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

Expert Analysis

The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card in PSA 10 condition is a cornerstone of modern baseball card collecting. While the median price is $4,999, recent sales show a slight upward trend (+5.1%), indicating continued strong interest. As a Hall of Famer and one of the most iconic players of his generation, this card has long-term appeal. Holding this card is advisable, as its value is tied to its historical significance and the player's legendary status, making it a stable long-term asset.

Market Analysis & Price Trends

Based on 19 verified recent sales on eBay, the Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Upper Deck Rookie has a current fair market value of $4,999.00 with prices ranging from $3,456.00 to $7,495.00. This valuation reflects the card in Gem Mint condition. The most recent recorded sale was $6,000.00.

Market trends show upward movement over the past recent vs older sales, with a +5.1% price change. Recent sales data indicates a slight upward trend, with average prices increasing by 5.1% compared to older sales, suggesting growing demand or stability at a higher price point.

Our AI analysis rates this card as a HOLD. The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card in PSA 10 condition is a cornerstone of modern baseball card collecting. While the median price is $4,999, recent sales show a slight upward trend (+5.1%), indicating continued strong interest. As a Hall of Famer and one of the most iconic players of his generation, this card has long-term appeal. Holding this card is advisable, as its value is tied to its historical significance and the player's legendary status, making it a stable long-term asset.

Collecting Insights

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

Notable features include: Iconic Rookie Card, Hall of Famer, PSA 10 Gem Mint Grade, High Collectibility. These characteristics contribute to the card's collectibility and market demand.

Grading assessment: This card is already professionally graded at PSA 10 by PSA. No additional grading needed.

Griffey Jr.'s legendary status, iconic rookie card, and significant impact on baseball's popularity drive high demand and value for his collectibles.

Key Features

• Iconic Rookie Card
• Hall of Famer
• PSA 10 Gem Mint Grade
• High Collectibility

Quick Facts

• This 1989 Upper Deck card is considered one of the most iconic rookie cards in baseball history, marking a new era of premium card design.
• Ken Griffey Jr. was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 with 99.32% of the vote, the highest percentage at the time.
• He hit 630 career home runs, ranking 7th all-time in MLB history, and won 10 Gold Glove Awards for his spectacular defense.
• The PSA 10 Gem Mint grade is highly sought after for this card, as it's notoriously difficult to find in perfect condition due to centering and print defects.
• His popularity was so immense that he had his own signature sneaker line from Nike and was featured on a Wheaties box, reflecting his cultural impact beyond baseball.

Recent eBay Sold Listings

Grading Notes

This card is already professionally graded at PSA 10 by PSA. No additional grading 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