In 1993, McDonalds gained the promotional rights for Major League Baseball and produced a series of baseball cards that were included in Happy Meals. These McDonald’s Baseball Cards featured current MLB stars and were eagerly collected by children and adults alike. Nearly 30 years later, some of these cards have gained significant value, especially for the most sought after stars. Let’s take a closer look at the 1993 McDonalds Baseball Card set and what certain cards may be worth today.
The 1993 McDonalds Baseball Card set consisted of 352 total cards issued over the course of the year in series. Each series contained cards numbered 1-88 and featured various MLB players from both the American and National Leagues. Some of the biggest stars to be featured in the ‘93 set included Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Frank Thomas, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Mike Piazza. The cards were standard size and featured the player’s picture on the front along with their team, position, and stats on the back.
Since they were inserted in fast food kids’ meals, the printing run on McDonalds cards was immense, with estimates of well over a billion cards produced worldwide for the ‘93 set alone. Due to the sheer volume that exists in circulation today, condition is extremely important when determining a card’s modern value. Only examples that have been well cared for and maintained in Near Mint or better condition will hold substantial value now. Heavily played copies in Poor or worse condition are only worth a nominal amount.
Of those included in the 1993 set, the cards that tend to bring the highest prices in top-grades include superstar names like Bonds, Griffey, Ripken, Thomas, Maddux, Glavine, and Piazza. In Near Mint or better condition, their common base cards can regularly sell for $10-20 each online. The true key rookies and short prints from ‘93 that command higher prices include:
Derek Jeter Rookie (SP list #110) – As one of the biggest star rookies in the set, the Jeter commands big money. In Near Mint+, examples have sold for upwards of $300-500.
Mike Piazza Rookie (SP list #82) – The future Hall of Famer’s rookie is another coveted card. NM+ Piazza rookies have reached $100-200.
Frank Thomas Rookie (SP list #32) – The Big Hurt’s coveted rookie has sold for $50-100 in top condition.
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookies (various) – Griffey had multiple cards considered his “rookie” in ‘93 set. High grade copies of SP list #46, #69, etc. have sold for $75-150 each.
Barry Bonds Rookie (SP list #35) – Bonds’ rookie is highly desired. Near Mint and better copies have brought $50-100.
Cal Ripken Jr. Error Card (SP list #108) – Due to missing “Baltimore” on front, this Ripken error has sold for over $200 in NM+.
Deion Sanders Football/Baseball Rookie (SP list #79) – As a dual-sport star rookie, these have sold over $150 in Mint condition.
There were several scarce “Silk Edition” parallel cards inserted randomly that also hold premium value today. Those include Griffey, Ripken, Bonds, Maddux, and others. In top condition, Silk Edition cards have sold upwards of $200-500 depending on player.
While not rare per se, in pristine Mint or higher condition, the common base cards of superstar players like Bonds, Griffey, Ripken, Thomas, Glavine, and Piazza can also sell steadily on auction sites for $10-25 each to avid collectors completing their ‘93 McDonalds sets. Cards of less acclaimed players only hold nominal value even in top condition.
For condition-sensitive McDonalds cards from the massive 1993 set, condition is everything. Only examples in Near Mint or better have maintained real collector interest and value for key rookie cards, parallel variations, and the biggest stars featured. Those offering the best combination of star power and scarcity like the rookies of Jeter, Thomas, and Griffey as well as error and parallel cards like the Ripken error and Silk Editions hold the most potential to offer collectors higher returns on their original small in-meal investments nearly 30 years later.
