The Best Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards, Ranked

October 24, 2024 by Corey

Ken Griffey Jr., one of the most iconic and beloved baseball players of all time, has a rookie card collection that remains highly sought after by collectors and fans alike. Whether you’re looking to add to your personal collection or make a smart investment, Griffey’s rookie cards offer plenty of options across various price points. With print runs from the “junk wax” era and multiple releases across brands, finding the right card can be tricky. In this article, we’ll break down the top Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards available on the market and guide you through which ones are worth adding to your collection.

Top Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards to Add to Your Collection

1. 1989 Upper Deck #1 (PSA 10 – $2000, PSA 9 – $175)

Arguably one of the most iconic cards in baseball history, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card continues to hold strong despite being a product of the notorious “junk wax” era. According to GemRate, this card has been graded over 171,000 times, with PSA alone accounting for over 113,000 submissions. However, the low gem rate of just 4.4% makes mint condition copies highly coveted, with PSA 10s commanding a hefty $2,000 price tag. To put this in perspective, the 2018 Topps Update Ronald Acuña Jr. US250 has a gem rate of 65%, and if it had a similar gem rate as Griffey’s card, the population of PSA 10s would be reduced by over 90%, skyrocketing its value. So, while $2,000 may seem steep for a “junk wax” card, the difficulty of finding a gem copy, coupled with Griffey’s legendary status, makes it worth every penny.

2. 1989 Bowman Tiffany #220 (PSA 10 – $8400, PSA 9 – $1150)

The 1989 Bowman Tiffany is the most valuable Griffey rookie card you can find, primarily due to its extremely limited production run and rarity. With only 6,000 sets produced, Bowman Tiffany was a premium, glossy release, far rarer than the base version. According to GemRate, just around 2,500 of these cards have been graded in total, with only 260 achieving PSA 10 status, resulting in a ~10% gem rate. If you’re a serious Griffey fan with a bigger budget, this card is a must-have for any high-end collection, with PSA 10s going for around $8,400. Its rarity and unique appeal make it a true centerpiece for collectors who want something special.

3. 1989 Topps Traded Tiffany #41T (PSA 10 – $2500, PSA 9 – $330)

Next up is the 1989 Topps Traded Tiffany, another high-end rookie card released in limited quantities. Like Bowman Tiffany, this set features a glossy finish and a smaller print run compared to standard sets. With about 15,000 produced and a gem rate of around 15%, there are twice as many of these cards in circulation compared to the Bowman Tiffany, which explains its slightly lower value. For MLB The Show players who recognize this card, it was also released in MLB The Show 22 as an 81 overall gold, adding to its nostalgic appeal. A PSA 10 fetches around $2,500, making it a solid investment if you’re looking for a rare Griffey rookie card that doesn’t break the bank like the Bowman version.

4. 1989 Fleer Glossy #548 (PSA 10 – $3000, PSA 9 – $145)

The 1989 Fleer Glossy rookie card rounds out the top tier of Ken Griffey Jr. rookies. Much like the Bowman and Topps Tiffany sets, Fleer released a glossy version of their standard set in factory sets. However, with a larger print run of around 30,000, this card isn’t quite as rare. The centering issues on this card were also notorious, contributing to a low gem rate of just 5%. Despite the rarity and PSA 10 value of $3,000, this card falls to the bottom of the top-tier list in my personal ranking, mostly because of its aesthetic. The design doesn’t pop the way other Griffey rookies do, making it less visually appealing to some collectors.

5. 1989 Bowman #220 (PSA 10 – $275, PSA 9 – $30)

Stepping down into the next tier of Griffey rookies and non-glossy versions, the 1989 Bowman card is still notable, especially for collectors on a budget. This was the first Bowman set since 1955, and the cards were printed in a slightly larger size, which can be tricky to store or display when raw. Despite its hefty print run and nearly 42,000 graded copies, the gem rate is still only around 7%, keeping PSA 10s moderately valuable at $275. While it may not have the prestige of a glossy Tiffany card, it’s a great, affordable way to own a piece of Griffey’s rookie history, with PSA 9s available for just $30.

6. 1989 Donruss #33 (PSA 10 – $300, PSA 9 – $30)

Another card from the mass-produced “junk wax” era, the 1989 Donruss Griffey rookie is notable for its susceptibility to chipping due to the dark borders. This flaw contributes to a low gem rate of just 4%, even though over 70,000 copies have been graded. While PSA 10s go for around $300, the design leaves much to be desired, which is why this card ranks lower in my list. However, it’s still widely available, and you can easily snag a PSA 9 for around $30.

7. 1989 Topps Traded #41T (PSA 10 – $100, PSA 9 – $30)

Moving into the more affordable tier of Griffey rookies, the 1989 Topps Traded card offers a sharp design but was printed in huge quantities. With over 110,000 graded copies and counting, this card is not hard to find. However, its status as Griffey’s primary Topps rookie still holds some weight in the market, with PSA 10s priced at around $100. If you’re looking to own a piece of Griffey history without breaking the bank, this is an easy card to pick up in any grade.

8. 1989 Fleer #548 (PSA 10 – $120, PSA 9 – $25)

The standard version of the 1989 Fleer rookie card, while more affordable than its glossy counterpart, lands near the bottom of the list due to its mass production and design. This card doesn’t have the premium gloss finish, and over 87,000 copies have been graded, contributing to its lower value. Despite a fairly low gem rate of around 8%, PSA 10s are still fairly inexpensive at around $120. The set is also notable for featuring the infamous Billy Ripken “FF” error card and Randy Johnson’s Marlboro ad variation, which have overshadowed the Griffey rookie in terms of collector interest.

9. 1989 Score Rookie/Traded #100T (PSA 10 – $49, PSA 9 – $25)

Rounding out the list is the 1989 Score Rookie/Traded card. Released as part of a box set separate from the main Score release, this card features one of the few action shots of Griffey during his rookie year. While it doesn’t have the high print runs of other brands, the card is still easy to come by and can be picked up for as low as $50 in a PSA 10. This is an excellent budget option for collectors looking to snag a Griffey rookie without spending too much, making it a great entry-level card.

Conclusion

Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie cards span a wide range of prices and rarity, offering something for collectors at every level. From the iconic 1989 Upper Deck to the rarer Tiffany sets, each card carries a piece of Griffey’s legacy and appeal. Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-end investment, these top rookie cards offer a great opportunity to own a piece of baseball history. Which Griffey rookie is your favorite? Feel free to share in the comments below, we would love to hear your thoughts.

Cards Not Covered

If you are a hardcore Griffey collector, you may have noticed we omitted a few sets. This is intentional, as they are unique and warrant a separate discussion: