Derek Jeter is the most popular baseball player of his generation, and his cards have long been in high demand with collectors in the baseball card hobby.
The best and most expensive Jeter baseball card is his 1993 SP card (#279), but there are some good alternatives; I’ve covered them all below.
The Captain has a variety of cards released during the course of his Hall of Fame career, and the New York Yankees great is virtually unparalleled in the modern hobby, with some of the most sought-after sports cards of the 1990s.
His official rookie card line-up might be limited, but it includes some huge hitting cards. Jeter also has popular prospect cards that came before his official 1993 rookie card releases, as well as some very popular and valuable cards from later in the 90s.
Table of Contents
Quick Summary
Top 3 Jeter Rookies
Top 3 Jeter Prospects
Other Top Jeter Cards
The Best And Most Valuable Derek Jeter Rookie Cards
1. 1993 SP Derek Jeter Rookie Card #279
Not only is the 1993 SP Derek Jeter card his most iconic, popular and valuable rookie, it’s one of the most valuable sports cards of all the 1990s – It’s certainly one of the key cards of its entire era.
At the time it was released, Upper Deck’s SP Baseball set of 93 was considered a super premium release, although it might not seem that way by today’s standards.
The card itself isn’t necessarily rare, but finding it in the top condition and highest grade is – It features foiled details, and is notoriously prone to wear and tear. As a result, the card, in the highest grade, fetches a huge premium on the secondary market compared to lower graded versions.
The 1993 SP card is by far Derek Jeter’s most expensive baseball card – It’s my favorite card of his, and most collectors agree.
Average price in a PSA 10: £300k-$310k
2. 1993 Upper Deck Derek Jeter Rookie Card #449
Released in the Top Prospects subset, Series 2, of the 1993 Upper Deck set, this Derek Jeter rookie card is another key entry to this list.
The regular version of the card is an affordable option for collectors, but there was also a much more limited, and valuable, Gold Hologram version of the card, which was only available in factory sets, although not every factory set included them.
The front of both cards are identical, but the slight difference comes on the back of the card, where the colored hologram is either silver or gold, depending on which version.
Base card version average price in a PSA 10: $250-$300
Gold Hologram version average price in a PSA 10: $5.5k-$6.5k
3. 1993 Topps Derek Jeter Rookie Card #98
The 1993 Topps Derek Jeter rookie card has the added appeal of the flagship Topps brand – As far as his base level rookies go, this one has the edge because of the brand it’s associated with, although it’s not hard to find.
It was released in Series 1 packs, as part of the Draft Pick subset.
In addition to the regular version, there are a few others, which includes the 1993 Topps Gold Derek Jeter card, one of the earliest baseball card pack-inserted parallels, which adds gold foil, and the Topps Gold name, to the card.
There are also the Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies Inaugural set versions of the card, which are even more limited – They’re almost identical to the regular base card, but with gold foil inaugural stamps added on the front.
The Colorado Rockies version is the hardest to find in top grade, and the most valuable of all the options.
Base card version average price in a PSA 10: $250-$300
Gold version average price in a PSA 10: $1.3k-$1.5k
Florida version average price in a PSA 10: $900-$1.1k
Colorado version average price in a PSA 10: $2.6k-$2.8k
4. 1993 Pinnacle Derek Jeter Rookie Card #457
This 1993 Pinnacle Derek Jeter rookie card features a slick design, with black and white features, which work well with the image of Jeter.
Pinnacle releases represented premium and high-end baseball cards at the time this was released, but it’s not expensive to buy now as far as key Derek Jeter cards go.
It’s another Jeter rookie card that is prone to wear and tear, so the highest grades do command a bit of a premium.
Average price in a PSA 10: $550-$650
5. 1993 Stadium Club Murphy Derek Jeter Rookie Card #117
The 1993 Stadium Club Murphy card is one of the hardest Derek Jeter rookie cards to come by.
This one was part of a special box set, and had a smaller print run compared to a lot of the other Jeter rookies.
It’s considered a 1993 release, due to when it came out, but the card design resembles 1992 Stadium Club.
An option that’s become popular in recent times, and with lower availability than many others, it’s one of the most valuable Jeter rookie cards.
Average price in a PSA 10: $450-$550
6. 1993 Bowman Derek Jeter Rookie Card #511
Although it was hard to follow the very popular, and rookie-loaded, 1992 Bowman Baseball set, the 1993 set had this Derek Jeter rookie card, despite the lack of depth in the rookie offering that year.
The Bowman brand remains a top choice with rookie card collectors in the baseball card hobby, and this Jeter rookie holds up well – It’s by no means a top-tier card, but it’s a solid option for a Jeter rookie.
Average price in a PSA 10: $350-$400
The Best And Most Valuable Derek Jeter Prospect Cards
1. 1992 Little Sun High School Prospects Autographs Derek Jeter
The 1992 Little Sun High School Prospects auto card is a tough find, limited to just 250 copies.
Despite the questionable card design, this one is highly sought-after, and one of Jeter’s most valuable prospect cards, primarily because of the blank ink autograph, mixed with the limited availability.
Average price in a PSA 10: $25k-$30k
2. 1992 Front Row Draft Picks Autographs Derek Jeter #55
Another early autographed Jeter card is this 1992 Front Row Draft Picks prospect card, which is limited to 500 copies.
It’s another Jeter prospect card with a dated looking card design, but the signature is the big appeal, and that makes it a desirable option for collectors who want a higher-end early Derek Jeter card.
Average price in a PSA 10: N/A (PSA 9: $1.9k-$2.1k)
3. 1992 Fleer Procards Gulf Coast Yankees Derek Jeter #3797
This card is one of the first to feature an image of Derek Jeter in the Yankees pinstripes – 1992 Fleer Procards Gulf Coast Yankees Derek Jeter makes for a solid prospect card option, which isn’t as easy to find as many on this list.
Average price in a PSA 10: $1.8k-$2k
Other Top Derek Jeter Cards From The 90s
The following cards include some of Derek Jeter’s most valuable base cards from sets in the 90s, released later than his rookie year – The higher values are often found in parallel versions of the cards listed below.
1995 Topps Finest Derek Jeter #279
The 1995 Topps Finest baseball set offers collectors this chromium Derek Jeter card.
While the regular base card holds a little bit of value, the big money is found in the Refractor version, which is worth a lot more.
Both versions of the card came with a protective coating, to help avoid scratching – The image above shows a copy that still has the protective plastic intact.
Some collectors choose to keep the coating on for grading, and some remove it; The value is actually higher for graded copies without the coating.
Base card version average price in a PSA 10: $140-$160
Refractor version average price in a PSA 10: $30k-$35k
1996 Topps Chrome Derek Jeter #80
Topps Chrome is an annual staple release in the baseball card hobby today, but 1996 marked its debut set, and while it wasn’t well-received at the time, this Derek Jeter card is another solid chrome option for collectors, and his first card from one of the hobby’s flagship brands.
The regular base card is well sought-after today, and holds a bit of value, but the Refractor version, which is more limited, is where the big value is.
Base card version average price in a PSA 10: $400-$450
Refractor version average price in a PSA 10: $25k-$30k
1996 Select Certified Derek Jeter #100
The 1996 Select Certified set was ahead of its time, with low print runs of cards that collectors weren’t accustomed to seeing in those times.
The base card has held up ok in terms of value, but the multiple parallels are where the big money is, particularly the rarest, Mirror Gold, which was limited to just 30 copies, and sells for huge money on the secondary market today – It’s one of Jeter’s most coveted baseball cards.
Base card version average price in a PSA 10: $350-$400
Refractor version average price in a PSA 10: $200k-$210k
1996 Leaf Signature Series Autographs Derek Jeter
The 1996 Leaf Signature Series gives collectors some of the cleanest early Derek Jeter autographs, which hold good value.
There were two series released, and Jeter had cards in both. The first series featured three different versions, including Bronze (700 copies), Silver (200 copies) and Gold (100 copies).
The extended series featured a different Derek Jeter autograph card, with a print run of 1,000 copies.
Bronze version average price in a PSA 10: $1.6k-$1.8k
Silver version average price in a PSA 10: $4.5k-$5k
Gold version average price in a PSA 10: $12k-$13k
1997 Skybox E-X 2000 Derek Jeter #33
The regular base Derek Jeter 1997 Skybox E-X 2000 card holds up pretty well in the hobby today, but it’s the Essential Credentials parallel version that is the big hitter in terms of price and popularity.
1997 marked the inaugural release of the parallel set, which became very popular with collectors, and the cards were serial numbered to just 99 – The Essential Credentials Derek Jeter card is one of his most sought-after cards following his rookie year, and holds big value.
Base card version average price in a PSA 10: $250-$300
Essential Credentials version average price in a PSA 10: $8k-$8.5k
1998 Metal Universe Derek Jeter Precious Metal Gems #199
The 1998 Metal Universe issue was the first to feature baseball Precious Metal Gems cards, which makes this the definitive Derek Jeter PMG card to own.
Precious Metal Gems cards might be more well-known for basketball cards in that era, but they are still highly collectible in other sports, and this card makes for a premium Jeter card, which is a great option if you can find one, and you have the budget.
Limited to just 50 copies, it’s very rare and hard to find.
Average price in a PSA 10: N/A (PSA 9: $55k-$60k)
When Was Derek Jeter’s Rookie Season?
Derek Jeter made his MLB debut in the 1995 season, with the New York Yankees. His first full season as the starting shortstop was the 1996 season, he was named AL Rookie of the Year.
What Year Were Official Derek Jeter Rookie Cards Released?
Derek Jeter’s official true rookie cards are his cards that were released in baseball card sets during the 1993 season.
While players, these days, must appear on a MLB roster before their first rookie cards can be made, it was slightly different back in Jeter’s era, which is why his true rookie cards came a couple of years before his MLB debut.
What Is The Most Expensive Derek Jeter Rookie Card?
The 1993 SP Baseball Derek Jeter rookie card, released by Upper Deck, is by far Jeter’s most iconic and expensive rookie card, particularly in the highest grade.
The card has previously sold for over $500k in a PSA grade 10.
What Is The Most Valuable And Popular Derek Jeter Baseball Card?
The 1993 SP Baseball Derek Jeter card is his most sought-after and valuable baseball card. In fact, the card is one of the most valuable sports cards from all the 1990s, and the most valuable baseball card from that era.
