The 6 Most Valuable Upper Deck Baseball Cards of the Junk Wax Era - MoneyMade (2024)

Collectibles have emerged as a thriving asset class in the past few years, from Pokémon cards to vintage Star Wars toys attracting the attention of investors. Sports cards have been particularly interesting, which is hardly a surprise given how they're a good store value during economic downturns. But many collectors overlook possible gems because of when they were printed.

While vintage cards like the 1952 Mickey Mantle and the 1909 Honus Wagner bring in huge sales, there's plenty of potential in the more recent past—the Junk Wax Era.

The Junk Wax Era of collecting

The Junk Wax Era covers the late 80s through the early 90s, though the exact years are debatable. It was a time of explosive interest in collecting, when companies were producing massive supplies of cards. That was great news for collectors then, but not so much for investors today.

Of course, these cards aren't all junk. Some cards from this time are highly valued, and many of those come from the Upper Deck card company. They shook up the oversaturated trading card market with sturdier card stock, glossier finishes, holograms, and exciting inserts for collectors to hunt down. Some of these Upper Deck baseball cards are highly sought-after collectibles today.

We put together this list of the six most valuable Upper Deck baseball cards of the Junk Wax Era so you can track down the best assets for your portfolio.

1989 Upper Deck #1 Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card

• Average PSA 10 Value: $1,913
• Highest sale price: $30,400 in July 2021 (autographed)
• Supply: 90,554 graded by PSA
• Dimensions: 2.5 by 3.5 inches

Ken Griffey Jr. was a number one draft pick and dynasty player. His father was a great and still playing out his last few seasons when "The Kid" was drafted. Upper Deck hitched their wagon to Griffey Jr. by making his rookie card their number one.

And what a great choice by Upper Deck. Ken Griffey Jr. proved himself worthy of all the hype. With a four-decade career, Griffey was one of the greatest players to pick up a bat. A homerun machine who dominated on defense, The Kid made his mark with an array of records and career highlights.

In the midst of the junk wax era, this wasn’t Griffey's only rookie card—he had 25. The Upper Deck #1 is the most sought-after of the bunch, though. An autographed card sold for over $30,000 in July 2021. But with over 4,000 copies graded 10 by PSA alone, this card may take some time to regain those lofty prices.

1990 Upper Deck Heroes #9 Reggie Jackson Autograph

• Average PSA Value: $234
• Highest sale price: $511 (PSA 7) in February 2021
• Supply: 145 graded by PSA
• Dimensions: 2.5 by 3.5 inches

The Baseball Heroes series would change everything for the hobby by introducing “the chase,” and this Reggie Jackson card was the first.

In 1990, just one year after their debut, Upper Deck magic was taking the trading card world by storm. Together with the recently retired Reggie Jackson, they came up with their next big idea: “Find the Reggie.”

Calling All Collectors

Lucky #2 told the Sun Sentinel he had an immediate offer on the card for $700, or $1,600 in today's money. It’s unclear if he took the offer, but if he did, he’s not regretting it now. In April 2021, a PSA 9-graded card sold for just $511, a tragically low price for such an industry-changing card.

If you’re looking for a card the world hasn’t woken up to yet, this could be it. They occasionally pop up on eBay and other auction markets. PSA-8s in 2021 have sold for as little as $2 and as much as $360, meaning a card purchased at a modest price could flip for much higher down the line. Or if you want to experience the chase yourself, you might be able to pick up a factory set for $30 to $60, or buy some 1990 High Series cases for around $650 each.

1991 Upper Deck #SP1 Michael Jordan baseball card

• Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint value: $450
• Supply: 16,359 graded by PSA
• Highest sale price: $7,600 in February 2021
• Dimensions: 2.5 by 3.5 inches

When you think of Michael Jordan, you probably don't think of baseball right away. But for one-and-a-half seasons in the early 90s, you could find Jordan on the field instead of the court.

1991 Upper Deck baseball cards featured an insert with Jordan looking surprised by his own hit. This card is often thought of as Jordan's baseball rookie card, but it actually came out two years before he officially joined the sport.

The story goes that Jordan bragged about his skills and had them put to the test at batting practice with the Chicago White Sox. Most of the team thought he would strike out, but instead he hit the ball into the bleachers his first time at bat. Baseball or not, he was still Michael Jordan.

Upper Deck released an insert card of Jordan in full uniform, knocking the ball into space. The card has become a favorite piece of Jordan baseball memorabilia, even if it doesn't sell for nearly as much as his basketball momentos.

After reaching an average of around $1,100 during the 2020 collecting frenzy, a PSA-10 graded Gem Mint could sell for about $450 on eBay today. That's a far cry from what a pair of vintage Air Jordans might go for, but there's always a chance that MJ hits another home run.

1993 Upper Deck SP #279 Derek Jeter rookie card (foil)

• Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $360,000
• Highest sale price: $690,000 in March 2021
• Supply: 20,560 graded by PSA
• Dimensions: 2.5 by 3.5 inches

Derek Jeter is a modern day icon. During his 20-year career with the New York Yankees, he distinguished himself with his prowess in hitting, base-running, and fielding. He holds five World Series titles and was one of 33 batters to achieve over 3,000 hits, not to mention the leading shortstop in hits in MLB history.

Jeter's ranking by Hall of Fame career standards is higher than that of Mickey Mantle, and his 2020 Hall of Fame induction vote holds the record for second-highest approval rating, a testament to his fantastic career.

Drafted in 1992, Jeter was a much-anticipated addition to the Yankees lineup, and he's featured on one of the hobby's greatest rookie cards. Although his rookie season didn't begin until 1996, this SP rookie card is one of the most desirable cards of the 1993 Upper Deck baseball cards set.

SP was one of Upper Deck's high-end products. They debuted in 1993 with higher-quality photos and limited print runs, setting them a cut above the standard collection of Upper Deck baseball cards. They also bore a foil surface, which made ones in Gem Mint condition a rarity.

The #279 Jeter rookie card was one of the first SP cards because, as the logo on the lower right confirms, he was one of the premier prospects of the game. The card is notoriously damage-prone, though. PSA says it's "one of the toughest modern-era rookie cards to find in Mint condition…The dark edges coupled with the foil coating give this issue problems, with many of these rookie cards exhibiting wear from the moment they're removed from a pack.”

With over 20,000 of these cards graded by PSA, only 21 qualify as Gem Mint, which explains their six-figure estimated value.

Since March 2021, Rally has offered shares in a 1993 Upper Deck SP #279 graded BGS-9.5 . Its subgrades show 9.5 in edges and surface, a 9 in corners, and a 10 in centering. According to Rally, there is no higher-graded example in the BGS population.

Shares in a basket of two 1993 SP Jeter rookie cards are also available on Collectable. Both cards are BGS-graded 9.5, with 9.5 subgrades in centering, edges, and surface, and 9s in corners.