8 Most Valuable Frank Thomas Baseball Cards

Any list of most valuable Frank Thomas cards undoubtedly contains a handful of rookie cards, like it would for most players. But unlike greats like Ken Griffey Jr., who benefitted from Upper Deck’s inaugural year, and guys like Rickey Henderson where their rookies are considered vintage, Frank Thomas is stuck squarely in the middle of the junk wax era.

Even so, the Big Hurt’s Hall of Fame career transcends, producing a nice and valuable, yet totally attainable list of cards for any collector.

As for how I put together these lists, I like to look back to a recent window of time, but one long enough to capture the player’s best cards, which is usually 90 days. In doing so, though, we also might not see the absolute most valuable cards make the list because they are in fact so rare.

So, to satisfy everyone, do know that while the following 8 cards among Thomas’ best, there are others, like the classic NNOF (No Name on Front) 1990 Topps and the many, extremely rare insert cards that the 90s were known for.

1. 1990 Topps Tiffany #414 PSA 10

While you’d expect the NNOF Frank Thomas misprint to be number one on the list, there hasn’t been one sold in the last 90 days (or the last year, for that matter). That’s not to say the Topps Tiffany version is chopped liver—the last PSA 10 sold for $2.7K, and the average across the last 7 sold over 90 days is $2.57K.

2. 1990 Score #663 BGS 10 Pristine

If you prefer your rookie cards with a side of action, 1990 Score wouldn’t be the card for you (I mean, it’s not really Score’s thing, no matter the sport—just ask the 1989 Score Barry Sanders). Either way, that just goes to show just how much weight a BGS 10 carries. To compare BGS and PSA, the last BGS 10 Pristine sold for $500, while the last PSA 10 sold for just $59.95.

3. 1991 Topps Desert #79 Shield PSA 9

I honestly don’t think I’ll ever create one of these lists and not see 1991 Desert Shield on the list. Just check out these resources if you don’t believe me:

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Anyway, if you ever see these cards in person, you’ll be in rare company. For me personally, 1991 Topps Frank Thomas is one of the greatest cards period between the photo, card design, and old school White Sox logo/colors. Just pure perfection.

In terms of value, a PSA 9 last sold for over $300, so imagine what a PSA 10 would net these days (the last sold for about $900 in August of 2022).

4. 1990 Fleer Update #U-87 BGS 10 Pristine

Ok, so I was going to declare 1990 Score as the least beautiful card on the list, but at least Thomas was smiling in that one! That said, I always like the peculiarities of Update and Traded sets, so this one scores points for that. A BGS 10 Pristine last sold in July of 2023 for $276 (while PSA 10’s sell for about $30 or so).

5. 1991 Topps Tiffany #79 PSA 10

See, so good that it’s on the list twice. This one, as you can see, is missing the Desert Shield in the top right corner. But what is lost with that gold emblem is gained with Topps Tiffany shininess and quality. This card as a PSA 10 last sold for $260.

Read More: Rare Baseball Cards from the 1990s

6. 1997 Fleer Ultra #P44 Platinum Medallion

The most modern card on the list, 1997 Fleer Ultra Platinum Medallions are in the running for some of the most valuable parallel cards of the 90s. If you see one at an affordable price and in good condition, give it serious thought—the raw version alone last sold for over $200.

7. 1990 Leaf #300 PSA 10

While 1989 was swept away by Upper Deck’s hobby entrance, Leaf didn’t disappoint with its revival in 1990. This set is a classic, and a rookie card collector’s favorite with RCs for Frank Thomas, Larry Walker, Sammy Sosa, and others. A PSA 10 last sold for $125, and to compare PSA and SGC, an SGC 10 last sold for $155; go figure.

8. 1990 Bowman #320 PSA 10