The hobby of collecting baseball cards has grown exponentially in popularity over the decades. As with any collectible, the rarest and most prized items command the highest prices. When it comes to vintage baseball cards graded by expert authentication and grading companies like PSA and BGS, nothing quite matches the value and cultural significance of cards awarded a gem mint condition rating of 90 on the widely followed 100-point quality scale. Here are some of the priciest 90 score baseball cards that have been sold at auction in recent years:
1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The crown jewel of the hobby, high grade examples of the ultra-rare Wagner card are basically priceless. In 2016, a PSA NM-MT 8 sold for $3.12 million, making it the highest price ever paid for a single card. Other 90 graded Wagners have sold in the neighborhood of $1-2 million. The legend and mystique surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirate great makes this the most sought-after vintage issue.
1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson Rookie – Debuting in the same year he broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, Robinson rookie cards are iconic pieces of Americana. A PSA Gem Mint 90 specimen was acquired by collectibles giant Ken Goldin in 2017 for $2.05 million, highlighting its importance both culturally and financially.
1909 T205 White Border Ty Cobb – Alongside the Wagner, Cobb’s inaugural tobacco issue is the pinnacle achievement for dedicated T205 collectors. A PSA 90 sold for $486,000 in 2013, proving high grades retain immense collector demand and value over other levels due to their great scarcity.
1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee – One of the most visually striking and condition sensitive of all tobacco era cards, superb Magee examples are exceedingly scarce. A PSA 90 version changed hands privately for over $350,000 in the mid-2010s.
1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig – Depicting baseball’s “Iron Horse” in action, the Gehrig rookie holds legendary status. A PSA/DNA 90 specimen made $304,000 at auction during the summer of 2019.
1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle – The commerce and collecting momentum surrounding The Mick is unrivaled almost 70 years after his rookie season. A PSA/DNA 90 Mantle was part of Goldin’s record-breaking $2.8 million 2015 auction, selling for $203,000.
1914 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson – One of the most historically significant players who has been “banned in perpetuity” from baseball, high quality Jackson issues are tough to come by. A PSA/DNA 90 copy traded privately for $240,000 in 2020.
1952 Topps Willie Mays – Considered the finest of Mays’ various rookie cards issued that year, a pristine PSA/DNA 90 was part of the pioneer Goldin sale, commanding $186,000.
1933 Goudey Dizzy Dean – A true one-of-a-kind card depicting the flamboyant pitcher, two PSA 90s went for $165,000 apiece in 2006 and 2014 auctions respectively due to their rare quality.
1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Topps’ first issue featuring the future all-time home run king, a PSA/DNA 90 sold privately for $165,000 in 2018 during the peak of “Hammerin’ Hank’s” cultural relevance.
While grades are certainly not the only factor in a card’s value, high quality 90s fetch astronomically more than lower graded copies due to their extreme scarcity in the collection community. With new records being set seemingly every year and more prominent individuals entering the collecting arena, it’s very possible some of these prices could be eclipsed further still by truly pristine specimens from the golden age of tobacco and postcards emerging down the road. For the most desirable names from that seminal period, condition graded 90s will always be synonymous with supreme condition, rarity and worth.
