1. The reason is that a considerable majority of the 1,397 copies of PSA received for grading have a centering issue. Rookie Cards (2021). Post contains affiliate links. 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? All Topps Tiffany sets were printed in Topps Irish printing facility and have different print runs. Rookie Card #33 should give you an excellent return after a few years. Notables include Ken Griffey, Jr., Gary Sheffield, Tino Martinez, and John Smoltz. Griffey was 19 years old. Like Bowmans cards from the 1950s, these are taller than standard cards 2 x 3 inches (standard 2 x 3 ). As of May 2021, there are ~1,100 PSA 10 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. Scoremasters rookie cards and the card value is ~$133. As of May 2021, there are less than 5 PSA 10 cards per card variation and a PSA 10 Silver Edition #4 sold for ~$620 in October 2020. Unlike the previous two seasons, the update set was not issued in Glossy form. Today, demand remains high and the value of this card has steadily risen in recent years. Along with the Griffeys, the Ripkens, Alomars, and Stottlemyres were featured. 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. As of May 2021, there are 250 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Classic Travel Update II rookie cards and the card value is ~$185. June 20 th 2020: $1,125. A tasteless technique we continue to see in the hobby today. Which is why the PSA 10 population is so low on these. So, how many are graded? With 13,198 of the Griffeys 89 Topps Traded rookies grading gem mint conditions, they are by no means rare. As of May 2021, there are ~100 PSA graded cards with only three PSA 9 and eight PSA 8. Moreover, there are 14,482 graded PSA 9. Although the cards feature the same picture as the standard set, the front and back are both glossy, giving the card an ultra-smooth polish and feel. 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. Of those graded, 5,115 are in gem mint condition, which is relatively small considering how many are graded. Tallying 1,000 X your investment just rolls off the tongue nicely. 1989 Donruss Baseballs Best consists of 336 of baseballs best players. Making Griffey Jr. the first card in the set took foresight (and a little luck). $1.09. Rated Ken Griffey, Jr. Nonetheless, the reason for its value comes down to supply and demand. 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.. Check out this collectors show and tell of pulling a Griffey Jr. Glossy from the collectors tin the set comes in. 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. Especially considering how low the prices are. As of May 2021, there are 156 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. If you want to add this iconic Griffey rookie card to your collection, consider buying a PSA 9 or 8 at a discount. However, lets not forget he was also a 10-time American League Gold Glove Award winner. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. It is also the only 1989 Donruss Griffey Jr. card that features an action shot. 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. As of May 2021, there are ~750 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr Bellingham prospect cards and the card value is ~$1,000. 1988 Star (Nova Edition) cards have 500 sets and 40 promo cards for each player. Note:All listed money values from PSA Gem Mint 10 Average Auction Price. Additionally, early cards of Randy Johnson Ken Griffey, Jr. highlight this set. Part of the sets Star Rookie subset, Griffey Jr. flashing that signature smile as a teenager is a jewel in anyones collection. Because of this, a PSA 10 will set you back more than Griffey's other non-UD rookie cards. Over his 22 year career, Griffey Jr. hit .284 with 680 home runs and 1,836 RBI. Moreover, this is one of Griffeys few rookie cards that has the word rookie on the card. 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 1989 Upper Deck or Donruss Rated Rookie cards are some of the most iconic Griffey cards, but are they the most valuable? Topps printed roughly 6,000 of these sets, which is tremendously lower than the standard Bowman sets. Topps Desert Shield Ken Griffey Jr. Price: $13,200 Year: 1991 Set#: 790 photo source: Goldin The Topps Desert Shield Ken Griffey Jr. card from 1991 was rated Gem Mint or 10 by the PSA, which made its value soar at its Goldin auction. Another example is the difference in price between the 1989 Bowman and 1989 Bowman Tiffany cards. This is due to many factors, including poor cutting techniques, whitening on the dark borders, cheap cardstock, and overall cheap manufacturing techniques. The prices shown are the lowest prices available for Ken Griffey Jr. the last time we updated. This was Bowmans first year of production since 1955, the year Topps bought it to eliminate competition. The back of the card reads, Kens first professional hit was a home run for Bellingham vs. Everett, 6-17-87. A No. Griffey Jr. is a baseball icon and will be remembered and collected for years to come. Moreover, PSA graded 840 blue versions with five grading gem mint 10 and 161 mint 9. As you can see, the card has gained roughly 45% since 1/1/2017, while the S&P 500 is at 9.39%. Cards measure 2.5 x 3.75, a quarter-inch length than the post-1957 standard-size trading card. PSA 9 mint examples sell between $800 $1,000. Due to the rarity, its safe to say these are some of Ken Griffey Jr.s rarest and most valuable rookie cards. How popular is the card with collectors and investors. Still, Upper Deck wisely made Griffey Jr. its #1 over Gary Sheffield, Sandy Alomar Jr. and Gregg Jefferies. - $88.42. This is one of Ken Griffey Jr.s most valuable and collectible rookie cards, so consider picking one up regardless of the condition. Show details sharp corners and edges, and a stain-free surface. 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. The card does land a higher value than his other Score issues on this list. This card isnt on the radar of most collectors but is a true beauty and is very underrated. Rookie Card #33 should give you an excellent return after a few years. The 89 Fleer set is home to the famous Bill Ripken vulgarity and Randy Johnson Marlboro ad cards. We do not factor unsold items into our prices. 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. The title alone says it all. Shop COMC's extensive selection of ken griffey jr. rookie related baseball cards from 1989. The 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the second of two 1989 Score cards on this list. PSA graded 3,867 of Griffeys Baseball Best cards with 477 grading gem mint 10. It was part of a 4-card subset featuring father and son duos. This leads to more damage from exposure to sunlight and potential damage from the plastic opening. The 1988 Cal League set features 50 of the top players in the California League 1988. -A Vermont in 1988 was cut short by a back injury. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. 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. Remember, there are only 500 of these in the world. The set is known for printing the only licensed Major League card of Sammy Sosa, issued in 1989. These conditions make it difficult to find gem mint examples from factory-sealed sets. Seattle eventually traded him to the Reds for pitcher Brett. You must be careful when purchasing Tiffany cards because they are identical to the standard issued sets. Ken Griffey Jr. was drafted 1st overall by the Seattle Mariners out of Archbishop Moeller High School in the 1987 MLB draft. Despite its simplicity, the 1989 Donruss Rated Ken Griffey, Jr. June 21 st 2020: $1,177. Secondly, this is the only baseball card of Griffey Jr. posing in a Vermont Mariners uniform. The 1988 Cal League All-Stars Griffey Jr. prospect card is also extremely rare and relatively expensive. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. The value between the two is substantial. However, there is no base set Topps Griffey rookie card. This card is no exception. The card features Griffey Jr. in a Seattle Mariners jersey with his baseball bat over his left shoulder. Due to the cheap cardstock, many cards have uneven borders, soft corners, or chipping ink on the edges. 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). Ken Griffey Jr Baseball has a total of 49 sports cards auctions ending over the next 3 days with an average current price of $332. Griffey is a lefty, so youll notice his glove is on his right hand. 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. The two Griffeys made MLB history by becoming the first father and son tandem to play in the same game in 1990. The 1989 Score, Masters Griffey Jr. RC artwork, is impressive and captures his trademark swing in a unique format. 11. You can pick one up for around $135. There was a time when the Griffey. 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. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon. If you want a rare Ken Griffey Jr. minor league (RC) card, look no further than his 1988 California All-star card. A total of 15,000 team sets were made. 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 good news is that you can add this Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to your collection at a low cost. 1989 Score Young Superstars Series Two is a 42-card boxed set with five trivia cards. The 1989 Classic Travel Update I is among the more common Griffey Jr. rookie cards and as a result, is also relatively affordable. Are you wondering which Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to buy? Bear in mind it still garnered the highest possible PSA grade. The card is one of two Classic Travel cards on this list with this one, the Update I being the more common and less expensive of the two. by FAR one of the best investments in the sports card hobby. RARE KEN Griffey Jr. Cards including rookies! 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. The following list highlights the most valuable 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. cards. Coming in as the number one most valuable rookie card of The kid is the 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. 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. Its downright simple. Wrappers & Empty Card Boxes; Price Guides & Publications; Storage & Display Supplies; . The classic Bowman Logo is plastered in the top left-hand corner, while his autograph is PRINTED at the center bottom (i.e., this is not an actual Ken Groffey Jr. Autograph as it is printed). Topps designed the set to resemble the 1953 Bowman Color set. Browse our section of Ken Griffey Jr. signed and unsigned Trading Cards at www.sportsmemorabilia.com. Of the 484 cards in the set, only 46 are rookie cards.