1990 Upper Deck Sammy Sosa Rookie Card #17
Sammy Sosa · Upper Deck · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Sammy Sosa
Set
1990 Upper Deck
Year
1990
Card #
#17
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) - Centering appears slightly heavy toward the left and bottom; corners show minor softness, particularly the bottom left.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Upper Deck
Demand Level
Moderate - Sosa remains a popular player for 90s-era collectors, though massive supply from 1990 production keeps regular trading steady but low-value.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$2.00 - $5.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $15-20, PSA 9: $35-50, PSA 10: $350-450
Comparable Sales
Raw copies consistently sell for $1.00-$3.00 plus shipping. PSA 9 copies average $40.00. PSA 10 copies have seen recent sales range from $380 to $450 depending on the auction timing.
Description
Featured here is the iconic 1990 Upper Deck rookie card of 600-home run club member Sammy Sosa. The card captures a young Sosa in his Chicago White Sox road uniform, showcasing the clean, white-bordered photography that defined the early Upper Deck era. The card includes the hallmark hologram on the reverse and the high-gloss finish typical of this set.
Key Features
Official Rookie Card of a 7-time All-Star and 1998 NL MVP; iconic early 90s design from the 'Junk Wax' era; highly sought after in perfect PSA 10 condition due to high production volume making high grades common but desirable.
Authenticity Indicators
Confidence: High. Features the proprietary Upper Deck diamond hologram on the back which should show movement when tilted. The card stock is a bright white compared to common reprints that use brownish recycled paper.
Flaws to Note
Centering is approximately 60/40 favoring the left and bottom borders. There is visible whitening/softness on the bottom left corner. Surface appears clean but 'Junk Wax' era glossy cards are prone to light surface scratches.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay (as a single or in a lot), COMC, or local card shop 'dollar bins.' For high-grade specimens (PSA 10), major auction platforms are preferred.
Selling Tips
Do not grade this card unless it is absolutely flawless (centering 50/50, razor sharp corners) as the cost of grading will exceed the value of any grade below a 9. If selling raw, list it in a penny sleeve and top loader to prevent surface damage.