30 Most Valuable 1993 Topps Baseball Cards
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Like many sets of the era, 1993 Topps baseball cards are often overlooked and all but forgotten.
But, the one key thing that keeps this set relevant is the Derek Jeter rookie card.
In fact, there are four different ones but we'll get into that later...
Also of note was that Topps issued this set in different series, the first time it had done so since 1973.
Additionally, it was the company's largest set to date with a checklist that consisted of a whopping 825 cards.
Sadly, these days, most of the cards in the set aren't worth the cardboard on which they're printed but there are some here and there which can have value in top condition.
And in this guide, I'll run through the 30 most valuable.
Let's jump right in!
Ross Uitts - Owner
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Let's be clear: most of the cards from this set do not have any value these days.
Like the 1993 Donruss, Fleer, Leaf, Pinnacle, Score and Upper Deck sets, large print runs saturated the market with these cards, driving down their values.
So, for the cards on this list to be worth much, they'll have to be graded by PSA to be in perfect, gem mint condition.
That means the card needs to be flawless.
Now that we got that out of the way, let's take a look at the list:
1993 Topps #98 Derek Jeter Rookie Card
Estimated Base PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $325
Estimated Gold PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $1,500
Estimated Colorado Rockies Inaugural PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $1,750
Estimated Florida Marlins Inaugural PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $1,000
The Derek Jeter rookie card is by far and away the key to this set.
To make things interesting, there are actually four different types: base, Gold, Colorado Rockies Inaugural and Florida Marlins Inaugural.
The base card features a fantastic image of the legendary Yankee superimposed over a baseball field graphic.
The gold parallel is easily distinguished from the base by the "Topps Gold" logo in gold foil underneath Jeter's glove as well as the gold foil nameplate along the bottom.
And because MLB welcomed two expansion teams in the Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins) and Colorado Rockies for the 1993 season, Topps celebrated by producing special factory sets that were to be distributed exclusively in each team's city.
Those cards are also distinguished by special foil stamps in the lower corners.
None of Jeter's 1993 Topps rookies are cheap in high grade but the Gold, Colorado Rockies Inaugural and Florida Marlins Inaugural versions can all go for over $1,000 in PSA 10 grade.
Base
Gold
Colorado Rockies Inaugural
Florida Marlins Inaugural
1993 Topps #700 Nolan Ryan
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $70
Ryan had nearly completed his 27th full season in the Majors when a ligament in his elbow popped as he was pitching against the Mariners on September 22, 1993.
Amazingly, he still tried to keep pitching but ultimately he was finished and the career of one of baseball's greatest pitchers finally came to an end.
Some records in baseball will likely never be broken and Ryan's all-time strikeout total of 5,714 is likely one of them.
This card perfectly captures a view of Ryan burning one towards the plate and even though it may not be his most valuable card, it's certainly one of his best-looking.
1993 Topps #32 Don Mattingly
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $60
Next on our list is Don Mattingly's card that was printed horizontally to capture him in the middle of a pick-off play at first.
From the looks of it, the opposing player was able to get back safely before Mattingly could apply the tag.
Mattingly's cards during the 1980s were always in high demand as he looked like the next surefire Yankee Hall of Famer.
Injuries caught up to him and sadly his production fell off during the 1990s and he wasn't quite able to finish off that Hall of Fame resume.
However, as one of the most highly-collected and beloved players of his era, his cards are still popular enough in PSA 10 holders for those wanting a bit of nostalgia from their childhood collecting days.
1993 Topps #179 Ken Griffey Jr.
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $50
Topps did a pretty decent job of capturing players in great action shots in this set and Griffey Jr.'s card is a prime example.
I'd like to think that ball he is watching was one of the 630 home runs he sent over the fence during his career.
The 1993 season saw him set personal bests at that point in his career in runs scored (113), home runs (45), and RBI (109) as he'd go on to pick up a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger and All-Star selection.
His cards were popular back then and still popular enough now for this one to be worth around $20 in top condition.
1993 Topps #200 Kirby Puckett
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $45
.
1993 Topps #331 Kenny Lofton
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $45
.
1993 Topps #572 Trevor Hoffman
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $45
.
1993 Topps #750 Rickey Henderson
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $45
I always loved this card as it gave a great look at Henderson's compact and powerful swing.
Everyone remembers how amazing he was on the base paths as he'd go on to become the career leader in runs scored (2,295) and stolen bases (1,406).
The former MVP and 10-time All-Star could flat out run.
But, he could also hit, too, and is widely regarded as the greatest lead-off hitter in the history of the game.
1993 Topps #3 Ryne Sandberg
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $40
Speaking of strong defenders in the infield, Ryne Sandberg ended up with 9 Gold Glove awards to his name.
Like Ripken, though, Sandberg was also noted for the unusual amount of bat power he had for someone at his position.
To that point, Sandberg ranks 5th on the all-time list for home runs (282) hit by a second baseman.
The beloved Cubbie and one of the brightest stars of the 90s rightfully earns a spot on this list and his card can be worth $40 in top condition.
1993 Topps #5 Tony Gwynn
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $40
.
1993 Topps #300 Cal Ripken Jr.
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $40
The "Iron Horse" will forever be remembered for his record for most consecutive games played (2,632) and the power he had at the plate which was unusual for a shortstop.
A somewhat overlooked part of Ripken's legacy is that he was also fantastic with the glove.
In fact, he was a 2-time Gold Glover...
For that reason, I've always liked this card as it gave collectors a look at Ripken on the defensive side of the ball.
1993 Topps #799 Jim Edmonds Rookie Card
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $40
During his era, Jim Edmonds was one of the greatest center fielders in the game.
The guy racked up 8 Gold Gloves while being able to hit for power as well as he'd finish his career just shy of 400 homers with 393.
He's a borderline Hall of Famer but was unfortunately removed from the ballot after receiving only 2.5% of the vote during his first year of eligibility.
His rookie card pictures him in a batting stance with the words "Coming Attraction" overhead with strobe lights shining behind him.
Edmonds would appear in 12 games with the Angels in 1993 and finished 8th in Rookie of the Year voting in 1994.
But he really broke out in the 1995 season when he tallied 33 home runs, 107 RBI and 120 runs scored on his way to being an All-Star that year.
1993 Topps #445 Dale Murphy
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $35
.
1993 Topps #557 Pedro Martinez
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $35
.
1993 Topps #701 Top Prospects Catchers
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $35
.
1993 Topps #1 Robin Yount
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $30
.
1993 Topps #397 George Brett
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $30
.
1993 Topps #405 Ken Griffey Jr. and Andy Van Slyke All-Stars
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $30
.
1993 Topps #2 Barry Bonds
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $25
.
1993 Topps #40 Ozzie Smith
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $25
.
1993 Topps #150 Frank Thomas
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $25
As big as Thomas was and considering how great he was with the bat, I was always surprised that his career home run total (521) wasn't higher.
Sure, he had a few seasons cut short due to injury that likely prevented him from at least eclipsing the 600 mark.
Nevertheless, there's no questioning Thomas was one of the greatest power hitters of all-time and currently sits in a three-way tie for 20th with Willie McCovey and Ted Williams on the career home runs list.
His 1993 Topps card bursts with eye appeal as he hoists three bats over his shoulder with a beaming smile.
1993 Topps #183 Greg Maddux
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $25
.
1993 Topps #390 Wade Boggs
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $25
.
1993 Topps #460 Randy Johnson
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $25
.
1993 Topps #529 Shortstop Prospects Chipper Jones
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $20
Chipper Jones may have made his rookie card debut in the 1991 Topps set, but he also appeared on a couple of "Top Prospects" cards in both the company's 1992 and 1993 sets.
Pictured as a member of the AA Greenville Braves, Jones appears alongside Dave Silvestri, Benji Gil, and Jeff Patzke.
While none of those guys panned out as well as Jones did, the card still packs some great eye appeal with clear player headshots atop an image of a base and ball.
1993 Topps #100 Mark McGwire
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $20
.
1993 Topps #156 Sammy Sosa
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $20
.
1993 Topps #207 Paul Molitor
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $20
.
1993 Topps #227 Jeff Bagwell
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $20
.
1993 Topps #500 Jose Canseco
Estimated PSA 10 Gem Mint Value: $20
.
1993 Topps Baseball Cards In Review
While most of the cards in this set are not worth anything these days, there are some exceptions that can still be worth money in high grade as you can see.
And in the case of Jeter, quite a bit of money...
Overall, it's a decent set that boasts some fantastic photography and action shots.
Within it, there were also several different subsets, including:
- Checklists
- First Draft Picks
- Future Stars
- League Leaders
- Managers
- Record Breakers
- Team Leaders
- Turn Back The Clock
And don't forget those Gold parallels and Colorado Rockies / Florida Marlins inaugural sets.
If nothing else, this set packs a whole lot of nostalgia.
