The 1991 Donruss Diamond Kings baseball card set is one of the most iconic and valuable from the late 80s and early 90s. With spectacular photographic elements and a focus on star players, many of the cards from this 144 card base set have stood the test of time and increased exponentially in value. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most expensive and sought after 1991 Donruss Diamond Kings cards.
The cover card for the 1991 set is undoubtedly one of the crown jewels – the Ken Griffey Jr. Diamond Kings card. Widely considered one of the best baseball cards of all-time due to its iconic photography of a young Griffey swinging for the fences, this card has topped auction sales at over $20,000 in pristine condition. The photo perfectly captures Griffey’s combination of power and grace that would soon make him a superstar. In a PSA 10 gem mint state, this Griffey is the undisputed most valuable card from the 1991 Donruss set.
Another monster sports card that consistently fetches big money is the Nolan Ryan Diamond Kings. Ryan is immortalized striking out yet another batter in this incredible action shot card. With over 5000 career strikeouts, Ryan epitomizes dominance on the mound and this card captures it perfectly. In a PSA 10 mint condition, the Ryan has sold for around $15,000. Even in lower grades the card commands four figures due to Ryan’s status as a true legend of the game.
One of the most visually stunning images from the 1991 set is undoubtedly the Frank Thomas Diamond Kings card. Thomas is portrayed in an almost superhero like stance, with muscles protruding as he awaits a pitch. Coming off his rookie of the year campaign, this card predicted Thomas’s ascent towards being one of the game’s most feared power hitters of the 1990s. In a PSA 10 mint state the Thomas has sold for around $8,000. Even well centered raw copies can fetch over $1000 due to the incredible photograph and Frank’s enduring popularity.
arguably the ‘crown jewel’ of rookie cards from the 1991 Donruss set is the Chipper Jones Diamond Kings. Shot directly before Jones would win rookie of the year honors in 1995, this card perfectly set the stage for the future Hall of Famer’s illustrious career. Jones would go on to be an perennial All-Star and solidify himself as perhaps the greatest switch hitter in baseball history. A PSA 10 graded Chipper Jones rookie will easily fetch $5,000 at auction, while raw copies still command $1,000-2,000 due to his elite status. this is unquestionably one of the premier rookie cards from the early 1990s baseball card market.
Continuing with rookie sensations from 1991 Donruss, the Chuck Knoblauch Diamond Kings rookie commands big bucks as well. Knoblauch was a rookie spark plug that year, stealing bases and playing superb defense for the Twins. This card captures Knoblauch mid turn around the base with an incredibly sharp focus. Pristine PSA 10 examples have sold for over $4,000. Considering it was Knoblauch’s true rookie card issued before his ROY campaign, there is strong collector demand for high grade copies. Even well-centered raw versions can be had for $500-1000.
One of the more unexpected expensive cards from the 1991 Donruss set is the Randy Johnson Diamond Kings. Shot mid-wind up, Johnson’s imposing 6’10 frame is magnificently featured towering over batter. Little did people know in 1991 that “The Big Unit” would go on to rack up over 4000 strikeouts and dominate hitters for over two decades. High grade PSA 10 examples eclipse $4,000 easily whereas lower graded copies still bring $800-1500 due to Johnson’s Cy Young caliber career. He redefined what a power pitcher could be and this early card is a true predator of that potential.
Rounding out the most expensive 1991 Donruss Diamond King cards is the Andy Van Slyke subject. As the longtime reliable Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder, Van Slyke is captured diving for a sinking line drive on this amazing action packed card. Considered one of the tougher Diamond Kings cards to find in pristine condition due to the activity involved, high grade PSA 10 Van Slyke’s can exceed $3,500. Even in lower grades, demand from Pirates fans and vintage collectors keeps this card valued around $800-1000 despite it not being a rookie or star player issue. The incredible photography is a big reason why.
While the 1991 Donruss Diamond Kings set had over 100 cards, the biggest stars and most visually striking images are what have stood the test of time and increased exponentially in value. Featuring rookies like Chipper Jones and Chuck Knoblauch immediately before their stardom, as well as legendary players like Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson in some of their best sports card portraits ever – it’s easy to see why this vintage set remains a holy grail for collectors. With iconic photographic elements and a focused lineup of future Hall of Famers, the 1991 Donruss Diamond Kings will surely retain its premium status in the vintage market for decades to come.
