His legacy in the game is still evident, as he makes his presence felt annually at the All-Star game and Homerun Derby and is a leader in MLBs youth development efforts. We suggest purchasing PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 grades. Fleer made approximately 30,000 of these sets, making it considerably rarer than the 1989 Fleer set and the preceding years of Glossy parallels. 1989 TOPPS TRADED #41T KEN GRIFFEY JR. 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. The 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. non-rc is #336 and catches Griffey Jr. with the bat over his left shoulder. Cards measure 2.5 x 3.75, a quarter-inch length than the post-1957 standard-size trading card. 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'. Rookie Card #41T shows a boyish-looking Junior holding a bat. Advertised as the Comeback Edition! This marks the day of the Bowman brand officially returning to the hobby. 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 Bowman Tiffany set is a limited print run and its cards are worth at least 10x the regular Bowman set. On that note, investing in a player of Griffeys credentials and caliber is wise. This top-quality version is virtually flawless near-perfect centering, sharp corners and edges, and a stain-free surface. sharp corners and edges, and a stain-free surface. 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. The first series containing 100 cards with pink and blue gradient borders, does not include one. A sure way to know if the set has one is if they contain 50 cards. Shop for 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards on eBay 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. 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. Especially considering how low the prices are. He was named Northwest League Player of the Week, June 16-22, with 3 HR and 8 RBI.. We typically only invest in PSA 10, PSA 9, BGS 9.5, and SGC Gold 100. Grown men and kids were paying big money collecting these with the expectation that in 30 years, they would get an excellent return. Which is why the PSA 10 population is so low on these. They sell for so much because they have the least supply and are from a licensed distributor, Topps. The 1988 Cal League All-Stars Griffey Jr. prospect card is also extremely rare and relatively expensive. As you can see, condition plays a huge role in determining the value of the card. However, it still commands a reasonable price in the three-digit range. Buy from many sellers and get your cards all in one shipment! The majority of cards are in mint 9 conditions with 2,229. Sports Card in Search (200) || Avg Price: $5312.02 All Auctions (108) || Avg Price: $309.3 Baseball Card - Topps All-Star Rookie Brand: Topps 102 ratings $999 See more Near Mint or better condition Comes in a protective top loader for its protection and to display Frequently bought together + Total price: Add both to Cart One of these items ships sooner than the other. The regular Bowman set is worth very little because of its high print run. In fact, there are more than twice as many 89 Fleer cards graded in a PSA 10 as there are Donruss. 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. Of those graded, 5,115 are in gem mint condition, which is relatively small considering how many are graded. 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. 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 card features Griffey Jr. in a Seattle Mariners jersey with his baseball bat over his left shoulder. 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. Topps printed roughly 6,000 of these sets, which is tremendously lower than the standard Bowman sets. Resulting in most cards getting that dreaded (OC) off-center qualifier. Hobby dealers received one regular (non-Tiffany) Topps Traded set for each Tiffany set ordered. This is the iconic hobby game-changer. Get the best deals on Ken Griffey Jr Baseball Trading Cards when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. PSA graded 1,778 of the Update II Griffey cards. I would love to own this card, but with a $20,000 price tag, I may need to hold off on buying it! A Green PSA 10 recently sold for $270 and a Purple PSA 10 sold for ~$255 in December 2020. When holding these in hand, you can quickly tell which is a Bowman Tiffany and which is a regular Bowman issue. Ken Griffey Jr Card Prices Your search for Ken Griffey Jr returned too many results. However, they failed to realize how many cards Upper Deck printed. 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. 1990 Topps #336 Ken Griffey Jr. Ken Griffey Jr., also known as Junior or The Kid or The Natural, was a game-changer on the diamond and the card collecting hobby. Don Russ Ken Griffey Jr. For example, Topps made approximately 15,000 of the 89 Topps Trade sets. Hobbyists we spoke with differ on the exact reason. Notables include Ken Griffey, Jr., Gary Sheffield, Tino Martinez, and John Smoltz. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. 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. Be sure and look for BGS and SGC graded cards on eBay at a fraction of the price of PSA. A total of 15,000 team sets were made. His image is framed by a black and grey boarder. 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. Griffey Jr. does not meet those criteria. You cant go wrong with a Hall of Famer who, More impressively, Griffey played the game correctly with dignity and honor. 2d 17h. He played at San Bernardino and Vermont in 1988.. The good news is that you won't have trouble finding one. He is one of, Five (5) 1989 Upper Deck PSA 10, One (1) 1989 Upper Deck SGC Pristine, Two (2) 1989 Bowman Tiffany, Two (2) Donruss Rated Rookie, One (1) Topps Traded Tiffany Rookie Card, One (1) 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Autograph Upper Deck RC #1. Firstly, most of the cards are miscut from top to bottom. Beckett hasnt given any grades of 10 for this card, but there are 86 cards that have received a 9.5. The card is extremely rare and iconic which both contribute to driving up the price. 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. Rookie Cards (2021). Ross Uitts Back in 1955, Bowman designed a set of cards with players filling a TV screen. It's one of a very few Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to feature artwork of the rising start. Post contains affiliate links. We credit that partly to the white borders and glossy finish. 1) 1989 Upper Deck Rookie RC #1. So, if you can get over the (OC) on most cards, this is a great Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to buy now. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER. As you can see, the card has gained roughly 45% since 1/1/2017, while the S&P 500 is at 9.39%. He was the 1987 U.S. High School Baseball Player of the Year. Over the course of his career, he hit 630 home runs, 1,836 RBIs, and a career batting average of .284. Tallying 1,000 X your investment just rolls off the tongue nicely. The 1989 Griffey Jr. Only three have earned a top grade from Beckett. PSA 9s sell for $40, while PSA 10s sell for over $300. According to PSAs population report, there are 15 copies of the 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. at a PSA 10 grade. A No. The cards feature the exact same image, but the Bowman Tiffany card was last valued at ~40x the price! 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. 1989 Topps Heads Up Ken Griffey Jr. #5. Show details Mass printing was enough for many collectors to get out of sports cards forever, but some stayed, and a lot returned. Check out as guest. 8 bids. PSA graded 294 of the Platinum, with 17 grading gem mint 10 and 91 grading mint 9. The total amount is unknown, but some speculate that due to the simple design and thin card stock, some dealers printed these in batches creating fakes and selling them to capitalize on the hype. Cardboard Connection calls this on-deck pose one of the best pictures of his rookie cards. Moreover, the photo of Griffey on this card is much better than the others. Consider buying a PSA 10 example on eBay to save time and money. As of May 2021, there are ~4,600 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Fleer rookie cards and the card value is ~$175. 1989 Score Young Superstars Series Two is a 42-card boxed set with five trivia cards. He spent two years in the minors before the Mariners called him up to the majors on April 3, 1989. How popular is the card with collectors and investors. The good news is that you can add this Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to your collection at a low cost. 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, Rated Rookie card is among the most common Griffey Jr. rookie cards. Everything comes together. 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. As of May 2021, there are ~4,400 PSA 10 1989 Score Traded Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and the card value is ~$136. The cardstock is premium white, and the fronts have a glossy coat. As of May 2021, there are ~1,800 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Rated Rookie cards and the card value is ~$400. The popularity of the card has kept prices high despite the fact that there are more than 12,000 PSA 10 graded cards. His popularity isn't all that surprising considering his exceptional career, which spanned 22 seasons, from 1989 to 2010. All betting content is intended for an audience ages 21+. As of May 2021, there are ~2,000 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. The features Griffey Jr. at bat with a grey and pink boarder. While PSA received around 1,800 copies of this card for grading, only over 300 copies received the elusive Gem Mint rating. This set came as factory-sealed sets. However, they are considered more rare in gem mint conditions than any of his other rookie cards. He was one of the rare players who excelled in both offense and defense. 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. In addition, the back of the card is blue instead of white and says Collectors Edition inside a baseball graphic. Because of this, a PSA 10 will set you back more than Griffey's other non-UD rookie cards. This is update II also known as Travel Purple. 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. 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). Like the Fleer rookie (and so many cards from the 80s) the trick is finding one that is centered. With such low PSA 9 and PSA 10 cards, it is evident just how challenging they are to find in perfect conditions. This is the best Bowman Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie card on the market. However, prepare to shell out at least three digits for this one. PSAs population report, there are 15 copies of the 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. at a PSA 10 grade. 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. Furthermore, they were never considered his most valuable upon their release. 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. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. 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. . This card was produced at the height of the junk wax era (1987 1994) which drives the high population count. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport, Ken Griffey Jr. You can pick one up for around $135. Griffey poses in the standard baseball card stance with the bat over his shoulder and smiling for the camera. The 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the second of two 1989 Score cards on this list. However, there is no base set Topps Griffey rookie card. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck PSA 10 vs S&P 500. Rookie Cards (2021). Little wonder Junior was a 13-time All-Star, the 1997 American League MVP, and a National Baseball Hall of Fame member. 1989 Donruss Baseballs Best consists of 336 of baseballs best players. Moreover, this is one of Griffeys few rookie cards that has the word rookie on the card. It is also the only 1989 Donruss Griffey Jr. card that features an action shot. Making a rare card even rarer being in perfect condition. Griffey made a name for himself by crushing booming home runs. 1 draft pick, its rare that a players on-field accomplishments live up to the hype. Despite its simplicity, the 1989 Donruss Rated Ken Griffey, Jr. . While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. Very interesting and informative! 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. Griffeys minor league stats and some trivia. Many young sports fans growing up in the 90s idolized Ken Griffey Jr. and his legacy endures today. That title went to the 1989 Upper Deck star rookie, further down the list. On the other hand, the former commands a heftier price on the market. June 20 th 2020: $1,125. The two Griffeys made MLB history by becoming the first father and son tandem to play in the same game in 1990. As of May 2021, there are ~1,700 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss The Rookies cards and the card value is ~$225. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are one of the top investments in the hobby from an ROI perspective. One of Griffeys rookie cards that fly off the radar of most collectors is his 1989 Scored Traded rookie. This is due to many factors, including poor cutting techniques, whitening on the dark borders, cheap cardstock, and overall cheap manufacturing techniques. The back shows his stats during his minor league days. Each card includes a descriptor (e.g., Career Stats) which appears at the bottom of the card, as well as a unique image. On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. He is the son of former major league outfielder Ken Griffey, Sr. Junior (the moniker of the younger Griffey) was a fixture in the Cincinnati Reds clubhouse during the teams consecutive World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. PSA graded 14,089 of the Griffey rookie cards, with 1,742 grading gem mint 10. It is also home to many cards having misspelled words, different poses, wrong statistics, and wrong information. We strive to provide simple, straightforward advice that is objective, independent, and honest, helping you get the most for your money in the sports card investment world. 1989 Bowman. I meant 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. Griffey Jr. played 22 seasons primarily with the Mariners and Reds. The PSA 9 population takes the cake for most cards graded with 1,725, proving they are not challenging to find in high grades. A downfall to the set is that 1989 Bowman lacks resemblance to the prospect and rookie-laden brand it would eventually become and appears as a second Topps flagship set. Proving just how rare they are. 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. In 1988, Griffey joined the San Bernardino Spirit Class A California League (now called the Inland Empire 66ers). 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. Another example is the difference in price between the 1989 Bowman and 1989 Bowman Tiffany cards. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. 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. Rated Ken Griffey, Jr. factory-sealed packs sell on eBay for $20. It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. Read the full disclosure here. It gives Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck a severe run for their money. 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! 14. 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). Like Bowmans cards from the 1950s, these are taller than standard cards 2 x 3 inches (standard 2 x 3 ). Like the Tiffany editions, this premium version of its standard card has a glossy finish and higher quality card stock. An off-center PSA 9 recently sold for ~$80. A PSA 9 sells for $200, while a PSA 10 will set you back at least $2,000. 1989 was the first year Topps revived the Bowman brand, They originally purchased it in the 1950s and never used the intellectual property. The sealed pack containing this version has Griffey on the front as the first card. Rated Rookie Baseball Card Year: 1988 Price: $7,200.00 This Baseball Trading Card with the card number #340 is a 1977 classic limited edition of Ken Griffey, it features the 1977 Topps Season in the Major League Baseball (MLB) set where Ken played for the Kansas City Royals team. 1989 boxes are emerald green, similar to 1990. The front of the 1989 Topps Tiffany Ken Griffey, Jr. Most Valuable Ken Griffey Jr Baseball Cards Worth Money 1. If youre looking to buy an affordable yet, iconic Ken Griffey Jr rookie card, look no further than his Topps Traded rookie. He was a two-way player in every sense of the word. This leaves the supply low and forces the price up. bat. 11. Youll see a photo of Junior holding a bat on the front of the card. 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. 13 bids - Price: $166.50 - Watchers: 86. 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. However, the other two travel sets do have a Griffey rookie card. 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. Browse our section of Ken Griffey Jr. signed and unsigned Trading Cards at www.sportsmemorabilia.com. Learn how to search faster and find your cards. 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 . 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 His rookie cards are coveted by collectors across the globe and have been in the dreams of kids since 1989, particularly the legendary 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card. The 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. Scoremasters rookie card is one of two cards from Score on this list.