the pristine MT-8 or PSA 10 condition have sold for over $20,000. Even well-centered copies in the excellent MT-7 or PSA 9 range can bring $4,000-$8,000. Griffey was already a superstar by 1998 but this incredible optic card depicting him at the height of his powers has only increased in prestige over time.
1999 Bowman Chrome Vladimir Guerrero (#175): Vladdy’s explosive rookie campaign helped put Montreal back on the map and this variation of his base rookie is the true cult favorite from the set. Short printed refractors in mint condition have changed hands for $12,000-15,000 in recent years. Even non-refractory examples still command $1,000-$3,000 depending on centering quality if graded at the top PSA/BGS level. Guerrero was one of the most exciting young stars of the late 90s and his cards retain huge desirability.
1998 Bowman’s Best Chipper Jones RC (#B-JR): While not quite at Griffey heights, Jones was a true franchise player for the Braves dynasty and his Bowman’s Best rookie remains highly sought after by Atlanta collectors. Flawless PSA 10 copies have brought $4,000-6,000 at auction due to the player’s Hall of Fame caliber career and status as a beloved hometown hero. Like Griffey, this is one of the premier cards from an iconic 90s set.
1997 Bowman’s Best #1 Derek Jeter (#B-JR): As one of (if not the) most popular Yankees of all time, it’s no surprise that Jeter’s rookie has aged extremely well. High grade #1 parallels from this exclusive Bowman set have commanded $3,000-$5,000 lately. While more common than the stars above, this iconic card is still a pillar in any collection and shows no signs of declining from an investment standpoint.
1998 Leaf Limited Mark McGwire (#7): Big Mac mania was in full swing during his epic 1998 home run chase alongside Sammy Sosa. This incredibly scarce parallel from Leaf Limited’s premium offering captures McGwire at the apex of his popularity. In a PSA 10 slab, it can bring over $3,000. Even well-centered graded examples still trade hands for $1,000-$2,000. Needless to say, McGwire cards as a whole retain value due to his starring role in baseball’s revival.
1997 Bowman’s Best Juan González (#B-JR): The back-to-back AL MVP Awards in 1996-97 saw Juanny Beisbol establish himself as a true superstar for Texas. While his career was ultimately shorter than many expected, his rookie card has lasted well in the minds of collectors. Pristine PSA 10 copies have sold for over $2,000 despite plentiful population numbers. Even graded copies with strong eye appeal still hold value north of $500.
1997 SP Authentic Tom Glavine Auto (#56): Glavine’s Hall of Fame resume combined with the extreme scarcity of credible autographed cards from the late 90s make this one of the premier PC/toy memorabilia items of the era. Numbered to only 100 copies, Pristine PSA/SGC Gems have sold for upwards of $3,000 when they become available. Even lower grade examples go for $1,000+ due to how seldom they appear on the secondary market.
1998 SP Authentic Sammy Sosa Auto (#94): Riding the home run surge alongside McGwire, Sosa became a global icon in 1998. While his post-playing reputation took hits, cards signed from his all-time great season like this #/d offering remain quite strong. Higher graded copies have sold for $2,000-$2,500 in recent memory. Anything Sosa autographed from this period can easily produce four figures due to his name recognition and that magic HR chase.
1999 Bowman Chrome Ichiro (#295): Ichiro’s unprecedented rookie success fueled huge attention on this one-year wonder set. While the base cards have weakened over time due to early overproduction, the less common refractors hold their ground very well. High-end PSA 10 examples trade between $800-$1,500 consistently due to Ichiro’s continued celebrity. It was the first card to capture his MLB magic stateside.
There you have it – a comprehensive overview of some of the best late 1990s baseball cards that can still hold strong monetary value today, especially in pristine preserved condition. While 90s sets cannot match the 1980s in scarcity or nostalgia just yet, certain rookies and parallel cards from stars like Griffey, Jeter, Ichiro and others retain incredible staying power. With the 25+ year milestone fast approaching, 1990s cards may grow in collectibility even further as the next generation of fans finds appreciation for the stars of their youth. As always, condition is king when assessing value – so take care of your best 90s cards if you have them!
