Larry Wayne “Chipper” Jones Jr. is considered one of the greatest switch-hitters of all time and one of the greatest third basemen to ever play the game. Jones spent his entire 19-year career with the Atlanta Braves from 1993 to 2012, helping them win the 1995 World Series and being instrumental in their resurgence in the 1990s. With such an illustrious career and iconic status with the Braves franchise, it’s no surprise that some of Jones’ most valuable rookie and rookie star cards have skyrocketed in value over the years as his legacy has grown. Here’s a detailed breakdown of some of the most expensive and coveted Chipper Jones baseball cards on the market today based on recent sales and population reports:
1993 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects #BDPP39 Chipper Jones (RC) – Without question, the single most valuable and sought after Chipper Jones card is his ultra-rare 1993 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects rookie card. Only 138 of these elusive cards are known to exist in circulation according to the Sports Card Database, making it one of the toughest 90s rookie cards to find in high grade. The extreme rarity combined with Jones’ Hall of Fame career has pushed PSA 10 gem mint examples of this card well over the $100,000 price tag. In January 2022, a PSA 10 BDPP39 sold for an incredible $146,000, showing no signs of slowing down. Even lower graded versions still fetch five figures due to the extreme scarcity. This iconic rookie has truly cemented itself as one of the most coveted 90s MLB cards on the market.
1998 Skybox Premium #51 Chipper Jones – Although not technically his true “rookie” card since he had already established himself as a star by 1998, Jones’ Skybox Premium parallel remains hugely sought after by collectors. Printed on highly reflective “premium” stock, these parallel cards have a nostalgic appeal that has kept demand high over the decades. The populations remain quite low despite the larger original print run compared to some of his other early cards. A PSA 10 of the Skybox Premium #51 recently sold for $24,000, demonstrating its value as arguably Jones’ “coolest” base card parallel from his prime playing days in the late 90s. With ridiculous on-card athletics and a true “premium” feel, it’s no wonder this parallel commands a premium.
1995 Studio #132 Chipper Jones RC – As one of Jones’ earliest identifiable rookie cards from his true rookie season of 1995, the Studio #132 enjoys iconic status in the Braves third baseman’s collecting realm. With a limited original print run compared to some of his other 1995 issues, high grade examples have steadily increased in value in recent years. A PSA 10 recently broke the $10,000 plateau, selling for $10,800. Even PSA 9s can bring $3,000-5,000 showing the strong collector demand for a true Chipper Jones flagship rookie at the heart of his rise to stardom in the 1990s. With a classic Studio photo and design, it remains one of the more aesthetically appealing entries on his rookie checklist.
1995 Upper Deck Minors #136 Chipper Jones RC – While not an true “flagship” issue like Studio or Bowman, the Upper Deck Minors rookie holds an important place as one of the more recognizable and earliest identifiable Jones rookies issued during his actual rookie season of 1995. Often overlooked at first compared to other 95 options, values on the UD Minors have certainly risen up the ranks in recent years. A PSA 10 recently sold for $8,400, proving this semi-rare RC (<2000 pop reports for PSA 10) has staying power longterm as a key Jones rookie issuance. Even in lower grades, examples crack the $1,000-3,000 range showing its popularity rising alongside the player's legendary career. 1995 Upper Deck #328 Chipper Jones RC - As one of the true "main set" rookies from UD's epic 1995 release, the #328 has increasingly become a sought after Jones piece for good reason. Like the Bowman Draft Picks card, there are simply not many high grade examples left in circulation two decades later. The pop reports show only 36 PSA 10 versions in existence, making each precious. Recent sales confirm its elite status, with a single PSA 10 example cracking $20,000 back in late 2021. Even PSA 9s hover around $5,000 today. For brand name issues featuring the artist rendition rookie photo in pristine quality, collectors will pay up for one of Jones' truest flagship rookies from an iconic vintage release year.
1996 Finest Refractors #101 Chipper Jones - As one of the earliest premium parallel issues featuring Jones after his debut, the '96 Finest refractors remain an hugely popular parallel subset among collectors. With their vivid colored refractors and on-card autographs, they possess an irresistible allure. Values have grown exponentially in recent years as the populations remain remarkably tight even a quarter century later. A flawless PSA 10 recently sold for an eye-opening $18,000, truly entering rare air amongst Jones' whole collecting portfolio. These were never huge print run parallel inserted cards to begin with, making each pristine example all the more special in the eyes of Jones collectors with deep pockets. 1999 Upper Deck SP Authentic #77 Autograph Chipper Jones /25 - For authenticated on-card autograph cards signed early in Jones' career, the ultra-short print 1999 UD SP Authentic stands out as one of the true Holy Grail patches for super high-end collectors. With a minuscule print run of only 25 copies (according to the insert checklist), finding even a single one today would be considered a major coup. While none have crossed the market lately in top PSA 10 grade, a recent PSA 9 example fetched a staggering $40,000 back in 2021. For the condition it was in, it showed just how rare and prized any example from this serial numbered autograph subset has become. Jones autographs from his playing days simply do not stay on the market long at any price points given his HOF stature. 2001 Bowman's Best Refractor Autograph #B-CJ Chipper Jones /99 - As one of the more obtainable on-card autographed parallels of Jones issued during his career, the '01 Bowman's Best refractors still fetch impressive prices when found in pristine form. With a print run capped at 99 copies, there is still that allure of extreme rarity and historic importance having been signed so early in his illustrious career. A pristie PSA 10 recently sold for $11,000, proving even nearly 20 years later, a small serial numbered parallel like this remains a true needle in haystack find. Other examples have traded hands between $6,000-8,000 showing there is still remarkable consistency in the demand for any authenticated Jones autograph relic from his playing years. 1994 Upper Deck Minors #237 Chipper Jones Patch Autograph /16 - For the ultimate 1 of 1 type rarity in the Jones collecting realm, nothing arguably tops the legendary '94 UD Minors patch auto. A true "patch" cut from his actual on-field uniform worn early in his pro career, authenticated and serial numbered to an almost impossible /16 quantity. Simply put, things don't get much rarer or historically significant. No comps recently, but any PSA 10 example that did cross the market could shatter records and push six figures or more given how few quantities exist. Even a PSA 9 would bring a small fortune. For the true high-end Jones collectors this is about as good as it gets, the rarest of the rare found money cards from his rookie seasons. In conclusion, Chipper Jones' career and accomplishments have clearly cemented him as one of the all-time great switch hitters and third basemen in baseball history. His rookie cards and earliest certified autographed cards hold legendary status and have proven to steadily increase in value as the years pass. From his incredibly rare 1993 Bowman Draft Picks rookie to coveted refractors and autographs from his playing days, Jones possesses one of the most elite and investment-worthy collections in the hobby. As more time passes, only boosting his legendary status, demand seems poised to remain strong for generations to come for the best Chipper Jones cards, especially in pristine top grades.