Like most baseball cards from the junk wax era, the Topps Traded set was mass printed. However, it is challenging to tell them apart when viewing them online. As of May 2021, there are 18 PSA 10 Star Ad Cards (Green) and 11 PSA 10 Star Ad Cards (Purple). June 20 th 2020: $1,125. Chris Paul Hit Patrick Beverley With a Cheap Shot That Looked A Lot Like the Julius Hodge Nut Punch, UFC 285 pre-event facts, storylines ahead of Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane, UFC 285: Amanda Ribas is the fighter to watch, UFC 285 full betting odds: Jon Jones vs. Ciryl Gane, Highest vote rate for HOF induction (437/440 voters), 1989 Bowman Tiffany #259 Griffey Jr. and Dad on TV, 1994 Upper Deck Mickey Mantle/Ken Griffey Jr. autograph. 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. Coming from a massively overprinted set, every kid had access to these cards at an affordable price. Because Topps made limited print runs, collectors will pay big money to own them. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Traded Tiffany RC #41T. However, it still commands a reasonable price in the three-digit range. Griffey makes up a 34-card set for Seattles Single-A team. by FAR one of the best investments in the sports card hobby. The back of the card reads, Ken made his professional baseball debut at Bellingham in 1987. As you can see, condition plays a huge role in determining the value of the card. You can pick one up for around $135. 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 1989 Griffey Jr. The 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck RC #1 is one of the top cards regarding long-term value/ROI and a cultural icon. 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. He played at San Bernardino and Vermont in 1988.. 13 bids - Price: $166.50 - Watchers: 86. These facets highlight The Kids radiant smile in the photo. The front of the card shows a young Junior getting ready to swing for the fences. PSA graded over 28,000 of these, with 4,747 grading gem mint 10. The 1989 Pacific Cards & Comics Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is a difficult card to find. calendar_month 01/06/2023. That is exactly what I am doing! Not only can he hit a baseball a mile away, but he can also frustrate the opposition with his defense. It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. The 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. 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! One of Griffeys rookie cards that fly off the radar of most collectors is his 1989 Scored Traded rookie. 1989 Bowman KEN GRIFFEY JR Seattle Mariners Baseball HOF Rookie Card #259 NM-MT. calendar_month 01/06/2023. PSA graded 1,497 of these rare cards, with 79 grading gem mint 10 and 403 grading mint 9. Only 118 have been graded a PSA 10. The reason is that a considerable majority of the 1,397 copies of PSA received for grading have a centering issue. Shop for 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards on eBay 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. As mentioned above on the #18 card, the Classic Travel trivia game came in three series. 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. So, this is Ken Griffey Jr.s only Topps rookie card from a flagship Topps set. PSA graded 647 of them, with 19 grading gem mint 10 and 111 grading mint 9. These numbers are much lower than most of his other rookies, which is why they sell for so much. GET FREE SPORTS CARD INVESTING TIPS BY EMAIL. 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. Over the course of his career, he hit 630 home runs, 1,836 RBIs, and a career batting average of .284. PSA graded 14,089 of the Griffey rookie cards, with 1,742 grading gem mint 10. 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. 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). The paper card is cheap and can be obtained for about $5. -A Vermont in 1988 was cut short by a back injury. However, the other two travel sets do have a Griffey rookie card. PSA 10 values have steadily increased over the years because these cards bring so much nostalgia to collectors and are so difficult to grade. Score Traded RC is ideal for moderate bankrolls at high grades (PSA 10 or BGS 9.5). The only way to get a rare example is by having a gem mint 10. A tasteless technique we continue to see in the hobby today. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Quite a few cards in this set hold value when found in perfect conditions. 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. And if you have a couple grand laying around, a top-graded version of this one is a little easier to come by. 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. 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. Moreover, the centering is an issue as well. Like the base set rookie, it can be found in both the standard set and the more valuable Tiffany version (running in the low-$200 range lately.). The card design varies, but the Platinum rookie card features Griffey Jr. in a white San Bernardino Spirit jersey and black hat. 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. The 1988 San Bernardino Spirit Ken Griffey Jr. minor league card has one of the smaller PSA population numbers of all his rookie cards. As of May 2021, there are ~80 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Cal Cards prospect cards and the card value is ~$560 (last sale from December 2020). 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. Rookie Card #41T shows a boyish-looking Junior holding a bat. #5. The card features Griffey Jr. in a blue Mariners batting helmet superimposed on a red, white, and blue background. The enduring popularity and demand for Ken Griffey Jr. baseball cards will ensure a continued market for his cards. As of May 2021, there are ~1,700 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss The Rookies cards and the card value is ~$225. Of those submitted, 264 graded gem mint 10. Today, demand remains high and the value of this card has steadily risen in recent years. PSA graded Less than 3,000 of the Griffey Score Superstars with 822 grading gem mint 10. PSA 10 examples of the Platinum have sold for as much as $13,000, while PSA 9s have soared over $1,000. As of May 2021, there are 156 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. You cant go wrong with a Hall of Famer who, More impressively, Griffey played the game correctly with dignity and honor. 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. 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 most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is his 198 Bowman Tiffany #220. 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? With that in mind, this card isnt exactly the rarest Ken Griffey, Jr. card on the market. While it isnt as rare as the 1989 Star Ken Griffey, Jr. Please comment below if you have any recommendations on which cards should make this list. I updated it. However, it still commands a reasonable price in the three-digit range. Make sure you see 41T in the upper right-hand corner. Subscribe to get exclusive tips and news in the Sports Card Research Newsletter. Similar to the last card, the 1989 Pacific Cards & Comics Ken Griffey Jr. rookie superstars card is also extremely rare and hard to find. The value of an ungraded 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card eventually climbed over $100. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. Griffey holds the spots for card numbers 118-126 and has different photos and titles for each. This article covered the top 20 most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie and minor league cards. Ken Griffey Jr. Fun Fact: He attended Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati. 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. The first series containing 100 cards with pink and blue gradient borders, does not include one. Similar to the Topps Traded sets, these are in small, palm-sized boxes. Rated Rookie card is among the most common Griffey Jr. rookie cards. If you want a much rarer version, continue reading to find the Fleer Glossy rookie card. The value of a PSA 10 is between $8,000 $10,000. Fun Fact: Junior expressed a desire to move back to his hometown of Cincinnati in the fall of 1999. As of May 2021, there are 28 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Junior wasnt expected to start the 1989 season in the majors. And the red borders allow this card to pop out at you. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck PSA 10 vs S&P 500. Topps printed roughly 6,000 of these sets, which is tremendously lower than the standard Bowman sets. This is due to many factors, including poor cutting techniques, whitening on the dark borders, cheap cardstock, and overall cheap manufacturing techniques. The front of the card shows a photo of Junior holding a bat with simple gray and white graphics in the background, The back of the card shows Griffeys minor league stats and some trivia. The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star rookie card is the card I think of as the standard Griffey Jr. rookie card. 1 in June 87 out of Cincinnatis famed Moeller HS, and 17-year-old Ken broke in with .320 and 14 HR at Bellingham that season.. Bear in mind it still garnered the highest possible PSA grade. 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. Ken Griffey Jr . 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. This card can be a cornerstone of any Ken Griffey Jr. card collection, but it will cost your more than $2,000 for a PSA 10 card. Years later, the rest of the set became almost irrelevant. The 1988 Star Silver Edition Ken Griffey Jr. prospect cards feature a set of 9 different cards. This card was produced at the height of the junk wax era (1987 1994) which drives the high population count. PSA 9s sells for $20, while PSA 10s fetch upwards of $200. If youre looking for a card that costs less than a used car, this is your ride. 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 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. Still, many agreed that the COVID-19 virus had much to do with it as collectors had ample time to sit around and browse baseball card listing on eBay (the stimulus check didnt hurt either). 6. is the son of former major league outfielder, of the younger Griffey) was a fixture in the. PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck rookie cards are a top-rated investment as they destroyed the S&P 500 in a head-to-head match-up over the last three years! Make sure you see 41T in the upper right-hand corner. 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. According to PSAs population report, there are 15 copies of the 1989 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. at a PSA 10 grade. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon. The rarity and condition-sensitive material allow the value of this card to stay competitive. Remember to have fun and collect what you love! Again, Beckett has awarded no 10s. The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card was once regarded as his holy grail rookie card. With such low PSA 9 and PSA 10 cards, it is evident just how challenging they are to find in perfect conditions. Part of the sets Star Rookie subset, Griffey Jr. flashing that signature smile as a teenager is a jewel in anyones collection. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are two versions of this card, one with grey borders (Platinum) and one with blue borders. Consider buying a PSA 10 example on eBay to save time and money. As of May 2021, there are 250 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Classic Travel Update II rookie cards and the card value is ~$185. As of May 2021, there are ~1,800 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Rated Rookie cards and the card value is ~$400. Along with the Griffeys, the Ripkens, Alomars, and Stottlemyres were featured. Little wonder Junior was a 13-time All-Star, the 1997 American League MVP, and a National Baseball Hall of Fame member. 14. SHOP KEN GRIFFEY JR ROOKIE CARDS ON EBAY The 1988 Cal League All-Stars Griffey Jr. prospect card is also extremely rare and relatively expensive. In the same month, a PSA 10 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card sold for $2,225, 20x the price! Of those submitted, 12 graded gem mint 10 and 20 graded mint 9. Read the full disclosure here. 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. 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. As mentioned above, be cautious when buying raw cards on eBay because sellers will sell regular Bowman cards and label them Tiffany.