If you’re a child of the 90s, it may not seem possible.
Deion Sanders is now eligible to join AARP.
The brash, flashy young talent who was no stranger to self-promotion and gaudy jewelry turned 50 on Wednesday.
Neon Deion was once one of the NFL’s most electrifying players, a gifted athlete who followed in Bo Jackson’s large footsteps by having a Major League Baseball career too. He was a standout in the 1992 World Series. In fact, Sanders holds the distinction of being the only player to have appeared in both a Super Bowl and World Series.
Thanks to their arrival during an era where the market was flooded, Deion Sanders cards typically aren’t that valuable. They are, however, still popular with a generation that remembers Prime in his prime.
His 1989 rookie cards from both sports don’t really hint at what a storied career was to follow.
Football, Baseball…and Basketball
The Fort Myers, Florida product was all-state in three sports at North Fort Myers High School. There Sanders was nicknamed “Prime Time” by his basketball teammates. After a storied baseball and football career at Florida State, Sanders left the Seminoles for a pay day in the professional ranks.
The Atlanta Falcons selected him fifth overall in the 1989 NFL draft. All Sanders did was return the first punt he ever touched for a touchdown, which helped launch his stardom. Sanders high-stepped his way through 14 seasons in the NFL, recording 24 interceptions in his five seasons with Atlanta before moving on to San Francisco, Dallas, Washington and finishing with Baltimore in 2005 and earning Hall of Fame election in 2011.
Sanders focused mostly on football and his baseball career wasn’t nearly as successful but he still had an impact, especially as a baserunner.
Deion Sanders Rookie Cards
Despite his popularity, the value of Deion Sanders football and baseball cards is limited because there were enough produced to put a couple in the hands of just about every person in North America.
Sanders’ most valuable rookie card is his 1989 Score football issue, but unless yours is graded PSA 10 or BGS 9.5, it’s not worth much. Even those 10s are typically sold for under $75. A lot of 50 mint, ungraded Topps Traded cards from 1989 recently sold for just $15. His first card, the 1989 Pro Set rookie, shows him in his Florida State uniform but again, lots of 50 can be found for around $20.
His rookie baseball cards bring no more. A lot of 133 1989 Topps Traded cards of Sanders in his Yankees uniform was recently sold for $17.99. The glossy Tiffany version is more desirable, but still inexpensive. He’s also in the 1989 Fleer Update set, but again, a few dollars will buy you multiple copies.
Newer
Issues are Most Valuable
The Sanders cards that typically bring the most money are the newer issues that have limited production, an autograph and a relic swatch. Among the best? Autographed cards featuring both Sanders and Jackson, the two-sport stars of the era. Those picturing Sanders in his Cowboys uniform also attract a larger pool of buyers.
You can check out the real-time list of the most watched Deion Sanders baseball and football cards on eBay through the live list below.
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