The 1988 San Bernardino Spirit Griffey Jr. prospect cards are extremely rare and as a result, very expensive. Like most baseball cards from the junk wax era, the Topps Traded set was mass printed. Bowman Tiffany rookie cards and the card value is ~$20,000 based on the last card sold at auction in March 2021. Part of the sets Star Rookie subset, Griffey Jr. flashing that signature smile as a teenager is a jewel in anyones collection. During that time, Griffey Jr. was a 13x All-Star, 10x Gold Glove, and 7x Silver Slugger. center fielders in the history of professional baseball. It is also one of the most affordable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and is a good option around the $120 price point. As of May 2021, I classify Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards as Low Risk with Low-Moderate Upside potential. With an initial print run was more than one million and subsequent print runs followed, the mass production is what prevents this card from being the most valuable rookie. Rookie Card #11, its still valuable. The 1988 Cal League set features 50 of the top players in the California League 1988. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. An off-center PSA 9 recently sold for ~$80. Rankings are based on the Beckett Baseball online price guide. Please comment below if you have any recommendations on which cards should make this list. So, how many are graded? ROOKIE CARD USA 10 GEM MT. According to PSAs official website, only 156 copies of the Ge Mint version exist. 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 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. The card does land a higher value than his other Score issues on this list. 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. 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. Note:All listed money values from PSA Gem Mint 10 Average Auction Price. Ken Griffey Jr. was the home-run leader in the American League in 1994, 1997, 1998, and 1999. is one of the most famous baseball card brands during Griffeys era. However, it still commands a reasonable price in the three-digit range. The paper card is cheap and can be obtained for about $5. GoldCardAuctions is a high-end investment-caliber trading card company and is the definitive source of sports card investing news and analysis. The PSA 9 population is not much higher, with 1,294. Be sure and look for BGS and SGC graded cards on eBay at a fraction of the price of PSA. 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 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. Scoremasters rookie card is one of two cards from Score on this list. With such a massive supply, the price stays suppressed. As of May 2021, there are ~20 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Cal League prospect cards and the card value is ~$2,500. This is one of the most readily available first-year cards for the Mariners legend. Shop COMC's extensive selection of ken griffey jr. rookie related baseball cards from 1989. 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. Remember, there are only 500 of these in the world. 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. One of the most popular, if not the most, is Ken Griffey Jr.s non-rookie card. The features Griffey Jr. at bat with a grey and pink boarder. Mass printing was enough for many collectors to get out of sports cards forever, but some stayed, and a lot returned. Its downright simple. The front of the 1989 Topps Tiffany Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle eventually traded him to the Reds for pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Mike Cameron, and minor league players Antonio Perez and Jake Meyer on February 10, 2000. It's one of a very few Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to feature artwork of the rising start. As of May 2021, there are ~4,400 PSA 10 1989 Score Traded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and the card value is ~$136. Back in 1955, Bowman designed a set of cards with players filling a TV screen. Moreover, the photo of Griffey on this card is much better than the others. 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. That title went to the 1989 Upper Deck star rookie, further down the list. He ended the year playing for the Vermont Mariners, a Class AA Eastern League. This lack of compatibility with standard storage supplies hurt sales of the product. Aside from the supreme quality and beauty of Tiffany cards, there is another attractive selling point, the low supply. Debut card #46 (PSA 9 Mint). 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. How popular is the card with collectors and investors. When you get the Gem Mint version, you have one of the best Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie sleeper cards. Rare Ken Griffey Jr. Cards including rookies!. Remember to have fun and collect what you love! Good catch, thanks. On the other hand, the former commands a heftier price on the market. 10 Rookie Cards That Could Double Your Money, 10 Brilliant Joe Burrow Rookie Card Investments, The Best Time to Buy & Sell Sports Cards (Ultimate Guide), The 20 Best Basketball Cards Of All-Time (Best Investments), 3 Best 2015 Topps Update Rookie Cards To Consider, 10 Best 2023 Topps Series 1 Variations Baseball Cards To Buy, 10 Best 1989 Topps Baseball Cards To Buy Plus Error List, 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball Most Valuable Cards and Checklist, These 10 GOATS Rookie Cards Will Outperform Stocks Over Next 10 Years, Gold Card Auctions | Sports Card Investing, 1989 SCD Baseball Pocket Price Guide Ken Griffey Jr. RC #3, 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. RC #220, 1989 Score Traded Ken Griffey Jr. RC #100T, 1989 Classic Travel Orange Ken Griffey Jr. RC #131, 1989 Classic Travel Purple Ken Griffey Jr. RC #193, 1989 Topps Traded Ken Griffey Jr. RC #41T, 1989 Donruss The Rookies Ken Griffey Jr. RC #3, 1989 Topps Heads Up Test Ken Griffey Jr. RC #5, 1989 Mariners Mothers Ken Griffey Jr. RC #3, 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. #259, 1989 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr./Ken Griffey Sr. RC #259, 1989 Star Baseball Ken Griffey Jr. RC (11-card set), 1989 Pacific Griffey Candy Bar Ken Griffey Jr. (blue, yellow, and white backgrounds), 1989 Score Young Superstars II Ken Griffey Jr. RC #18, 1989 Donruss Diamond Kings Ken Griffey Jr. RC #4, Only purchase high grades such as PSA 10 and BGS 9.5. 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). 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. 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. The Bowman Tiffany set is a limited print run and its cards are worth at least 10x the regular Bowman set. Very interesting and informative! 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. On the other hand, the former commands a heftier price on the market. This is the iconic hobby game-changer. All Topps Tiffany sets were printed in Topps Irish printing facility and have different print runs. The 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the highest priced rookie card on this list. Sports Card in Search (200) || Avg Price: $5312.02 All Auctions (108) || Avg Price: $309.3 shows a head and shoulders drawing of Ken Griffey Jr by DJ Skee. While PSA received around 1,800 copies of this card for grading, only over 300 copies received the elusive Gem Mint rating. Coming from a massively overprinted set, every kid had access to these cards at an affordable price. By far one of the most iconic cards in modern sports card times and is a childhood memory for many in the hobby. calendar_month 01/06/2023. Theyre also much more common. 2000 ULTRA PLATINUM MEDALLION KEN GRIFFEY JR #100P #'d/50 PSA 6 EX-MT POP-2 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. Ken Griffey Jr. was drafted 1st overall by the Seattle Mariners out of Archbishop Moeller High School in the 1987 MLB draft. Are you wondering which Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to buy? Donruss 1989 Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card. The 1988 Cal League All-Stars Griffey Jr. prospect card is also extremely rare and relatively expensive. Ken Griffey Jr. This card is no exception. Due to the rarity, its safe to say these are some of Ken Griffey Jr.s rarest and most valuable rookie cards. To top it off, finding one that is centered is a big challenge. This is a typical Donruss baseball card you wont find any flashy graphics or other eye candy. The final price for this card, #790, was $13,200. 1989 Mother's Cookies Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards Valuation: $152 - $850 Highest sale price: $1100 in March 2021 Supply: 6,490 (PSA-graded) Dimensions: 2.5 by 3.5 inches All four Mother's Cookies collectible Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards. A sure way to know if the set has one is if they contain 50 cards. He played at San Bernardino and Vermont in 1988.. . For example, PSA has graded over 80,000 Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards; 13,198 are in gem mint ten conditions. The 89 Upper Deck Star rookie #1 is the card that started the hobby hype. 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. The most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is his 198 Bowman Tiffany #220. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. by Tyson Beck Topps Project 2020, 1989 Donruss Baseballs Best Ken Griffey Jr. RC #192, However, lets not forget he was also a 10-time. The 1993 Ken Griffey Jr., Finest Refractor card, is among the most valuable of all the Ken Griffey Jr. non-rookie cards. According to PSA, only 410 copies of this card with the highest possible grade exist. However, lets not forget he was also a 10-time American League Gold Glove Award winner. Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 with an amazing 99.3% of the vote. The graded cards are as follows: (2)1990 Topps Traded #41T Rookie (PSA 8 and 9),1989 Fleer #548 Rookie (10 Gem Mint/WCG) and 1989 Topps M.L. It reads, No. The set is known for printing the only licensed Major League card of Sammy Sosa, issued in 1989. Ms drafted him No. In addition to his silky smooth and powerful swing, Griffey Jr. played a transcendent CF making dives and climbing the wall look routine. Auction Prices Realized Baseball Cards 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. STAR ROOKIE Sponsored Ads Auction Prices Baseball Cards 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Ken Griffey Jr. #1 (STAR ROOKIE) 13,151 Sales $4,114,924 Value Auction Price Totals Summary prices by grade PRICES POP APR FACTS REGISTRY SHOP WITH AFFILIATES Grades (Click to filter results) 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.. If youre in the market for a PSA 10, plan on spending over $700; however, a PSA 9 will cost you less than $100. This card is unique for a few reasons. 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). This lot contains 4 graded cards, 4 metal card sets (factory sealed), the Mother's cookie rookie card, 22kt and 23kt gold cards, 2 $62 phone card and more! While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. In the same month, a PSA 10 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card sold for $2,225, 20x the price! I like the card and it is a relatively safe buy given the popularity among collectors and investors. Rookie Card PSA 10 Gem Mint $21,000 (PWCC) Price: $21,000 This is the signature Bowman rookie card for any 1989 rookie. Griffey Jr. is about to make contact (or just made contact) with the baseball and is framed by a brightly lit background of pinks, reds, yellows, and oranges. 1988 Star (Nova Edition) cards have 500 sets and 40 promo cards for each player. Players minor league cards arent considered rookies but are often the first card ever issued, which gives them unique collector appeal. 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. We typically only invest in PSA 10, PSA 9, BGS 9.5, and SGC Gold 100. The collection features a Warren Spahn puzzle and the outstanding rookies of the 1989 season, including Griffey, Sheffield, Johnson, and Deion Sanders. 6. Everything comes together. The 1989 Score, Masters Griffey Jr. RC artwork, is impressive and captures his trademark swing in a unique format. 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. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Along with the Griffeys, the Ripkens, Alomars, and Stottlemyres were featured. Get the best deals on Ken Griffey Jr Baseball Trading Cards when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The back of the card reads, Ken made his professional baseball debut at Bellingham in 1987. by FAR one of the best investments in the sports card hobby. PSA graded 1,644 of the Bowman Tiffany Griffey rookie cards. One of Griffeys rookie cards that fly off the radar of most collectors is his 1989 Scored Traded rookie. Complete factory-sealed packs sell on eBay for $20. Featuring Griffey in action after a hit, this is one of best action shots of any Griffey rookie card. 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. Of those submitted, 264 graded gem mint 10. 1989 Bowman. Price: US $100.00. 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. Bear in mind it still garnered the highest possible PSA grade. 1989 Fleer is yet another set printed in the junk wax era and tainted by a large print run. Rookie Card #33 should give you an excellent return after a few years. His popularity isn't all that surprising considering his exceptional career, which spanned 22 seasons, from 1989 to 2010. It shows him kneeling with a business-like look on his face. When found in gem mint condition, the value can exceed $12,000. Ken Griffey Jr RCs came off the presses in 1989 with a crazy amount of cards to choose from as they were released during the 'junk wax era'. 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 ~12,250 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Traded rookie cards and the card value is ~$230, but price has been fluctuating a lot recently. Sign in to check out. Rookie Card #11, its still valuable. Plus, the Topps Traded version has a glossier surface. Like most cards on this list, be mindful of fakes because these are easy to reprint. 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. factory-sealed packs sell on eBay for $20. . Sealed sets were distributed as factory sets through various retail chains. - 1991 Post Collector Card 134458195204 Even the PSA 9 population is low, with 639; however, the value is not there. Rookie Card 1989 Bowman #220 . The card features one of my favorite images. Make sure you see 41T in the upper right-hand corner. Keep reading to find everything you need to know, and my investment advice. There are three series to look for, with only two containing Ken Griffey Jr.s rookie card. As of May 2021, there are ~450 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Baseballs Best rookie cards and the card value is ~$680. PSA 10 graded versions of this card are very rare and limited historical sales data exists. Especially considering how low the prices are. It was part of a 4-card subset featuring father and son duos. If you want a much rarer version, continue reading to find the Fleer Glossy rookie card. Ken Griffey Jr. HOF Signed Autograph Auto 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card # 1 PSA $499.99 Buy It Now for only: $499.99 Buy It Now Everyone figured that since Upper Deck looked expensive and cost more, it had a lower print run than the Topps junk.right? Griffey Jr. does not meet those criteria. 1989 TOPPS TRADED #41T KEN GRIFFEY JR. 1989 Bowman KEN GRIFFEY JR Seattle Mariners Baseball HOF Rookie Card #259 NM-MT. Bear in mind it still garnered the highest possible PSA grade. It was during this time that this photo was taken for the team set. While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. baseball card you wont find any flashy graphics or other eye candy. Wrappers & Empty Card Boxes; Price Guides & Publications; Storage & Display Supplies; . Griffey makes up a 34-card set for Seattles Single-A team. I wasnt aware of any card from 1991 being considered a rookie card! 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. The 1988 Star Silver Edition Ken Griffey Jr. prospect cards feature a set of 9 different cards. It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. 1. The card design varies, but the Platinum rookie card features Griffey Jr. in a white San Bernardino Spirit jersey and black hat. The 1989 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is both popular with collectors and investors and more rare than the 1989 Fleer and 1989 Topps Traded rookie cards. Topps Project 70 Companion Chase Card By DJ Skee #931C $4,500 This striking design (pardon the pun!) The 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is among the most common Griffey Jr. rookie cards. Similar to several other 1988 Griffey Jr. cards, the card features Griffey Jr. in a San Bernardino Spirit uniform. The card features Griffey Jr. in a blue Mariners batting helmet superimposed on a red, white, and blue background. With 13,198 of the Griffeys 89 Topps Traded rookies grading gem mint conditions, they are by no means rare. The Seattle Mariners drafted Ken Griffey Jr. (11/21/1969) with the 1st pick in the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft out of Archbishop Moeller HS (Cincinnati, OH). Grown men and kids were paying big money collecting these with the expectation that in 30 years, they would get an excellent return. 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