Thurman Thomas
Running Back · Buffalo Bills
Upper Deck ##22
Year & Era
1991 — Junk Wax Era
Card Type
Inserts — Team MVP
Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT 6)
Rarity
Common; mass-produced during the peak of the junk wax era with a print run in the hundreds of thousands.
Overall Assessment
A classic example of 1990s hobby history featuring a legendary Buffalo Bill. While a great nostalgia piece for Bills fans, it lacks significant financial value in the current market.
Condition Grade
Raw — appears Excellent to Near Mint (EX-MT 6)
Centering Assessment
Front: Approximately 65/35 Left-to-Right based on the white borders; Top-to-Bottom appears relatively balanced around 50/50.
Surface Condition
Near Mint; generally glossy with some light surface scuffing visible under the light; no major creasing observed.
Corner Condition
Top-left and bottom-left exhibit light softening or "touches" of white; top-right and bottom-right appear relatively sharp but not pristine.
Edge Condition
Generally clean, though the left edge shows slight roughness typical of 1990s Upper Deck factory cutting blades.
Print Quality
High-quality photography and color saturation typical of Upper Deck; minimal print dots observed; registration of the hologram on back is likely standard.
Estimated Value
$0.50 - $2.00 (Raw); $15 - $25 (PSA 9); $100+ (PSA 10)
Comparison to Known Examples
This copy has slightly worse centering than average compared to many PSA 9/10 examples found in registry sets.
Authentication Tips
Verify the presence of the Upper Deck diamond hologram on the card reverse; check for the specific paper stock thickness which is slightly heavier than Topps of the same era.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading unless for personal sentimental value, as the cost of grading exceeds the market value of the card in this condition.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the card is an authentic 1991 Upper Deck base-insert series card.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in 1991 Upper Deck Low Series wax packs, foil packs, and factory sets.
Historical Context
Thurman Thomas was the 1991 NFL MVP, leading the Bills to the second of four consecutive Super Bowl appearances; he is a Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2007 member.
Market Trends
Stable/Low; while Thurman Thomas is a Hall of Famer, ultra-prolific 1991 base cards have remained flat in price for decades.
Investment Potential
Low; due to extreme overproduction, only copies graded Gem Mint (PSA 10) hold any significant investment appeal.
Similar Cards
1991 Upper Deck Jim Kelly #20, 1991 Upper Deck Andre Reed #21, 1989 Topps Thurman Thomas Rookie Card #45.
Display & Preservation
Standard penny sleeve and top loader are sufficient; avoid direct sunlight to prevent the white borders from yellowing.
Interesting Facts
Thurman Thomas is one of only a few players to lead the NFL in yards from scrimmage for four consecutive seasons.