The 1990 Topps baseball card set was released at the start of the 1990 MLB season and marked the 69th installment in the long-running Topps brand. The set consists of 792 total cards including over 700 base cards and inserts highlighting top rookies and stars from the 1989 season. While not one of the most coveted vintage sets from the junk wax era of the late 80s/early 90s, the 1990 Topps issue does contain some valuable gems that collectors still seek out today.

One of the most notable rookies featured in the 1990 Topps set is Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. who had just completed his spectacular rookie campaign with the Seattle Mariners in 1989 where he smacked 16 home runs and won the ROY award. Griffey’s vibrant smiling rookie card remains one of the most iconic in the hobby. In raw near mint condition, examples typically sell on the secondary market for $50-100 depending on centering and condition quality. Higher graded versions around PSA 8 or above can reach well into the $200-500 range and are still worth acquiring for any vintage card collector.

Another heralded rookie in the set is Frank Thomas, known as “The Big Hurt”, who was just starting to display his immense power potential with the Chicago White Sox in ’89. Thomas hit .269 with 53 RBIs and 15 home runs as a rookie, showcasing the skills that would later make him a two-time MVP. His 1990 Topps rookie in a PSA 9 gem mint state can sell for $75-150 while a raw near mint copy trades for $30-60.

Aside from rookies, superstar cards that hold value today include Ripken (#171), Henderson (#176), Clemens (#314), Puckett (#375), and Strawberry (#439). A PSA 9-10 graded version of these stars could each realize $100-300 depending on the player popularity and demand. Even ungraded near mint copies still sell in the $20-50 range which makes them attainable for most collectors.

Insert cards like “Diamond Kings” which featured superstar images encrusted in simulated diamonds also carry premiums today. The Nolan Ryan Diamond Kings (#DK3) specifically is among the most sought after and rare parallels from the set, with PSA 9 examples selling for $150-300. Even raw near mint can still pull $50-100 due to the scarcity and cool retro parallel design.

High numbers cards for stars like Dave Stewart (#652), Dennis Eckersley (#685), and Darryl Strawberry (#779) also seem to hold decent values proportionate to the player, around $15-30 for a nice near mint copy. These served as the “hit” cards of the packs back in the day.

Besides the sought-after rookies and stars, error cards are always appeal to error card collectors. Two notable errors documented in the 1990 issue are the Wally Joyner printing plate (#653) and the Steve Howe error (#524) which was printed with an incorrect team. Both are ultra-rare and high-end conditioned examples could realize $500-1000+ depending on the auction environment.

Overall condition and eye appeal plays a huge factor in pricing for all vintage cardboard. Heavily played copies lacking solid color, sharp corners and centering could realistically sell in the $1-5 range. But the 1990 Topps set does contain numerous cards that retain significance and desirability today for collectors. With patience, a complete set can be acquired on a budget by sourcing affordable singles off websites like eBay and COMC over time. And the Griffey Jr. and Thomas rookies make the ’90 issue worth diving into for any player collector on a budget. While not the most expensive vintage set, there is fun and value to be had exploring this chapter of the Topps flagship brand’s storied baseball card history from the late 1980s and early ’90s.

While not the priciest set from the junk wax era, the 1990 Topps baseball issue does feature several stars, rookies and inserts that continue to hold steady collector interest and prices well above the issue average. With its mix of attainable commons mixed with chase cards like the Griffey Jr. and Thomas rookies, the 1990 Topps set makes for an accessible and enjoyable vintage collecting product for those seeking affordable vintage cardboard from the late 20th century.