The 1990 Topps baseball card set is one of the most highly sought after issues in the hobby due to some extremely valuable rookie cards that were included. While the entire set features designs, photos and players from that 1980s/early 90s baseball era, there are a handful of cards that regularly break auction records and command five and six figure prices from avid collectors.
Perhaps the most well known and expensive card from the 1990 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the best player prospects ever, Griffey lived up to the hype by having a legendary 22-year career. His iconic swing and effortless play in center field made him a fan favorite and one of the faces of the sport for nearly two decades. Naturally, collectors sought after his rookie card issued by Topps in 1990.
In near mint to mint condition, Griffey’s rookie currently sells for $4,000-$6,000. Pristine gem mint 10 graded copies have sold for over $100,000, with one achieving a record $286,500 price in a January 2021 auction. What makes this card so expensive is Griffey’s status as a generational talent and career .284 hitter with 630 home runs. He was a surefire hall of famer from day one, increasing demand for anything related to his early career.
Chipper Jones is another superstar whose rookie card from the 1990 Topps set holds immense value. As the overall #1 pick in the 1990 draft by the Atlanta Braves, Jones went on to have a 19-year career hitting .303 with 468 home runs primarily as a third baseman. He was an 8-time all-star and won the 1999 NL MVP award.
Chipper’s rookie sells in the $2,000-4,000 range for ungraded copies, but mint 9s have brought in over $10,000. The highest price paid was $25,500 for a pristine PSA Gem Mint 10 example in January 2018. What makes the Jones card collectible is his elite talent, long and productive career spent entirely with one franchise (Atlanta Braves), and status as a lock for the baseball hall of fame.
While Griffey and Jones were the biggest stars, other valuable 1990 Topps rookies included Hall of Famers Frank Thomas, Jeff Kent, and Moises Alou. “The Big Hurt” Thomas blasted 521 career home runs batting .301 for his career mostly with the Chicago White Sox. Ungraded copies of his rookie sell for $1,500-2,500 but mint 9s have sold for over $6,000.
Jeff Kent spent 22 seasons in the majors smacking 377 homers primarily as a second baseman. His 1990 Topps RC ranges from $800-1,500 ungraded and $3,000+ for high-end versions. Moises Alou had a 17-year career hitting .303 with 335 home runs playing outfield for several clubs. His rookie card goes for $700-1,200 loose or $2,000+ graded.
In addition to star players, the 1990 Topps set also featured rookie cards of hall of fame managers Joe Torre and Tony La Russa. Torre won four World Series championships guiding the Yankees dynasty teams of the late 1990s. His rookie sells for around $400-700. La Russa managed for 33 seasons and is third all-time in wins – his 1990 RC goes for $300-500.
Other odds and ends from the 1990 Topps issue include the serial number parallel rookie cards. For example, a #1/949 Chipper Jones SNR sells graded for $15,000+. The Derek Jeter preview card inserted in Series 2 packs is valued around $500 ungraded, $2,000+ graded. The Alex Rodriguez rookie from this same insert set reaches $1,500 loose or $5,000+ graded very nicely.
While the 1990 Topps baseball card set as a whole remains extremely collectible and full of memorable players and photos from that era, it is the superstar rookie cards led by Ken Griffey Jr, Chipper Jones, Frank Thomas and others that make it one of the true titans among vintage issues. Three decades later these early cards depicting all-time player greats still attract six and seven figure prices from dedicated baseball collectors with deep pockets. Due to the all-time talents featured, the 1990 Topps set stands out as one of the most valuable vintage issues in the hobby.
