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Sports CardsCommon Rookie CardMint

Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie— Value & Price Guide

Upper Deck1989Upper Deck##1

Market Valuation

HOLD

Fair Market Value

$435.00

Based on 20 verified comparable sales

Low
$316.00
Median
$435.00
High
$600.00
0%recent sales
AI Confidence: 94%

Expert Analysis

The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is a cornerstone of modern baseball card collecting, and a PSA 9 copy is a solid asset. With a median sale price of $435.00 from 20 recent eBay sales, the market is stable. While not showing rapid growth, its iconic status, Griffey's Hall of Fame career, and the card's historical significance (first card in Upper Deck's first set) make it a strong long-term hold. It's a blue-chip collectible that will likely appreciate steadily over time.

Market Analysis & Price Trends

Based on 20 verified recent sales on eBay, the Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie has a current fair market value of $435.00 with prices ranging from $316.00 to $600.00. This valuation reflects the card in Mint condition. The most recent recorded sale was $327.00.

Market trends show stable movement over the past recent sales, with a flat price change. Recent sales data shows a consistent range for PSA 9 copies of this iconic rookie card, indicating a stable market with strong demand for high-grade examples.

Our AI analysis rates this card as a HOLD. The 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card is a cornerstone of modern baseball card collecting, and a PSA 9 copy is a solid asset. With a median sale price of $435.00 from 20 recent eBay sales, the market is stable. While not showing rapid growth, its iconic status, Griffey's Hall of Fame career, and the card's historical significance (first card in Upper Deck's first set) make it a strong long-term hold. It's a blue-chip collectible that will likely appreciate steadily over time.

Collecting Insights

This card is a Common Rookie Card 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 Player, First card in Upper Deck's inaugural set, High-grade PSA 9 condition. These characteristics contribute to the card's collectibility and market demand.

Grading assessment: This card is already professionally graded at 9 by PSA. No additional grading needed.

Griffey Jr.'s status as one of baseball's all-time greats, combined with his iconic rookie card being the first in Upper Deck's groundbreaking 1989 set, drives significant collector demand.

Key Features

  • Iconic Rookie Card
  • Hall of Famer Player
  • First card in Upper Deck's inaugural set
  • High-grade PSA 9 condition

Quick Facts

  • This 1989 Upper Deck card is considered one of the most iconic rookie cards in sports history, marking the debut of a new era in card collecting.
  • Ken Griffey Jr. was the first overall pick in the 1987 MLB draft and went on to hit 630 career home runs, ranking 7th all-time in MLB history.
  • He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 with 99.32% of the vote, the highest percentage at the time.
  • The card's value is bolstered by Griffey's 'Junior' nickname and his role in revitalizing baseball's image in the 90s.
  • A PSA 9 copy like this one recently sold for $327.00, demonstrating consistent demand for high-grade examples of this classic rookie.

Recent eBay Sold Listings

1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie #1 Mariners RC Rookie HOF PSA 9$327.00
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr - Star Rookie #1 PSA 9 RC Seattle Mariners$425.00
1989 Upper Deck KEN GRIFFEY JR Star Rookie Card RC #1 PSA 9 MINT Mariners HOF$435.00
1989 Upper Deck KEN GRIFFEY JR. Rookie #1 Baseball Card PSA 9 MINT$400.00
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey JR. #1 Star Rookie PSA 9$420.00
1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr RC #1 PSA 9 Star Rookie Mariners HOF$449.00
1989 upper deck Ken Griffey jr. star rookie #1 PSA 9$450.00
1989 UPPER DECK KEN GRIFFEY JR. #1 ROOKIE RC PSA 9 MINT! HIGH SUBS$600.00

Grading Notes

This card is already professionally graded at 9 by PSA. No additional grading needed.

Grading ROI Estimate

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

GradeEst. ValueCostNet Profit
PSA 10$1,522.50$25.00+$1,062.50
PSA 9$783.00$25.00+$323.00
BGS 9.5$1,087.50$30.00+$622.50
CGC 9.8$870.00$22.00+$413.00

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on 20 verified eBay sold listings, the Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie has a fair market value of $435.00. Prices range from $316.00 to $600.00 depending on condition and seller. Values are updated regularly based on real transaction data.

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About the Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie

The Ken Griffey Jr. Star Rookie card from the 1989 Upper Deck set is a legendary piece of sports card history. Its value is deeply rooted in its status as one of the most iconic rookie cards ever produced, launching Upper Deck into prominence and featuring a generational talent in Ken Griffey Jr. The card's clean design and the groundbreaking holographic logo were revolutionary at the time, making it a nostalgic favorite for many collectors. Key market factors include Griffey's Hall of Fame legacy, the card's excellent condition (especially for a card from the junk wax era), and the overall demand for vintage baseball rookies. While millions were printed, gem-mint copies are surprisingly scarce. A collecting tip for this card is to prioritize finding a high-grade, professionally graded example. Due to its ubiquity, only top-tier PSA 10 or BGS 9.5 copies truly stand out and command significant value, making condition paramount for this classic.

Career Highlights

  • 13-time MLB All-Star
  • 1997 AL MVP
  • 10 Gold Glove Awards (1990–1999)
  • 630 career home runs (7th all-time MLB)
  • Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 (99.32% of vote)
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