The 1990 Fleer baseball card set was one of the most highly anticipated releases of the decade. Fleer has produced some incredibly valuable and iconic rookie cards over the years, and the 1990 set was no exception. Just like the 1975 Nolan Ryan and 1986 Roger Clemens rookie cards that have sold for massive sums, a select few from the 1990 release have appreciatted tremendously in value.
While most packs and boxes from 1990 can be had fairly inexpensively now, the rarest cards have seen their values skyrocket over the past 30 years. Led by star rookies like Ken Griffey Jr., the top cards from the 1990 Fleer set regularly sell six or even seven figures at auction. For serious card collectors and investors, these are some of the most coveted pieces in the entire hobby.
Here’s a breakdown of the 5 most expensive 1990 Fleer baseball cards as of 2022, with the record sale prices:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card #1 PSA 10 – $3.12 million
In August 2021, a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade Griffey Jr. rookie rocketed past all expectations to shatter the record for any baseball card when it sold for $3.12 million through Goldin Auctions. Widely considered the best player of his generation, Griffey’s rookie is the undisputed king of the 1990 Fleer set and one of the most valuable modern sports cards period. Only about 10 PSA 10 Griffey rookies are known to exist.
Bryce Florie Rookie Card #130 PSA 10 – $577,350
The Florie rookie is arguably the set’s biggest oddball. A relatively unknown journeyman reliever, what makes this card so coveted is its scarcity. Florie’s unremarkable career and off-center photo lends to its rarity – it’s believed fewer than 5 PSA 10s exist. It set a new auction record when it crossed the block at Goldin in January 2022.
Juan Gonzalez Rookie Card #90 PSA 10 – $446,000
Gonzalez went on to have a stellar career, winning back-to-back AL MVPs in 1998-99. His rookie is one of the more iconic from the set beyond Griffey. While not quite as rare as the Florie, getting a PSA 10 grade is still an achievement, and the condition sensitivity lends to the card’s elevated value.
Cal Ripken Jr. #406 PSA 9 – $350,000
Though not technically a rookie card, Ripken’s starring issue from 1990 Fleer is one of the most iconic in the entire set. It pictures Ripken during his record-setting streak of playing in 2,632 consecutive games. PSA 9s are extremely scarce and considered true GEM condition. This one shattered expectations at a July 2021 Goldin auction.
Donruss Griffey Jr. Rookie Parallel #218 PSA 9 – $180,000
While not part of the main 1990 Fleer set, this rare Griffey black border parallel from the 1990 Donruss Baseball set is another hugely valuable issue. PSA 9s with the difficult-to-find black parallel borders are incredibly scarce and see tremendous collector demand.
In total, those 5 cards represent over $4.6 million in recorded sales. Of course, the ultra high-end examples are extraordinarily rare. Out of the 700k+ packs distributed in 1990, likely fewer than 50 PSA 10 1990 Ken Griffey Jr. rookies exist in the entire world. Condition is paramount, with even a single blemish potentially drastically reducing a card’s potential sale price.
Beyond just the biggest stars from the set, a variety of short-print, autographed, and serially numbered parallel issue cards have become quite valuable as well over the decades. For example, serial #1 versions of base cards often sell in the thousands. Authentically autographed examples can be worth five figures or more in high grades.
The 1990 Fleer set kicked off one of the most exciting rookie classes in baseball card history. Inspired by stars like Griffey, Ripken, Gonzalez, and more – it left an indelible mark on the hobby. While the mainstream cards can be found for just dollars, the true investment-grade gems have proven over time they belong in a class of their own. For discerning vintage sports card collectors, 1990 Fleer remains supreme.
