The 1990s produced some incredibly valuable and iconic baseball cards. The 1997 Score baseball set is no exception, containing several cards that have increased tremendously in value over the past 25 years. Let’s take a look at some of the most expensive and sought-after 1997 Score cards on the secondary market today.
Perhaps the most valuable 1997 Score card is the Ken Griffey Jr. miniature card #145. Griffey was already a 10-time All-Star and 6-time Gold Glove winner by 1997, but this would be his eleventh consecutive season hitting 40 or more home runs. His career was on a Hall of Fame trajectory, and collectors recognized Griffey as one of the biggest superstars in the game. This tiny parallel version of his base card, limited to only 100 copies, has sold for upwards of $12,000 in Near Mint condition.
Another Griffey card that routinely fetches big money is the #123 Team Leaders parallel. This custom parallel insert shows Griffey leading the league in home runs in 1996 with 49. Only 99 of these rare parallel versions were inserted into packs that year. High grades of this Griffey parallel have sold for over $5,000. With Griffey’s lasting popularity and icon status in the hobby, any of his rare 1997 Score parallels hold tremendous value.
Staying with the Mariners, 1997 Score saw the rookie card debut of 21-year old pitching sensation Freddy Garcia. At the time, Garcia went 13-7 for Seattle with a 4.02 ERA in his first full MLB season. His #114 base rookie card in top NM/MT condition brings over $1,000 nowadays. While not as valuable as other rookies from the set, Garcia’s steady production over 15 major league seasons and World Series wins has given his rookie card good staying power with collectors.
One of the biggest risers in value over the past decade is Chipper Jones’ 1997 Score #98 base rookie card. After first appearing on baseball cards all the way back in 1990, Jones established himself as the everyday third baseman for the Atlanta Braves starting in 1995. By 1997, he was already a two-time All-Star at just 25 years old. High grades of Chipper’s rookie now sell for over $5,000, a testament to his Hall of Fame career and his lasting popularity in the Atlanta area collecting market.
Continuing with rookie cards, the 1997 Score set featured the MLB debuts of Todd Helton (#219), Jorge Posada (#314), and Carlos Beltran (#280). While none have reached the heights of Chipper Jones, these three productive players all enjoyed long, successful careers. High-end copies of their rookies still sell remarkably well, with PSA/BGS 9+ Helton and Posada rookies bringing $500-800, and a PSA 9 Beltran rookie approaching $1,000. No matter the player, 1997 Score rookie cards for productive career players hold solid value.
Beyond rookies, collectors seek out valuable parallels and inserts from the 1997 Score set as well. The rare Embossed parallel cards, which featured an unique textured facade, are highly desired. For example, a BGS 9.5 graded Derek Jeter Embossed parallel #52 traded hands for over $3,500. Other popular inserts like Hologram League Leaders, Chrome Stars of Tomorrow prospects, and Laser parallel short prints all command substantial money in high grades as well.
The depth of stars, rookies, and insert cards make the 1997 Score baseball set one that is still heavily invested in by collectors today. Headlined by the unbelievable valuations reached by Ken Griffey Jr’s miniature and parallel cards, there are still numerous cards from the release that provide a solid long-term holding or investment for any baseball card portfolio. When completed sets start appearing on the census for ultra-high grades, their value will likely continue their remarkable ascent for years to come.
