1990 Leaf Frank Thomas Rookie Card #245
Frank Thomas · Leaf (produced by Donruss) · Rookie Card (RC)
Player
Frank Thomas
Set
1990 Leaf Series 2
Year
1990
Card #
#245
Condition Grade
PSA 8 (NM-MT) - Centering appears slightly heavy to the left (approx 60/40), corners show light softness particularly at the bottom left, and there is visible surface debris/handling marks that may affect the grade unless cleaned.
Category
Rookie Card (RC)
Manufacturer
Leaf (produced by Donruss)
Demand Level
Strong. Frank Thomas remains a top-tier Hall of Fame icon with a very active collector base. This specific Leaf rookie is a staple of any serious 90s collection.
Valuation
Raw (Ungraded) Value
$15.00 - $25.00
Graded Value
PSA 8: $35-45, PSA 9: $90-110, PSA 10: $500-650
Comparable Sales
Raw copies typically sell for $18-22 on eBay auctions. PSA 9 copies have recently settled around early 2024 prices of $95, while PSA 10 'Gem Mint' copies command a significant premium, often exceeding $550.
Description
This is the iconic 1990 Leaf Frank Thomas Rookie Card, widely considered one of the 'Big Three' rookie cards of 'The Big Hurt' along with his Topps and Bowman issues. The card features a high-quality action shot of Thomas in his Chicago White Sox road grey uniform, set against a premium silver-grey border design that was revolutionary for the 'Junk Wax' era. The Leaf logo is elegantly placed in the top right corner with the player's name and position at the footer.
Key Features
Hall of Fame Rookie Card; Premium 1990 design; Highly sought after by 90s era collectors; Key card in the 1990 Leaf set which was considered a high-end product at release.
Authenticity Indicators
High confidence. This card features the correct matte silver border finish and typical card stock thickness for 1990 Leaf. The 'Leaf' cursive logo has sharp edges. While reprints exist, they often lack the crispness of the nameplate text seen here.
Flaws to Note
Centering is shifted slightly toward the left border. Bottom left corner shows more white than the others, indicating slight wear. The surface appears to have some slight smudging or 'handling marks' visible near the player's legs which should be carefully wiped with a microfiber cloth before any grading submission.
Selling Guide
Where to Sell
eBay is the best platform for a single raw card to reach the widest audience. COMC or a local card show would be good alternatives for a lower-hassle sale.
Selling Tips
Do not grade unless you are certain it will hit a PSA 10, as the cost of grading often exceeds the value of a PSA 8 or 9. Use the keywords 'Frank Thomas RC', '90 Leaf', and 'Hall of Fame' in the title. Place in a fresh penny sleeve and top-loader immediately to prevent further edge wear.