Top Most Valuable 1990 Score Baseball Cards: A Collector’s Guide
The 1990 Score baseball set is a true product of the junk wax era—mass-produced, brightly colored, and often overlooked. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find some true hobby gems hiding in plain sight. With standout photography, multiple Bo Jackson appearances, and the rookie card of Frank Thomas, this set has earned a nostalgic place in the hearts of collectors.
While many cards from the era were printed in high amounts, high-grade PSA 10 copies of key players still hold some value today. Whether it’s the legendary "Bo Knows" poster card or a classic Nolan Ryan highlight, the 1990 Score set offers collectors affordable access to some of the game’s most iconic names.
1. Bo Jackson #697
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $300–$350
PSA 10 Population: 4,109
Significance: This black-and-white poster-style card is the crown jewel of the 1990 Score set and one of the most iconic cards of the junk wax era. It features Bo Jackson shirtless in football shoulder pads, calmly holding a baseball bat across his shoulders—an unforgettable image symbolizing his dominance in both the NFL and MLB. Released during the height of the "Bo Knows" Nike campaign, this card wasn’t just a tribute to a two-sport superstar—it became a cultural moment. Bo Jackson’s rare combination of power, speed, and strength made him a legend, and this card immortalized that legacy in a single, bold image that still resonates with collectors today.
2. Nolan Ryan #250
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $70–$80
PSA 10 Population: 174
Significance: This card features Ryan during his years with the Texas Rangers, still dominating hitters well into his 40s. Nolan Ryan is baseball’s all-time strikeout leader (5,714) and threw a record seven no-hitters. His longevity and competitive fire have made his cards perpetually popular among collectors.
3. Bo Jackson (All-Star Game) #566
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$60
PSA 10 Population: 81
Significance: This All-Star card celebrates Bo Jackson's 1989 MLB All-Star Game performance, where he led off the game for the A.L. with a home run and earned MVP honors. It underscores his incredible combination of speed and power, a rare blend that thrilled fans across both baseball and football.
4. Ken Griffey Jr. #560
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40–$55
PSA 10 Population: 513
Significance: At just 20 years old in 1990, Ken Griffey Jr. was already making waves as the next big superstar. “The Kid” would go on to hit 630 home runs and earn 13 All-Star selections. This card captures him in the early days of a Hall of Fame career that redefined center field excellence.
5. Bo Jackson #687
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$50
PSA 10 Population: 354
Significance: This close-up portrait of Bo Jackson comes from Score’s “Dream Team” subset and features a stylized, studio-style headshot with a golden gradient background. It showcases Jackson in his Royals cap with a bat slung over his shoulder—calm, confident, and intense. The image evokes the larger-than-life aura Bo carried as a two-sport star. While this card doesn't have the fame of the “Bo Knows” poster card, it's a fan favorite for its clean, minimalist design and focus on Bo’s face—highlighting the charisma that made him a pop culture icon.
6. Frank Thomas #663 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35–$45
PSA 10 Population: 2,859
Significance: This is the first Score card of future Hall of Famer Frank Thomas, affectionately known as “The Big Hurt.” He was one of the most feared hitters of the 1990s, with back-to-back AL MVP awards (1993, 1994) and over 500 home runs. It’s a key rookie card from the era.
7. Don Mattingly #1
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40
PSA 10 Population: 55
Significance: Mattingly, one of the most beloved Yankees of the 1980s, opens the set with card #1. Known for his sweet left-handed swing and superb glove at first base, “Donnie Baseball” won the 1985 AL MVP and was a six-time All-Star. His cards continue to hold nostalgic value for Yankees fans.
8. Rickey Henderson #360
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 107
Significance: The greatest leadoff hitter of all time, Henderson was in the midst of his prime in 1990. That year, he won AL MVP and stole 65 bases. With over 1,400 stolen bases in his career, Rickey’s legacy as a game-changer on the basepaths makes this card a must-have.
9. Bo Jackson #280
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$40
PSA 10 Population: 100
Significance: This card features a dynamic action shot of Bo mid-swing in his Kansas City Royals uniform. The red border and bold yellow nameplate reflect the loud, colorful design style of early ’90s Score cards. While it’s not as flashy or famous as his poster card from the same set, it’s still a favorite among collectors who want a classic in-game image of Bo during his prime as one of baseball’s most electrifying athletes.
10. Nolan Ryan #696
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35
PSA 10 Population: 170
Significance: This highlight card recognizes one of Ryan’s many pitching milestones, reminding collectors of his jaw-dropping career stats. By 1990, Ryan had already reached legend status, and this card helps round out the narrative of his unprecedented pitching feats.
11. Ryne Sandberg #90
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35
PSA 10 Population: 47
12. Barry Bonds #4
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35
PSA 10 Population: 40
13. Greg Maddux #403
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30–$35
PSA 10 Population: 51
14. Rickey Henderson #686
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$35
PSA 10 Population: 123
15. Mark McGwire #385
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$35
PSA 10 Population: 58
16. Larry Walker #631 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$35
PSA 10 Population: 144
17. Jose Canseco #375
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $30
PSA 10 Population: 27
18. Ozzie Smith #285
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 33
19. Juan Gonzalez #637 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 153
20. Robin Yount #320
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 44
21. Rickey Henderson #698
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 104
22. Ryne Sandberg #691
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 80
23. Dave Justice #650 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 65
24. Mo Vaughn #675 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 113
25. Deion Sanders #586 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25–$30
PSA 10 Population: 130
26. Curt Schilling #581 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $25
PSA 10 Population: 39
27. Kirby Puckett #400
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20–$25
PSA 10 Population: 70
28. Sammy Sosa #558 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20–$25
PSA 10 Population: 370
29. Kirby Puckett #690
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $20
PSA 10 Population: 89
30. Bernie Williams #619 (Rookie)
Estimated PSA 10 Value: $15–$20
PSA 10 Population: 190
Final Thoughts
Despite being released during one of the most overproduced periods in baseball card history, the 1990 Score set still manages to stand out thanks to its iconic photography and star power. Cards like Bo Jackson’s black-and-white “poster” insert and Frank Thomas’ rookie continue to hold collector interest more than three decades later.
If you’re sitting on a box of old cards or flipping through a childhood binder, keep an eye out for these key names. And if you happen to have one in sharp, clean condition, it might be worth sending it off for grading—because even in the junk wax era, greatness still shines through.
