The 1990 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the top vintage issues from the late 1980s and early 1990s. While it may not be as coveted as flagship sets from the 1950s and 1960s, the 1990 Topps release featured some of the biggest stars from that era and includes several cards that have increased dramatically in value over the past 30 years. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most valuable 1990 Topps baseball cards collectors search for today.
One of the most iconic rookie cards from the entire junk wax era is the Kirby Puckett rookie card from the 1990 Topps set. Puckett went on to have a Hall of Fame career primarily with the Minnesota Twins and helped lead the franchise to World Series championships in 1987 and 1991. In a well-centered mint condition, Puckett’s rookie card can fetch over $1,000. Higher graded versions with a PSA or BGS grade of 8 or above have sold for multiples more. Even badly worn low-grade examples still trade hands for $100-200 based purely on its rookie card status of such an elite player.
Another highly sought-after rookie from the 1990 Topps set is the Ken Griffey Jr. card. Often rated the best pure hitter of his generation, Griffey posted huge numbers with both the Mariners and Reds over his career. His rookie card has also experienced huge appreciation over the years, with a PSA 10 gem mint example recently selling for nearly $10,000 and most well-centered near-mint copies still pulling in $500-800. There are many iconic photos of “The Kid” and his rookie card captured him at the beginning of what became one of baseball’s truly special careers.
For collectors looking for cards of true legends, there are some key Hall of Fame rookies and giants of the game included in the 1990 Topps set as well. The rookie card of Craig Biggio, who played his entire 20-year career with the Astros, has been gaining steam in recent years. PSA 10 examples have cracked $2,000 as Biggio’s status has grown since his 2017 induction into Cooperstown. Another Cooperstown member, Tom Glavine, has his rookie card from 1990 Topps that can reach $500-700 in high grades. And Chipper Jones, who was just inducted in 2018, has a very affordable ($50-75 PSA 8), but still highly coveted, rookie included from this same set as well.
Power hitters like Ken Griffey Jr. and rookie cards of future Hall of Famers are obviously exciting highlights from 1990 Topps. But collectors are also fervently searching for stars cards from the true titans that dominated that decade. Frank Thomas’ flagship red bordered card, which captured him early in his eventual two-time AL MVP career, can reach $50-100 based on condition. The card of slugging outfielder Barry Bonds, taken in the midst of six years with the Pirates before going to the Giants, has also gained increasing attention and value in recent years given his all-time home run records. A PSA 9 can go for $150-250 currently.
Pitching legends are also covered superbly in the 1990 Topps set. Nolan Ryan, in one of his final seasons before retirement, can be acquired for under $20 even in high grades like a PSA 9 due to his enormous print runs over the years. But for the true condition sensitive collector, a PSA 10 GEM Ryan is pushing $200-300 given his status as perhaps the greatest strikeout pitcher ever. Similarly, the flagship card of Hall of Famer Greg Maddux captures him early in his dominant run with the Cubs and a pristine PSA 10 could reach $400. Other elite hurlers like Dwight Gooden and David Cone can be found for under $50 each still despite their own highly accomplished careers.
Baseball cards are often valued not just for the stars themselves but also any significant milestones or achievements captured on the cardboard. One such spectacular moment preserved from 1990 Topps is Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie debut card, numbered 156 in the set. It shows a photo from his first Major League at-bat and notable backstory has led high grades of this scarce memorabilia card to sell north of $1,000. Another historic achievement acknowledged was Nolan Ryan’s record-breaking 5000th career strikeout, depicted on card 107 of the 1990 issue. Examples in PSA 9+ condition have topped $150 due to the one-of-a-kind moment it pictures.
While core rookies, stars and achievements drive the high end valuations, savvy collectors know to also search out less obvious Hollywood candidates from vintage sets whose careers really took off after the original printing. One such breakout star since the 1990 Topps issue is Craig Biggio, who only had a singular base card at the time but has grown exponentially in fan popularity. Any well-centered examples could reach $50-75 based on his 3,000 hit plateau. Similarly, the Mark McGwire debut card features him as an obscure rookie, listed as an infielder no less! But given his epic home run pursuits later on, a PSA 9 trades around $125 or more.
While produced during the height of the over-produced “junk wax” era, the 1990 Topps baseball card set still holds immense interest and value for collectors thanks to its stellar rookie class and capturing legendary players. Key cards like the rookies of Griffey, Puckett, Biggio and Glavine lead the charge, but authentic high graded examples of stars like Frank Thomas, Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux and especially any milestone or one-of-a-kind photographs can bring excellent returns as well considering the set is now over 30 years old. For fans and investors alike, 1990 Topps remains one of the most recognizable and cherished vintage issues to uncover valuable gems from in the modern trading card market.
