Everyone remembers the white-hot flash of 1989. That was the year Upper Deck basically invented the "premium" card market by putting a smiling kid from Donora, Pennsylvania, on card #1. It was the card that changed everything. But if you’ve spent any time digging through shoeboxes or scrolling eBay lately, you’ve probably noticed something. The 1990 Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck card—his second-year flagship appearance—is quietly having a moment.
It’s not a rookie card. We know that. Honestly, it’s not even particularly rare, considering it was printed during the absolute peak of the "Junk Wax" era. Yet, there’s something about that swing and that Seattle Mariners teal that keeps collectors coming back. Whether you’re looking for the "Simultaneously" spelling error or just a clean PSA 10 for the PC (personal collection), this card is a fascinating piece of hobby history.
The 1990 Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck Checklist
In 1990, Upper Deck didn't just give us one Griffey. They gave us two in the base set. You’ve got the standard base card, #156, and then the Team Checklist card, #24.
Card #156: The Main Attraction
This is the one people usually mean when they talk about the 1990 Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck. It features a classic action shot of Junior mid-swing. The design is almost identical to the 1989 set, but the green "Star Rookie" logo is gone, replaced by the standard Upper Deck layout.
The card stock is notably thin. If you’ve held one, you know it feels almost like a high-quality photo paper rather than a heavy cardboard slab. That’s a hallmark of early Upper Deck. It’s also why finding these in perfect condition is harder than the massive print runs suggest.
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Card #24: The Team Checklist
This card is technically a Seattle Mariners team checklist. However, because it features a large, iconic photo of Griffey on the front, collectors treat it as a Griffey card. It’s significantly cheaper than #156, but in a PSA 10, it still carries weight.
Errors and Variations: The "Simultaneously" Mess
Early 90s quality control was, let’s be real, a bit of a disaster. For the 1990 Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck #156, this led to a few famous variations that drive error hunters wild.
- The Spelling Error: On the back of some early print runs, the word "Simultaneously" in the biography section is misspelled as "Simultaniously."
- The Birthplace Error: Some cards incorrectly list his birthplace.
- The Missing Copyright: There are versions of cards in the 100-series (including Griffey) that lack the copyright line on the back.
Are these worth thousands? No. Not usually. But they add a layer of "The Hunt" that makes a $2 card feel like a treasure. A PSA 10 "Spelling Error" variation can fetch a decent premium over the corrected version, simply because there are fewer of them in the population report.
Current Market Value: What’s It Actually Worth?
If you find a raw, ungraded 1990 Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck in a binder, it's probably worth about $1 to $3. Maybe $5 if it looks absolutely flawless.
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The real money is in the grading.
| Grade | Estimated Value (2026) |
|---|---|
| PSA 10 (Gem Mint) | $90 - $110 |
| PSA 9 (Mint) | $15 - $22 |
| Ungraded (NM-MT) | $2 - $5 |
You’ll see some "Double Error" versions listed on eBay for $500 or even $1,000. Don't be fooled. Those are usually optimistic "Buy It Now" prices that don't reflect actual sales. Recent data shows that even the error versions in high grades rarely break the $200 mark unless there’s something truly weird going on with the slab.
The Grading Struggle: Why PSA 10s Are Harder Than You Think
You’d think with millions of these printed, everyone would have a Gem Mint copy. Not quite. The 1990 Upper Deck set is notorious for three specific issues:
- Centering: These cards are frequently weighted 60/40 or worse. The white borders make it very obvious when the image is shifted.
- Hologram Chipping: On the back of every card is a small silver Upper Deck hologram. If that hologram is scratched, flaking, or missing pieces, your grade is going to tank.
- The "Crimp": Because of how the packs were sealed, many cards came out of the wrapper with a tiny indentation or "crimp" near the bottom edge.
If you’re looking at your childhood collection thinking about grading, look at the hologram first. If it's intact, check the centering. If both look good, you might have a winner.
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Why We Still Care About a "Junk Wax" Card
There’s a nostalgia factor here that transcends the dollar value. For a lot of us, 1990 was the year we really started "chasing" cards. The 1990 Ken Griffey Jr Upper Deck represents the peak of Junior’s early stardom. He was "The Kid." He was the coolest guy in sports.
Holding this card feels like holding a piece of 1990. It’s the smell of the old wrappers and the sound of flipping through a plastic binder page. While it will never reach the heights of the '89 Rookie, it remains a "must-have" for any serious Mariners fan or Griffey enthusiast.
Actionable Steps for Collectors
If you’re looking to add this card to your collection or sell one you found, here is the move:
- Verify the Error: Flip the card over. Check the word "Simultaneously." If it has an 'i' where it should have an 'e', you've got the error version.
- Check the Hologram: Shine a light on the silver sticker on the back. Any flaking or missing foil means the card won't hit a PSA 10.
- Buy Graded for Value: If you want a "forever" copy, buy a PSA 9. They are dirt cheap (under $25) and look nearly identical to a 10 to the naked eye.
- Avoid Overpaying for Errors: Don't fall for the "RARE ERROR" hype in eBay titles. Stick to "Sold" listings to see what people are actually paying.
The 1990 Upper Deck set might be a product of overproduction, but Griffey is the one player who consistently breaks the rules of the market. Even 35 years later, his cards are the gold standard of the era.
Next Step: Take a close look at the back of your card under a bright light. If the silver hologram is perfectly smooth and the word "Simultaneously" is misspelled, you should consider sending it to PSA or SGC. Even in a 2026 market, a perfect "Error" Griffey is a card that moves fast.