The card is extremely rare and iconic which both contribute to driving up the price. Even better, Panini uses the Rated Rookie logo in their modern and popular Donruss Optic sets. Beckett has graded this card a 10 more than 100 times and PSA has awarded more than 4,000 top grades. The 1989 Pacific Cards & Comics Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is a difficult card to find. A No. I meant 1989. It reads, , out 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 2. 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? It would be its last set before the Topps buyout. You must be careful when purchasing Tiffany cards because they are identical to the standard issued sets. In the same month, a PSA 10 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card sold for $2,225, 20x the price! Unlike the first series, which was available both as a boxed set and insert, Series Two was only available as a factory-sealed set. 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. Showing only 100 cards. PSA graded over 28,000 of these, with 4,747 grading gem mint 10. This card isnt on the radar of most collectors but is a true beauty and is very underrated. Remember, there are only 500 of these in the world. The Griffey Jr. rookie is among 20 other rookies in this subset. A total of 15,000 team sets were made. Players minor league cards arent considered rookies but are often the first card ever issued, which gives them unique collector appeal. 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. 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). 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. We suggest purchasing PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 grades. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. In the number one spot for the most valuable Ken Griffey Jr Rookie card is the 1989 Upper Deck RC, from probably the most well-known Griffey card set. Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card and Minor League Card Guide - Beckett News Rookie Card #11, its still valuable. Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Related Baseball Cards from 1989 As a result, the cards do not fit into standard-sized 9-pocket sheets, top-loaders, or cardboard set boxes, and it briefly caused a run on 8-pocket sheets. Cardboard Connection calls this on-deck pose one of the best pictures of his rookie cards. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Even the PSA 9 population is low, with 639; however, the value is not there. Price: US $100.00. You have less than a .09% chance of landing a gem mint 10 grade if submitting one yourself. When you get the Gem Mint version, you have one of the best Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie sleeper cards. Although his rise in baseball and hobby accompanied the era of mass production, Griffey Jr. is still an important piece in the mind of so many collectors. The cards are rare with no single variation having more than 20 PSA 10 cards as of May 2021. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Cards - Etsy Wrappers & Empty Card Boxes; Price Guides & Publications; Storage & Display Supplies; . GET FREE SPORTS CARD INVESTING TIPS BY EMAIL. 25 Most Valuable 1989 Donruss Baseball Cards Build your customFanSided Daily email newsletter with news and analysis onFanSided.com and all your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and more. The Mariners defeated the Orioles 10-4. Even Griffey Jr. himself reportedly owns more than 100 of this iconic card, which helps define the modern era of collecting. 25 Most Valuable Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards The popularity of the card has kept prices high despite the fact that there are more than 12,000 PSA 10 graded cards. In addition to his silky smooth and powerful swing, Griffey Jr. played a transcendent CF making dives and climbing the wall look routine. One of Ken Griffey Jr.s minor league cards with the highest demand is his 1988 San Bernardino minor league card by Best Cards. PSA 9s sell for $40, while PSA 10s sell for over $300. The 1989 Classic Travel II is less common than the Update I and as a result, also more expensive. Topps printed roughly 6,000 of these sets, which is tremendously lower than the standard Bowman sets. Of those sent in, 118 graded gem mint 10 and 637 mint 9. 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. It gives Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck a severe run for their money. Making it highly unique to the true fan. Griffey was 19 years old. We do not factor unsold items into our prices. Similar to several other 1988 Griffey Jr. cards, the card features Griffey Jr. in a San Bernardino Spirit uniform. Classic Rookie Ken Griffey Jr Baseball Sports Trading Card Lots, Fleer Rookie Ken Griffey Jr Baseball Sports Trading Card Lots, Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck Rookie Baseball Cards, Overall the Update I version has decent eye appeal with thick orange and pink gradient borders. Additionally, early cards of Randy Johnson Ken Griffey, Jr. highlight this set. As a result, I believe he is a low risk investment. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Cards - Card Values And Recent Listings The eye-catching Rated Rookie logo that Donruss introduced in 1984 still graces its card sets from baseball to basketball to soccer. 1989 Bowman. Griffeys minor league stats and some trivia. 1989 boxes are emerald green, similar to 1990. There are, more than likely, over 500,000 of these Griffey rookie cards printed. All that said, Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards prices have already risen significantly in 2020 and 2021 and as a result, I have a hard time imagining his card prices will continue to increase dramatically. It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. We credit that partly to the white borders and glossy finish. Trending: 10 Rookie Cards That Could Double Your Money | 10 Best Prizm Hobby Boxes To Buy Now | 10 Brilliant Joe Burrow Rookie Card Investments. Its downright simple. 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. A blue version PSA 10 sold for $4,494 in 2019, and a PSA 9 blue recently sold for $222. Sports Card in Search (200) || Avg Price: $5312.02 All Auctions (108) || Avg Price: $309.3 SHOP KEN GRIFFEY JR ROOKIE CARDS ON EBAY The Ken Griffey Jr Score Traded rookie card is an ideal starter card for kids or new collectors not looking to spend hundreds. C $9.56. The Ultimate List of 24 Ken Griffey Jr. I updated it. When you get the Gem Mint version, you have one of the best Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie sleeper cards. The 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC #1 is one of the top cards regarding long-term value/ROI and a cultural icon. Proving just how rare they are. The final price for this card, #790, was $13,200. Plus, the Topps Traded version has a glossier surface. Griffey is a lefty, so youll notice his glove is on his right hand. As of May 2021, there are ~4,400 PSA 10 1989 Score Traded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and the card value is ~$136. As of May 2021, there are 156 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. The front of the 1989 Topps Tiffany Ken Griffey, Jr. While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. 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. To answer the Tiffany edition that Topps started issuing in 1984, Fleer began offering the Glossy version of its sets in 1987. 1988 Star (Nova Edition) cards have 500 sets and 40 promo cards for each player. Your email address will not be published. Coming in as the number one most valuable rookie card of The kid is the 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Baseball Cards for sale | eBay 1989 was the first year Topps revived the Bowman brand, They originally purchased it in the 1950s and never used the intellectual property. PSA 9 mint examples sell between $800 $1,000. Ken Griffey Jr Rookie Card guide: Most expensive and valuable cards The title alone says it all. As of May 2021, there are 250 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Classic Travel Update II rookie cards and the card value is ~$185. The paper card is cheap and can be obtained for about $5. 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. So, how many are graded? 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 Baseball Cards Worth Money 1. This leads to more damage from exposure to sunlight and potential damage from the plastic opening. 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. 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). Free shipping on many items | Browse your favorite brands | affordable prices. PSA graded 1,778 of the Update II Griffey cards. ROOKIE CARD USA 10 GEM MT. The 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the highest priced rookie card 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. This card is no exception. The price has fluctuated quite a bit lately with a PSA 10 selling for ~$700 in March and then the price dropping to ~$185 in April. PSA has graded just 2,166 of the 6,000, with 333 grading gem mint 10. Source: beckett.com Sports cards were so plentiful in 1989 that you didn't even have to buy them. Ken Griffey Jr. #548 Prices [Rookie] | 1989 Fleer Glossy | Baseball Cards 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. The Ultimate List of 24 Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards (2021) Card prices vary, but a PSA 10 Personal Data card sold for ~$600 in October 2020. 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. 10. This is the iconic hobby game-changer. Griffey was also a 10-time American League Gold Glove Award winner, a seven-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the 1992 All-Star Game MVP during his tenure in Seattle. As one of the most significant drafts of all time, Ken Griffey Jr.s rookie cards carry some value. Years later, the rest of the set became almost irrelevant. 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. A sure way to know if the set has one is if they contain 50 cards. 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. PSA 10 values have steadily increased over the years because these cards bring so much nostalgia to collectors and are so difficult to grade. Especially considering PSA 10 prices have gone as high as $2,000. Everything comes together. This is update II also known as Travel Purple. The value for a mint example is $30, while a gem mint example exceeds upwards of $250. 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. We recommend investing as much as 15% of your investment into high-end sports cards. This set came as factory-sealed sets. The complete list of cards and PSA population count are below: The 1989 Baseball Cards Magazine Ken Griffey Jr. is among the most rare 1989 Griffey Jr. cards and as a result, also among the most expensive. 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. C $4.99 shipping. Check out as guest. It is also the only 1989 Donruss Griffey Jr. card that features an action shot. Ken Griffey Jr . June 20 th 2020: $1,125. It reads, No. 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) Furthermore, they were never considered his most valuable upon their release. On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. Because this set was unpopular upon release, many dealers did not order the product. 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 features Griffey Jr. at bat with a grey and pink boarder. There was a time when the Griffey. clubhouse during the teams consecutive World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ken Griffey Jr. prices (Baseball Cards 1989 Fleer Glossy) are updated daily for each source listed above. Youll see a photo of Junior holding a bat on the front of the card. His 1989 Upper Deck rookie is the crown jewel of Upper Decks groundbreaking inaugural baseball set. The back of the card reads, Kens first professional hit was a home run for Bellingham vs. Everett, 6-17-87. This is due to many factors, including poor cutting techniques, whitening on the dark borders, cheap cardstock, and overall cheap manufacturing techniques. The reason is that a considerable majority of the 1,397 copies of PSA received for grading have a centering issue. PSA graded 46 of the Griffey #1 Prospect cards. As of May 2021, there are ~750 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr Bellingham prospect cards and the card value is ~$1,000. 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. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. Try a more specific search to refine the results. -A Vermont in 1988 was cut short by a back injury. The 1988 Star Nova Edition Griffey Jr. prospect cards include 10 variations of the card. The next most expensive rookie is another Tiffany, this time part of the 132-card Topps Traded set issued after each base set released during the 1980s and early 1990s. 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr | PSA CardFacts 16 Most Valuable Ken Griffey Jr Cards Ever Sold - Jacqueline Stallone 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. Rare Ken Griffey Jr. Cards including rookies! - picclick.ca In terms of price, it wont create a severe dent in your wallet. C $41.00. As you can see, rarity also plays a major role in determining the value of the card. 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. This throwback design came in Bowmans first season back in the hobby. is the son of former major league outfielder, of the younger Griffey) was a fixture in the. Topps designed the set to resemble the 1953 Bowman Color set. 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. A tasteless technique we continue to see in the hobby today. The 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss RC wont put a dent in your wallet thats the good news the bad is the ROI wont be a juicy vs the next few cards on this list.. With such low PSA 9 and PSA 10 cards, it is evident just how challenging they are to find in perfect conditions. 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. 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. Once again, the mass production of this base set keeps the value down. Rookie Cards (2021). The card isnt from a major brand like Topps, but it is a Griffey card to add to the collection. Like most baseball cards from the junk wax era, the Topps Traded set was mass printed. 1989 Topps Heads Up Ken Griffey Jr. #5. If you want a much rarer version, continue reading to find the Fleer Glossy rookie card. As mentioned above, be cautious when buying raw cards on eBay because sellers will sell regular Bowman cards and label them Tiffany. 1997 KEN GRIFFEY JR FLEER 23K GOLD SCULPTURED ROOKIE CARD - Graded GEM MINT 10. He is one of baseballs all-time greats who profoundly impacts fans years after retirement. Don Russ Ken Griffey Jr. 780 are graded gem mint 10, a meager 23% of the population. It's one of a very few Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to feature artwork of the rising start. Coming from a massively overprinted set, every kid had access to these cards at an affordable price. Anyone that views the numbers of his Upper Deck rookie card against his other cards, with a fraction of the supply, would say the Upper Deck has far too many and is overvalued. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card, 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck rookie cards, Despite hundreds of Juniors rookie cards on the market, the, top-quality version is virtually flawless . Top 19 Most Valuable Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards Rookie Card #41T shows a boyish-looking Junior holding a bat. According to PSAs population report, there are 15 copies of the 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. at a PSA 10 grade. Like the Tiffany editions, this premium version of its standard card has a glossy finish and higher quality card stock. The PSA populations are surprisingly low, considering how popular this Griffey rookie card has become. 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). Sorry about that. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. The design is identical to the base 1989 Donruss set, except for green and yellow fronts and career highlights on the back. The card features Griffey Jr. in a white Mariners jersey with his bat over his left shoulder. The most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is his 198 Bowman Tiffany #220. The Donruss Baseballs Best Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the highest priced 1989 Donruss card on this list and also the most rare. Each card includes a descriptor (e.g., Career Stats) which appears at the bottom of the card, as well as a unique image. This is one of the most readily available first-year cards for the Mariners legend. Check out this collectors show and tell of pulling a Griffey Jr. Glossy from the collectors tin the set comes in. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. Topps Project 70 Companion Chase Card By DJ Skee #931C $4,500 This striking design (pardon the pun!) The card does land a higher value than his other Score issues on this list. Make sure you see 41T in the upper right-hand corner. 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! There are three series to look for, with only two containing Ken Griffey Jr.s rookie card. I like this card, but I wouldnt overpay for it given it is not a true Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. He played high school baseball for two years, hitting .478 and 17 home runs during that span. PSAs population report, there are 15 copies of the 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. at a PSA 10 grade. Aside from most cards being cut off-center, the design is excellent. calendar_month 01/06/2023. 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). is one of the most famous baseball card brands during Griffeys era. Because Topps made limited print runs, collectors will pay big money to own them. Bear in mind it still garnered the highest possible PSA grade. However, it still commands a reasonable price in the three-digit range. As mentioned above on the #18 card, the Classic Travel trivia game came in three series. Cards measure 2.5 x 3.75, a quarter-inch length than the post-1957 standard-size trading card. Surprisingly, this masterpiece isnt even his most valuable rookie card. The 89 Fleer set is home to the famous Bill Ripken vulgarity and Randy Johnson Marlboro ad cards. 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. A collectors edition set with a much smaller print run. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck PSA 10 vs S&P 500. If youre looking to buy an affordable yet, iconic Ken Griffey Jr rookie card, look no further than his Topps Traded rookie. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. 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. And it was an exceptionally limited run.