1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card— Value & Price Guide

Expert Analysis

While this card is a classic and iconic rookie card, a CSG 4 grade places it in a lower tier for collectors focused on condition. The market for this card is mature and stable, making it a good 'hold' for its historical significance rather than a short-term investment. Higher-graded copies (PSA 9/10) command significant premiums, but a VG/Ex 4 will likely see gradual appreciation over the long term due to its iconic status.

Market Analysis & Price Trends

Based on current market data, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card has a current fair market value of $15.00 with prices ranging from $10.00 to $20.00. This valuation reflects the card in Very Good condition.

Market trends show stable movement over the past unknown, with a flat price change. Limited sales data available for this specific grade and grading company. However, the 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is a highly liquid item, and prices for lower-graded copies are generally stable due to its iconic status and high population.

Our AI analysis rates this card as a HOLD. While this card is a classic and iconic rookie card, a CSG 4 grade places it in a lower tier for collectors focused on condition. The market for this card is mature and stable, making it a good 'hold' for its historical significance rather than a short-term investment. Higher-graded copies (PSA 9/10) command significant premiums, but a VG/Ex 4 will likely see gradual appreciation over the long term due to its iconic status.

Collecting Insights

This card is a Common Rookie Card rarity, Base variant, from the 1989 Upper Deck set, released in 1989. Collectors value this card for its unique attributes and market positioning.

Notable features include: Iconic Rookie Card, First Upper Deck Baseball Card Ever Produced, Hall of Famer Player, CSG Graded. These characteristics contribute to the card's collectibility and market demand.

Grading assessment: This card is already professionally graded at VG/Ex 4 by CSG. No additional grading is needed.

Ken Griffey Jr.'s iconic status as one of baseball's greatest sluggers and his Hall of Fame career make his rookie cards highly sought after, especially his 1989 Upper Deck card which is considered a landmark in the hobby.

Key Features

• Iconic Rookie Card
• First Upper Deck Baseball Card Ever Produced
• Hall of Famer Player
• CSG Graded

Quick Facts

• Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1989 Upper Deck card is often credited with ushering in the modern era of sports card collecting due to its high-quality photography and design.
• He was the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB Draft and went on to hit 630 career home runs, placing him 7th on the all-time list.
• Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016, receiving 99.3% of the vote, the highest percentage at the time.
• Known for his iconic swing and defensive prowess, 'The Kid' was a 13-time All-Star and 10-time Gold Glove winner.
• This card is a 'rookie card' not just for Griffey, but also for Upper Deck, as it was the first card ever produced by the company.

Grading Notes

This card is already professionally graded at VG/Ex 4 by CSG. No additional grading is needed.

Estimated value after professional grading, based on typical grade multipliers for this price range.

Estimates based on typical grade multipliers. Actual values vary by card popularity, scarcity, and market conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions