$52.00. -A Vermont in 1988 was cut short by a back injury. Every week, somewhere in America a former card collector was trying to become business owner by opening card shop. Father and son played in a total of 51 games for the Mariners from 1990 to 1991. However, the Tiffany version benefits from a relatively limited print run (although not confirmed like some other Topps Tiffany sets, it's believed to be 15,000 copies) and a glossy finish. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Mariners #1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT Rookie HALL OF FAME #, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. The brief cameo was not as much the highlight as it was when he had Griffey don a uniform, cap, turtleneck and jewelry to reprise the image of his most famous rookie card. The color scheme makes the card pop, as does the great shot of Griffey taking a massive cut. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Stay in the know about the latest sports card, hobby news, and promotions from Beckett. Quick question. Historic sales data are completed sales with a buyer and a seller agreeing on a price. The paper card is cheap and can be obtained for about $5. While PSA received around 1,800 copies of this card for grading, only over 300 copies received the elusive Gem Mint rating. 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). 1989 Topps Tiffany Ken Griffey Jr. #41T5. The Tiffany card has a glossy front compared to the regular version. The thrill of pulling a Ken Griffey Jr. Few, if any cards since 1985 had that value. With that in mind, this card isnt exactly the rarest Ken Griffey, Jr. card on the market. #1, 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 Ken Griffey Jr. RC HOF PSA 10 " FLAWLESS ", 1989 Upper Deck Rookie #1 - Ken Griffey Jr. RC - PSA GEM MINT 10, 1989 UPPER DECK STAR ROOKIE #1 KEN GRIFFEY JR. RC HOF PSA 10 A3507771-041, 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 Ken Griffey Jr. HOF PSA10 Gem Mint, 1989 Upper Deck - Ken Griffey Jr. - Iconic Star Rookie Card #1 - PSA 10 Gem. Fleer has always been known for its unique designs but I was never really much of a fan of their 1989 layout. The color scheme makes the card pop, as does the great shot of Griffey taking a massive cut. Got a question, story idea or want to get in touch? 2016 Skybound Outcast Trading Cards Info and Voices from the 2011 NSCC: What do you collect?, Upper Deck gives update on its MLBPA license, https://www.beckett.com/price-guides/baseball, Cheap Wax Wednesday Box Breaks: 2022 Topps Archives Snapshots Baseball, 2022 Panini Flawless Collegiate Basketball Checklist and Details, 2022 Panini Phoenix Football Checklist, Team Set Lists and Details, 2022 Topps Allen & Ginter Chrome Baseball Checklist, Team Set Lists and Details, 2022-23 Donruss Elite Basketball Checklist, Team Set Lists and Details, 2022-23 Donruss Basketball Checklist, Team Set Lists and Details, 2022 Bowman Inception Baseball Checklist, Team Set Lists and Details, 2022 Fleer Ultra Avengers Checklist, Odds and Details. According to PSA, only 410 copies of this card with the highest possible grade exist. Some collectors consider the design to be a bit dark and bland overall. But Griffey Jr. and the hype that surrounded him helped to immediately increase the popularity ofthis set. The Bowman cards were more significant than usual, measuring 2 1/2 x 3 3/4, and featured a full-color photo of Ken on one knee (see below for a rarer version). What few knew at that time was that Kid, that smiling kid on the 1989 Upper Deck card number 1, would drive that product, drive that company, and develop executives for the hobby that are still working today. Little wonder Junior was a 13-time All-Star, the 1997 American League MVP, and a National Baseball Hall of Fame member. And living in Seattle, Junior quickly became his hero. bat. Hes a genuine icon, sitting in the top tier of baseballs legends and influencers. New card spending was skyrocketing. The card features the classic Donruss "Rated Rookie" logo which increases the appeal for many collectors and investors. Your Account has been confirmed and activated successfully. 5 out of 5 stars (141) $ 60.89. You cant go wrong with a Hall of Famer who, More impressively, Griffey played the game correctly with dignity and honor. Rookie Cards, But Geideman, who was born within a few days of The Kid, had a hunch. sharp corners and edges, and a stain-free surface. There are only about 60 Wagners. By navigating the site, you agree to the use of cookies to collect information. Try not to confuse the 1989 Topps Traded rookie cards with the Topps Tiffany version. Post contains affiliate links. These are quite easy to find but in pristine condition they can still go for over $30 making them among the more affordable mainstream Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards. $139.99 or Best Offer 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr RookieChamps 9.5- $169.99 0 bids $4.95 shipping 3d 7h or Best Offer Rookie Card joins Fleer, Bowman and Upper Deck as being his only mainstream pack-inserted RCs, but it's all kinds of drab. The price guide can be accessed with the link in the top menu of this page. . But something happened along the way. Chart shows the price of Ken Griffey Jr. [Star Rookie] at the end of each month going back as long as we have tracked the item. The color scheme really makes the card pop as does the great shot of Griffey taking a huge cut. It shows him kneeling with a business-like look on his face. However, lets not forget he was also a 10-time American League Gold Glove Award winner. This added to the commitment required to have him included in the set. Share: 6. clubhouse during the teams consecutive World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. The Upper Deck was a card shop in Southern California before it was a card company. buy stuff after clicking links on our site The number of Ken Griffey Jr. July 23, 2016. On any given day you can find 500-1,000 copies listed on eBay alone. The grey pinstripe background is instantly recognizable but it's just a bit boring, in my opinion. The back shows his stats during his minor league days. We credit that partly to the white borders and glossy finish. 95251. 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 . 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. It would have been so easy to just select Jefferies. I have a Ken Griffey Junior card but its from the Ms 1991. Griffey made the Mariners opening day starting line-up after a spring training batting average of .359. what do you need to have for all of this? The 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. Everything collectors and shop owners thought they knew up to that point was about to be turned on its head by a group of southern California businessmen, shop owners, and one key teenager who knew a lot about baseball prospects. #5. The reason is that a considerable majority of the 1,397 copies of PSA received for grading have a centering issue. Another rookie card features a photo of Junior without his most fearsome asset his. SGC vs. BGS vs. PSA Grading: Who Is Best in 2023? We do not factor unsold items into our prices. How much is a 1989 Bowman gum #220 Ken Griffey Jr card worth. MikesMagazines. The 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. non-rc is #336 and catches Griffey Jr. with the bat over his left shoulder. The number of Ken Griffey Jr. minor league cards isnt big but they do offer an extension beyond traditional rookies, covering a time when The Kid really was still a kid. You will not regret purchasing this bad boy with high grades. If you set a stack aside for your childs education, youve probably already realized this. These are certainly one of the more odd Ken Griffey Jr. rookie issues. Hobbyists we spoke with differ on the exact reason. Make no mistake, 1988 was a huge year for cards. 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. Ross Uitts He spent two years in the minors before the Mariners called him up to the majors on April 3, 1989. Our take on the best Ken Griffey Price Guides: We would not purchase a service to obtain a value regarding a Ken Griffey Jr. RC. Just 1,300 Platinum sets were made, less than a third of the standard, blue-bordered version of the set. Griffey is shown following through on a swing in a great action shot. The reason is that a considerable majority of the 1,397 copies of PSA received for grading have a centering issue. They will be out of business in one year!. Again, $4 for a card in 1989 seemed crazy. With that in mind, this card isnt exactly the rarest Ken Griffey, Jr. card on the market. I have an album full of junior cards. Food-issue sets were still common in 1989. The card helped launch Upper Deck in their debut set and, over the course of Griffeys career, the momentum continued to build. (88-92) for baseball cards (had the monthly copy of BBM for card value) with my dad and his friends/my friends. You must also consider there are still many sealed cases, and unopened boxes for sale. It was actually an image of Griffey in a San Bernadino Spirits uniform, corrected with a graphics machine called Scitex. As a brand, Classic was never quite in the oddball territory for cards but it wasnt exactly mainstream either. I cant verify yes or no. It's one of a very few Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards to feature artwork of the rising start. In 2017, one of these graded in PSA 9 condition sold for $4,651. I want to sell! It was released separately as a late-issue promo. How to Spot Which 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card joins Fleer, Bowman and Upper Deck as being his only mainstream pack-inserted RCs, but its all kinds of drab. And to think, that box was considered a modern style TV set at the time. 1980s Baseball Cards, Beckett Grading Services, Collecting Tips. Rookie card has two versions: a paper card and a glossy Tiffany card. Anyone find a Griffey Jr in a High Series Box? The 1989 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss RC wont put a dent in your wallet thats the good news the bad is the ROI wont be a juicy vs the next few cards on this list.. There were so many different ones produced by so many different companies that it was hard to pick a favorite. A great purchase if you are looking for a solid, long-term return on investment. Reduced: $2,40399. One of the most popular, if not the most, is Ken Griffey Jr.s non-rookie card. He was a two-way player in every sense of the word. Contact him at [emailprotected]. Their values have since skyrocketed since his Hall of Fame induction in 2016. Like they did with a lot of players over the years, Star produced a small set dedicated to then-rookie Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989. It's not quite as valuable as his "Rated Rookie" but still has decent value in top condition. There weren't as many 1989 Topps Tiffany Griffeys printed as there were Bowman Tiffany Griffeys but that doesn't stop this card from being expensive. When I was a kid I always wanted a Ken Griffey jr. rookie card now I have almost all the rookie cards except a couple. Rather, its a die-cut floating head of sorts you can sticker to a locker, window or wall. 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In top condition they can still go for over $500. GoldCardAuctions is a high-end investment-caliber trading card company and is the definitive source of sports card investing news and analysis. 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). There can be exceptions, but not too much with mis-cuts. For most, this is the Holy Grail of early Ken Griffey Jr. items. Years later, the rest of the set became almost irrelevant. Thanks. Although he was the Mariners number one overall draft pick in 1987, he had never appeared above Doulble-A to that point. hi-trying to see about this- is it worth anything? what is the difference between a bowman #220 griffey and a Tiffany #220 I mean other then $1000. It starts with the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Growing up in the late 1980's, there was nothing more that my friends and I would rather pull from a pack than a Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Equally important was the price. Please click "report it" to notify admin. Most, though, are best enjoyed for what they are rather than what theyre worth early cards of a generational talent that sparked the imagination of many and gave baseball one its most exciting role models. Hi Kim, Online price guide subscriptions can be purchased here: https://www.beckett.com/price-guides/baseball. 1989 Topps was selling for $0.45 a pack. No More Secrets Puzzle Game, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Fun Fact: Junior expressed a desire to move back to his hometown of Cincinnati in the fall of 1999. Its the idea of the best of the best where there can never be enough. He was injured the year before and not even expected to start the season in the majors. Otherwise the 1990 version looks the same. Sadly, dont expect to pull them out in another 25 years to help you out with retirement either. In a recent interview with The Sporting News, Griffey was well versed in the history of his card. Rookie Card #41T shows a boyish-looking Junior holding a bat. @Todd Misprints like what youve described dont generally generate a lot of interest. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. RC # 1. As of May 2021, there are ~1,800 PSA 10 Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Rated Rookie cards and the card value is ~$400. I remember when Upper Deck hit the shelves. Fleer had its dual player Prospects subset dating back to 1985. Part of a smaller 42-card set, this Griffey Jr. card shows him getting ready to come out of the batter box after a base hit. The 1993 SP Derek Jeter, the 2001 Bowman Chrome Albert Pujols, the 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout are just a few. The design is much like the other Donruss issues that year but features a "The Rookies" logo in the upper right corner. As popular as Ken Griffey Jr. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC, most valuable baseball cards of the 1980s. 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. Small Business Griffey was also a 10-time American League Gold Glov, made MLB history by becoming the first father and son t. andem to play in the same game in 1990. Ken Griffey Jr. rookie cards are one of the top investments in the hobby from an ROI perspective. Being off-center is the norm for this card, which has been subject to counterfeiting. The second Travel Update set from Classic in 1989, this Griffey also came in a blister pack set. This is probably the most recognizable Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card of them all. Kind of reminded me of the alleged Will Clark 85 Olympic Cards which were just fakes printed up by someone taking advantage of the situation. In its early years, Score had plenty of little side sets. These facets highlight The Kids radiant smile in the photo. 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. On September 14 that year, they hit consecutive home runs in the first inning against the California Angels. Rookie Card. Amazon.com: Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck Card 1-48 of over 1,000 results for "Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck Card" RESULTS Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie KEN GRIFFEY JR. #1 PSA 9 MINT #1, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie Card PSA 9 Mint, 1989 UPPER DECK #1 KEN GRIFFEY JR PSA 9 MINT SEATTLE MARINERS HOF ROOKIE CARD RC, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Rookie RC #1 PSA 9 MINT Mariners HOF SUPER SHARP #1, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. RC Rookie PSA 9 HOF Centered, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr Star Rookie RC PSA 9, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie RC #1 PSA 9 Mint #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr rc #1 PSA 9 HOF, PSA 9 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 Ken Griffey Jr. RC Seattle Mariners #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr Star Rookie Card #1 Graded PSA 9 MINT #1, KEN GRIFFEY, JR. 1989 Upper Deck Rookie RC Card #1 - PSA 9 - #V021223C #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr BGS 9.5 Gem Mint (9, 9.5, 9.5, 9.5) rookie 3399 #1, 1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Its amazing how much buzz surrounds this card even after nearly 30 years! The Ripkens, Stottlemyres and Alomars are also included in the subset. Griffey was trading well over $10. do you have any pictures? BUY ON EBAY NOW. Miss Collecting. Griffey is the obvious standout in this minor league team set from Best. I've always liked the artwork of the 1989 Score Masters design. But we dont stop there. 99% of which are not mentioned here. baseball card you wont find any flashy graphics or other eye candy. 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.. Part of a smaller 42 card set, this Griffey card packs a lot of punch. Macklemore was six-years old when the card was released. Ken Griffey Jr. has a lot of attractive baseball cards. When we talk about Griffey, were talking about a multi-dimensional player. The cards were larger than normal, measuring in at 2 1/2" x 3 3/4", and featured full color photography and facsimile signatures of the players. PSA, only 410 copies of this card with the highest possible grade exist. The owner, and some of his partners came together with the backing of California Angles players Duane Buice and Wally Joyner to create Upper Deck, the card company. 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. When you get the Gem Mint version, you have one of the best Ken Griffey, Jr. rookie sleeper cards. Like Donruss "The Rookies" and Topps Traded,Score also releasedthis smaller box set outside of their main release. There have more valuable and important cards released in our lifetime, but there may not be one more iconic. Griffey was 19 years old. And who could forget the 1990 Topps All-Star Rookie Trophy that sits proudly in the bottom left corner? But dont let that take away from the beauty and importance of the infectious smile captured on the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Thats a common trait among virtually every Ken Griffey Jr. In addition to being a first ballot Hall of Famer, Griffey Jr. aka "The Kid" had a storied career ever since he came into the league in 1989. ROOKIE CARD 1989 Upper Deck #1 STAR RC Baseball SEATTLE MARINERS, 1989 Upper Deck Baseball Ken Griffey Jr. #1 Star Rookie, 1989 upper deck #1 ken griffey jr nicely centered, 1989 UPPER DECK #1 KEN GRIFFEY JR. Rankings are based on the Beckett Baseball online price guide. Rookie RC Seattle Mariners HOF (a) #1, 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr (RC) #1 #1, Ken Griffey Jr. The Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 is one of the most iconic cards in the hobby especially for more modern baseball cards. I was hanging out at a card shop in Bellingham, WA 1990 and had an off centered one and began talking to a young maybe 9 yr. old who couldnt believe I had one. Can you look up all baseball cards and players on that website? Pro Tips When Buying a Ken Griffey Jr. Autograph Rookie Card Buy PSA/BGS/SGC graded cards. #1, 1989 Upper Deck KEN GRIFFEY JR Rookie RC #1 - PSA 10 GEM MINT! Thats lunacy. The Griffeys, along with the Ripkens, Alomars and Stottlemyres were showcased in a modern (at that time) television set design. I cant find anything online on this but I found a 1990 Ken Griffey Jr. Topps all star rookie card but the back where the stats would be is completely missing only a black piece of unprinted cardboard. What can I ezpect to get for it if I am willing to sell it? Thanks for the article I have pretty much all of his 89 rookies cards but they are not for sell. I find them interesting. This isnt one of them. Ken Griffey Jr. [Star Rookie] prices (Baseball Cards 1989 Upper Deck) are updated daily for each source listed above. Once upon a time, a Ken Griffey Jr. Plus, the Topps Traded version has a glossier surface. Its a common story from the era. Vintage 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr ROOKIE card #1 EXMT RS ad vertisement by MikesMagazines. PSAs official website, only 156 copies of the Ge Mint version exist. Upper Deck came out at $1.00 a pack. 1989 Fleer Glossy Ken Griffey Jr. #5484. You can find this card in the standard 1989 Bowman set but the Tiffany version is much more expensive. Below is a detailed look at every Ken Griffey Jr. They have a yellow background on front but the back is blank. That led to massive print runs that todays market simply cant handle. We may earn an affiliate commission if you ROOKIE #1 BGS 9.5 GEM MINT, 1989 Upper Deck Baseball #1 Ken Griffey Jr. The big exception is in top-condition graded versions of his key cards like 1989 Upper Deck and 1989 Topps Tiffany. Have you ever seen an error version of the 1988 San Bernardino Spirit Best Platinum Ken Griffey Jr. #1 cards in which the word SPIRIT near Griffeys chest is printed in white, not blue? The prices shown are the lowest prices available for Ken Griffey Jr. [Star Rookie] the last time we updated. Photoshop was not released until 1990. Rookie RC PSA 9 HOF Perfect Centered. Its success propelled Junior to become the spokesperson for the company. While thats more than double that of the Bowman Tiffany set, its still a fraction of what most of Griffeys other cards are. It was never about the first card in our first set. And for good reason. Grades Prices 1989 UPPER DECK 1 KEN GRIFFEY JR. STAR ROOKIE Average Prices Most Recent Prices Auth PR 1 FR 1.5 GOOD 2 VG 3 VG - EX 4 VG+ 4.5 EX 5 EX+ 5.5 EX - MT 6 NM+ 6.5 NM 7 NM+ 7.5 NM - MT 8 NM - MT+ 8.5 MINT 9 GEM - MT 10 0 1k 2k Professional Sports Authenticator AUCTION PRICES REALIZED. 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. For me, it was about having the best prospect at the front of the Star Rookies subset. Ken Griffey Jr. Theyre also much more common. Its one of four cards in the set that highlight MLB-playing fathers and sons. Ive got a couple of excellent Griffeys and would like to have them done but trust anymore is a big deal. Ken Griffey Jr topps #46 rookie- miscut on back of card-you can see his stats but not full bio. On the other hand, the former commands a heftier price on the market. 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. He was the most experienced player and collectors couldnt wait to get their hands on his cards. Donruss also released a "The Rookies" set in 1989 that was pretty much the same concept as Topps Traded. If so, is this error version of the card worth more than the regular Platinum version? 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. Not as popular as his other major releases, you could find these at hobby shops or by sending in for them in the mail. Raw copies of the 1989 Upper Deck Griffey below can be found for under $10. That said, the exact worth of any Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is tough to determine and can vary greatly, but we have attempted to put together a Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card price guide below. Dont take a chance buying a raw Ken Griffey Jr. RC, as the odds of it grading high are not great, The 1989 Upper Deck RC #1 and the 1989 Bowman Tiffany RC are tops regarding return on investment (ROI), If you can find an SGC Gold 100 or Black Label Ken Griffey Jr. RC, BUY IT! You can reach him by email and through Twitter @tradercracks. He played high school baseball for two years, hitting .478 and 17 home runs during that span. The regular 1988 Vermont Mariners team set from ProCards has a silver border. Then, there were two different print runs of the complete factory set, the one with the clear cello wrap and one with just the clear disc shaped sticker on the box. This is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card that is head and shoulders above the rest. The PSA population report currently has 1,625 copies of this card with a Gem Mint rating.