Most Valuable 1990 Donruss Baseball Cards (PSA 10 Prices & Significance)

The 1990 Donruss Baseball set is one of the most overproduced in the hobby’s history, a true icon of the "junk wax era." But even among the sea of red borders and inflated print runs, there are hidden gems that collectors still chase—especially in PSA 10 condition, where true scarcity comes from perfect preservation rather than production rarity.

In this post, we’ll highlight the most valuable 1990 Donruss cards, based on recent PSA 10 sales and collector significance. Each entry includes the card’s role in the hobby, what makes it desirable, and its approximate PSA 10 market value as of early 2025.

1. Juan Gonzalez #33 Rookie

[Error Card Reverse Negative] Estimated PSA 10 Value: $300–$500
[Correct Card] Estimated PSA 10 Value: $15–$25
Significance: One of the most iconic error cards of the era, Gonzalez’s reverse negative card features his image flipped—making him appear as a left-handed batter. This printing mistake only appears in early press runs, making high-grade copies particularly scarce.

2. Bo Jackson #1 Diamond Kings

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $150–$250
Significance: Bo’s raw athleticism and crossover appeal make this Diamond Kings card a standout. The painted design and being card #1 in the set increase collector interest.

3. Ken Griffey Jr. #4 Diamond Kings

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $200
Significance: Featuring stunning painted artwork, this Diamond Kings insert captures Griffey in his early stardom. It's tougher in high grade due to border chipping and print defects.

4. Nolan Ryan #665 King of Kings

[Error Card #659 BACK] Latest PSA Sale: $188.50 (May 8, 2024)
[Correct Card] Estimated PSA 10 Value: $60–$80
Significance: A staple in nearly every early '90s set, Ryan’s 1990 Donruss card shows the legendary pitcher toward the end of his career, still throwing heat. PSA 10 versions benefit from nostalgia and his status as one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history. The error version of this card has the info of card #659 on the back side.

5. Ozzie Smith #710

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100
Significance: "The Wizard" dazzled with his glove and smile. His late-career cards still carry appeal, especially in minty condition.

6. Nolan Ryan #659 5000 K's

[Error Card #665 K.OF K. BACK] Latest PSA Sale: $92 (November 27, 2024)
[Correct Card] Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50–$60
Significance: This card commemorates Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th career strikeout. On August 22, 1989, Ryan struck out Rickey Henderson to reach the historic milestone, becoming the first (and still only) pitcher to achieve it. Donruss honored the achievement in their 1990 set with a dedicated card showcasing Ryan's legendary presence and fierce competitiveness on the mound. The error version of this card has the info of card #665 on the back side.

7. Ken Griffey Jr. #365

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $70–$90
Significance: By 1990, "The Kid" was already a superstar, and this early-career Donruss issue captures his ascent. While not as iconic as his 1989 rookies, the vibrant red border and Griffey’s generational appeal keep this card in high demand.

8. Nolan Ryan #166

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $80
Significance: This base card shows Ryan still dominating hitters deep into his career. A clean action shot with strong demand in PSA 10 condition.

9. Jose Canseco #125

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50–$60
Significance: By 1990, Jose Canseco had already achieved legendary status. He was a centerpiece of the Oakland A’s dynasty that reached three straight World Series (1988–1990). This card showcases Canseco during the peak of his superstardom, donning the bold green and gold uniform of the A’s.

10. Don Mattingly #190

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50–$60
Significance: “Donnie Baseball” was the heart and soul of the New York Yankees throughout the 1980s and early '90s. While injuries limited his long-term numbers, his pure hitting ability, Gold Glove defense, and quiet leadership made him a fan favorite. The 1990 Donruss card catches Mattingly during his veteran years, still commanding respect at the plate and in the clubhouse.

11. Roger Clemens #184

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $55

12. George Brett #144

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $50–$55

13. Barry Bonds #126

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$55

14. Bo Jackson #61

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$50

15. Dave Justice #704 Rookie

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$45

16. Bo Jackson #650

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$45

17. Bernie Williams #689 Rookie

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40

18. Larry Walker #578 Rookie

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40

19. Deion Sanders #427 Rookie

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35

20. Rickey Henderson #304

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35

21. Sammy Sosa #489 Rookie

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20–$30

22. Tony Gwynn #705

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20–$25

Final Thoughts

The 1990 Donruss set may not be rare in raw condition, but PSA 10 grades tell a different story. Due to centering issues, print quality problems, and chipping on the red borders, gem mint examples are much harder to come by than many collectors assume. For nostalgic collectors, team set builders, or player collectors, these cards provide affordable history with spikes of real value—especially if you're holding the right names in pristine slabs.