1991 Score baseball cards were released at the start of the 1991 MLB season and featured players, managers, and teams from the 1990 season. The set includes 165 total cards with photographic images and bios on the front and statistical information on the back. Card designs were basic during this era with mostly white borders and photography taking up most of the front. Series 1 and Series 2 were released during the 1991 baseball season with Series 2 including rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Jeff Bagwell and Frank Thomas. Over 30 years later, certain 1991 Score baseball cards still hold value for collectors. Here’s a deeper look at some of the set’s most notable cards and their estimated current prices:
Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (#1): Widely considered one of the most iconic rookie cards ever printed, Griffey’s rookie exploded in value during the late 1990s and 2000s. Even in well-worn condition, Griffey rookie cards from 1991 Score still fetch $50-100. Near mint copies can sell for $500-1,000 while gem mint 10 graded versions have sold for over $10,000. Griffey was a once-in-a-generation talent and his rookie remains the crown jewel of the 1991 Score set.
Frank Thomas Rookie Card (#90): Like Griffey, Thomas went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie is one of the more valuable from the set. Low-end copies in worn condition sell around $25-50 while near mint copies can reach $100-200. High-grade PSA 10 gem mint versions have crossed the $1,000 mark at auction. Thomas’s prodigious power and consistent production made his rookie a standout in the set.
Jeff Bagwell Rookie Card (#108): Bagwell was also a perennial All-Star and Gold Glove winner during his 15 year career. His rookie clocks in just behind Griffey and Thomas value-wise. Well-wornBagwell rookies sell in the $10-20 range with near mint copies $50-100. Pristine PSA 10 examples can surge to $300-500 due to his impressive resume and the card’s relative scarcity.
Barry Larkin Rookie Card (#126): Larkin was a 12-time All-Star, 3-time Gold Glove winner, and1995 NL MVP during a Hall of Fame worthy career. His rookie isn’t in the same stratosphere as Griffey or Thomas but still holds value. Low-grade copies trade hands between $5-15 with near mint examples $25-50. The best of the best PSA 10 rookie Larkins have cracked $200-300 at auction.
Others of Note: Mark McGwire (#16) and Nolan Ryan (#27) featuring the Express in an Expos uniform still attract attention. McGwire’s sell for $10-25 in average condition and $50-100 near mint while Ryan’s go for $5-10 and $20-40 respectively. Local star cards like Cal Ripken Jr. (#68) and Fred McGriff (#88) also command a premium from collectors of those franchises. Ripken Jr. fetches $10-25 and $30-60 near mint while McGriff goes for $5-15 and $15-30.
For the set as a whole, common player cards can often be acquired for $1-3 in played condition but true gems exist. A PSA 10 graded Kirby Puckett (#42) sold for over $700 due to his popularity in Minnesota. Mint condition cards of stars even in bit roles like Dave Stewart (#77) as an Athletic have climbed to $40-60 levels. And unopened Series 1 or Series 2 wax packs still sell for $50-100 depending on condition.
While the 1991 Score set lacked some of the modern extras collectors expect today, it still features some truly iconic rookie cards that hold strong values. Led by the untouchable Griffey and bolstered by stars like Thomas, Bagwell, and Larkin, the set endures as an important release from the early 1990s. Prices vary greatly based on players, conditions, and grading but affordable collecting opportunities also exist with commons and stars further down the career ladder. Overall, 30 years later the 1991 Score baseball set maintains an impressive legacy in the hobby.
