The 1990 Upper Deck and Score baseball card sets occupy a special place in card collecting history. While Upper Deck cards from that year continue to be highly sought after and valuable due to the brand’s premium quality, limited printing runs, and superstar rookie cards, cards from the Score set of that same year have also seen their values increase dramatically in recent years. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable baseball cards from the 1990 Score set and why collectors remain so interested in these nearly 30-year old cardboard treasures.
The 1990 Score set saw the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Frank Thomas, Gregg Maddux, and Sandy Alomar Jr. None would prove to be as rare and desireable to collectors as the rookie card of Mariano Rivera. As the greatest closer in MLB history with a record 652 career saves to his name, “Mo” Rivera’s rookie PSA 10 gem mint card recently sold at auction for over $94,000, making it easily the most valuable card from the 1990 Score set and among the priciest baseball cards of all time.
What makes Rivera’s rookie so scarce and collectible is that unlike most cards from that era printed by the millions, Score unexpectedly had short print runs for some of their cards that year. This included Rivera’s, with experts estimating around 200-300 copies were produced of his base rookie. The card’s rarity combined with the player’s all-time legendary career has seen values surge exponentially the past decade. Even well-worn PSA 8 examples now sell for over $10,000, showing Rivera’s 1990 Score rookie has achieved true investment status.
Another 1990 Score short print is the Griffey rookie card of Ken Griffey Jr. Like Rivera, Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the greatest players ever. But at the time, the level of hype and collectibility surrounding his rookie was unprecedented. Upper Deck captured most of the frenzy with their glorious Griffey rookie, but Score still managed to create desire for their version also by curiously issuing it in much lower quantities than normal. Graded mint PSA 10 Griffey rookies now sell for over $50,000, while a PSA 8 can go for $15k-$20k due to the rarity factor.
While not short printed, the rookie card of future 500 home run club member Jeff Bagwell from the 1990 Score set is highly coveted as well. Bagwell went on to have an outstanding 15 year career with the Houston Astros playing both 3B and 1B while also being an excellent contact hitter and slap hitter. His 1990 Score RC in a PSA 10 just topped $25,000 at auction last year, continuing an upwards trend in values as Bagwell’s legacy and HoF candidacy grows stronger. Even well-centered PSA 8 examples can hit $4,000-$6,000 today.
In addition to prized rookie cards, key 1990 Score update and traded issue cards have also seen their values elevate significantly in the vintage collectors market. One such example is the Barry Larkin traded update card showing him as a shortstop for the Cincinnati Reds wearing uniform number 8. Larkin is portrayed beautifully in action and the image stands out versus his base card. PSA 10 specimens of the Larkin update have reached up to $15,000 at auction as his Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2012 added to its cachet.
Continuing the theme of update cards, Nolan Ryan’s insert showing him with the Texas Rangers that same year is a stunning visual of the fireballer in full windup. Printed on premium Sheffield stock, the Ryan update feels like a true mini work of art in the hand. With his sheer dominance and pitching records, anything relating to Ryan naturally gains prestige with time. High grade PSA/SGC versions easily sell for $5,000 and up due to the visual appeal and significance of the player.
Two other exciting 1990 Score traded cards that command big bucksgraded high are the Robin Yount shortprint Milwaukee Brewers card where he’s depicted batting left-handed, and the Willie Stargell Pittsburgh Pirates Cooperstown Collection card celebrating his Hall of Fame enshrinement. Both images stand out from the base set and have become quite scarce to find in pristine condition. Respectively, a PSA 10 Yount trade has reached $8,000, while a Stargell PSA/SGC Gem Mint topped $6,000 in recent market comps.
While the flashy 1990 Upper Deck set tends to dominate discussions of late 80s/early 90s sports cards, sets like Score from that same era offer immense value and charm of their own to dedicated collectors today. Short prints, premier rookie cards of future stars, stunning traded updates, and tributes to Hall of Famers all make certain 1990 Score cardboard especially prized among investors. With the likes of Rivera, Griffey, Bagwell and others not showing signs of slowing appreciation anytime soon, these cards remain wise long term holds for vintage sports collectibles portfolios.
