One of the most valuable Donruss baseball cards is the 1992 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Griffey was one of the most exciting young players to enter the majors in the 1990s and his rookie card is iconic. In near mint to mint condition, examples of this Griffey rookie card can sell for over $2,000. In gem mint 10 condition it has sold for as much as $15,000. This remains one of the most desirable and valuable modern baseball cards.
Another very valuable Donruss card is the 1990 Ken Griffey Jr. This was Griffey’s first baseabll card issued as part of the main Donruss set when he was still a minor leaguer in the Mariners farm system. While not officially a rookie card, it captures Griffey as one of baseball’s top prospects. High graded examples in mint 9 or gem mint 10 condition have sold for $4,000 or more. Even well-centered near mint 8 copies can bring $1,000. This early Griffey card showing his promise is highly sought after.
Staying in the 1990s, the 1994 Donruss Elite Series Ken Griffey Jr. Gold Refractor parallel card is incredibly rare and expensive. The gold refractor parallel was one of the first inserts featuring refractors to add another layer of rarity and appeal. Less than 10 examples of the Griffey are known to exist in the hands of private collectors. One sold for close to $50,000 in gem mint condition in 2021, showing just how scarce and valuable high-grade copies are.
The 1986 Donruss Roger Clemens rookie card is another hugely valuable option, as Clemens went on to have a Hall of Fame career. Graded mint 9 copies have sold for $4,000, while a single gem mint 10 recently set a new record by selling for just under $15,000. Demand remains high for this classic rookie card of The Rocket in pristine condition.
For baseball cards produced prior to the mid-1980s, there are several rare Donruss cards that could attain five-figure or greater prices. The 1954 Donruss Willie Mays rookie card is exceptionally rare, with only a handful believed to exist. One graded PSA 8 recently sold for $107,000. The 1952 Mickey Mantle rookie is similarly scarce and high-end examples sold for $50,000-150,000 in recent years.
Staying in the 1950s, the 1957 Donruss Mickey Mantle is quite valuable in top-grades as well. Graded PSA/DNA Gem Mint 10 copies have sold for $70,000 recently. Other vintage greats with scarce/valuable Donruss rookies include Sandy Koufax, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and more from the 1950s-1960s.
Some of the most financially lucrative Donruss baseball cards to pursue include iconic rookie cards like Ken Griffey Jr from the 1992 and 1990 sets, and Roger Clemens’ 1986 rookie. Super-high end inserts like Griffey’s 1994 Gold Refractor are worth five figures as well. When it comes to vintage, the rarest Hall of Fame rookies from the 1950s like Mantle, Mays and Koufax can reach astronomical prices if grading a true gem. With condition being critical, these Donruss standouts have the potential for significant profit if attained and preserved in top condition.
