Summary
Ken Griffey Jr., one of the most legendary players in baseball history, was born in 1969. He started his career with the Seattle Mariners, later playing for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. A 13-time All-Star, Griffey Jr. is also one of the top home run hitters in MLB history.
This iconic figure of baseball’s golden era won the American League MVP award in 1997, along with 11 Gold Gloves and seven Silver Slugger awards. His baseball cards, especially his rookie cards, have been invaluable and highly sought after by collectors since the late 1980s. Here’s a list of Ken Griffey Jr.’s most valuable cards.
The prices in this list are sourced fromSports Cards Proand may change in the future. Additionally, the ranking is based on the ungraded values of the cards.
PSA 10
$21.99
$149.91
$243.58
$443.15
$849.99
$3,866.93
This 132-card set is the premium version of the standard release, featuring glossier surfaces and higher-quality cardstock. Ken Griffey Jr. is the most iconic and valuable rookie in the set. The Tiffany version represents the beginning of his professional career and holds strong investment potential.
This set is a prime example of the late 1980s baseball card boom and holds a special place in the hobby for including the first cards of stars like Griffey. The year 1989 marked Griffey’s debut in Major League Baseball, and at just 19 years old, his early emergence made this rookie card all the more striking and historically significant.
$56.45
$65.55
$78.00
$205.02
$781.81
$2,750.00
The 1989 Upper Deck set, one of the most revolutionary and influential releases in modern baseball history, contains 800 cards. Known for its high-quality printing, the set features high-resolution photographs and a hologram security stamp on the back to prevent counterfeiting. Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card is the very first card in the set and its most iconic piece.
Beyond Griffey’s potential, the card is highly valuable due to its historical significance. While the set includes other Hall of Fame players, none match Griffey’s card in value. The front shows Griffey smiling in a Seattle Mariners cap, with his biography and stats on the back.
$87.53
$106.00
$132.16
$352.50
$731.55
$2,500.00
Produced by Upper Deck, this set was more accessible for its time and targeted toward younger collectors. The cards feature player statistics and a biography on the back. While it was more affordable than premium Upper Deck sets, rarer parallels like the Gold Signature versions—such as Ken Griffey Jr.’s—carry greater collector value.
His card in this set reflects one of the peak seasons of his career and is among the most valuable in the collection. It features Griffey’s facsimile gold signature. The year 1994 marked one of Griffey Jr.’s most dominant seasons, as he had evolved from a young talent into one of the league’s biggest stars.
$171.98
$183.46
$223.73
$383.48
$422.00
$1,605.85
This set has significant historical value as it was produced in 1991 to be sent to American soldiers in Saudi Arabia and nearby regions during the Gulf War as a morale booster. While it looks similar to the standard 1991 set, the front features a gold Desert Shield emblem, which distinguishes this set.
Comprising 792 cards, these cards were often damaged and lost, as they were used in the war zone and rarely made it into collector hands. Chipper Jones' rookie card and the cards of other star players make this set highly sought after. Ken Griffey Jr.’s card is also a valuable and special piece, representing one of his years approaching stardom.
The 1991 Topps Desert Shield Griffey is one of the rarest and most valuable non-autographed cards of his career.
$198.70
$245.00
$425.85
$990.00
$1,325.93
$9,999.99
Another Ken Griffey Jr. card from this war-era set is among the most valuable in the collection. This historical and nostalgic piece represents Griffey’s rapidly advancing career. During this period, he was the star player for the Seattle Mariners.
The card features a photo of him in an action pose, with the back displaying his statistics, biography, and performance from the 1990 season. At 22 years old in 1991, Griffey made a major All-Star selection and contributed significantly to the Mariners. This rising star’s card has become aninvaluable piece for baseball collectorsand investors.
$212.43
$243.00
$274.64
$284.63
$313.00
$547.73
One of the most notable sets from the late 1980s, this release came from one of the era’s three major producers and includes 648 cards. Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card is the most iconic of the set, reflecting his rising stardom and steadily increasing in value over time. However, it’s not the only card to gain value—many others have appreciated as well.
Griffey’s card not only represents his rookie season, but the autographed version holds even greater value, enhancing its collectability. In 1989, he posted a .264 average with 16 home runs, establishing himself as a rising star in both Seattle and the wider baseball world.
$212.65
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$200.57
$306.95
$365.00
$799.39
After 1955, the Bowman brand was revived and reintroduced to the market with the 1989 set. Brought back by Topps, this brand aimed to blend nostalgia with modern collecting. Featuring 484 cards, the set included a clean and simple frame design and cards that were printed in an unusual, oversized format.
Ken Griffey Jr.’s card stands out as another key rookie card, symbolizing his early rise in baseball. In the card, he appears in a Mariners uniform. The set alsofeatures rookie cardsof players like John Smoltz, Gary Sheffield, and Jim Abbott. Initially met with mixed reactions, the set gained popularity over time for its nostalgic appeal and rookie content.
$213.74
$459.00
This baseball set celebrates the 70th anniversaryof the Topps brandand stands out as a symbolic modern series that reflects its legacy. With over 700 base cards and numerous special variations, the set incorporates a strong 70th-anniversary theme and nostalgic elements.
This particular card honors Ken Griffey Jr., a legend whose playing career ended in 2010. As a Super Short Print, it is a highly rare variant with very limited production. In the photo, Griffey Jr. is not alone—he appears alongside his father, Ken Griffey Sr., highlighting their historic bond as the first father-son duo to play together on the same MLB team.
$999.99
This set is a premium product from Panini, offering modern designs with a shiny finish for baseball card collectors. While it doesn’t feature the MLB logo and is unlicensed, it still enjoys popularity. With 250 cards, this set includes standout rookie names. Griffey Jr.’s card is a Giraffe Prizm variant, which is visually striking.
As the name suggests, it features a giraffe pattern on the surface, and its production run is very low, making it extremely rare. These rare variants are a modern interpretation of Griffey Jr.’s legacy, blending his past achievements, including 13 All-Star selections and 630 home runs, with today’s collection culture.
$1,500.00
This modern set features a design and wide parallel range that appeals to collectors. The 300-card base set includes parallel cards, as well as themed insert series. In addition to rookie cards, legends like Willie Mays, Joe Jackson, and Joe Mauer are also part of the set. Although unlicensed, it’s important to note that Panini holds the MLB Players Association license.
Ken Griffey Jr.’s card from the Black Finite parallel series is a rare and valuable piece, with only one copy produced. The combination of this legendary player, the card’s design, and its rarity makes it even more iconic.
