Remember, there are only 500 of these in the world. Traded also has one of the best Griffey photos among his rookie-year cards. Top Customer Reviews Highest Price Lowest Price . The title alone says it all. As mentioned above, be cautious when buying raw cards on eBay because sellers will sell regular Bowman cards and label them Tiffany. KEN GRIFFEY JR 1989 Upper Deck STAR ROOKIE #1 RC MARINERS RED HOF PSA 9 ICONIC! Similar to several other 1988 Griffey Jr. cards, the card features Griffey Jr. in a San Bernardino Spirit uniform. Themes include Father/Son, The Future and #1 Prospect. Heavy ongray, the added striping in the 1989 Fleer rookie evokes the image of a poorly constructed prison. Most graded cards receive either an NM-MT 8 or a Mint 9 grade. With such high numbers, the supply is vastly over-saturated, which decreases the value significantly. As of May 2021, there are ~100 PSA graded cards with only three PSA 9 and eight PSA 8. As one of the most significant drafts of all time, Ken Griffey Jr.s rookie cards carry some value. 1. This leads to more damage from exposure to sunlight and potential damage from the plastic opening. Inserted 1:288 packs, these extremely tough cards are die-cut into a circular saw blade. Some may not be the rarest and others aren't the most valuable, but they all have made a major impact on collectors. However, they are considered more rare in gem mint conditions than any of his other rookie cards. Regarded as the earliestofficial Ken Griffey Jr. card, it shows "The Kid" with his first professional team, the Single-A Bellingham Mariners. The card features one of my favorite images. So, how many are graded? For example, Topps made approximately 15,000 of the 89 Topps Trade sets. There are only 1,926 of the Donruss Griffey Jr. rookies rated as a 10 and they can be had online for around $325. Collectors have been particularly interested in the limited-run Tiffany version. This card is unique for a few reasons. Unlike the first series, which was available both as a boxed set and insert, Series Two was only available as a factory-sealed set. The PSA 9 population is not much higher, with 1,294. The majority of cards are in mint 9 conditions with 2,229. The 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. Gold Cup card is not a rookie card, but includes the All-Star Rookie Gold Cup which connects the card to Griffey Jr.s rookie year. For his entire playing career, Griffey was a spokesperson for Upper Deck, appearing prominently in almost all their baseball card releases. Talking about The Pride with Creator Joe Glass! It was an acknowledgment that rarity was a driving factor in the hobby, with sets trying to outdo each other. When holding these in hand, you can quickly tell which is a Bowman Tiffany and which is a regular Bowman issue. This is the last year Griffey played in the minors but not the last team. As a result, they are quite expensive with a gem mint copy going for around $3,200. The releasefeatured a tiered base set where every player had three different cards: Row 0, Row 1 and Row 2. Thank you! Now in the Hall of Fame, Griffey's cards are again on the move and his rookies are a key option for collectors. Or fastest delivery May 30 - Jun 1. FAQ 1-800-517-3540. . When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Factory-sealed sets sell on eBay between $20 and $40. Being at the forefront of many of the trading card innovations from the 1990s, there are literally thousands of amazing Ken Griffey Jr. cards to choose from, but our aim is to narrow that down to some of his very best. Also, a black-bordered promo card exists that is listed as one of 400 on the back. Features Rookie Card of Randy Johnson, Gary Sheffield and Griffey Jr.! National Baseball Hall of Fame (2016) . But is that the case for this Griffey card? Rookie Cards Checklist and Gallery, Ultimate Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards Checklist and Gallery, Aaron Judge Rookie Cards Guide and Key Prospects, 2023 Topps Finest Baseball Cards Checklist Added, 2023 Leaf Signature Series Football Cards Checklist, 2022-23 Panini Chronicles Soccer Cards FOTL Boxes, 2022-23 Bowman University Best Basketball Cards Checklist and Odds. The value for a mint example is $30, while a gem mint example exceeds upwards of $250. PSA has graded just 2,166 of the 6,000, with 333 grading gem mint 10. The 1989 Classic Travel Update I is among the more common Griffey Jr. rookie cards and as a result, is also relatively affordable. Chances are good that if you cannot . However, they don't have nearly the visual appeal of A Cut Above. The 5 Best Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards to Collect - GoCollect PSA 9 mint examples sell between $800 $1,000. Easily one of themost iconic cards in modern times, this card is a true classic that belongs in every baseball card collection. The 13 Most Expensive Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball Cards Topps designed the set to resemble the 1953 Bowman Color set. Growing up in the late 1980's, there was nothing more that my friends and I would rather pull from a pack than a Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Ken Griffey Jr. Autographed Baseball Cards - COMC It was during this time that this photo was taken for the team set. Of those submitted, 264 graded gem mint 10. As you can see, condition plays a huge role in determining the value of the card. Following the same format as the Silver Series, there are nine consecutive Ken Griffey Nova cards, each with a different title. The image of Griffey Jr. is boarded by a neon green and black boarder and includes the Ms logo on the top-right of the card. Sold in limited edition box sets, the Tiffany cards feature a glossy finish and lighter card stock and command much higher values. Ken Griffey Jr. - 1990 Cards | Trading Card Database Baseball Names G Ken Griffey Jr. George Kenneth Griffey Jr. Born: November 21, 1969 in Donora, Pennsylvania, USA Total Cards: 236 National Baseball Hall of Fame (2016) Tweet * *Clicking on this affiliate link and making a purchase can result in this site earning a commission Free shipping on many items . 1989 Donruss The Rookies is a 56-card set distributed exclusively through hobby dealers. One of the earliest Ken Griffey Jr. cards, the 1987 Moeller High School card shows a very young Griffey in high school. Coming in as the number one most valuable rookie card of The kid is the 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. This card uses the same basic format that is featured on almost all of the cards listed here. The glossy sheen on the front and blue ink on the back. One of Ken Griffey Jr.s minor league cards with the highest demand is his 1988 San Bernardino minor league card by Best Cards. With only 500 printed, these are challenging to find on the secondary market. Griffey Jr. batted left-handed in addition to throwing left-handed. While neither card is serial-numbered, it is believed that the base version is limited to 5,000 copies and the Platinum parallel is limited to only 1,300 copies. If you want to add the number one Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to your collection, be sure and buy a card that is graded and authenticated by PSA. So, these arent the most challenging cards to find in near-perfect conditions; however, the value between a mint and gem mint example is substantial. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. Whether you are buying your first or adding to your collection, understanding your options, prices, trends, and population count are crucial to significantly improve your chance of making a positive return on your investment. or Best Offer. Like most baseball cards from the junk wax era, the Topps Traded set was mass printed. As of May 2021, there are ~750 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr Bellingham prospect cards and the card value is ~$1,000. The design is a close copy from the 1986 Topps set and features a Photo of Griffey in a catchers stance. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon. Several options are available, but the 1988 Silver Series is among the most valuable. Ken Griffey Jr. was a pop culture phenomenon beyond the game of baseball. Top Sellers & Buyers; Charity Accounts; Port Sales; On Sale. If youre looking for a low-supply Ken Griffey Jr. rookie at a cheaper price, this is your card. The PSA populations are surprisingly low, considering how popular this Griffey rookie card has become. A collectors edition set with a much smaller print run. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. Rookie Cards Checklist and Gallery, Ultimate Shohei Ohtani Rookie Cards Checklist and Gallery, Aaron Judge Rookie Cards Guide and Key Prospects, 2023 Topps Finest Baseball Cards Checklist Added, 2023 Leaf Signature Series Football Cards Checklist, 2022-23 Panini Chronicles Soccer Cards FOTL Boxes, 2022-23 Bowman University Best Basketball Cards Checklist and Odds. Simply put, this guide compiles all of the Ken Griffey Jr. card auctions on eBay and then ranks them according to the number of total users watching that exact listing. Many of them no longer get much attention. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card guide: Most expensive and - FanSided The brand was purchased by Topps and discontinued in 1956. PSA 10 examples of the Platinum have sold for as much as $13,000, while PSA 9s have soared over $1,000. Overall the Update I version has decent eye appeal with thick orange and pink gradient borders. One of Ken Griffey Jr.s early baseball cards can be found in the Vermont Mariners minor league set. As mentioned previously, I believe Ken Griffey Jr. will remain one of the most collectible baseball players for years to come. Cards measure 2.5 x 3.75, a quarter-inch length than the post-1957 standard-size trading card. The 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. Scoremasters rookie card is one of two cards from Score on this list. Consider buying a PSA 10 example on eBay to save time and money. Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. With such low PSA 9 and PSA 10 cards, it is evident just how challenging they are to find in perfect conditions. 1989 Donruss Baseballs Best consists of 336 of baseballs best players. Both are relatively rare; however, the Platinum version is the rarest, with a reported print run of 1,300. Inserted randomly in boxes of 2004 Upper Deck Etchings, regular versions with a game-used bat piece are limited to 350 copies. Unlike the previous two seasons, the update set was not issued in Glossy form. For decades, new players only had one or two first-year issue cards. Of the 484 cards in the set, only 46 are rookie cards. . He was arguably the most exciting player of his generation and earned the nickname The Natural. Additional details: The following article lists 24 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards in order from earliest released (1987) to latest released (1990). GET FREE SPORTS CARD INVESTING TIPS BY EMAIL. Ken Griffey Jr. 8 from $2.45 1993 O-Pee-Chee - [Base] #91 Ken Griffey Jr. [Noted] $2.50 1993 King-B Collector's Edition Discs - [Base] #2 Ken Griffey Jr. 5 from $2.50 1993 Topps Stadium Club Teams - Seattle Mariners #1 If youre looking to buy an affordable yet, iconic Ken Griffey Jr rookie card, look no further than his Topps Traded rookie. Rookie cards, autographs and more. In contrast, the regular set was officially released in 1990 and values are very inexpensive. Checklist Ken Griffey Jr.'s rookie cards are by FAR one of the best investments in the sports card hobby, and he is one of the best center fielders in the history of professional baseball. Stay up to date on all the latest sports card and memorabilia news, articles, and products by subscribing to our newsletter below: Copyright 2008-2023 The Cardboard Connection. When Fleer introduced one-of-a-kind cards in 1997 Flair Showcase Baseball, they stirred up lots of conversation. The 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. Without a doubt, the decade was responsible for many of the Top Ken Griffey Jr. Cards of All-Time. The 1988 PROCARDS Ken Griffey Jr. prospect card is the only card on this list with Griffey Jr. in a Vermont Mariners uniform and is extremely rare. When Ken Griffey Jr. made it to the majorsin 1989, few could have predicted the jolt he would give baseball and the card collecting world. With a vivid red border, 1988 ProCards showcases Ken Griffey Jr. on his last stop before Seattle. A Complete Guide to the 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey, Jr. This is one of the most readily available first-year cards for the Mariners legend. Each card includes a descriptor (e.g., Career Stats) which appears at the bottom of the card, as well as a unique image. As of May 2021, there are 156 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. factory-sealed packs sell on eBay for $20. For around $100, you can add this to your collection today. In fact, there are more than twice as many 89 Fleer cards graded in a PSA 10 as there are Donruss. The Griffey Jr. rookie is among 20 other rookies in this subset. Amazon.com: Ken Griffey Jr. - Trading Cards / Sports: Collectibles Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball Cards Ungraded - COMC A tasteless technique we continue to see in the hobby today. from United States. PSA graded 1,778 of the Update II Griffey cards. Moreover, this is one of Griffeys few rookie cards that has the word rookie on the card. Over his 22 year career, Griffey Jr. hit .284 with 680 home runs and 1,836 RBI. Also, there are instances where signed versions have been authenticated by PSA/DNA. Tough in their own right, they became iconic for their part in launching one of the biggest trends in hobby history. 1989 boxes are emerald green, similar to 1990. Despite a plethora of supply, a PSA 9 Griffey rookie goes for $230 and a PSA 10 sells for a little over $2,000. View the most popular Ken Griffey Jr. card auctions on eBay. As of May 2021, there are ~1,800 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Rated Rookie cards and the card value is ~$400. Still, collectors may be eager to pick up one of the 5,149 PSA 10 Fleer Griffey Jr. rookie cards that exist in the marketplace. It is also one of the most affordable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and is a good option around the $120 price point. The total amount is unknown, but some speculate that due to the simple design and thin card stock, some dealers printed these in batches creating fakes and selling them to capitalize on the hype. This one obviously features him in a white jersey. The Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card in this set is particularly popular with collectors because it is one of the only 1989 Griffey rookies with a relatively low print run. Because they are wrapped in cellophane and sit loosely inside a thin cardboard box, many examples have soft corners. Moreover, the population report is not growing by much, which means many cards may not have made it through the junk wax era times. Now, almost all hisrookies, except for ones with high professional grades, can be foundfor areasonable amount. The regular 1989 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card suffers from being massively overproduced. It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. or Best Offer Top Rated Seller Top Rated Seller. Of those sent in, 118 graded gem mint 10 and 637 mint 9. These numbers are much lower than most of his other rookies, which is why they sell for so much. $17.13 delivery May 22 - 25. His work has been featured in psfk.com, foxsports.com, and hillreporter.com. If you look at the complete set, all players are shown in their dark jerseys, including the authentic Griffey card. For example, a PSA 10 recently sold at auction for a meager $72, which is nothing compared to the other rookie cards on this list. Click on the images or listings to shop for cards on eBay. 1. These conditions make it difficult to find gem mint examples from factory-sealed sets. The following list highlights the most valuable 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. cards. This set came as factory-sealed sets. Rookie Card Graded BGS 9.5 Gem Mint, 1989 Upper Deck Baseball #1 Ken Griffey Jr. How appropriate then that Griffey, the face of the company since the beginning, was added to the set in 2004. Auctions. The 1988 San Bernardino Spirit Ken Griffey Jr. minor league card has one of the smaller PSA population numbers of all his rookie cards. Was: $53.90. The mid- to late-1990s were filled with strange inserts. Furthermore, the Update II appears rarer than the first series card. Top 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Griffey holds the spots for card numbers 118-126 and has different photos and titles for each. Shop COMC's extensive selection of ken griffey jr. autographed baseball cards. Making it highly unique to the true fan. As of May 2021, there are ~1,100 PSA 10 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. Scoremasters rookie cards and the card value is ~$133. Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card Checklist, Gallery, List, Best, Guide The cards feature the exact same image, but the Bowman Tiffany card was last valued at ~40x the price! For those who do not know, Score is known to print massive amounts of their sets and has little value because of the high supply. In 1989, Topps decided to bring back the cards in a larger-than-normal format. PSA 9s sell for $40, while PSA 10s sell for over $300. Similar to the last card, the 1989 Pacific Cards & Comics Ken Griffey Jr. rookie superstars card is also extremely rare and hard to find. PSA graded 1,644 of the Bowman Tiffany Griffey rookie cards. 33,000 + results for ken griffey jr cards Save this search Shipping to: 23917 Shop on eBay Brand New $20.00 or Best Offer Sponsored Graded No Yes 1997 KEN GRIFFEY JR FLEER 23K GOLD SCULPTURED ROOKIE CARD - Graded GEM MINT 10 $12.95 Save up to 10% when you buy more Buy It Now Top Rated Plus Free 3 day shipping poloblade (160,596) 99.7% Free returns Keep your eyes peeled for factory-sealed tins. 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. RC #548 Heavy on gray, the added striping in the 1989 Fleer rookie evokes the image of a poorly constructed prison. Get exclusive tips and news in the Sports Card Research Newsletter, Jalen Green Rookie Card: 7 Best Cards You Need To Know About (2022), The Ultimate List of 27 Giannis Antetokounmpo Rookie Cards (2022), The Ultimate List of 27 Stephen Curry Rookie Cards (2022), The Ultimate List of 24 Jayson Tatum Rookie Cards (2022), The Ultimate List of 40 Luka Doncic Rookie Cards (2022), Prices are based on PSA 10 auction prices (when available), Price estimates are based on transactions that occurred in May 2021 or earlier, Base: 5 PSA 10 Base rookie cards and the card value is ~$4,500+ (last sale from 2019), Platinum: 17 PSA 10 Platinum rookie cards and the card value is ~$2,000+ (last sale from 2019), Platinum-White Spirit: Only 3 PSA graded cards exist and none better than PSA 8. Many young sports fans growing up in the 90s idolized Ken Griffey Jr. and his legacy endures today.