Ultra-Rare Griffey Jr. “Essential Credentials Now” Card Hits the Block After 20 Years

A true grail for baseball card collectors has surfaced: the 1998 Skybox E-X Essential Credentials Now Ken Griffey Jr. parallel, serial-numbered 4/10, is under the hammer at Heritage Auctions. Graded Mint 9 by PSA, this card hasn’t been publicly offered since an ungraded copy traded on eBay back in 2006—making its current appearance a landmark moment for high-end memorabilia enthusiasts.

With bids—including buyer’s premium—soaring beyond $120,000, Heritage estimates its value could exceed $200,000 by auction close on May 16. Those figures dwarf its recent sale history: this exact parallel peaked at $58,800 in 2022, dipped to $26,400 last August, then rebounded to $36,600 in December, underscoring its volatile but upward trajectory among serious collectors.


What makes “Essential Credentials Now” so special? BoxBusters Explains Skybox mirrored the base set’s numbering, so Griffey—card #10 in the main 2001 release—naturally appears as a low-numbered /10 parallel. The card’s standout neon yellow-green acetate layers, holographic foil “shading,” and bold black “Essential Credentials Now” logo give it a futuristic, high-grade aesthetic that collectors crave.

Chris Ivy, Heritage’s Director of Sports Collectibles, notes: “Our research shows this Mint-9 example is the first PSA-graded copy to come to auction in nearly two decades. Back in 2006, an ungraded version sold for just $516—so seeing bids climb into six figures is a testament to Griffey’s enduring appeal and the hobby’s growth.” Whether you’re chasing Griffey’s prime or hunting a rare bookend piece, this auction represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity.