The 1990s were a transformative time for the baseball card industry. Following a boom period in the late 80s, the market began to stabilize and cards started to become more specialized and focused on star players. Several rookie cards from the decade have become extremely valuable as those players went on to Hall of Fame careers. With sports memorabilia and collectibles now big business, cards from the 90s that featured iconic players resonate strongly with fans and collectors. Here’s a look at the 10 most desirable baseball cards issued during that memorable decade:

1997 Bowman’s Best Ken Griffey Jr. Refractor #BBR-KG (Estimated Value: $100-$150)

Ken Griffey Jr. was already one of the biggest stars in baseball in 1997 and this rare refracted version of his Bowman’s Best card capitalized on his popularity. Only 1,000 of these cards were produced and they featured vivid color and an eye-catching refractor coating that makes the image shimmer. Griffey was in his prime with the Mariners at this point coming off back-to-back AL MVP awards. This exclusive card is highly sought after by collectors focused on vintage Griffey gear.

1992 Bowman Dennis Eckersley #366 (Estimated Value: $150-$200)

Dennis Eckersley had the best season of his Hall of Fame career in 1992 when he won the AL Cy Young and MVP awards as a member of the Athletics. This was the rookie card issued for “Eck” during his debut year in 1975 and captures him during his early days with the Cleveland Indians. The 1992 design had a clean and classic look that remains a favorite among collectors. Eckersley’s career renaissance and dominance as a closer in the early 90s makes his classic rookie card a priority for investors.

1998 SP Authentic #64 Sammy Sosa (Estimated Value: $200-$250)

Sammy Sosa’s epic 1998 home run chase with Mark McGwire captivated the country and restored national interest in America’s pastime. This serial-numbered rookie card from Upper Deck’s high-end “SP Authentic” set featured Sosa’s explosive swing and commemorated the breakout season that established him as a household name. Numbered to only 5,000 copies, it became a hot commodity and is highly sought after today. Sosa mania from ’98 is rekindled value in this definitive card from his earlyChicago Cubs tenure.

1992 Bowman’s Best Derek Jeter #51 (Estimated Value: $250-$300)

Widely considered the biggest star to emerge from the high-powered Yankee dynasty teams of the late 90s, Derek Jeter had Hall of Fame credentials before he even played his first MLB game. This elegant rookie card featured glowing reviews of his prospect status on the back. It come from the premium “Bowman’s Best” set that exhibited photographs rivaling the finest produced at the time. Numbered to only 10,000 copies, it’s one of the most iconic rookie cards ever made and remains the most affordable way to own an essential piece of baseball history.

1999 Bowman Chrome Miguel Cabrera #221 (Estimated Value: $300-$350)

Known for his savvy hitting ability and two-way talent pitching as well, Miguel Cabrera has already built a Hall of Fame case nearly two decades into his career. This refractor parallel card captured him as one of the sport’s brightest young stars with the 2015 World Series champion Marlins. The “Bowman Chrome” set introduced the innovative concept of refractors that immersively captured players in vibrant color. Only 1,000 of these were produced, making it a true gem being one of the first looks at the future batting champion.

1994 Collector’s Choice Chipper Jones #465 (Estimated Value: $350-$400)

Chipper Jones spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Atlanta Braves and was adored by fans in “The A-T-L” for nearly two decades. This top rookie card featured him in the classic Collector’s Choice design that remained a staple for nine years. Jones’ combination of power, hitting ability and Gold Glove caliber defense in the hot corner made him a cornerstone player for perennial contenders. The card marked his arrival as one of the new generation’s most complete talents. Numbered to only 10,000, it’s a seminal piece of 90s baseball nostalgia.

1997 Bowman’s Best Tim Salmon #BBS2 (Estimated Value: $400-$450)

Despite forging an outstanding career with the California/Anaheim Angels, underrated slugger Tim Salmon never achieved the national fame of some peers. His refined rookie card is a darling of collectors for its scarcity and artistic beauty. Part of Bowman’s premium “Best” collection, it features a superb photograph and eye-catching hologram effect on a matte black background. Only 1,000 of these exist, making it hugely valuable. For connoisseurs, it represents one of the most esteemed designs to emerge during baseball’s golden decade for cards.

1992 Bowman Derek Jeter Update #38U (Estimated Value: $500-$600)

JeterMania was already in full swing by 1992 and fans eagerly awaited his MLB debut after being drafted sixth overall out of high school. This “update” issue preceded his official rookie card by a year and is one of the earliest widely distributed glimpses of the future Captain. Like the base issue, it presents glowing compliments on the back but in a pristine limited variation only produced that one year. Numbered to a minuscule 3,000 copies, it epitomizes the rarest of the rare for one of the most prized players in the sport’s modern era.

1997 Topps Chrome Tiger Woods #149 (Estimated Value: $700-$800)

Long before becoming a household name transcending sports, Tiger Woods was already exhibiting prodigious skills as an amateur that had experts drooling over his golfing prodigy status. This radical parallel rookie card captured him in the midst of redrawing expectations about what an African American could achieve in a mostly white country club sport. Produced on Chromcast refractor stock in a hypnotic red color, it has only 1,999 in existence. It’s the most desirable non-baseball card from the period and a true holy grail for any enthusiast of vintage memorabilia.

1991 Stadium Club Kirby Puckett #341 (Estimated Value: $850-$950)

Kirby Puckett burst into the national spotlight in 1991 by leading the Minnesota Twins to an improbable World Series title. This defining rookie card featured him in glorious full color photographs from the premium “Stadium Club” brand. With a stately depiction of Puckett at the plate and glowing praise on the reverse, it presented him as the new face of baseball in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Only 3,000 were printed, making each one a valuable keepsake from a vintage season that will never be forgotten. For Twins devotees and serious collectors, it remains the most prized baseball card to emerge from the glorious decade of the 1990s.

While production and speculative boom periods changed the baseball card market significantly throughout the 1990s, some issues managed to stand the test of time based on the lasting legacies of the featured players. For enthusiasts and investors, these 10 cards capturing iconic stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera, Chipper Jones and others are truly elite pieces befitting any collection. They signify an unforgettable era when the cardboard craze reached its peak and a new generation became enthralled with baseball memories.