The year 1990 produced some very valuable baseball cards that are highly sought after by collectors today. Baseball cards from the late 1980s and early 1990s are quite collectible as the hobby was booming during this time period. Let’s take a look at some of the most valuable 1990 baseball cards that still command high prices in the today’s market.
One of the most iconic and valuable 1990 baseball cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was one of the biggest young stars in baseball coming up through the Seattle Mariners system in the late 80s. His rookie card came from the Upper Deck brand in 1990 and it is still one of the most desirable baseball cards ever produced. In pristine mint condition, Griffey’s 1990 Upper Deck rookie card can fetch $10,000 or more today. Even well-cent condition examples still sell for $500-1000. What makes this card especially collectible is Griffey went on to have a Hall of Fame career and was always a fan favorite known for his smile and effortless swing. His rookie card captured him at the beginning of what became one of the greatest careers in MLB history.
Another massive star from the 1990s who had an equally valuable rookie card was Frank Thomas from the Chicago White Sox. His rookie card came from Fleer and Donruss that year. Thomas goes by the nickname “The Big Hurt” and ended up having a first-ballot Hall of Fame career. He was a perennial American League MVP candidate known for his incredible hitting prowess. Mint condition examples of Thomas’ 1990 Fleer rookie card can sell for upwards of $3,000 today. Even well-worn copies still trade hands for $200-500 depending on the exact condition. Thomas was arguably the best right-handed hitter of the 1990s and his rookie card remains a highly coveted piece for collectors.
While Griffey Jr. and Frank Thomas rookie cards were at the very top of the value chart, there were plenty of other young stars and future Hall of Famers who had prominent rookie cards in 1990 as well. Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds had his rookie card debut that year from Score and Studio. Larkin went on to have a stellar 19-year career spent entirely with the Reds, where he was a 12-time All-Star and the 1995 National League MVP. In mint condition, his 1990 Score rookie card can sell for $1,000-2,000 and his Studio card fetches $500-1000.
Another 1990 rookie who became a Cooperstown worthy player was Edgar Martinez of the Seattle Mariners. Nicknamed “Slowey” because of his deliberate batting style, Martinez ended his career as one of the greatest designated hitters in baseball history with a .312 batting average. His rookie cards that year from Score, Studio, and Fleer are valued between $400-800 in top-grades. A favorite of Pacific Northwest baseball fans for years with the Mariners, Martinez’s iconic rookie cards remain very collectible for fans who remember his excellence.
While stars like Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Larkin, and Martinez had rookie cards in 1990 that are worth big money today, there were also highly valuable cards produced that year featuring established MLB superstars. For example, the baseball card of Nolan Ryan from Score is one of the rarest and most valuable from the entire 1990 set. At the time, Ryan was winding down his legendary career that saw him rack up over 5,000 strikeouts and set dozens of pitching records. His 1990 Score card has an ultra-low print run and high-grade examples could sell for upwards of $15,000. Even well-worn copies still command $1,000+ on the current market.
Another 1990 card that can reach five-figure prices is the Rickey Henderson rookie card from Score. Henderson is considered one of the greatest leadoff hitters and base stealers in MLB history. By 1990, he was already a three-time American League stolen base leader as a member of the Oakland A’s. Because Henderson’s rookie season was in 1979, collectors knew his 1990 Score card captured him as a star player already. In pristine mint condition, this card has sold at auction for greater than $25,000. Even well-loved copies can trade hands for $3,000-5,000 today due to Henderson’s Hall of Fame career and status as a fan favorite.
Rounding out the five-figure cards from 1990 is the Ken Griffey Sr. card also from Score. While not nearly as valuable as his son’s rookie, the Sr. Griffey card holds value primarily due to its rare serial number – it has the #1 designation out of the entire set. Even without flaws, no more than a handful are known to exist in collectors’ hands today. When onesurfaces for auction, it routinely sells for $15,000-$20,000 due to its ultra-rare “1/759” numbering. For advanced collectors seeking the rarest and most condition-sensitive pieces, Griffey Sr.’s #1 card is the crème de la crème from the 1990 Score set.
In summary, 1990 was a bountiful year for producing valuable baseball cards featuring both young stars and established MLB greats. Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, Barry Larkin, and Edgar Martinez rookie cards from that season will likely never lose demand from collectors. Meanwhile, vintage cards of legends like Nolan Ryan, Rickey Henderson, and Ken Griffey Sr. hold tremendous value as well. For advanced collectors, high-dollar 1990 cards like the Nolan Ryan and Rickey Henderson Score issues as well as the ultra-rare Ken Griffey Sr. #1 card are the Holy Grail pieces. Overall, 1990 remains one of the best years ever for finding valuable baseball memorabilia to collect and invest in for the future.
