Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards
Prices vary by set, grade, and condition. Use the checklist for recent sales and jump to live listings for each Griffey rookie.
Rookie year: 1989Flagship RC: 1989 Upper Deck / Fleer / Bowman / Topps Traded / DonrussTop recent sale: Upper Deck #1 is most iconic; Tiffany/Glossy and gem grades lead the top end.See live listings
Best Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards
Values & Trends
1989 flagship RCs are widely collected, with the 1989 Upper Deck #1 leading on recognition and liquidity. Premium factory sets like Tiffany/Glossy trade at higher levels in top grades. Condition drives value—centering and print on Upper Deck; chipping on Donruss; centering and edges on Bowman/Fleer/Topps Traded.
- RC scope: Core RCs are 1989 Upper Deck, Bowman, Fleer, Topps Traded, and Donruss.
- Premium variants: Bowman Tiffany and Fleer Glossy carry strong premiums over base in high grade.
- Grade sensitivity: Upper Deck shows print/centering variance; Donruss black borders chip; factory sets help centering but still vary.
Buying Guide: How to Pick Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards
- Flagship base RC: Start with 1989 Upper Deck #1 for recognition and liquidity.
- Alternates: 1989 Fleer #548, 1989 Donruss #33, 1989 Topps Traded #41T, and 1989 Bowman #220 are staple RCs.
- Premium: 1989 Bowman Tiffany #220 and 1989 Fleer Glossy #548 are scarcer factory versions with stronger top‑grade premiums.
- Condition & grading: Check centering, corners, and surfaces; watch for print defects on Upper Deck and edge chipping on Donruss. Grade selectively for real 10 potential. Grading guide .
Full Rookie Card Checklist
| Image | Card | Year | # | Details | 90d Avg RAW | 90d Avg PSA 9 | 90d Avg PSA 10 | eBay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck | 1989 | 1 | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Fleer | 1989 | 548 | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss | 1989 | 33 | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Traded | 1989 | 41T | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Bowman | 1989 | 220 | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss The Rookies | 1989 | 3 | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Donruss Baseball’s Best | 1989 | 192 | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Score Traded | 1989 | 100T | — | — | — | — | eBay | |
Ken Griffey Jr. Bowman Tiffany | 1989 | 220 | — | — | — | eBay | ||
Ken Griffey Jr. Topps Heads Up | 1989 | 5 | — | — | — | — | eBay |
True RCs, Tiffany & Glossy
The hobby treats 1989 Upper Deck, Bowman, Fleer, Topps Traded, and Donruss as Griffey’s official rookie cards. Tiffany/Glossy are premium-stock factory versions with lower supply and stronger top‑grade premiums. Pre‑rookies from 1988 minor league and Star sets are collected by some but sit outside the core RC list.
Best Boxes & Sets to Pull Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Cards
- 1989 Upper Deck Baseball (Sealed)MLBContains Griffey UD #1
- 1989 Bowman Baseball (Sealed)MLBContains Griffey RC
- 1989 Fleer Baseball (Sealed)MLBContains Griffey RC
- 1989 Donruss Baseball (Sealed)MLBContains Griffey RC
- 1989 Topps Traded (Factory Set)MLBIncludes Griffey #41T
- 1989 Score Traded (Factory Set)MLBIncludes Griffey #100T
- 1989 Bowman Tiffany (Factory Set)MLBPremium factory set (scarcer)
- 1989 Fleer Glossy (Factory Set)MLBPremium factory set (scarcer)
Grading & Population
Griffey’s 1989 Upper Deck #1 is one of the most graded cards in the hobby. High grades drive premiums across all 1989 issues, especially Tiffany/Glossy. Prioritize centering, clean surfaces, and corners.
- Compare graders: PSA vs CGC vs BGS vs SGC
- Submission economics: the $80 rule
- Authenticity: 60‑second fake slab check
About Ken Griffey Jr.
Ken Griffey Jr. debuted on April 3, 1989, at age 19 and became one of baseball’s most charismatic and complete players—smooth lefty swing, elite defense in center, and historic power. He finished with 630 home runs and 10 straight Gold Gloves (1990–1999). Collectors gravitate to his 1989 rookie cards—especially Upper Deck #1—alongside premium Tiffany/Glossy factory issues.
Resources & Related Guides
FAQ
What is Ken Griffey Jr.’s best rookie card?
Many collectors consider 1989 Upper Deck #1 the most iconic due to set history and the card’s design. “Best” can also mean top grade quality, premium factory versions, scarcity, or personal preference.
Which Griffey rookie card is worth the most?
Top grades of 1989 Upper Deck #1 often lead. Premium factory issues like 1989 Bowman Tiffany #220 and Fleer Glossy can outpace base in the same grade due to lower supply.
What are his true rookie cards vs alternates?
True RCs are from 1989: Upper Deck, Bowman, Fleer, Topps Traded, Donruss (plus Donruss subsets). Pre‑rookies from 1988 minor league/Star sets are outside the core RC list but are collected by some.
Any tips for grading Griffey rookies?
Focus on centering and print on Upper Deck; watch chipping on Donruss; check edges/corners on Bowman/Fleer/Topps Traded. Submit only when eye appeal supports strong grades.
