You cant go wrong with a Hall of Famer who played his heart out every night. . Hobbyists we spoke with differ on the exact reason. PSA graded 14,089 of the Griffey rookie cards, with 1,742 grading gem mint 10. This is the last year Griffey played in the minors but not the last team. The PSA 9 population is not much higher, with 1,294. This leads to more damage from exposure to sunlight and potential damage from the plastic opening. The value for a mint example is $30, while a gem mint example exceeds upwards of $250. Not only can he hit a baseball a mile away, but he can also frustrate the opposition with his defense. 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. 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. 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. 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). It is also the only 1989 Donruss Griffey Jr. card that features an action shot. Of those graded, 939 are in gem mint condition. PSA 9s sells for $20, while PSA 10s fetch upwards of $200. A blue version PSA 10 sold for $4,494 in 2019, and a PSA 9 blue recently sold for $222. Griffeys minor league stats and some trivia. Because this set was unpopular upon release, many dealers did not order the product. 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). SHOP PSA 10 GRADED 1989 KEN GRIFFEY JR. UPPER DECK RC #1 ON EBAY. Griffey Jr. does not meet those criteria. 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.). 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. This card is no exception. As of May 2021, there are 156 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. This leaves the supply low and forces the price up. By far one of the most iconic cards in modern sports card times and is a childhood memory for many in the hobby. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. Source: beckett.com Sports cards were so plentiful in 1989 that you didn't even have to buy them. There are two versions of this card, one with grey borders (Platinum) and one with blue borders. Despite its simplicity, the 1989 Donruss Rated Ken Griffey, Jr. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Traded Tiffany RC #41T. Moreover, there are 14,482 graded PSA 9. While over 40,000 copies of the Ken Griffey Jr. rated rookie card have been graded by PSA, fewer than 2,000 have been graded PSA 10. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck Rookie Card #1 RC HOF Mariners. Moreover, the photo of Griffey on this card is much better than the others. The grade with the most supply is PSA 9s with 1,807. PSA graded 46 of the Griffey #1 Prospect cards. Rookie Cards (2021). The two Griffeys made MLB history by becoming the first father and son tandem to play in the same game in 1990. It is always best to buy cards graded and authenticated by a third-party grading company such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. PSA graded 3,867 of Griffeys Baseball Best cards with 477 grading gem mint 10. The glossy sheen on the front and blue ink on the back. We purchase sports cards as an alternative investment to stocks, bonds, and real estate. Required fields are marked *. In terms of price, it wont create a severe dent in your wallet. The 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is the highest priced rookie card on this list. (or at minimum, put a bid on it as these cards will have a higher ROI vs. the standard PSA 10, BGS 9.5. Be sure and look for BGS and SGC graded cards on eBay at a fraction of the price of PSA. However, prepare to shell out at least three digits for this one. The rarity and condition-sensitive material allow the value of this card to stay competitive. There are 331 Topps Tiffany Griffey rookies that have received PSA 10 grades so far. To answer the Tiffany edition that Topps started issuing in 1984, Fleer began offering the Glossy version of its sets in 1987. 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. As of May 2021, there are ~1,700 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss The Rookies cards and the card value is ~$225. Due to the rarity, its safe to say these are some of Ken Griffey Jr.s rarest and most valuable rookie cards. The card features Griffey Jr. in a Seattle Mariners jersey with his baseball bat over his left shoulder. If youre in the market for a PSA 10, plan on spending over $700; however, a PSA 9 will cost you less than $100. Years later, the rest of the set became almost irrelevant. 14. C $9.56. 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'. The 1989 Score Ken Griffey Jr. Scoremasters rookie card is one of two cards from Score on this list. On that note, investing in a player of Griffeys credentials and caliber is wise. center fielders in the history of professional baseball. Compare prices below or click on the card you want for more values, historic prices, and card details. If you have any questions or need help buying a Griffey Jr. RC, please email us at [email protected] and title the email Griffey RC Advice, and we will expedite the response if you cite this write-up. The 1989 Classic Travel II is less common than the Update I and as a result, also more expensive. Of those graded, 5,115 are in gem mint condition, which is relatively small considering how many are graded. The card almost looks like a work of art and is one of my personal favorites, especially given the price. The Ken Griffey Jr Score Traded rookie card is an ideal starter card for kids or new collectors not looking to spend hundreds. With such a massive supply, the price stays suppressed. However, prepare to shell out at least three digits for this one. Bear in mind it still garnered the highest possible PSA grade. Between his rookie and professional career, his cards have gained a mythical reputation, such as the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie #1, which has been listed as high as $23,000. While PSA received around 1,800 copies of this card for grading, only over 300 copies received the elusive Gem Mint rating. 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. 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). Remember, there are only 500 of these in the world. They sell for so much because they have the least supply and are from a licensed distributor, Topps. 1. $10 to $20; $20 to $40; $40 to $60; over $60; Advertisement. PSA graded over 58,000 of Griffeys 89 Fleer rookie cards. 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. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card values range from $10 to $20,000+. 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. Having 19 PSA 10s makes this one of Griffeys rarest rookie cards and most valuable. You have less than a .09% chance of landing a gem mint 10 grade if submitting one yourself. Another rookie card features a photo of Junior without his most fearsome asset his bat. According to PSAs official website, only 156 copies of the Ge Mint version exist. Don Russ Ken Griffey Jr. 1 in June 87 out of Cincinnatis famed Moeller HS, and 17-year-old Ken broke in with. 1989 Bowman is a 484-card set released by Topps on July 6th, 1989. 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. Ken Griffey Jr.'s baseball cards are available in at least 43 sets. Especially considering how low the prices are. There have only been 156 cards that have earned the top mint PSA 10 grade. He was named Northwest League Player of the Week, June 16-22, with 3 HR and 8 RBI.. Everything comes together. One of Griffeys rookie cards that fly off the radar of most collectors is his 1989 Scored Traded rookie. 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. It would be its last set before the Topps buyout. Are you wondering which Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to buy? Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are one of the top investments in the hobby from an ROI perspective. clubhouse during the teams consecutive World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. The 1988 Cal League All-Stars Griffey Jr. prospect card is also extremely rare and relatively expensive. The 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. non-rc is #336 and catches Griffey Jr. with the bat over his left shoulder. 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. Like most cards on this list, be mindful of fakes because these are easy to reprint. The card features one of my favorite images. 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. 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! If you collected baseball cards in the 90s, you had this Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card in your collection. 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. A No. A sure way to know if the set has one is if they contain 50 cards. Junior wasnt expected to start the 1989 season in the majors. Of those sent in, 118 graded gem mint 10 and 637 mint 9. For example, Topps made approximately 15,000 of the 89 Topps Trade sets. Topps designed the set to resemble the 1953 Bowman Color set. is the son of former major league outfielder, of the younger Griffey) was a fixture in the. As of May 2021, there are 250 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Classic Travel Update II rookie cards and the card value is ~$185. Topps printed roughly 6,000 of these sets, which is tremendously lower than the standard Bowman sets. This article covered the top 20 most valuable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie and minor league cards. As a result, I believe he is a low risk investment. June 21 st 2020: $1,177. When found in gem mint condition, the value can exceed $12,000. The PSA populations are surprisingly low, considering how popular this Griffey rookie card has become. With such low PSA 9 and PSA 10 cards, it is evident just how challenging they are to find in perfect conditions. 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. Ken Griffey Jr. has already been elected to the Hall of Fame after a 22 year storied MLB career. As of May 2021, there are ~450 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Baseballs Best rookie cards and the card value is ~$680. The Ultimate List of 24 Ken Griffey Jr. It is also home to many cards having misspelled words, different poses, wrong statistics, and wrong information. As one of the most significant drafts of all time, Ken Griffey Jr.s rookie cards carry some value. For around $100, you can add this to your collection today. bat. Theyre also much more common. If youre looking for a card that costs less than a used car, this is your ride. The 1989 Donruss The Rookies Ken Griffey Jr. card is one of three 1989 Donruss cards on this list and also the least expensive. The company began as a Southern California baseball card shop. Topps Project 70 Companion Chase Card By DJ Skee #931C $4,500 This striking design (pardon the pun!) GET FREE SPORTS CARD INVESTING TIPS BY EMAIL. The enduring popularity and demand for Ken Griffey Jr. baseball cards will ensure a continued market for his cards. 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. Cards measure 2.5 x 3.75, a quarter-inch length than the post-1957 standard-size trading card. The first series containing 100 cards with pink and blue gradient borders, does not include one. However, they are considered more rare in gem mint conditions than any of his other rookie cards. 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. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network and Amazon. When holding these in hand, you can quickly tell which is a Bowman Tiffany and which is a regular Bowman issue. Of those submitted, 264 graded gem mint 10. 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. The lack of value on this card is because it looks like a base second-year card, and it is the Score brand. Bear in mind it still garnered the highest possible PSA grade. This card was produced at the height of the junk wax era (1987 1994) which drives the high population count. 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. As mentioned previously, I believe Ken Griffey Jr. will remain one of the most collectible baseball players for years to come. Like the Tiffany editions, this premium version of its standard card has a glossy finish and higher quality card stock. There are tens of thousands of 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards, so you must be ultra-picky when investing. It gives Fleer, Topps, and Upper Deck a severe run for their money. #5. Most graded cards receive either an NM-MT 8 or a Mint 9 grade. Nonetheless, the reason for its value comes down to supply and demand. The front of the 1989 Topps Tiffany Ken Griffey, Jr. As of May 2021, there are ~2,000 PSA 10 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Before the advent of Photoshop, the set captures any player traded to a new team or called up from the minors after the initial Topps press run. An off-center PSA 9 recently sold for ~$80. It is also one of the most affordable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards and is a good option around the $120 price point. However, due to the unusual way Donruss distributed this product, none of these are considered true rookie cards. You can check out the most watched Ken Griffey Jr. cards at auction on eBay right now via the live list below. As of May 2021, there are ~365 PSA 10 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. Gold Cup cards and PSA 9 versions of this card have recently sold for less than $100. Again, Beckett has awarded no 10s. He was the 1987 U.S. High School Baseball Player of the Year. 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. How popular is the card with collectors and investors. As of May 2021, there are 876 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Classic Travel Update I rookie cards and the card value is ~$70. If you want a much rarer version, continue reading to find the Fleer Glossy rookie card. Making a rare card even rarer being in perfect condition. 1989 Bowman Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. Check out this collectors show and tell of pulling a Griffey Jr. Glossy from the collectors tin the set comes in. A total of 15,000 team sets were made. 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Fleer Glossy RC #548. Price: US $100.00. The good news is that you can add this Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card to your collection at a low cost. The 1988 Star Nova Edition Griffey Jr. prospect cards include 10 variations of the card. The 1988 San Bernardino Spirit Griffey Jr. prospect cards are extremely rare and as a result, very expensive. 10. The card features Griffey Jr. in a white Mariners jersey with his bat over his left shoulder. 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. His 1989 Upper Deck Rookie Card is one of the most famous cards in the hobby, ranking right up there with Jordan, Jeter, and Brady regarding popularity search on Google. Lets look at how the market values Ken Griffey Jr rookie cards and which ones collectors favor the most. With such high numbers, the supply is vastly over-saturated, which decreases the value significantly. 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. Additionally, early cards of Randy Johnson Ken Griffey, Jr. highlight this set. Players minor league cards arent considered rookies but are often the first card ever issued, which gives them unique collector appeal. For those who do not know, Score is known to print massive amounts of their sets and has little value because of the high supply. 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). The front of the 1989 Topps Tiffany Ken Griffey, Jr. 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. 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. The cards are rare with no single variation having more than 20 PSA 10 cards as of May 2021. The only way to get a rare example is by having a gem mint 10. Game Time inc. created 1989 Classic Travel baseball cards as a baseball trivia game. Rookie Card #11, its still valuable. Rookie Cards (2021). Surprisingly, this masterpiece isnt even his most valuable rookie card. A tasteless technique we continue to see in the hobby today. Each card includes a descriptor (e.g., Career Stats) which appears at the bottom of the card, as well as a unique image. 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, 8 bids. 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. In the same month, a PSA 10 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card sold for $2,225, 20x the price! 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.