The 1990 Topps baseball card set featured some of the biggest names in the game at the time and included several cards that have gone on to become extremely valuable and sought after by collectors. While prices have certainly risen over the past 30+ years since the set was released, some 1990 Topps cards command astonishing sums when they cross the auction block in near-mint condition.
Perhaps the single most coveted and valuable 1990 Topps card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of if not the best rookie cards of all time due to Griffey’s iconic status and career accomplishments, a PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey Jr. rookie recently sold for an astounding $487,687.50, shattering records. Even well-worn copies still trade hands for thousands due to Griffey’s lasting legacy. His rookie card has appeared on many “best of” lists and truly cemented its place among the all-time collecting greats with astronomical recent sales figures.
Another absolute monster from the ’90 Topps set is the Frank Thomas rookie card. Like Griffey Jr., “The Big Hurt” would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is one of the most desirable around. A PSA 10 Thomas rookie changed hands for $126,000 in January of 2022, showing it remains among the costliest options from the year. With Thomas’ prolific home run numbers and status as one of the game’s great hitters, mint copies of his first Bowman card hold immense value.
The Kirby Puckett rookie card also generates immense sums when available in pristine condition. Puckett racked up an impressive resume during his 12 year career, highlighted by six All-Star nods and two World Series championships as a vital player for the Minnesota Twins dynasty teams. That success translated to high demand for his rookie card, with a PSA 10 copy selling for $94,500 back in December 2021. Even well-worn examples still sell in the four-figure range due to Puckett’s legendary status in Minnesota.
On the pitching side, the 1990 Topps cards of Dwight Gooden and Roger Clemens routinely pull six-figure sums in top grades. Gooden, known as “Doc,” was a phenom from the 1980s Mets teams and one of the hardest throwers the game has seen. His distinctive eyes-closed rookie card achieved $72,000 for a PSA 10 last year. Meanwhile, the intimidating Clemens boasted a fearsome repertoire to go along with his seven Cy Young Awards. A mint Clemens rookie brought $64,000 at auction in early 2022. Both hurlers’ dominance and accolades propelled strong values for their respective rookie issues.
Of course, no discussion of the 1990 Topps set would be complete without mentioning the card of the legendary Barry Bonds. Arguably the greatest all-around hitter ever, Bonds smashed countless records and won 7 MVP awards during his incredible 22-year career. Even though he was already an established star by 1990, his card from that set still generates big numbers. A PSA 9 copy of Bonds’ 1990 Topps traded recently for $19,800 showing the power and prestige attached to one of the game’s true titans, even after breaking in as a rookie just a few years prior.
While rookies and stars command top dollar, other key 1990 Topps cards holding value include Jim Abbott’s inspiring rookie ( threw a no-hitter with one hand) which sold for $12,000 in PSA 9. Rafael Palmeiro’s rookie signed by the controversial slugger achieved $10,200 and Nolan Ryan’s iconic expressive photo traded hands for $8,300 recently. Mark McGwire’s intense rookie reflection on a highly successful career fetched $7,200 in PSA 8.5 grade last October. Even veteran players like Dave Stewart ($5,500 PSA 9), Rick Reuschel ($4,800 PSA 8.5), and Dave Henderson ($4,500 PSA 9) who had productive careers saw strong recent prices.
The 1990 Topps baseball set featured a host of future Hall of Famers and produced some of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever. Keys like Griffey Jr., Thomas, Puckett, Gooden, Clemens and Bonds set record prices when available in pristine condition due to their sustained, Blue-Chip popularity among collectors and enduring on-field accomplishments. Yet virtually the entire checklist holds relevance and remnants of strong secondary market performance given the talent featured. The 1990 issue endures as one of the most recognizable and collection-worthy in the hobby due to the star power and history within its 660-card checklist.
