One of the most valuable 1991 Topps baseball cards is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, which is card number 1 in the set. Griffey was one of the brightest young stars in baseball in the early 1990s and went on to have a legendary career. His iconic swing and attitude helped turn him into a fan favorite. The Griffey rookie is one of the most iconic and sought-after cards from the early 1990s rookie card boom. In top gem mint condition, ungraded examples have sold for over $400,000 and graded PSA 10 examples have reached auction prices of over $275,000, making it one of the highest valued modern baseball cards.
Another extremely valuable 1991 Topps card is the Frank Thomas rookie card, which is number 221 in the set. Like Griffey, Thomas established himself as one of the game’s premier power hitters from the start of his career. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and win two American League MVP awards. The Thomas rookie is the key card from the 1991 Topps set for collectors seeking a high-valued White Sox rookie. In PSA 10 condition, it can bring over $15,000 at auction. Even lower graded versions in PSA 8 or 9 can sell for thousands.
The Nolan Ryan Express card, number 520 in the 1991 Topps set, is also very desirable. Ryan was nearing the end of his remarkable 27-year career in 1991 but was still regarded as one of the greatest strikeout artists in MLB history. The Ryan card features a memorable image of him unleashing a blazing fastball. High graded versions continue to sell for big money due to Ryan’s iconic status, with PSA 10’s reaching over $4,000. Other Nolan Ryan cards from his record-breaking career years can sell for even higher amounts.
Chipper Jones’ rookie card from 1991 Topps, which is number 694, also holds significant value. Although he had not emerged as a superstar yet, Jones was a highly-regarded young third baseman coming up with the Braves. He would go on to have a Hall of Fame career in Atlanta while winning an MVP award. His rookie remains one of the standout cards from the set for Braves collectors. PSA 10 examples have cracked the $3,000 mark in recent online auctions. This card remains one of Jones’ most sought-after rookie cards from his collecting heyday in the 1990s.
Two other valuable rookie cards from 1991 Topps are Ivan Rodriguez’s, which is number 649, and Kenny Lofton’s, which is number 534. ‘Pudge’ Rodriguez was one of the best defensive catchers in baseball history and won several Gold Glove awards very early in his career. Lofton was an electrifying center fielder and base stealer who made several All-Star teams. High graded versions of both of these rookie cards can command $1,000+.
In terms of star veterans from 1991, two perennial All-Stars with particularly valuable Topps cards are Ryne Sandberg and Wade Boggs. Both were among the elite players from the 1980s still performing at high levels. Sandberg’s card is number 204 while Boggs is number 314. PSA 10 versions of Sandberg have reached over $1,200. Boggs, who was nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career in 1991, has had PSA 10 cards sell for over $800. Cards of other aging stars like Ozzie Smith, George Brett, and Rickey Henderson also attract strong prices.
There were also several key rookieCards in 1991 of players who did not live up to expectations but are still sought after by collectors seeking to complete sets. For example, the Bobby Witt rookie, card number 473, was one of the most hyped prospects of his time but had an underwhelming big league career. Still, high graded Witt rookies sell for hundreds because he remains an iconic early 1990s card. Others like Alex Cole and Jeff King also attract buyers even though the players were not superstars. In the end, there are over a dozen 1991 Topps cards that high-grade versions sell for over $1,000 today making it one of the most valuable releases from the junk wax era.
