Craig Biggio Rookie Cards

Craig Biggio rookie cards center on 1988 Score Traded #103T and his mainstream 1989 base cards. Raw copies are usually affordable, while top grades and premium factory versions can sell for much more.

Rookie year: 1988Flagship RC: 1988 Score Traded #103T / 1989 Topps #49 / 1989 Upper Deck #273Top recent sale: Gem grades and premium factory versions (like Topps Tiffany) tend to lead the strongest recent sale prices for Biggio’s key rookie cards.See live listings

Best Craig Biggio Rookie Cards

Score Traded Rookie Card

1988 · Score Traded · #103T

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Topps Rookie Card

1989 · Topps · #49

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Upper Deck Rookie Card

1989 · Upper Deck · #273

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Donruss Rookie Card

1989 · Donruss · #561

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Topps Tiffany Rookie Card

1989 · Topps · #49 · Tiffany

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Values & Trends

Craig Biggio rookie cards are classic late-1980s baseball collecting: raw copies are easy to find, but true gem grades are not. Most collectors anchor a Biggio rookie collection with 1988 Score Traded #103T, then add mainstream 1989 issues like Topps #49 and Upper Deck #273. Premium factory versions such as Topps Tiffany can trade well above base cards, especially in top grades.

Condition drives value: For Junk Wax-era rookies, the main scarcity is high-grade eye appeal. Centering, clean corners, and a smooth surface matter more than “rare parallels.”
Set recognition matters: Topps and Upper Deck are the most searched and most liquid for most collectors. Bowman and factory versions add depth once you own the core cards.
Factory premiums: Topps Tiffany (and similar premium factory releases) can be a smarter upgrade path than buying multiple base copies, because supply is lower and demand concentrates in top grades.

Buying Guide: How to Pick Craig Biggio Rookie Cards

Start with 1988 Score Traded #103T: It is Biggio's key rookie-year card in an update-style Score release. Buy the cleanest copy you can, not the cheapest one.
Add one mainstream 1989 flagship: 1989 Topps #49 and 1989 Upper Deck #273 are easy to search, easy to compare, and widely recognized across the hobby.
Use set + number in every search: "Craig Biggio 1988 Score Traded 103T" filters out unrelated cards and helps you compare the exact same card by grade and condition.
Know your upgrade lane: If you want a "one-card" upgrade, consider Topps Tiffany #49 or a higher-grade copy of Score Traded #103T instead of buying multiple lower-grade base cards.
Grade selectively: Grading fees add up fast on mass-printed cards. Use the $80 rule and these PSA grade basics before submitting.

Full Rookie Card Checklist

Card	Year	#	Details	90d Avg RAW	90d Avg PSA 8	90d Avg PSA 9	90d Avg PSA 10	eBay
Score Traded Rookie Card Craig Biggio · Score Traded	1988	103T	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Topps Rookie Card Craig Biggio · Topps	1989	49	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Upper Deck Rookie Card Craig Biggio · Upper Deck	1989	273	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Donruss Rookie Card Craig Biggio · Donruss	1989	561	—	—	—	—	—	eBay
Topps Tiffany Rookie Card Craig Biggio · Topps Tiffany	1989	49		—	—	—	—	eBay

True RC, Autos and Serials

For Craig Biggio, most collectors focus on his late-1980s pack-issued and update-style rookie-year cards rather than modern-style low-serial parallels. The core "true rookie" conversation usually starts with 1988 Score Traded #103T, then expands to the mainstream 1989 base cards (Topps, Upper Deck, Bowman, Fleer, Donruss). Autographs and numbered parallels are not the main value engine for Biggio's rookie year the way they are for modern players, so condition and grade are the biggest levers.

Best Boxes & Sets to Pull Craig Biggio Rookie Cards

Grading & Population

With Biggio rookies, the market pays for clean centering and sharp corners. Many raw cards look fine at a glance, but tiny print specks, rough cuts, and corner wear can keep grades down. If you want a long-term hold, focus on eye appeal and buy the best copy you can within your budget.

Compare graders and label standards: PSA vs CGC vs BGS vs SGC
Learn what grades actually mean: PSA grades explained
If you buy higher-end slabs, reduce risk with a quick fake slab check

About Craig Biggio

Craig Biggio is a Houston Astros icon and a Baseball Hall of Famer (2015). He reached the 3,000-hit club, played both catcher and second base at a high level, and became one of the most complete players of his era. That long, team-legacy career keeps steady collector demand for his rookie-year cards, with the best copies concentrating in high grades and premium factory versions.

Resources & Related Guides

FAQ

What is Craig Biggio's true rookie card?

Most collectors start with 1988 Score Traded #103T as Craig Biggio's key rookie-year card. Many collections also add his mainstream 1989 base cards like Topps #49 and Upper Deck #273 for broader set recognition.

How much is a Craig Biggio rookie card worth?

Value depends on the exact card, condition, and grade. Raw copies are often affordable, while gem grades and premium factory versions like Topps Tiffany can sell for much more. Always compare recent sales for the same set and grade.

Which Craig Biggio rookie card is best to buy first?

If you want one classic choice, start with a clean 1988 Score Traded #103T. If you want a second card with strong search demand, add 1989 Topps #49 or 1989 Upper Deck #273 in the best condition you can afford.

What is Topps Tiffany, and why is it more expensive?

Topps Tiffany cards were premium factory-set versions with different stock and lower supply than regular packs. For many 1980s and 1990s players, Tiffany rookies can command higher prices in the same grade because they are harder to find. Learn more in our complete guide: <NuxtLink to="/blog/learn/what-is-topps-tiffany" class="underline text-brand-neongreen hover:opacity-80">What is Topps Tiffany?</NuxtLink>

Should I grade a Craig Biggio rookie card?

Grading makes the most sense for sharp copies with strong centering, clean corners, and minimal surface flaws. For well-loved copies, it can be better to keep them raw and use grading fees for a higher-quality upgrade instead.

Where can I buy Craig Biggio rookie cards?

Marketplaces like eBay usually have the widest selection of Craig Biggio rookies in raw and graded form. Search by set and card number, filter by grade or condition, and review photos and seller feedback carefully.