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1992 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

The 1992 Score Select baseball card set is one of the most valuable vintage card issues from the early 90s. Score Select featured premium quality photographs printed on thicker stock than the standard Score base set cards released that same year. Only 80 players were highlighted in the Score Select subset, making these cards quite scarce compared to the base cards. Due to their limited print run and superior production quality, 1992 Score Select cards have maintained and increased in value significantly over the past three decades.

One of the most valuable and sought after 1992 Score Select cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. This Griffey rookie card is considered by many to be the best and most iconic rookie card of all time. Even though it was not Griffey’s true rookie card in the traditional sense, the 1992 Score Select Griffey perfectly captures his electric popularity and dominance at the onset of his Hall of Fame career. This card ranks near or at the top of almost any vintage baseball card value guide. In pristine mint condition, a PSA 10 graded 1992 Score Score Select Griffey rookie card recently sold at auction for over $347,000, setting the current record price for this single. Even well-worn lower graded examples still command thousands in market value. The Griffey is truly the crown jewel of the set and one of the holy grails for any serious vintage card collector.

Other extremely valuable and sought after 1992 Score Select cards include Barry Bonds, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Dennis Eckersley. A PSA 10 graded Bonds would be valued around $12,000-$15,000. High graded Thomas rookie cards can reach $8,000-$10,000. First-year cards of successful pitchers like Glavine and Maddux that helped define the Atlanta Braves dynasty of the 1990s range from $3,000 to $6,000 in top condition. The Eckersley near the end of his Hall of Fame career can fetch $1,500-$3,000 in a PSA 10. All of these elite player cards set the standard for the impressive overall value and strength of the 1992 Score Select checklist.

While the headliner rookies and stars command top dollar, there are also many solid mid-range and value picks to be found throughout the set if one is willing to forego mint condition or settle for lesser names. Cards of successful but not superstar players like Scott Rolen, Jeff Bagwell, Jason Isringhausen, David Wells, and Paul Molitor in PSA 8 or 9 can often be acquired for $300-$700. This makes them accessible collector’s items from the set. Even borderline PSA 7 graded versions of these second-tier talents rarely dip below $100 auction prices.

For players who had decent MLB careers but were never All-Stars, there is still worth in higher graded versions. Examples include Steve Avery, Bret Saberhagen, Jack McDowell, and Tino Martinez in PSA 8-9 value ranging from $50 to $150 each. More common lower end talents might max out around the $25-50 range in top shape, such as Bill Pecota, Tim Belcher, or Jeff Conine PSA 8s. But even these can be had for well under $20 in worn PSA 6 condition. So there are prospects at various affordable price points depending on needs and collector preferences.

Rookies and prospects that never panned out but were once highly ranked still hold appeal to set builders, especially in pristine mint. Top draft picks like Paul Shuey, Jeffrey Hammonds, and Billy Ripken command $30-100 in PSA 9-10 despite unremarkable careers. Backup catchers and middle relievers and org players that had cups of coffee in the show might start at $10-20 in gem mint and sometimes less. But that’s the nature of collecting – taking risks on unknown potentials equals reasonable prices compared to proven superstars.

The 1992 Score Select set endures as an iconic release due to its photo quality, limited print numbers, and capturing so many young future Hall of Famers, MVPs, and championship contributors at their beginnings. While the headliners like Griffey, Bonds, Thomas obviously demand premium today, savvy collectors can still find plenty of value throughout the checklist at different budget levels depending on personal grading and name standards. Condition is critical across the board, as even lesser players tick up significantly from PSA 7 to PSA 9. Overall the 1992 Score Selects remain a vibrant and liquid segment of the vintage sports card market worthy of demand more than 30 years later. With history looking only more favorably on the talent featured, their staying power as a collectible seems solid for years to come.

2022 PANINI SELECT BASEBALL MOST VALUABLE CARDS

The 2022 season of Major League Baseball saw another exciting year play out on the diamond. Fans followed their favorite players and teams with hopes of playoff runs and championship glory. For collectors, 2022 also meant a new crop of cards from the major hobby brands to chase after. Panini is one of the leading sports card manufacturers and their Select brand offers collectors high-end products with memorable rookies, stars, and parallels. With the season now in the books, let’s take a look at some of the most valuable and sought after cards from 2022 Panini Select Baseball.

Perhaps the biggest rookie sensation of 2022 was Houston Astros’ shortstop Jeremy Peña. After winning ALCS and World Series MVP honors in just his first full MLB season, the hype around Peña skyrocketed. His rookie cards surged in value accordingly. One of the most coveted Peña cards from Select is his Green Wave parallel, limited to /25 copies. These rare parallel cards frequently command four-figure prices online. Another highly valuable Peña is his Auto patch card, which features his autograph on a piece of his worn jersey. The combos of a top rookie, autograph, and patch make this a true holy grail card for Astros’ PC collectors.

Two other rookies that made huge impacts in 2022 were Seattle Mariners’ outfielder Julio Rodríguez and Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Spencer Strider. J-Rod dazzled with his 5-tool talents and won AL Rookie of the Year. Strider emerged as a breakout starter for the Braves staff. Their Select rookies and parallels are very sought after, especially low-numbered versions. A prized Julio RC would be his Green Wave /25, while a top Strider includes his Auto patch card. These young stars look poised for continued excellence, keeping collector demand for their rookie cards quite high.

Of the veteran superstars in the game, few can match the star power and collecting popularity of Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. The dual threat Angels duo are perennial favorites for collectors. Some of their top 2022 Select cards include Trout’s Green Wave /25 and Ohtani’s 1/1 Printing Plate auto. Low-numbered parallels and one-of-one cards featuring these modern greats will pull top dollar on the resale market. Yankees slugger Aaron Judge also remains a huge draw after his record-setting 62 home run season. His Select RCs, especially short printed versions, hold tremendous value.

Panini Select is known for its sharp photography and creative card designs. This leads to some of the set’s most valuable cards highlighting unique on-card moments or performances. One such card is Braves’ DH Matt Olson’s Game 5 walk-off home run relic from the 2022 NLDS. Numbered to /5, this truly one-of-a-kind piece captured Olson’s playoff heroics. Another is Phillies’ catcher J.T. Realmuto’s Game 1 10th inning inside-the-park home run relic from the 2022 NLCS. Only 3 of these exist and they showcase a truly amazing and rare playoff feat. Cards like these that memorialize iconic playoff moments are absolute grails for serious PC collectors.

While rookies and stars drive much of the hobby, collectors also flock to parallel cards with extremely low print runs. Some of the most valuable 2022 Select parallels come numbered to impossibly low amounts. For example, Green Wave parallels capped at /25 copies are already quite rare, but Select also offered 1/1 Green Wave Prizms of top talents like Soto, Acuña and deGrom. The exclusivity of a single copy makes these ultra high-end trophies. Other examples are Red Prizms limited to a single digit like /5, /3 or the elusive 1/1. These ultra-rare parallel cards featuring baseball’s best players can sell for thousands depending on the player and design.

The 2022 season of Panini Select Baseball provided collectors with another opportunity to chase memorable rookie cards, player autographs, relic cards, and low-numbered parallels featuring that year’s MLB standouts. Young stars like Peña, Rodríguez, and Strider saw their rookie cards surge in value after impressive debut campaigns. Veteran superstars Trout, Ohtani and Judge remained perennial hobby draws. Unique on-card moments from the postseason like Olson and Realmuto’s playoff heroics resulted in truly one-of-a-kind collectibles. And the extremely low-printed parallels capped at 1/1 took exclusivity to a whole new level. With strong player performances and dedicated collectors, 2022 Panini Select Baseball ensured its most prized cards would retain and gain value for years to come.

PANINI BASEBALL CARDS SELECT 2022

Panini released their Select football product in 2017 and it became an instant hit with collectors. Featuring parallel inserts with aesthetically pleasing designs and numbering that enhanced the chase, Select found success targeting the high-end collector segment. Seeing the opportunity to branch out, Panini launched their first Select baseball card set in 2022 in hopes of replicating that magic.

Released in late January/early February as a high-end, limited print run product, the 2022 Panini Select baseball release featured a base set of 150 cards split between two designs. The “Classic Stats” base cards utilized a simple white border with statistics and accomplishments dominating the front of the card. Meanwhile, the “Action Shots” bases incorporated colorful photography highlighting memorable on-field moments. Both designs fused modern and retro aesthetic sensibilities together nicely.

In addition to the base set, Panini loaded Select 2022 with a bevy of exciting parallel and short-print inserts to entice collectors. The most coveted parallel is arguably the “Gold /2021” parallel, limited to only 10 copies per player. With sequential numbering out of 10, stringent limited printing, and eye-catching gold coloring, these parallels instantly became chase cards that spiked up the product’s resale value. Other highly sought after parallels included the /25 Green, /99 Red, and /199 Orange that served varying levels of rarity and scarcity beneath the ultra-short-printed Golds.

In terms of inserts, Panini incorporated popular 1980s/1990s style designs like “Rookies”, “Duos”, and “Gems” to merge nostalgia with a modern aesthetic. Key rookie cards of Brendan Donovan, Grayson Rodriguez, and Bobby Witt Jr. stood out as hits from the “Rookies” subset. “Duos” pairings of teammates and “Gems” focusing on iconic player images generated buzz as well. Topical “Stars of 2022” and “Future Stars” inserts highlighted this year’s brightest young talents like Julio Rodriguez too. Numbering was generally in the low doubles digits or lower here to ensure scarcity.

Another strength of Panini Select is its ability to secure prized serial-numbered on-card autographs from today’s biggest stars. Trout, Soto, Acuna, and Judge parallel autographs or memorabilia cards added tremendous value to boxes. Rc autos and parallels of emerging stars like Witt Jr. and Adley Rutschman tantalized as major pulls. Overall the autograph checklist flexed serious star power with over 100 veteran and prospect autographs integrated throughout the product at various serial number tiers.

On the secondary market, Panini Select baseball proved one of the year’s biggest retail hits. Boxes were tough to find on shelves due to the finite print run but carried eye-popping resale values of $300-500 each online. Individual stars & prospects parallels and especially the ultra-rare Gold variants commanded four-figure prices from collectors chasing specific cards. Even base rookies gained value if part of the subsets. The combination of scarcity, design, and star power clearly resonated with high-end collectors.

While not without its fair share of criticism regarding the pricey randomized hobby box model and manufacturing/quality control issues that come with the territory of new brands and new products, Panini Select 2022 showcased promise as a serious flagship baseball release with legs to build upon its proven football formula for years to come. The rising collector attention and sky-high resell value proved Panini tapped into something special by scratching that itch for an ultra-premium baseball product. Expect many more installments in the flagship Select line as Panini aims to usher baseball cards into a new era competing not just with heritage brands, but also thriving independently as a major new force.

High-quality modern parallels, nostalgic inserts, flashy photographs and autographs, combined with strict limited printing, earned Panini’s inaugural baseball Select set recognition as one of the true “hits” of 2022. It established the foundation for what could develop into one of the elite modern brands and most coveted limited releases in the high-end collector sphere going forward so long as Panini maintains focus on delivering premium rookies, stars and scarce parallel hits with each new year’s checklist. Baseball card fans will surely be waiting anxiously to see where Panini Select goes from here.

93 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS

In the early 1990s, the baseball card industry was booming with the rise of the junk wax era. Companies like Fleer, Donruss, and Topps were mass producing cards at unprecedented levels which led to a massive oversupply. While this glut of cards depressed values for most common cards from this time, there was still a strong collector market for premium and higher-end products. One such product that gained popularity among serious collectors was Score Select baseball cards from 1993.

Score Select was a premium insert set released in 1993 Score baseball wax packs and factory sets. What set Score Select apart from typical base cards was the use of higher quality card stock and enhanced photography. The cards featured a thicker, glossier stock than standard cards from Score or other brands. Perhaps most notably, the photography on Score Select cards was of much higher resolution compared to base cards. Close-up headshots really allowed collectors to appreciate the intricate details in each player’s face and uniform. This superior production quality positioned Score Select as a more desirable collector’s item compared to typical junk wax era cardboard.

In total, there were 144 unique players featured across the 1993 Score Select checklist. The set was broken into three series of 48 cards each that were inserted randomly in wax packs and factory sets over the course of the year. Some of the biggest star players included in Score Select were Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Ken Griffey Jr. Rosters also included up and coming young stars like Derek Jeter, Jim Thome, and Mike Piazza. While star power alone didn’t necessarily drive values, the inclusion of popular players added to the appeal of completing the set.

Condition is especially important when evaluating the value of 1993 Score Select cards today. Given their thinner stock compared to modern cards, the Score Selects are more prone to wear and damage over time. Near mint to mint condition examples in independent grading service holders like PSA or BGS can still demand respectable prices. Played or damaged cards in raw form have relatively little value. It’s not uncommon to still find worn out Score Select commons available for just a few dollars. Investors are wise to only consider high graded examples of even less notable players when building a collection.

Of the 144 total players, there are inevitably some that have achieved much greater collector demand than others over the past almost 30 years. Rookie cards and early career superstars tend to command the highest prices within the set. For example, a PSA 9 graded Derek Jeter 1993 Score Select rookie in a recent Goldin Auctions sale fetched nearly $800. Other notable rookie cards that often sell for $100 or more in top condition include Jim Thome, Mike Piazza, and Jason Giambi. Star pitchers Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz also tend to have strong followings that drive up their Score Select values.

Completing a full 144-card Score Select set presents a serious challenge and investment even for the most well-funded collectors. In top PSA 10 condition, a full factory-sealed set recently sold through Heritage Auctions for over $22,000. But for those working on a long-term project, individual Score Select cards can still be acquired across the spectrum of prices depending on player, condition, and grading status. While some will require four-figure sums, others remain affordable for budget collectors in the $10-50 range. With patience and diligence, it’s possible to piece together this highly regarded ’90s insert set over time.

The 1993 Score Select baseball card set stands out from the typical junk wax era mass produced cardboard due to its superior production values and collector focused design. Nearly 30 years later, high graded examples continue to hold meaningful value for enthusiasts, especially the most popular rookie cards and stars of the era. Condition is paramount, and finding affordable opportunities in the middle price tiers allows completion of this 144-card set to remain a realistic long-term goal for dedicated ’90s collectors. The combination of memorable players, visually striking photography, and limited print runs have solidified Score Select as one of the premier insert sets from the early ’90s trading card boom.

MOST VALUABLE 1993 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS

The 1993 Score Select baseball card set was released around the height of the baseball card boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it didn’t feature the incredible photography of upper-tier sets like Topps Finest or Pinnacle, Score Select offered collectors a highly desirable shot at rookie cards and short prints that made it one of the most collected sets of the era. With thousands of boxes and packs opened in search of coveted rookie cards and numbered parallels, the 1993 Score Select set spawned several cards that have stood the test of time as truly valuable pieces in any collection.

Perhaps the most sought-after 1993 Score Select card is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars in 1993 after back-to-back All-Star appearances to start his career. But his Score Select rookie is particularly special because it features Griffey in a Seattle Mariners uniform for the only time, as the iconic player was traded to the Cincinnati Reds later that year. In pristine mint condition, the Griffey Score Select rookie has sold for over $4,000. Even well-centered, nicely-graded examples can still fetch $1,000-2,000 due to Griffey’s status as a fan favorite and true icon of the era.

Another massive star from the 1990s who had his rookie year in 1993 was Phillies outfielder Jim Thome. Like Griffey, Thome went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the premier power hitters of his generation. His Score Select rookie is highly coveted in the vintage baseball card world. High-grade Thome rookies have sold for $2,500-3,000. Even more common lower-grade examples still pull in a couple hundred dollars on the secondary market. Given that Thome was a power-hitting National League first baseman, hisScore Select rookie enjoys plenty of demand from collectors of the Phillies and teams across the NL.

Two other 1993 Score Select rookie cards that hold significant value are those of Moises Alou and Jason Giambi. Both Alou and Giambi enjoyed long, productive MLB careers that included All-Star appearances and championship rings. The Alou rookie in mint condition has achieved prices upwards of $800-1,000, while even well-centered, lower-grade samples bring $250-400. Jason Giambi rookies have followed a similar upward trajectory, with pristine specimens surpassing $1,000 and most others still sought for $350-500. These cards represent opportunities for collectors to own impactful rookie pieces of two steady offensive contributors from the 1990s and 2000s.

While 1993 Score Select is known largely as a “rookie heavy” set, one of its truly rare gems is the Derek Jeter autograph card. As the face of the Yankees dynasty and now a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Jeter’s autographed rookie is singular in its appeal. Only 100 of these were printed, and finding high-end specimens in a PSA/BGS Gem Mint slab is next to impossible. Most Jeter autographs grade in the 8-9 range, and even those have cracked the $10,000 mark at auction. Simply put, a true Derek Jeter autographed rookie from 1993 Score Select residing in a professional grade is a true untouchable in the vintage sports card world.

Of course, no discussion of valuable 1993 Score Select cards would be complete without mentioning the short printed parallels that fuel so much collector interest in the set. Among the most desired are the Matt Williams and Bobby Bonilla “Starburst” parallel cards, limited to only 15 copies each. High-grade Williams and Bonilla Starbursts routinely fetch $5,000-10,000 at auction. Another parallel set containing mammoth Sox slugger Frank Thomas and fiery Reds pitcher Rob Dibble reached prices over $1,500 each. But perhaps the single rarest Score Select parallel is the Mike Piazza “Splash” printing, with a mind-bogglingly limited quantity of just 3 known copies. Needless to say, a PSA 10 Piazza “Splash” may very well stand as the crown jewel of any serious vintage collection.

While today’s collectors may fixate on present-day stars like Ronald Acuna Jr. or Juan Soto, serious vintage aficionados continue to recognize the monumental player talent and coveted collectibles featured in 1993 Score Select. 27 years after its release, the set still holds immense value for investors and those pursuing the best cards from the peak of the baseball card boom era. With names like Griffey, Thome, Jeter and exceedingly rare parallels, 1993 Score Select stands as one of the true icons from the formative years of the modern collecting landscape. Its most prized cards are certain to retain importance for generations of enthusiasts to come.

1993 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

The 1993 Score Select trading cards were part of Score Board’s groundbreaking Score Select insert set released in packs of Score and Studio baseball cards that year. The flashy insert cards stands out for featuring innovative 3D lenticular technology that allowed certain portions of the cards to appear to move when tilted or viewed from different angles. This cutting edge design helped make the 1993 Score Selects some of the most sought after and valuable baseball cards of the early 1990s.

While not the most famous or iconic baseball card set of all time, the 1993 Score Selects hold nostalgia and fascination for many collectors due to their unique appearance and the incredible talents of the players featured on the cards at the height of their careers. Several rookies and young stars cracked the Score Select lineup in ’93 as well, creating cards that have grown in value as those players became established names. Over 25 years later, the technological marvel and historic moments captured on 1993 Score Selects continue to amaze and attract collectors.

Some key factors that contribute to the enduring desirability and strong secondary market prices for 1993 Score Select cards include:

Innovative Lenticular Technology: The lenticular printing technique gave the illusion of motion on certain portions of the card, typically a player’s face or batting swing. This was a true novelty in the collectibles world at the time and made Score Selects a tremendously exciting and talked about insert set in the hobby. The technology is a pivotal part of the cards’ inherent cool factor.

Star Power of Featured Players: Rosters were loaded with future Hall of Famers and true icons of the game like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Maddux, Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza and more. Having rookie or early career versions of these legends on flashy lenticular cards is a major draw.

Historical Significance: The 1993 season marked some incredible individual and team achievements like Bonds’ NL MVP campaign and Toronto’s World Series title. Landing cards from that specific year ties collectors to memorable on-field moments.

Strong Initial Demand: Score Selects were hot commodities upon release thanks to the buzz around the lenticular technology. High initial print runs have thinned out over time as many raw copies were graded, lost or damaged overtime. Steady collectors interest has tightened available supply.

Increasing Nostalgia: As the 1990s recede further into the past, collectors who enjoyed Score Selects as kids are now adults with more disposable income to acquire the cards that sparked their love of the hobby years ago. Nostalgic appeal will likely remain strong for the foreseeable future.

Let’s take a closer look at some examples of particularly valuable 1993 Score Select cards and examine factors driving their current secondary market pricing:

Ken Griffey Jr. #153 – Widely considered the most desirable Score Select of all. Griffey was already a superstar at age 23 on the cusp of his back-to-back AL MVP awards. PSA 10 copies recently sold for $6,000+, a tribute to Griffey’s legend status and the card’s iconic lenti subject.

Barry Bonds #159 – Another no-doubt Hall of Famer highlighted in his NL MVP season at age 28. Bonds cards in any condition gain value annually as records are broken and PED questions fade. PSA 10 recently commanded $4,000 after starting around $300-500 just years ago.

Frank Thomas #177 – “The Big Hurt” captured at 25, a year before winning his first batting title. Even very high grade Thomas rookies have doubled+ in the last few years as he awaits a Hall call. A PSA 10 recently went for $3,200, up from the $800-1200 range in 2015-16.

Greg Maddux #183 – The pitching staff ace and NL Cy Young winner exemplified at 26 years old and destined for Cooperstown. Condition sensitive due to its low initial print run, a PSA 10 sold in 2019 for $2,900 after a steady increase throughout the 2010s.

Mike Piazza #188 – Considered one of the all-time great offensive catchers, Piazza burst onto the scene in 1993 at 24. Graded examples climb as his Hall case strengthens and LA Dodgers collectors drive demand. A PSA/DNA 10 brought $1,500 last year.

Rookie Pearls – Young stars like Derek Jeter (#174, $1,300 PSA 10), Sammy Sosa (#180, $900 PSA 10) and Garret Stephenson (#187, $600 PSA 10) offer affordable alternate options. Value surges as they cement Hall careers.

Condition is king with any collectible but especially lenticulars which are prone to wear from natural handling. Anything graded PSA/BGS/SGC 9 or 10 for a big name player will command the highest current market value. But even well-preserved raw copies hold value measured in the hundreds as part of a complete 1993 Score Select set. From investments to vintage baseball nostalgia, the 1993s continue captivating collectors over a generation later. With their blend of innovation, star power and historical context, the 1993 Score Selects secure their place among the most enduring and iconic sports card releases ever produced.

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94 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS

The 1994 baseball season marked a transition period for the hobby of collecting baseball cards. The sport was just emerging from the negative publicity surrounding the 1994 MLB player’s strike, which cancelled the World Series for the first time in 90 years. At the same time, the trading card industry was changing as well. The junk wax era of the late 1980s and early 1990s had saturated the market with mass produced cards, greatly devaluing the hobby.

In response to these market conditions, the major baseball card manufacturers Topps, Fleer, and Score introduced a new tier of premium cards in 1994 called “Select” inserts. These paralleled the premium insert sets that had become popular in the contemporary NBA and NFL card markets. The goal was to attract collectors back to the hobby by offering a limited number of rare, high-quality cards of star players within the base sets.

Of the three manufacturers, Score is generally considered to have produced the finest and most coveted 94 Select cards. Their photo quality and production techniques set a new standard that year. Score printed their base sets on a thicker, higher grade of cardboard stock compared to previous years. Known as “100-point card stock,” it gave the cards a premium look and feel.

Additionally, Score pioneered the use of state-of-the-art photo reproduction on baseball cards in 1994. Most notably, their Select cards featured vibrant, high-resolution action photos with superb color saturation. This was a huge upgrade from the dull, grainy photos that had become commonplace on cards in the late 80s and early 90s. Collectors were impressed by how real the players appeared through Score’s photo techniques.

Score’s 94 Select cards were also among the first baseball cards to feature holograms, adding another layer of rarity and appeal. A shimmering hologram logo was embedded in the bottom corner of each Select card. Under the right light, these holograms would flip between the Score and Select logos. It was a groundbreaking innovation that demonstrated Score’s commitment to quality and pushing the industry forward.

In terms of production numbers, Score printed only 50,000 of each 94 Select card issued. This made each one extremely scarce compared to the millions of base cards found in common packs. Score released a total of 24 different Select cards showcasing the game’s biggest stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Barry Bonds, and Greg Maddux. Finding one in a pack became the ultimate thrill of the 1994 Score set.

Right from the start, 94 Score Selects commanded huge premiums in the resale market. Griffey and Bonds rookies quickly shot up to the $100-200 range. Other star rookies like Jason Giambi, Derek Jeter, and Nomar Garciaparra also gained immense value. Even veteran stars like Maddux and Thomas settled in above $50 a card. It was clear collectors highly valued Score’s premium product and photo quality that year.

As the years passed, the rarity and condition of 94 Score Selects only increased their desirability among collectors. Finding high grade copies in pristine “mint” condition, especially of the star rookies, became increasingly difficult. Pristine Griffey and Bonds rookies have since traded hands for thousands of dollars at auction. Other key 94 Selects like Maddux, Frank Thomas, and Roberto Alomar also steadily climbed well into the hundreds of dollars each.

The 94 Score Select set is now widely considered the pinnacle achievement of the entire Score brand during its baseball card run. It represented the perfect balance of premium design elements, elite photo quality, and scarce print runs. While other manufacturers tried to copy Score’s formula in later years, none could match the magic of their 1994 effort. Today, a complete 94 Score Select set in top condition would be worth over $10,000. Individual star cards still command record prices whenever they surface on the market.

Beyond their immense collector value, 94 Score Selects also hold cultural significance as one of the hobby’s turning points. They helped restore confidence in the card industry after several down years and signaled a return to premium, high-end products. Their innovations with photos, card stock, and holograms also set a new standard that is still followed by manufacturers today. For these reasons, 94 Score Selects remain one of the most coveted and iconic insert sets ever produced in the history of baseball cards. True aficionados consider owning even a single example to be a career-defining achievement and highlight of any collection.

The 1994 Score Select baseball card set raised the bar for quality, craftsmanship and collector appeal during a transitional period. With only 50,000 of each star-studded card printed, they instantly became some of the rarest and most valuable modern cards available. Years later, their blend of elite photos, designs and scarcity still make 94 Score Selects highly sought after trophies for dedicated card collectors. They will always be remembered as one of the true pinnacles of the hobby.

92 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS

In the early 1990s, the baseball card industry was booming with the rise of the junk wax era. Mass produced sets with ultra-low print runs flooded the market, making individual cards fairly worthless. In 1992, Upper Deck sought to change the game and give collectors a higher-end product with their Score Select line.

Score Select cards featured some of the biggest names in baseball captured in crisp, vibrant photography on thick, high-quality stock. Rather than mass producing cards, Upper Deck limited the print run of each Score Select card to only 500 copies. This scarcity gave the line immense cache and prestige among collectors. Each card came individually numbered on the front with a hologram to deter forgeries. While pricier than typical cards of the era, Score Select cards offered a premium collecting experience.

Some of the most coveted Score Select cards from 1992 featured superstars in action shots. For example, the Ken Griffey Jr. card showed him leaping to make an outstanding catch in center field. Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars and his card remains highly sought after by collectors today. Another iconic card was the Barry Bonds card picturing him taking a mighty swing. Bonds was in his prime and on his way to smashing the single season home run record.

Other highly valuable Score Select cards from 1992 focused on rookie sensations. The Chipper Jones rookie card captured him in his Braves uniform during his breakout rookie campaign. Only 500 copies of this card exist and it can sell for thousands in top condition today. The Derek Jeter rookie card is equally scarce and iconic, honoring the future Yankees captain in his debut 1992 season. For White Sox fans, the Robin Ventura rookie remains a true gem considering his success both at the plate and in the field.

Veteran superstars also had highly collectible Score Select cards in 1992. The Nolan Ryan card showed the ageless wonder firing a 100 mph fastball with his classic high leg kick delivery. The Ozzie Smith backflip card honored the wizardly defensive skills of the Cardinals shortstop. The Cal Ripken Jr. card pictured him smashing a home run in tribute to his Iron Man streak. Each of these cards command big money today because of the legends they portray and their extreme rarity.

While players on winning teams received more attention, Score Select also highlighted stars on losing clubs. The Ken Caminiti card stood out even on the last place Padres by capturing his raw power in a batting stance. The Bobby Bonilla card honored his offensive production for the Pirates despite the team’s struggles. The Darren Daulton card paid tribute to the heart and soul catcher of the Phillies franchise. Even on non-contenders, these players were worthy of the elite Score Select treatment.

Beyond the on-field action shots, a few Score Select cards took a more artistic approach in 1992. The Dennis Eckersley card pictured the dominant closer in a painting-like backdrop with his number 43 prominently displayed. The Don Mattingly card honored “Donnie Baseball” with a portrait style photograph against a navy blue background. These unique presentations showed Upper Deck’s willingness to get creative within the confines of the premium Score Select product.

While rarer than most other 1992 releases, Score Select cards were still obtainable in retail packs during the initial product run. As the junk wax era crashed and collectors realized the true scarcity of each Score Select card, prices skyrocketed into the thousands of dollars per card for gems. Even today, with over 30 years of appreciation, pristine Score Select rookie and star cards can sell at auction for five figures. The 1992 Score Select line helped elevate the hobby and create some of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever made. For dedicated collectors, finding that one missing piece from the 1992 set is a lifelong quest.

In conclusion, 1992 Upper Deck Score Select baseball cards represented the pinnacle of the card collecting hobby during baseball’s golden age of the early 1990s. By limiting each card’s print run to only 500 copies and using brilliant photography on thick card stock, Score Select offered a premium experience that boosted cards to high-end works of art. Rookie sensations, veteran superstars, and even role players received the Score Select treatment in 1992. While tough to find in gem condition today, pristine Score Select cards remain hugely popular with collectors and consistently set record prices at auction. The 1992 set helped elevate card collecting to new heights and created several all-time classic and valuable baseball cards.

1992 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS

The 1992 Score Select baseball card set was highly anticipated upon its release due to its unique concept of including only star players and prospects from the previous season. Score Select cards from the early 1990s are still highly collectible today among baseball card enthusiasts due to the select group of players featured and the short print runs issued compared to the flagship Score set.

1992 was the second year Score issued their “Select” set after the inaugural 1991 version. Like the prior year, Score Select focused only on superstar major leaguers and top minor league prospects chosen by the Score editorial team. The set size was just 132 cards, a minuscule fraction of the main Score collection which that year contained over 700 players. With such a limited checklist of elite talent, many collectors saw Score Select as a “brag book” set to show off the best athletes.

Some of the huge names included in the 1992 Score Select checklist were Barry Bonds, Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Ken Griffey Jr. and Wade Boggs. Rookies like Jeff Bagwell, Derek Jeter, and Trevor Hoffman also gained early collector attention by making their flagship card debuts in Score Select before the main Score issue. Minor league prospects like Ken Griffey Jr.’s son Ken Griffey III and future stars like Mike Piazza received prospect cards acknowledging their promise.

Unlike other sets of the era which contained numerous parallel or serial numbered subsets, Score Select cards were uniformly designed from pack to pack with no special parallels. They featured bold black borders framing close-up action photos of the players on a white background. Statistics from the previous season rounded out the simple yet classy design admired by collectors even today. The front also bore the “Score Select” logo in addition to the year.

As an ultra-premium product targeting top-dollar collectors even at the time of release, the 1992 Score Select cards came in very limited quantities. Hobby shops and card shows received only a few factory-sealed wax boxes containing 24 packs each. Individual packs held just 5 cards and retailed for around $3, substantially higher than the 50-cent packs of the flagship Score or other brands. This scarcity amplified collector demand for Score Select cards which remain tougher to acquire in high grade to this day.

While no cards were strictly serial numbered in the base 1992 Score Select set, supply constraints made virtually every included card a short print compared to cards of the same players available elsewhere. Superstar rookies like Bagwell and Jeter numbering among the toughest pull. Obtaining a complete 132-card base set in mint condition proves an immense challenge for most collectors even three decades later. Many covet the perfect 10 graded gems which surface on the resale market infrequently.

score . Some parallels and inserts upped the rarity factor even higher. Among these were Glossy parallels stamped on a shiny coated stock found one per case. Golden Anniversary parallels marked the 50th anniversary of Score comics with golden borders. Rare insert sets within featured retired legends or traded players from 1991. All further cemented Score Select’s status as the year’s most exclusive, investment-quality issue.

While other contemporaneous baseball card sets from the early 1990s lost value over the ensuing decades, 1992 Score Select has maintained strong collector demand. With few complete sets in existence and scarcity of the rookies and stars all but ensuring limited additional population growth through new finds, prices have risen steadily. Even heavily played common players command respectable sums. Single high-grade rookie cards like Bagwell or Jeter routinely fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars to this day when they surface.

The 1992 Score Select set carved out a unique niche at the time through its star-powered checklist and extremely constrained print runs. That scarcity has driven prices higher than most other yearly issues from the junk wax era. While not quite reaching the icon status of the venerable 1951 Bowman and 1952 Topps sets, 1992 Score Select endures as one of the most coveted and investment-worthy baseball card releases of the early 1990s worth extensive collection by both vintage enthusiasts and savvy investors.

1994 SCORE SELECT BASEBALL CARDS MOST VALUABLE

The 1994 Score Select baseball card set introduced an innovative concept of hand-cut, die-cut cards featuring some of the game’s top stars without uniform logos. Limited printing runs and unique designs have made select cards from this product highly sought after by collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most valuable cards from 1994 Score Select and why they have attained such high prices in the secondary market.

The undisputed king of 1994 Score Select is the Ken Griffey Jr. ’94 SP card. Only 156 of these Griffey rookie cards were produced, making it one of the rarest modern baseball cards in existence. Since Griffey was already one of the game’s brightest young stars coming off back-to-back AL MVP awards, demand for his 1994 rookie was through the roof. But the tiny print run meant almost no one could pull this treasure from packs. Over the past few decades, fewer than a dozen ’94 Griffey SP cards have even appeared for sale. The record price paid for one in near-mint condition was a staggering $255,000 in 2016.

Another rookie juggernaut from this set is the Frank Thomas ’94 SP card. With a print run estimated between 500-1000 copies, the rare Thomas rookie is nearly as coveted as Griffey’s. As a two-time AL MVP and perennial All-Star, “The Big Hurt” had an illustrious career that keeps collectors lusting for his ultra-limited first card decades later. One 9-mint copy sold for $75,215 back in 2015. Though slightly more obtainable than Griffey’s, raw Thomas rookies still trade hands for $15,000+ when in pristine condition.

Ken Griffey Jr. SP and Frank Thomas SP aren’t the only 1994 Select cards capable of 5-figure valuations, however. The Chipper Jones rookie from that year is a consistent seller above $10,000 in top shape as well. While not quite as scarce as the previous two stars mentioned, Jones’ accomplished career and rookie status still fuel high prices. Another superstar rookie, Randy Johnson’s ’94 SP has exceeded $6,000 sales due to his Hall of Fame résumé. Even though it isn’t his true “rookie” since he debuted in 1988, collectors recognize Johnson’s emergence as an ace.

One of the rarest pulled variants from 1994 Score Select is the autographed Barry Larkin SP card, limited to around 50 copies. As a future Hall of Famer still in his prime during 1994, the short print Larkin auto attracts avid Reds fans and autograph collectors alike. Creme de la creme examples have topped $15,000 at auction. Even run-of-the-mill autographed rookies from the set like Jeff Bagwell, Moises Alou and Brian McRae routinely sell for $1,000-$3,000 based on perceived signatures and condition.

Beyond the rookie star power, multiple seasoned superstars have extremely valuable SP cards in 1994 Score Select that maintain 4-5 figure valuations. Foremost is the Ken Griffey Jr. SP card without the rookie designation (#33). Since it shares the same scarce print run of around 150 copies as his true rookie, the premium ’94 Griffey insert regularly trades for $10,000+ in pristine condition. Other all-time greats like Cal Ripken Jr., Tony Gwynn, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine have reached the $3,000 range in top grades as well due to their legends and the set’s small distributions.

Collectors should also note the scarcity of complete 1994 Score Select master sets. While packs were initially opened 27 years ago, very few people managed to obtain all 10 cards across the four serial number variants. As a result, high-grade sets with inserts now command premium List Prices in the $15,000+ area. The set builds were indeed a challenge, so locating all the SPs co-packaged and in top condition is a collector’s dream prized by set completionists.

The innovative 1994 Score Select baseball cards introduced a new paradigm for inserts by restricting print runs to ultra-limited levels. Combined with a who’s who of baseball stars both rookie and established, this has created a perfect storm where select cards have attained astonishing values. As the years pass, some pieces like the Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas rookies may exceed $100,000 price tags. Even mid-tier pieces could continue appreciating simply due to rarity factors from a print run of under 1,000 copies in many cases. The sets complete storytelling ability also enchants collectors who chase this coveted diamond-in-the-rough product from the 1990s Bull Market era in sports cards. 1994 Score Select remains treasured for redefining scarcity and concentrating star power into a scarce and desirable package 27 years later.