Derek Jeter Rookie Question...

[swarmee]

Agreed; they go SP, then Stadium Club Murphy Stadium box set (didn't come in packs), then Topps Gold, then base Topps.

I sold my PSA 8 Jeter SP I won in a PSA contest for $750 last year, soon after I received it. A reason the BGS cards are cheaper for the same grades is because PSA rejects a large number of the 93 Jeter SPs for being factory cut short, but BGS seems to slab them all without an issue. So people expect that the BGS is either tiny (not the full 2.5x3.5 inches) or trimmed. But then PSA has graded a whole bunch of trimmed ones or ones treated with car wax to buff out scratches themselves.

I would say Jeter's true rookie cards would be the 1992 Little Sun High School prospects and Front Row Draft Picks

[swarmee]

And Derek Jeter's official Rookie Year is 1996, so these are all pre-rookies. But the widely accepted answer are the nationally released professional MLB sets from 1993 (also including Pinnacle and some others not yet named).

[yanksfan09]

Originally Posted by swarmee

And Derek Jeter's official Rookie Year is 1996, so these are all pre-rookies. But the widely accepted answer are the nationally released professional MLB sets from 1993 (also including Pinnacle and some others not yet named).

To confuse things even more, he also debuted in 1995 and had a number of MLB released issues that year after his call up which mention him debuting.

[irv]

I'm a fan of the Pinnacle myself.

[Harliduck]

Thanks Irv...that's a good looking card. Is there a reason it's so inexpensive? A BGGS 8 for $30? Was it double printed? Frankly that has the best eye appeal than the others, much better pose...I have honestly never heard of Pinnacle.

[swarmee]

Pinnacle was Score's attempt at an upgraded set. Not much following for that set, and as with most black bordered cards, shows edge chipping and damage much easier. I didn't mention it because you said you wanted to know about his "Best" cards.

The cheaper one of Front Row

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by rgpete

I would say Jeter's true rookie cards would be the 1992 Little Sun High School prospects and Front Row Draft Picks

I wouldn't, I'd call those minor league cards.

You can play 30 years in the minors, but your 1st year in MLB, you are a rookie

1992 Front Row was nationally released in packs but not MLB

[Harliduck]

Thanks for the replies...helps a lot and now I have a basic understanding. That era is quite confusing! The hunt is now on...

[yanksfan09]

There's also 1993 Bowman, Pinnacle, Score, and Select too which can be found cheap unless you want PSA 10 price will be quite a bit more.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Republicaninmass

I wouldn't, I'd call those minor league cards.

You can play 30 years in the minors, but your 1st year in MLB, you are a rookie

DOH! had it backwards... As Emily Littella would say "nevermind"

[gtrogb]

Originally Posted by swarmee

Agreed; they go SP, then Stadium Club Murphy Stadium box set (didn't come in packs), then Topps Gold, then base Topps.

I sold my PSA 8 Jeter SP I won in a PSA contest for $750 last year, soon after I received it. A reason the BGS cards are cheaper for the same grades is because PSA rejects a large number of the 93 Jeter SPs for being factory cut short, but BGS seems to slab them all without an issue. So people expect that the BGS is either tiny (not the full 2.5x3.5 inches) or trimmed. But then PSA has graded a whole bunch of trimmed ones or ones treated with car wax to buff out scratches themselves.

lol, I was wondering about the Chipper SP that I had sent in that just came back as trimmed.

That said, I agree 100% here with the pecking order.
Population Report (PSA) for each (8/9/10):
SP (8790/604/21)
*Stadium Club Murphy (989/2240/893)
Topps Gold (1909/2833/377)
Topps (6723/12462/2629)

* IMO - this is best for gifting... lower populations, better looking card - can get a 9 at a reasonable price (for most) and maybe a 10 in the price range between 8 and 9 SP. The Topps base is the iconic one, but don't see it as anything that will be overly unique amongst Jeter collections.