At the start of the 1990s, the sports card hobby was still in the Junk Wax Era, where overproduction of cards from card manufacturers caused card values to tank.
So, are there any sports cards from the 1990s that are worth money? Yes, and in this post I’ve listed the top 10.
The most expensive sports card from the 1990s is the 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan Autograph card (#GJ13S); I’ve covered that, and the other 9 most valuable, below.
Table of Contents
The Most Valuable Sports Cards From The 1990s
Note that any variations of the same card are not included in the list, in the interest of variety – For example, the red Precious Metal Gems cards aren’t included if I’ve already mentioned the more valuable green version of the card.
1. 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan Autograph #GJ13S (BGS 8)
Taking the top spot for the most expensive sports card from the 1990s is the Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan card, from 1997.
The card features a patch of game-worn MJ jersey, which has big appeal to collectors for obvious reasons.
While memorabilia cards are commonplace in the sports card hobby today, they certainly weren’t in the 90s, when this was released; The set marks the first NBA release that included memorabilia cards.
Jordan was a part of the main checklist of 22 different standard jersey cards, which were extremely rare in series 1 packs – The 23 autographed versions were part of Series 2, and he was the only autographed jersey in the set.
The jersey piece itself comes from Jordan’s 1992 NBA All-Star Game jersey, so it’s not Chicago Bulls.
Record Sale: $2.7m (graded BGS 8) – October 2021
2. 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green Kobe Bryant #81 (BGS 8.5)
Another one of the NBA’s stars features on the second most valuable sports card from the 90s, Kobe Bryant, with the Metal Universe Precious Gems Green card from 1997.
The value of Kobe’s cards saw an increase after his tragic death in 2020.
The card is from the 1997-98 season, which was Bryant’s second in the NBA – He also made his first All-Star game appearance that season.
Only the first 10 printed cards were green etched foil, with the remaining 90 in red foil, so there’s only 10 of this card in existence, and considering Precious Metal Gems cards are generally hard to keep in good condition as well, it’s incredibly rare and valuable.
Record Sale: $2m (graded BGS 8.5) – February 2022
3. 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant #138 (BGS 10 Black Label)
In third spot, is the Topps Chrome Refractor card from Topps, released during the 1996-97 NBA campaign, Kobe’s rookie season.
The refractor card is considered extremely rare, and is naturally highly sought-after, featuring Kobe in action for the Lakers.
The record sale is one of only two copies of the card to receive the coveted BGS black label 10 grade.
Record Sale: $1.8m (graded BGS 10 Black Label) – March 2021
4. 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green Michael Jordan #23 (PSA Authentic)
Another highly sought-after and valuable card from the Metal Universe collection is the Precious Metal Gems Green Michael Jordan card from 1997.
Again, the PMG parallels from 1997 Metal Universe are some of the most beloved cards from the 1990s, and they’re still very popular today.
The card is one of the most desirable Michael Jordan cards of all time, and limited to just 10 green foil copies, the same as the Kobe PMG card listed above; The remaining 90 were also red foil.
Record Sale: $915k (graded PSA Authentic) – December 2020
5. 1996 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant #30 (PSA 10)
Another entry into the most valuable sports cards from the 1990s featuring the late, great Kobe.
This one again features Bryant in action for the Lakers with the yellow jersey on, and another released during his rookie season.
The E-X2000 Credentials parallel card is limited to 499 copies, and is really tough to find today – It ranks as one of the top Kobe rookie cards.
Record Sale: $617k (graded PSA 10) – October 2021
6. 1993 Upper Deck SP Foil Derek Jeter #279 (PSA 10)
The first, and only, non-basketball card entry in the list comes from MLB legend Derek Jeter.
The 1993 SP foil card is undoubtedly Jeter’s holy grail when it comes to his sports cards.
While the card itself isn’t rare, it’s nearly impossible to find one in the top grade; Very few have ever achieved a PSA 10.
This Derek Jeter rookie card is one of the most desired baseball cards in the hobby, and his most valuable rookie by a margin.
Record Sale: $600k (graded PSA 10) – April 2022
7. 1996 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 0 Kobe Bryant #31 (BGS 10)
Another one of Kobe Bryant’s top rookie cards comes in at number 7 on the list of the most valuable sports cards of the 1990s.
The card features 2 images of Kobe, one of him in action with the ball for the Lakers, and one of him in the bottom right in his yellow jersey.
The card was limited to just 150 copies, and the record sale was the 08/150 card, which has the added appeal of being his jersey number, as well as achieving a BGS 10 grade.
Record Sale: $431k (graded BGS 10) – 2021
8. 1998 Skybox Molten Metal Fusion Titanium Michael Jordan #41F (PSA 10)
The 1998 Michael Jordan Skybox Molten Metal Fusion Titanium card is stylish and unique, with a pointillist portrait of the basketball icon on the right, and an image of him in action for the Bulls on the left.
Limited and numbered to just 40 copies, it’s a highly desirable card that isn’t easy to get hold of.
Record Sale: $369k (graded PSA 10) – January 2021
9. 1997 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan #23 (BGS 9)
Another Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems parallel now, and this one comes from the 1997-98 Metal Universe Championship set.
It features a much different design to the red/green etched foil PMG card, and while it’s not quite as popular and valuable, it’s still one of the most expensive cards of the 1990s.
This one is serial-numbered to only 50 copies, so the scarcity and the popularity of the PMG parallel cards help make it so valuable today.
Record Sale: $324k (graded BGS 9) – February 2022
10. 1998 Skybox Premium Star Rubies Michael Jordan #23 (PSA 9)
And finally, yet another Michael Jordan card, and it comes from one of the unforgettable parallels of the late 90s; The 1998 Skybox Premium Star Rubies card.
Star Rubies is high on the list of many when it comes to the best cards from the era; The exciting, shiny card designs resonated well with collectors, and they’re still cherished collectibles today.
It’s serial-numbered to 50 copies, and it’s not easy to come by, especially in high grades.
Record Sale: $300k (graded PSA 9) – March 2024
Most Expensive Cards Of The 90s By Sport
Football
1998 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph Peyton Manning #87 (PSA 10)
Record Sale: $72k (graded PSA 10) – January 2019
Basketball
1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13S (BGS 8)
Record Sale: $2.7m (graded BGS 8) – October 2021
Baseball
1993 Upper Deck SP Foil Derek Jeter #279 (PSA 10)
Record Sale: $600k (graded PSA 10) – April 2022
Soccer
1991 Panini Foot '92 Zinedine Zidane #43 (PSA 10)
Record Sale: $69k (graded PSA 9) – October 2021
