Ken Griffey Jr is one of the most iconic baseball players of all time. The long-time Seattle Mariners star had an explosive rise to fame in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and his baseball cards quickly became the most popular among collectors.
Griffey Jr was known for his sweet swing, his dazzling defense, and his charismatic smile. He was a 13-time All-Star, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, a seven-time Silver Slugger, and the 1997 AL MVP. He hit 630 home runs in his career, ranking him sixth on the all-time list. Griffey Jr’s rookie cards were produced during the “junk wax era”, a period when card manufacturers flooded the market with supply, leaving trading cards with very little monetary value. However, some of his cards have managed to defy the odds and become extremely valuable, especially in high grades or with rare features.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the 10 most expensive Ken Griffey Jr cards ever sold, and what makes them so special.
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie PSA 10 – $55,200
This is Griffey Jr’s most recognizable card and official Upper Deck rookie card. Everyone knows this card and just about everyone has it. It features a young Griffey Jr smiling in his Mariners uniform, holding his bat over his shoulder. The card has a simple design, with a white border and a silver hologram on the back. While a raw, ungraded version of the card can be had for almost nothing, PSA 10s and BGS 10s are starting to gain some traction. Multiple PSA 10s have now sold for over $50,000, making this card one of the most valuable baseball cards of the 1980s.
1994 Upper Deck #GM1 Ken Griffey Jr./Mickey Mantle Dual Autograph BGS 9.5 – $57,600
This dual autograph card features arguably the two most popular baseball players of their respective eras. The horizontal card shows a portrait of each player, side by side with authentic autographs under each. The card has a gold foil border and a gold hologram on the back. While the PSA population report shows 200+ copies having been graded, this is the highest known grade to have been sold in recent years. The winning bidder paid $57,600 (including fees) at Goldin Auctions to secure the most expensive Ken Griffey Jr card ever sold.
1998 Skybox Metal Universe “Precious Metal Gems” PMG #241 – $60,000
This card is part of the highly sought-after “Precious Metal Gems” parallel set, which features a metallic foil background with different colors depending on the card number. The first 50 cards of the 250-card set have a red background, while the remaining 200 have a green background. The Griffey Jr card is #241, meaning it has a green background. The card also has a die-cut edge and a holographic effect. Only 50 copies of each card were produced, making them extremely rare and desirable. A BGS 9.5 copy of the Griffey Jr card sold for $60,000 in 2020, setting a new record for the PMG set.
1998 Donruss Crusade Red #63 – $65,000
This card is part of the Donruss Crusade insert set, which features a medieval theme and a stunning design. The cards have a foil background with different colors and patterns depending on the card number. The first 100 cards of the 300-card set have a red background, while the next 100 have a purple background, and the last 100 have a green background. The Griffey Jr card is #63, meaning it has a red background. The card also has a gold foil border and a Crusade logo on the front. Only 25 copies of each card were produced, making them extremely scarce and valuable. A PSA 10 copy of the Griffey Jr card sold for $65,000 in 2020, breaking the previous record of $50,000.
1997 Fleer Brilliants 24k Gold #G1 – $75,000
This card is part of the Fleer Brilliants 24k Gold insert set, which features a solid gold foil background and a gold foil stamping of the player’s name and team logo. The cards are numbered 24, representing the karat of the gold. The Griffey Jr card is #G1, meaning it is the first card of the 12-card set. The card also has a Fleer Brilliants logo on the front and a certificate of authenticity on the back. Only 24 copies of each card were produced, making them extremely rare and valuable. A BGS 9.5 copy of the Griffey Jr card sold for $75,000 in 2020, setting a new record for the 24k Gold set.
1997 Skybox Premium Star Rubies #266 – $85,000
This card is part of the Skybox Premium Star Rubies parallel set, which features a ruby-red foil background with tiny stars embedded in it. The cards have a die-cut edge and a holographic effect. The Griffey Jr card is #266, meaning it is part of the second series of the 270-card set. The card also has a Skybox Premium logo on the front and a Star Rubies logo on the back. Only 50 copies of each card were produced, making them extremely rare and desirable. A BGS 9.5 copy of the Griffey Jr card sold for $85,000 in 2020, setting a new record for the Star Rubies set.
1998 Skybox Molten Metal Fusion Titanium #40 – $90,000
This card is part of the Skybox Molten Metal Fusion Titanium parallel set, which features a titanium foil background with a metallic effect. The cards have a die-cut edge and a holographic effect. The Griffey Jr card is #40, meaning it is part of the first series of the 100-card set. The card also has a Skybox Molten Metal logo on the front and a Fusion Titanium logo on the back. Only 40 copies of each card were produced, making them extremely rare and valuable. A BGS 9.5 copy of the Griffey Jr card sold for $90,000 in 2020, setting a new record for the Fusion Titanium set.
1998 Pinnacle Certified Mirror Gold #1 – $100,000
This card is part of the Pinnacle Certified Mirror Gold parallel set, which features a gold foil background with a mirror effect. The cards have a die-cut edge and a holographic effect. The Griffey Jr card is #1, meaning it is the first card of the 150-card set. The card also has a Pinnacle Certified logo on the front and a Mirror Gold logo on the back. Only 30 copies of each card were produced, making them extremely rare and valuable. A BGS 9.5 copy of the Griffey Jr card sold for $100,000 in 2020, setting a new record for the Mirror Gold set.
1993 Finest Refractor #110 – $125,000
This card is part of the Finest Refractor parallel set, which features a chromium foil background with a refractor effect. The cards have a smooth edge and a holographic effect. The Griffey Jr card is #110, meaning it is part of the first series of the 199-card set. The card also has a Finest logo on the front and a Refractor logo on the back. The exact print run of the Refractor cards is unknown, but it is estimated to be around 250 copies of each card, making them very rare and desirable. A PSA 10 copy of the Griffey Jr card sold for $125,000 in 2020, setting a new record for the Refractor set.
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Autographed Rookie Card PSA 10 – $200,000
This card is the same as the one we mentioned earlier, except it has an authentic autograph of Griffey Jr on the front. The card has a white border and a silver hologram on the back. The card also has a PSA/DNA sticker on the front and a certificate of authenticity on the back. The autograph adds a lot of value to the card, as it is rare to find a Griffey Jr signature on his rookie card. A PSA 10 copy of the Griffey Jr autographed rookie card sold for $200,000 in 2020, setting a new record for the most expensive Ken Griffey Jr rookie card ever sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a Ken Griffin jr rookie card worth?
The value of a Ken Griffin jr rookie card depends on several factors, such as the condition, the grade, the rarity, and the demand. The most valuable Ken Griffin jr rookie card is the 1989 Upper Deck Star Rookie card, which is also his official Upper Deck rookie card. A PSA 10-graded version of this card sold for $55,200 in July 2021. However, a raw or lower-graded version of this card can be found for much less.
How many Ken Griffey jr cards are there?
There are hundreds of different Ken Griffin jr cards produced by various card manufacturers over the years. Some of the most popular and iconic Ken Griffey jr cards include the 1989 Bowman Tiffany card, the 1989 Topps Heads Up Test card, the 1998 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection card, and the 1998 Upper Deck A Piece of the Action card. Each of these cards has its unique design, features, and value.
Are Ken Griffey jr cards a good investment?
Ken Griffey jr cards are considered to be some of the most desirable and collectible baseball cards of the modern era. Ken Griffey jr is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, and his cards reflect his popularity and legacy. Ken Griffey jr cards have shown a steady increase in value over the years, especially for the high-end and rare cards. However, as with any investment, there are risks and uncertainties involved, and the market can fluctuate depending on supply and demand.
Where can I buy or sell Ken Griffey jr cards?
There are many places where you can buy or sell Ken Griffin jr cards, both online and offline. Some of the most reputable and trusted online platforms include eBay, PWCC Marketplace, Goldin Auctions, and Heritage Auctions. These platforms offer a wide range of Ken Griffey jr cards for sale, as well as authentication and grading services. You can also buy or sell Ken Griffey jr cards at local card shops, sports memorabilia shows, or through private collectors.
How can I tell if my Ken Griffey jr card is authentic?
One of the best ways to ensure that your Ken Griffin jr card is authentic is to have it graded by a professional grading company, such as PSA, BGS, or SGC. These companies will examine your card for its condition, quality, and authenticity, and assign it a numerical grade and a tamper-proof holder. Grading your card will also increase its value and appeal to potential buyers. However, grading can be costly and time-consuming, so you may want to do some research before sending your card.
What are some tips for storing and preserving my Ken Griffey jr cards?
To keep your Ken Griffin jr cards in good condition and prevent them from fading, bending, or damaging, you should follow some basic tips for storing and preserving them. First, you should keep your cards away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture, and dust. Second, you should store your cards in acid-free plastic sleeves, top-loaders, or card holders, and avoid using rubber bands, paper clips, or adhesive tape. Third, you should organize your cards in a sturdy box, binder, or album, and label them accordingly. Fourth, you should handle your cards with care and avoid touching the surface or the corners.
