Like Bowmans cards from the 1950s, these are taller than standard cards 2 x 3 inches (standard 2 x 3 ). The back of the card reads, Ken made his professional baseball debut at Bellingham in 1987. Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onFanSided.com and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. Griffey made a name for himself by crushing booming home runs. Making it highly unique to the true fan. PSA 10 values have steadily increased over the years because these cards bring so much nostalgia to collectors and are so difficult to grade. The following list highlights the most valuable 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. cards. 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 Of the 15,000 sets made, 3,441 have made their way into PSA for grading. 1988 Star (Nova Edition) cards have 500 sets and 40 promo cards for each player. This lack of compatibility with standard storage supplies hurt sales of the product. 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 company began as a Southern California baseball card shop. A total of 15,000 team sets were made. His 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card is one of the most famous cards in the hobby, ranking right up there with Jordan, Jeter, and Brady regarding popularity search on Google. Ken Griffey Jr. was drafted 1st overall by the Seattle Mariners out of Archbishop Moeller High School in the 1987 MLB draft. While PSA received around 1,800 copies of this card for grading, only over 300 copies received the elusive Gem Mint rating. A sure way to know if the set has one is if they contain 50 cards. It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. 1989 Donruss #33 Ken Griffey Jr. This is one of Ken Griffey Jr.s most valuable and collectible rookie cards, so consider picking one up regardless of the condition. Ken Griffey Jr.'s biggest 7-day price movers are 2020 Topps Project by Keith Shore, 2020 Topps Project by Jacob Rochester and 1989 Donruss Baseball's Best. The 1988 Cal Cards Ken Griffey Jr. card is a prospect card from his 1988 season, one year after he was drafted and one year before his rookie year in 1989. Sports Card Investing: Maximize Portfolio Returns (Ultimate Guide), 10 Best Football Card Packs to Buy in 2023, In-Depth Sports Card Market Trends and Statistics (2023). Complete factory-sealed packs sell on eBay for $20. Unlike the previous two seasons, the update set was not issued in Glossy form. As you can see, the card has gained roughly 45% since 1/1/2017, while the S&P 500 is at 9.39%. clubhouse during the teams consecutive World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. As of May 2021, there are ~3,900 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Star rookie cards and the card value is ~$2,200. This is the last year Griffey played in the minors but not the last team. There are two versions of this card, one with grey borders (Platinum) and one with blue borders. I believe his card prices will go as the sports card market goes: if new collectors and investors continue to enter the hobby, you will likely continue to see a steady increase in Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values. Shop COMC's extensive selection of ken griffey jr. rookie related baseball cards from 1989. Because this set was unpopular upon release, many dealers did not order the product. Game Time inc. created 1989 Classic Travel baseball cards as a baseball trivia game. PSA graded over 28,000 of these, with 4,747 grading gem mint 10. This leaves the supply low and forces the price up. When holding these in hand, you can quickly tell which is a Bowman Tiffany and which is a regular Bowman issue. I was confused about your comment regarding the PSA rated 8 and a rated 10 card. To top it off, finding one that is centered is a big challenge. Sign in to check out. (Sold by PWCC Marketplace in March 2021) Price: $55,201. The features Griffey Jr. at bat with a grey and pink boarder. 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. This card isnt on the radar of most collectors but is a true beauty and is very underrated. 1989 Fleer is yet another set printed in the junk wax era and tainted by a large print run. A collectors edition set with a much smaller print run. The 1989 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is among the most common and iconic Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards. On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. Of those submitted, 156 graded gem mint 10 and 460 graded mint 9. Because of this, a PSA 10 will set you back more than Griffey's other non-UD rookie cards. The 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. non-rc is #336 and catches Griffey Jr. with the bat over his left shoulder. And who could forget the 1990 Topps All-Star Rookie Trophy that sits proudly in the bottom left corner? Despite its simplicity, the 1989 Donruss Rated Ken Griffey, Jr. Card prices vary, but a PSA 10 Personal Data card sold for ~$600 in October 2020. Along with the fancy style, the limited press run of 30,000, the scarcest of all Fleer Glossy editions (according to Beckett), makes it far more valuable than the base set card. Check out this collectors show and tell of pulling a Griffey Jr. Glossy from the collectors tin the set comes in. If you have any questions or need help buying a Griffey Jr. RC, please email us at info@goldcardauctions.com and title the email Griffey RC Advice, and we will expedite the response if you cite this write-up. 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. . The 1989 Donruss The Rookies Ken Griffey Jr. card is one of three 1989 Donruss cards on this list and also the least expensive. Just because an auction says, Tiffany in the title does not mean the card came from a Tiffany set. On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. 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. However, it still commands a reasonable price in the three-digit range. . The 1993 Ken Griffey Jr., Finest Refractor card, is among the most valuable of all the Ken Griffey Jr. non-rookie cards. Consider buying a PSA 10 example on eBay to save time and money. 11. 1 draft pick, its rare that a players on-field accomplishments live up to the hype. Between his rookie and professional career, his cards have gained a mythical reputation, such as the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie #1, which has been listed as high as $23,000. 26 Jul 1998: Outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. #24 of the Seattle Mariners in action during a game against the Baltimore Orioles at the Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. 1989 Bowman is a 484-card set released by Topps on July 6th, 1989. This is due to the much lower population count: ~150 for the Bowman Tiffany compared to ~2,000 for the Bowman, and the glossy finish of the Bowman Tiffany card. The Griffey Jr. rookie is among 20 other rookies in this subset. Youll see a photo of Junior holding a bat on the front of the card. The two Griffeys made MLB history by becoming the first father and son tandem to play in the same game in 1990. Sports Card in Search (200) || Avg Price: $5312.02 All Auctions (108) || Avg Price: $309.3 Despite the high population count, the card remains popular with collectors and investors and is one that you can easily find and add to your collection. Of those graded, 939 are in gem mint condition. Read the full disclosure here. As mentioned above, be cautious when buying raw cards on eBay because sellers will sell regular Bowman cards and label them Tiffany. GET FREE SPORTS CARD INVESTING TIPS BY EMAIL. 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. A PSA 10 version of this card sold back in 2015 for only ~$50, but in todays market it is hard to guess what the card value would be now. The PWCC Market Price Research tool provides historical price data as far back as 2004 and is a great resource for looking up how much your Ken Griffey Jr. baseball cards are worth. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Traded Tiffany RC #41T. 1989 Donruss The Rookies is a 56-card set distributed exclusively through hobby dealers. The Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card is a true classic that belongs in EVERY baseball card collection. These conditions make it difficult to find gem mint examples from factory-sealed sets. Many young sports fans growing up in the 90s idolized Ken Griffey Jr. and his legacy endures today. Baseball Cards Magazine rookie cards and the card value is $800+ (last auction sale was October 2020). The PSA 9 population is not much higher, with 1,294. Ken Griffey Jr. 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. Aside from the supreme quality and beauty of Tiffany cards, there is another attractive selling point, the low supply. As of May 2021, there are ~365 PSA 10 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. Gold Cup cards and PSA 9 versions of this card have recently sold for less than $100. It depends on the same factors outline above: The best way to find how much your Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are worth is to look up historical prices for that card. Thank you! It would be its last set before the Topps buyout. If you want a much rarer version, continue reading to find the Fleer Glossy rookie card. Rankings are based on the Beckett Baseball online price guide. Its downright simple. 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). 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. The card is not rare, there are close to 4,000 PSA 10 graded cards, but commands high prices due to the cards popularity with collectors and investors. Compare prices below or click on the card you want for more values, historic prices, and card details. Griffey makes up a 34-card set for Seattles Single-A team. Over his 22 year career, Griffey Jr. hit .284 with 680 home runs and 1,836 RBI. 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. 1989 Bowman. So, how many are graded? One of Ken Griffey Jr.s minor league cards with the highest demand is his 1988 San Bernardino minor league card by Best Cards. The card is relatively expensive, but given it is one of the earliest Griffey cards, it is among my favorites on this list. However, it is challenging to tell them apart when viewing them online. So they are not rare by any means. Sorry about that. As of May 2021, there are ~1,800 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Rated Rookie cards and the card value is ~$400. His image is framed by a black and grey boarder. Over the course of his career, he hit 630 home runs, 1,836 RBIs, and a career batting average of .284. This is due to many factors, including poor cutting techniques, whitening on the dark borders, cheap cardstock, and overall cheap manufacturing techniques. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Fleer Glossy RC #548. Years later, the rest of the set became almost irrelevant. ROOKIE CARD USA 10 GEM MT. A No. With such a massive supply, the price stays suppressed. 1997 KEN GRIFFEY JR FLEER 23K GOLD SCULPTURED ROOKIE CARD - Graded GEM MINT 10. Similar to the other sets, Topps printed Bowman cards in mass quantities. 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.. Bowman Tiffany rookie cards and the card value is ~$20,000 based on the last card sold at auction in March 2021. The rarity and condition-sensitive material allow the value of this card to stay competitive. Historic sales data are completed sales with a buyer and a seller agreeing on a price. Ken Griffey Jr. was the home-run leader in the American League in 1994, 1997, 1998, and 1999. Similar to the Topps Traded sets, these are in small, palm-sized boxes. But is that the case for this Griffey card? It gives Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck a severe run for their money. It is also home to many cards having misspelled words, different poses, wrong statistics, and wrong information. Similarly, the 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. #220 has been valued as high as $18,000. Junior wasnt expected to start the 1989 season in the majors. 1989 Upper Deck Baseball 1 Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card Graded BGS 9.5 w 10 $899.99 1989 Upper Deck KEN GRIFFEY JR Rookie PSA 9 Shaquille O'Neal 1996 Kobe Bryant RC $49.99 Ken Griffey Jr. 2020 Topps Project 2020 Seattle Mariners by EFDOT #317 $29.99 Ken Griffey Jr Poster or Canvas $199.95 The PSA populations are surprisingly low, considering how popular this Griffey rookie card has become. Because Topps made limited print runs, collectors will pay big money to own them. The back shows his stats during his minor league days. Are you wondering which Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to buy? His popularity isn't all that surprising considering his exceptional career, which spanned 22 seasons, from 1989 to 2010. 780 are graded gem mint 10, a meager 23% of the population. However, it still commands a reasonable price in the three-digit range. Everything comes together. In terms of price, it wont create a severe dent in your wallet. . According to PSAs official website, only 156 copies of the Ge Mint version exist. By far, the most valuable of Griffey Jr. rookies, this card comes from a premium set dubbed Tiffany by collectors in homage to the luxury jewelry store. PSA, only 410 copies of this card with the highest possible grade exist. PSA 10 examples of the Platinum have sold for as much as $13,000, while PSA 9s have soared over $1,000. The most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is his 198 Bowman Tiffany #220. The card features Griffey Jr. in a blue Mariners batting helmet superimposed on a red, white, and blue background. Note:All listed money values from PSA Gem Mint 10 Average Auction Price. This card isnt on the radar of most collectors but is a true beauty and is very underrated. 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. The 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC #1 is one of the top cards regarding long-term value/ROI and a cultural icon. It shows him kneeling with a business-like look on his face. In 1989 Fleer produced a Glossy Tin set for the third and final year. This is the best Bowman Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card on the market. As of May 2021, there are ~1,700 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss The Rookies cards and the card value is ~$225. This Ken Griffey Jr. Tiffany card from 1989 Topps Traded, which has been obtained by hobbyists have been submitted to PSA for grading 1,898 times, where 17% of cards have earned a PSA 10. As a result, I believe he is a low risk investment. 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. The good news is that you can add this Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to your collection at a low cost. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Cards - Etsy Check out our ken griffey jr rookie cards selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our sports collectibles shops. The legend of Junior can be traced all the way back to when he started roaming the field in the 1970s before Cincinnati Reds games, getting tips from his father Ken Griffey Sr. and other stars. 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. FOR SALE! ken griffey jr rookie card Lot. Part of a smaller 42-card set, this Griffey Jr. card shows him getting ready to come out of the batter box after a base hit. In fact, there are more than twice as many 89 Fleer cards graded in a PSA 10 as there are Donruss. While PSA received around 1,800 copies of this card for grading, only over 300 copies received the elusive Gem Mint rating. This card is going for a little less than $600 at PSA 10. A PSA 9 is $30, while a PSA 10 sells for $175. 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). The card features the classic Donruss Rated Rookie logo which increases the appeal for many collectors and investors. Ken Griffey Jr.'s baseball cards are available in at least 43 sets. Rookie Cards (2021). You will not regret purchasing this bad boy with high grades. For these reasons, I really like this card, but so do many others which is why prices are currently near $500 for a PSA 10 graded card. 2000 ULTRA PLATINUM MEDALLION KEN GRIFFEY JR #100P #'d/50 PSA 6 EX-MT POP-2 RARE. Low Risk/High Return in the long term | Moderate Risk/Moderate Return in the short term (prices have fallen from all-time highs over the last few months, and now would be a good time to buy back in for short term flippers (but use caution and exercise bankroll management). PSA graded 1,497 of these rare cards, with 79 grading gem mint 10 and 403 grading mint 9. 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. PSA alone has graded 93,063, with 4,054 grading gem mint 10. Remember to have fun and collect what you love! As of May 2021, there are ~1,100 PSA 10 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. Scoremasters rookie cards and the card value is ~$133. 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. A blue version PSA 10 sold for $4,494 in 2019, and a PSA 9 blue recently sold for $222. The card features Griffey Jr. in a Seattle Mariners jersey with his baseball bat over his left shoulder.