The 1990s was a transformative decade for the baseball card industry. While the market experienced ups and downs throughout the decade, it remained popular among both collectors and investors. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable and valuable baseball cards from the 1990s.

1992 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. #1 RC BGS 9.5: Widely considered the most iconic baseball card of the 1990s, the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card from 1992 Bowman is arguably the key chase card from the decade. With his beautiful swing and remarkable talent on display as a young star for the Mariners, Griffey became one of the biggest fan favorites in the game. This helped drive huge demand for his rookie card. In a BGS 9.5 gem mint condition, examples have sold for over $30,000, making it one of the most valuable modern baseball cards ever printed.

1996 Bowman’s Best Refractor Derek Jeter #144 RC PSA 10: As legendary shortstop and longtime Yankees captain, Derek Jeter carved out a Hall of Fame career. His rookie cards were hotly pursued by collectors right from the start. The ultrarare refractors from 1996 Bowman’s Best, which had a silvery shimmer, became the true holy grail. A pristine PSA 10 example can fetch $50,000 or more on the current market given Jeter’s fame and the card’s eye-popping visual appeal.

1994 Fleer Ultra Collector’s Choice Special Embossed Nomar Garciaparra RC PSA 10: Arguably one of the most coveted oddball rookie cards of the decade, the Nomar Garciaparra embossed card from 1994 Fleer Ultra stood out with its unique foil stamping and low print run. Garciaparra appeared poised for stardom with the Red Sox and this card captured collectors’ imagination. In gem mint condition it can sell for over $15,000 today, despite Garciaparra having a relatively short prime.

1992 Leaf Michael Jordan RC: While not a baseball card per se, the 1992 Leaf Michael Jordan rookie caught fire as a collectible after His Airness’ move to the White Sox in 1994. With its attractive on-card action photo and association with arguably the greatest athlete of all time, PSA 10 examples have been known to fetch over $100,000 at auction due to Jordan’s unparalleled cultural and business impact in the ‘90s.

1996 Zenith Refractors Sammy Sosa PSA 10: Sammy Sosa arrived on the scene in the second half of the decade and immediately made his presence felt with his monster home run prowess for the Cubs. The ‘98 home run chase with Mark McGwire captivated the country. The premier rookie from his 1996 Zenith set, with its flashy refractors, has reached over $10,000 in pristine condition reflecting Sosa’s memorable peak.

1999 SP Authentic Mark McGwire PSA 10: In one of the most anticipated rookie cards ever, 1998 home run king Mark McGwire had collectors salivating for his true rookie from 1999 SP Authentic. While production was higher than base rookies, the sharp on-card signature made it highly coveted. A perfect 10 gem can sell for well over $5,000 given McGwire’s single-season home run record status at the time.

1995 Select Corky Miller RC Auto BGS 9.5: Possibly the most improbable big money card, catcher Corky Miller’s autograph rookie from 1995 Select became a six-figure gem due to its short print run and stately condition. While Miller had an unmemorable 4-year career, his rookie achieved cult status among 90s collectors. One recent BGS 9.5 sale topped an astounding $175,000(!), showing no card can be overlooked.

1997 Finest Refractor Tom Glavine #’d /500 BGS 9.5: Arguably the key Braves card of the 1990s following their impressive run, Tom Glavine’s spectacular refractor from 1997 Finest captivated collectors with its serialized numbering and vibrant colors. The Hall of Famer Glavine was a model of consistency at his peak. High-grade examples in the $5,000+ range show its lasting collectibility.

1998 Stadium Club Chipper Jones RC #145 BGS 9.5: Arriving as the top overall pick in the 1990 draft, Chipper Jones immediately drew attention from collectors with his pro debut in 1995. But his 1998 Stadium Club rookie, with its superb on-card photos, became the true chase. Few recent rookies have held value as well as Jones as he cemented Braves legend status. Pristine examples command $8,000+.

1995 Pinnacle Mike Piazza Gold Medallion RC Auto BGS 9: Widely considered the finest offensive catcher of his generation, Mike Piazza was a star early for the Dodgers. His luxurious signature rookie from 1995 Pinnacle Gold Medallion captivated collectors. With its lovely gold parallels and sharp on-card auto, it remained elite long after Piazza’s playing days. Perfect grades bring over $4,000 on today’s market.

This covers some of the most significant and valuable baseball cards from the memorable 1990s decade. While the stars, teams and designs have changed, these classic pieces of cardboard continue to be prized by collectors nostalgic for the era that shaped today’s hobby.