1993 SP #279 Derek Jeter Rookie

How I Arrived at the Hobby Score

This card received an 91 overall Hobby Score.

The 1993 SP Derek Jeter Foil Rookie is widely regarded as Jeter’s premier rookie card and one of the most important modern baseball cards ever produced. Released as part of Upper Deck’s premium SP line, the card introduced a full-foil design that was unlike anything collectors had seen at the time.

That foil surface, while visually striking, proved extremely condition-sensitive. Chipping, scratching, and surface wear are common, making high-grade copies exceptionally difficult to find. This scarcity at the top end is a major driver of the card’s long-term demand and elite status.

Jeter’s career—defined by five World Series championships, a captaincy spanning nearly two decades, and a spotless public image—cements this card as a cornerstone of modern baseball collecting. The 91 score reflects its hobby-defining design, true high-grade rarity, and the enduring legacy of one of the game’s most marketable icons.