Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the most beloved players in baseball history โ and one of the most collected. The good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune to build an amazing Griffey collection. Here are the best Ken Griffey Jr. cards to collect on a budget.
Why Collect Ken Griffey Jr. Cards?
The Kid is an icon. A 13-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glove winner, and Hall of Famer, Griffey captured the imagination of an entire generation of baseball fans. His cards have held their value for decades and remain among the most popular sports cards in the hobby. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a new collector, Griffey cards are always a smart addition to any collection.
1. 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card #1
This is the holy grail of Griffey cards โ and arguably one of the most iconic rookie cards in all of sports card collecting. The good news is that ungraded copies in decent condition can still be found for under $30, making it one of the best values in the hobby. A raw copy is a must-have for any Griffey collector on a budget.
What to pay: $15โ$30 for raw, ungraded copies in good condition.
2. 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. #336
The 1990 Topps set is one of the most produced sets in history, which means these cards are everywhere โ and affordable. Griffey’s card from this set is clean, classic, and a great starter card for new collectors. Pick up a handful for almost nothing.
What to pay: Under $1 for commons, $2โ$5 for nicer copies.
3. 1990 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. #365
Another highly produced card from the junk wax era, the 1990 Donruss Griffey is cheap, plentiful, and still a great card to own. The red and black border design has held up well over the years.
What to pay: Under $1.
4. 1990 Leaf Ken Griffey Jr. #245
The 1990 Leaf set was considered a premium product when it was released, and the Griffey card from this set remains one of the sharpest looking cards of the era. Slightly harder to find than Topps or Donruss but still very affordable.
What to pay: $3โ$8 for nice ungraded copies.
5. 1991 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. #790
The 1991 Topps set features one of the best action shots of Griffey’s early career. Another common card that won’t break the bank but looks great in any collection or binder.
What to pay: Under $1.
6. 1992 Bowman Ken Griffey Jr. #80
Bowman cards from this era have a devoted following among collectors. The 1992 Bowman Griffey is a sharp looking card that remains very collectible and budget friendly.
What to pay: $3โ$10 depending on condition.
7. 1993 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. #179
By 1993 Griffey was at the peak of his popularity and Topps captured him perfectly. This is one of the cleanest Griffey cards of the early 90s and can be found for next to nothing in bulk lots.
What to pay: Under $1.
8. 1994 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. Finest Refractor
If you want to step up your budget slightly, the 1994 Finest Refractors are stunning cards that look incredible in hand. The chrome finish and refractor technology made these cards revolutionary at the time.
What to pay: $20โ$50 depending on condition.
9. 1995 Score Gold Rush Ken Griffey Jr.
The Gold Rush parallel cards from Score in the mid-90s are eye catching, affordable, and underrated by the hobby. A great card to hunt down.
What to pay: $2โ$5.
10. 1998 Topps Chrome Ken Griffey Jr. #100
Chrome cards from the late 90s have been appreciating in value as collectors who grew up in that era return to the hobby. The 1998 Topps Chrome Griffey is still very affordable but won’t stay that way forever.
What to pay: $5โ$15 for raw copies.
Tips for Collecting Griffey on a Budget
- Buy lots โ purchasing a lot of 10 or 20 Griffey commons at once is almost always cheaper per card than buying singles
- Look for raw cards โ graded cards carry a premium. Raw copies of common Griffey cards are a fraction of the price
- Shop eBay โ the best selection and prices for Griffey cards are almost always found on eBay where high volume sellers list singles and lots regularly
- Focus on condition โ even common cards look great when they’re in sharp condition. Look for centered cards with clean corners
Shop Ken Griffey Jr. Cards at Remarkable Finders
At Remarkable Finders we specialize in exactly this kind of collecting โ affordable singles, common cards, and budget lots that help collectors build their collections without breaking the bank. We list Griffey cards regularly including commons $1, making it easy to fill those holes in your set.
๐ Browse our current Griffey listings on eBay
Have a specific Griffey card you’re looking for? Contact us and we’ll do our best to track it down for you.