1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

With several to pick from, what is the best Derek Jeter rookie card? Over the course of his Hall of Fame career, all have reached a certain level of respectability. That said, a few cards have taken things even further, including the 1993 SP Derek Jeter, which is one of the most sought-after cards of the 1990s.

An all-time great for arguably the greatest baseball franchise in history, Derek Jeter is virtually unmatched in the modern hobby. Also helping the case for the superstar shortstop is the fact that he spent his entire career with the New York Yankees, a concept becoming much less common, even for the league's elite players.

Shop for Derek Jeter rookie cards on eBay.

Excluding parallels, inserts, special issues, and Jeter's minor league cards, there are just eight Derek Jeter rookie cards. We've ranked them all from worst to best. Value was certainly an important part of the criteria, but design and status in the hobby world were also taken into consideration.

For a detailed look at key cards from across his career, see the overall Derek Jeter top list. And if you want a snapshot of his most popular cards on eBay, peruse a real-time Derek Jeter Hot List.

Collectors can also review a year-by-year look at all of Jeter's flagship Topps cards from his playing career.

Shop for specific cards or track completed sales values using the eBay links below.

8. 1993 Score Derek Jeter RC #489

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When Score first burst onto the scene, it was popular simply because the hobby was growing fast and there weren't a lot of options. By the time 1993 rolled around, collectors had many choices and the base brand was losing its way. Simply put, the 1993 Score Derek Jeter doesn't have nearly the same appeal as his other rookies. It starts with the low-end quality but is hurt further by the overly busy design that includes Jeter's name written as though he were a part of The Dukes of Hazzard opening credits. Not surprisingly, this is often the cheapest Derek Jeter rookie card on the market.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

7. 1993 Select Derek Jeter RC #360

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A few years before R. Kelly serenaded us with "I Believe I Can Fly" in Space Jam, Jeter was ready to take off in 1993 Select Baseball. While the cloud-based design certainly stands out, the product didn't reach the same heights. For some, it might be the most fun Derek Jeter rookie card. It's also one of the most affordable.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

6. 1993 Topps Derek Jeter RC #98

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The greatest strength of the 1993 Topps Derek Jeter rookie is that it comes from the most celebrated brand in the hobby. It also kicked off a long-running cardboard legacy between Jeter and flagship Topps.

Part of the Draft Picks subset, the card is found in Series 1 packs and boxes of 1993 Topps Baseball. Besides the regular version, there's also a Topps Gold parallel.

Even rarer are versions included in special Florida Marlins and Colorado Rockies Inaugural sets. These are essentially the same except they have a special stamp noting each team's debut. The sets were available primarily in the local Colorado and Florida markets and have a relatively low print run.

It is important to note that the '93 Topps card for Jeter has been used on various reprints and this will likely continue to be the case as long as Topps opts to recycle classic cards.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

5. 1993 Upper Deck Derek Jeter RC #449

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Like Topps, flagship Upper Deck cards always have a lot of broad appeal. Slightly higher quality than Topps, Jeter is part of the Top Prospects subset. 1993 Upper Deck Baseball was released in two series and Jeter's rookie is in the second set.

While the basic version is one of the more affordable Derek Jeter rookie cards, there's also a much more limited version that has a gold hologram on the back. Random factory sets were filled with the slight variations but the cards were never in traditional packs. These command significant premiums over the regular 1993 Upper Deck Derek Jeter rookie card.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

4. 1993 Bowman Derek Jeter RC #511

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It is tough to follow up on the popular 1992 Bowman Baseball release and its loaded rookie crop. While 1993 Bowman doesn't have nearly the same depth, it does have Jeter. Easily the key card in the set, its place on the secondary market is bolstered by the Bowman brand, which remains a top choice with rookie card collectors and prospectors.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

3. 1993 Pinnacle Derek Jeter RC #457

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At the time, Pinnacle was one of the hobby's premium brands and the 1993 release is noticeably slicker than many of the other Derek Jeter rookie cards. The simple design and portrait also make it one of his most attractive cards. Although it is by no means rare, the black borders are a little tougher for grading. As a result, top-grade versions command a bit of a premium.

If you are trying to pull this rookie in packs, look for Pinnacle Series 2 boxes.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

2. 1993 Stadium Club Murphy Derek Jeter RC #117

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The 1993 Stadium Club Murphy Derek Jeter is found in a special box set. In recent years it has become very popular, helped by a smaller print run than a lot of his other rookie cards. Collectors may notice the card actually has the same design as 1992 Stadium Club, not 1993. However, because of the set's late release, it's considered by most as a 1993 card.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

1. 1993 SP Derek Jeter RC #279

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One of the most iconic baseball cards of the 1990s, this is, by far, the most popular Derek Jeter rookie card. It's also the most valuable. Since its debut in 1989, Upper Deck has focused on pushing boundaries for high-end cards. 1993 SP Baseball took things to another level. While it's not nearly as premium as it was when Jeter was breaking in with the Yankees, this is an extremely important card from an equally important release.

Produced with a foil background, it's notorious for being a tough card to find in top condition. Most come with a noticeable amount of edge or corner wear. As a result, high-grade PSA and BGS 1993 SP Derek Jeter rookie cards can push into the ultra-premium range.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

What's your favorite Derek Jeter rookie card? Let us know in the comments below.

1993 upper deck derek jeter rookie card

How much is Derek Jeter's Upper Deck rookie card worth?

Estimated PSA 10 Value: $4,000 At first glance, this may look like an ordinary 1993 Upper Deck Jeter card. But, if you look at the Upper Deck hologram in the lower left corner of the reverse side of the card, you can clearly see it's a golden color as opposed to the regular silver version.

Which Derek Jeter rookie card is worth the most?

1993 SP Derek Jeter RC #279 One of the most iconic baseball cards of the 1990s, this is, by far, the most popular Derek Jeter rookie card. It's also the most valuable. Since its debut in 1989, Upper Deck has focused on pushing boundaries for high-end cards. 1993 SP Baseball took things to another level.

How much is Derek Jeter's baseball card worth?

Previous Sales. A 1993 Select Derek Jeter rookie card, graded PSA 10, has sold as high as $850 and as low as $250 in 2021.

How many cards are in the 1993 Upper Deck set?

The 1993 Upper Deck baseball card set consists of 840 cards. Noted rookies include: Derek Jeter, and many more. Superstars include Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken, George Brett, Don Mattingly, and Mike Piazza.