Debut card #46 (PSA 9 Mint). However, lets not forget he was also a 10-time American League Gold Glove Award winner. The back shows his stats during his. Father and son played in a total of 51 games for the Mariners from 1990 to 1991. Showing only 100 cards. As of May 2021, there are ~1,700 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss The Rookies cards and the card value is ~$225. The 1989 Upper Deck or Donruss Rated Rookie cards are some of the most iconic Griffey cards, but are they the most valuable? The good news is that you won't have trouble finding one. The two Griffeys made MLB history by becoming the first father and son tandem to play in the same game in 1990. Thank you! This card can be a cornerstone of any Ken Griffey Jr. card collection, but it will cost your more than $2,000 for a PSA 10 card. Due to the cheap cardstock, many cards have uneven borders, soft corners, or chipping ink on the edges. Ken Griffey Jr. has already been elected to the Hall of Fame after a 22 year storied MLB career. 11. Despite hundreds of Juniors rookie cards on the market, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey, Jr. #1 Rookie Card emerged on top this not only is our favorite Griffey Jr. rookie card and is also on our shortlist for our best long-term baseball card investment you cant get much better than this card, especially for collectors/investors in their 30s and 40s. The regular Bowman set is worth very little because of its high print run. 1989 Donruss #33 Ken Griffey Jr. The design is a close copy from the 1986 Topps set and features a Photo of Griffey in a catchers stance. In 1989, Topps distributed a high-end collectors edition version of Topps Traded called Tiffany. These cards feature glossy fronts as well as easy-to-read backs. Were not saying sell all your stock and buy Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards, but we are saying this card (and other high-end sports card investments: read our best sports cards to buy now write-up) makes for an excellent hedge against the stock market losses. The popularity of the card has kept prices high despite the fact that there are more than 12,000 PSA 10 graded cards. On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. The eBay advanced search is our preferred option, or you can also drop us an email, and we will do the work for you (which is the easiest way, in our opinion). A tasteless technique we continue to see in the hobby today. You can check out the most watched Ken Griffey Jr. cards at auction on eBay right now via the live list below. Topps Project 70 Companion Chase Card By DJ Skee #931C $4,500 This striking design (pardon the pun!) The card isnt from a major brand like Topps, but it is a Griffey card to add to the collection. Little wonder Junior was a 13-time All-Star, the 1997 American League MVP, and a National Baseball Hall of Fame member. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. So they are not rare by any means. The Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card is a true classic that belongs in EVERY baseball card collection. 1. Wrappers & Empty Card Boxes; Price Guides & Publications; Storage & Display Supplies; . 1989 was the first year Topps revived the Bowman brand, They originally purchased it in the 1950s and never used the intellectual property. Rookie Card #33 should give you an excellent return after a few years. Having 19 PSA 10s makes this one of Griffeys rarest rookie cards and most valuable. The card is a throwback to the classic 1989 Topps Traded Baseball RC #41T and shows Griffey Jr. with the bat hung over his left shoulder while mean-mugging for the camera. As of May 2021, there are 876 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Classic Travel Update I rookie cards and the card value is ~$70. Shop COMC's extensive selection of ken griffey jr. rookie related baseball cards from 1989. Please comment below if you have any recommendations on which cards should make this list. He will probably begin the 89 campaign at Triple-A Calgary since his projected half-season at Double-A Vermont in 1988 was cut short by a back injury. Resulting in most cards getting that dreaded (OC) off-center qualifier. The set consists of 28 cards and features players on the San Bernardino Spirit team in 88. With such a massive supply, the price stays suppressed. Try not to confuse the 1989 Topps Traded rookie cards with the Topps Tiffany version. Griffey signed a nine-year, $112.5 million deal with the Reds. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are one of the top investments in the hobby from an ROI perspective. The company began as a Southern California baseball card shop. Ken Griffey Jr. was my favorite player growing up and I am fortunate to own several Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards valued at ~$2,000 in 2021. . According to PSAs official website, only 156 copies of the Ge Mint version exist. Like most baseball cards from the junk wax era, the Topps Traded set was mass printed. 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. Donruss is one of the most famous baseball card brands during Griffeys era. An off-center PSA 9 recently sold for ~$80. As of May 2021, there are ~1,800 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Rated Rookie cards and the card value is ~$400. If you collected baseball cards in the 90s, you had this Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card in your collection. In addition to his silky smooth and powerful swing, Griffey Jr. played a transcendent CF making dives and climbing the wall look routine. That is a difference of 6.84% in sports card value versus the list's overall average auction price of $309.3. The card does land a higher value than his other Score issues on this list. Griffey is shown following through on a swing in a great action shot. The card features Griffey Jr. holding a baseball bat over his left shoulder, eye-black beneath his eyes, while wearing a blue Seattle Mariners jersey. 6. For example, Topps made approximately 15,000 of the 89 Topps Trade sets. 1997 KEN GRIFFEY JR FLEER 23K GOLD SCULPTURED ROOKIE CARD - Graded GEM MINT 10. 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. So, if you can get over the (OC) on most cards, this is a great Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to buy now. Especially considering how low the prices are. Sports Card in Search (200) || Avg Price: $5312.02 All Auctions (108) || Avg Price: $309.3 Topps printed roughly 6,000 of these sets, which is tremendously lower than the standard Bowman sets. Rookie Card Estimated PSA 10 Value: $400 Check Prices On: Amazon The hype surrounding Griffey in 1989 was incredible and everyone was after this and his other rookie cards of the day. He played at San Bernardino and Vermont in 1988.. 8 bids. He spent two years in the minors before the Mariners called him up to the majors on April 3, 1989. FOR SALE! We purchase sports cards as an alternative investment to stocks, bonds, and real estate. Tiffany Factory Sets (15,000 sets produced). Of those submitted, 156 graded gem mint 10 and 460 graded mint 9. Shop for 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards on eBay 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. The design is identical to the base 1989 Donruss set, except for green and yellow fronts and career highlights on the back. It gives Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck a severe run for their money. This leaves the supply low and forces the price up. This card isnt on the radar of most collectors but is a true beauty and is very underrated. The paper card is cheap and can be obtained for about $5. The 1988 Star Silver Edition Ken Griffey Jr. prospect cards feature a set of 9 different cards. You cant go wrong with a Hall of Famer who played his heart out every night. . The color scheme makes the card pop, as does the great shot of Griffey taking a massive cut. Home The Ultimate List of 24 Ken Griffey Jr. - $88.42. PSA alone has graded 93,063, with 4,054 grading gem mint 10. 1989 Score Young Superstars Series Two is a 42-card boxed set with five trivia cards. Before the advent of Photoshop, the set captures any player traded to a new team or called up from the minors after the initial Topps press run. Furthermore, they were never considered his most valuable upon their release. Due to the lower population count compared to the Donruss Rated Rookie card, I like this card for the current price point. Ken Griffey Jr. was the home-run leader in the American League in 1994, 1997, 1998, and 1999. As you can see, rarity also plays a major role in determining the value of the card. If you were the smart investor from 1989, you just turned your $1.00 into over $1,000. The set is known for printing the only licensed Major League card of Sammy Sosa, issued in 1989. Its one of very few Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to feature the artwork of the rising start and a must for true KG jr fanboys. As of May 2021, there are ~20 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Cal League prospect cards and the card value is ~$2,500. 1989 Topps Heads Up Ken Griffey Jr. #5. The design is basic, so the action photo is what sets this card apart and gives it a slight value boost. Another rookie card features a photo of Junior without his most fearsome asset his bat. 1989 Fleer is yet another set printed in the junk wax era and tainted by a large print run. As you can see, the card has gained roughly 45% since 1/1/2017, while the S&P 500 is at 9.39%. While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. It shows him kneeling with a business-like look on his face. This set came as factory-sealed sets. ROOKIE CARD USA 10 GEM MT. If you want a rare Ken Griffey Jr. minor league (RC) card, look no further than his 1988 California All-star card. A collectors edition set with a much smaller print run. However, there is no base set Topps Griffey rookie card. Griffey Jr. played 22 seasons primarily with the Mariners and Reds. So, how many are graded? Over his 22 year career, Griffey Jr. hit .284 with 680 home runs and 1,836 RBI. The back of the card reads, The son of major league veteran Ken Griffey, who is still active with the Reds, Ken, Jr. is a rising star on the Seattle horizon, possibly the finest young talent the Mariners have ever produced. With such high numbers, the supply is vastly over-saturated, which decreases the value significantly. Youll see a photo of Junior holding a bat on the front of the card. Available at almost anytime on eBay auctions in a variety of grades. There is not a lack of Ken Griffey Jr. autograph baseball cards for sale on eBay, as he was pretty friendly and quick to sign a card. Similarly, the 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. #220 has been valued as high as $18,000. The card features the classic Donruss Rated Rookie logo which increases the appeal for many collectors and investors. Subscribe to get exclusive tips and news in the Sports Card Research Newsletter. Lets look at how the market values Ken Griffey Jr rookie cards and which ones collectors favor the most. That title went to the 1989 Upper Deck star rookie, further down the list. With that in mind, this card isnt exactly the rarest Ken Griffey, Jr. card on the market. In addition to the glossy front, this card distinguishes itself from the standard set because of its white card stock instead of the traditional gray stock, which one can easily see on the cards back. Moreover, the image and design make this an iconic Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card, which helps add value and longevity to its collectibility. He was named Northwest League Player of the Week, June 16-22, with 3 HR and 8 RBI.. . Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Baseball Cards Best Selling Topps 2022 Clearly Authentic Box - 1 Card (2) $78.88 New 2022 Topps Finest Baseball Hobby Box Factory $199.99 New 2021 Topps Chrome Platinum Anniversary Baseball Mega Box Blue factory $83.84 New Donruss 1991 Series 1 Baseball Box - 36 Cards (4) $24.99 New $4.00 Used This card is unique for a few reasons. On that note, investing in a player of Griffeys credentials and caliber is wise. The 89 UD KG Jr. rookie card seems to do very well in times of distress as it rose in value while the S&P 500 tanked via the COVID-19 outbreak. The card features Griffey Jr. in a white San Bernardino Spirit jersey catching a baseball in the outfield. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Plus, the Topps Traded version has a glossier surface. 1 draft pick, its rare that a players on-field accomplishments live up to the hype. (or at minimum, put a bid on it as these cards will have a higher ROI vs. the standard PSA 10, BGS 9.5. Score Traded RC is ideal for moderate bankrolls at high grades (PSA 10 or BGS 9.5). Griffey was 19 years old. This card is no exception. We credit that partly to the white borders and glossy finish. The reason is that a considerable majority of the 1,397 copies of PSA received for grading have a centering issue. 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. Griffey Jr. does not meet those criteria. Sold 1990 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr #365 RARE MISPRINT ERROR CARD No Dot After Inc $1,505.25 Sold - 20 days ago Sold MISPRINT ERROR CARD 1990 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr #365 Logo and Jersey Spots MINT $285.05 Sold - 22 days ago Sold Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Donruss ERROR Rookie Card #33 $5.76 Sold - 22 days ago Sold The Bowman cards were more significant than usual, measuring 2 1/2 x 3 3/4, and featured a full-color photo of Ken on one knee (see below for a rarer version). You will not regret purchasing this bad boy with high grades. It reads, No. 2000 ULTRA PLATINUM MEDALLION KEN GRIFFEY JR #100P #'d/50 PSA 6 EX-MT POP-2 RARE. Available in a few of the cards artists was Tyson Beck (Considered an industry leader in the world of sports design, Tyson Beck counts major American leagues such as the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL clients of his, alongside global brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour). Game Time inc. created 1989 Classic Travel baseball cards as a baseball trivia game. These facets highlight The Kids radiant smile in the photo. You can pick one up for around $135. I wasnt aware of any card from 1991 being considered a rookie card! The prices shown are the lowest prices available for Ken Griffey Jr. the last time we updated. The 1988 Cal League set features 50 of the top players in the California League 1988. And if you have a couple grand laying around, a top-graded version of this one is a little easier to come by. calendar_month 01/06/2023. The PSA population report currently has 1,625 copies of this card with a Gem Mint rating. 1989 Bowman KEN GRIFFEY JR Seattle Mariners Baseball HOF Rookie Card #259 NM-MT. PSA graded 14,089 of the Griffey rookie cards, with 1,742 grading gem mint 10. PSA graded 1,497 of these rare cards, with 79 grading gem mint 10 and 403 grading mint 9. Aside from the supreme quality and beauty of Tiffany cards, there is another attractive selling point, the low supply. Moreover, this is one of Griffeys few rookie cards that has the word rookie on the card. Similar to other years, sets are wrapped in cellophane and inserted in small, palm-sized boxes with the year on the front. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. The shop transformed into a company that produced its first set in 1989 with backers that included the California Angels Wally Joyner. The 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Decks first set was a hobby changer in its own right, with player photos on both sides, high quality white card stock, and the iconic foul line design. Technically this is not a Ken Griffey Jr. RC as it was printed in 2020 under the Topps Project 2020 set BUT we love it too much to keep it off the list. It starts by reviewing Griffeys profile and stats, then examining cards available, prices, and pop count. The Tiffany version of the 1989 Topps Traded is believed to have a print run of 15,000. Everything comes together. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. A search on PSAs website returned the result no longer grading and there are only a handful of auction transactions over the past several years. Fleer made approximately 30,000 of these sets, making it considerably rarer than the 1989 Fleer set and the preceding years of Glossy parallels. Ken Griffey Jr. prices (Baseball Cards 1989 Fleer Glossy) are updated daily for each source listed above. If you want a much rarer version, continue reading to find the Fleer Glossy rookie card. Like the Tiffany editions, this premium version of its standard card has a glossy finish and higher quality card stock. The 1989 Donruss The Rookies Ken Griffey Jr. card is one of three 1989 Donruss cards on this list and also the least expensive. PSA graded 3,520 of the Update I, also known as Travel Orange, Ken Griffy Jr. rookies. In addition, please keep the following in mind: The 1987 Bellingnham Mariners Ken Griffey Jr. card is the only card on this list from 1987. Limited information is available for population count and price, but a PSA 10 card like the one pictured below sold for ~$900 in April 2021. Most Valuable Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card 1989 Bowman (Tiffany) #220 1989 Topps Traded (Tiffany) #41T 1989 Fleer Glossy #548 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 1989 Donruss Rated Rookie. The primary drivers of value for Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are the following: For example, a PSA 8 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card sold for ~$110 in May 2021. The card does land a higher value than his other Score issues on this list. Griffeys minor league stats and some trivia. Today, demand remains high and the value of this card has steadily risen in recent years. As of May 2021, there are ~100 PSA graded cards with only three PSA 9 and eight PSA 8. 8 Best Baseball Cards to Collect in 2022 Hall of Fame Potential, Best Chipper Jones rookie card & baseball card list. GET FREE SPORTS CARD INVESTING TIPS BY EMAIL. 1 pick of Seattle in 1987.I signedout of Moeller High School in Cincinnati, famed for its football stars.The first pro hit was a triple.He batted .339 and hit 11 HRs in 1989, his 2nd pro season.Dad played in Majors for Reds, Yankees, and Braves.. PSA 9 mint condition examples sell between $1,500 and $2,000. Remember to have fun and collect what you love! Topps designed the set to resemble the 1953 Bowman Color set. Card Number: #1. Both are relatively rare; however, the Platinum version is the rarest, with a reported print run of 1,300. The cards are rare with no single variation having more than 20 PSA 10 cards as of May 2021. Baseball Cards Listings 1 - 100 of 8,670 1998 Bowman Chrome - [Base] - Golden Anniversary #33 Ken Griffey Jr. [PSA 10 GEM MT] #/50 $6,631.10 1988 Cal League California League All-Stars - [Base] #26 Ken Griffey Jr. [PSA 10 GEM MT] $6,075.60 1988 Cal League California League - [Base] #34.1 Any experienced baseball card collector should know just how . According to PSAs population report, there are 15 copies of the 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. at a PSA 10 grade. In 1989 Fleer produced a Glossy Tin set for the third and final year. And I am sharing my work with you. 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. Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 with an amazing 99.3% of the vote. We typically only invest in PSA 10, PSA 9, BGS 9.5, and SGC Gold 100. Father and son played in a total of 51 games for the Mariners from 1990 to 1991. This leads to more damage from exposure to sunlight and potential damage from the plastic opening. The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star rookie card is the card I think of as the standard Griffey Jr. rookie card. Buy from many sellers and get your cards all in one shipment! Despite this cards Gem Mint version having more copies than the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. #1 Checklist White Back Rookie Card, it commands almost twice the market value on average. As of May 2021, there are ~2,000 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. As of May 2021, there are ~1,700 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss The Rookies cards and the card value is ~$225. Theyre also much more common. Learn how to search faster and find your cards. The front of the card shows a young Junior getting ready to swing for the fences. Source: beckett.com Sports cards were so plentiful in 1989 that you didn't even have to buy them. This is update II also known as Travel Purple. The Ultimate List of 24 Ken Griffey Jr. The most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is his 198 Bowman Tiffany #220. Some complain the photo and color on this are dull, but you can find worse designs among 80s and 90s cards than this with the purple and black frame. The card features Griffey Jr. in a Seattle Mariners jersey with his baseball bat over his left shoulder. Remember, this is a Tiffany card, so make sure the number on the back has a capital letter T after 41. 1990 Topps #336 Ken Griffey Jr. Ms drafted him No. Like the base set rookie, it can be found in both the standard set and the more valuable Tiffany version (running in the low-$200 range lately.). Read the full disclosure here. This is the best Bowman Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card on the market. $12.95. Of those sent in, 118 graded gem mint 10 and 637 mint 9. In addition, the back of the card is blue instead of white and says Collectors Edition inside a baseball graphic. One of Griffeys rookie cards that fly off the radar of most collectors is his 1989 Scored Traded rookie. 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. Baseball's Best #192 ( Buy on eBay) The Donruss Baseball's Best Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the highest priced 1989 Donruss card on this list and also the most rare. Now lets take a look at some of the best Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie cards for investment purposes and consider some of these for your new investment strategy if you havent already. The 1989 Pacific Cards & Comics Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is a difficult card to find. Good catch, thanks. 1989 TOPPS TRADED #41T KEN GRIFFEY JR. Featuring Griffey in action after a hit, this is one of best action shots of any Griffey rookie card. I couldnt find the price, but I expect it would be very high, Career Stats (#118): 5 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, Career Info (#119): 7 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, 1988 Season 1 (#120): 9 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, 1988 Season 2 (#121): 9 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, #1 Prospect (#122): 11 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, Father / Son (#123): 15 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, Personal Data (#124): 14 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, The Future (#125): 18 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, Seattle Mariners (#126): 10 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists, Promo: 3 PSA 10 cards and limited historical sales data exists. It would be its last set before the Topps buyout. The Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card from this set is one of the most sought-after early parallels in hobby history and is often found off-center.