If you were ripping wax packs in the early '90s, you probably remember the 1990 Donruss set. It was bright red, it was everywhere, and it was—frankly—full of mistakes. But one card stands out above the rest of that overproduced era: the Nolan Ryan Donruss King of Kings card.
Walk into any card show today and you'll likely see a guy with a binder claiming he has a "one-of-a-kind" error version worth thousands. Usually, he’s wrong. There is a massive amount of confusion surrounding card #665 and its sibling #659. If you've got one sitting in a shoebox, you need to know what you’re actually looking at before you start planning your retirement.
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The King of Kings Mess: #665 vs. #659
Basically, Donruss decided to celebrate Nolan Ryan’s 5,000th strikeout with a special design. They used a painting by the legendary Dick Perez (of Perez-Steele fame). It’s a beautiful card, featuring Ryan in his Rangers uniform, but the production was a disaster.
Most people are looking for the "Wrong Back" error. Here is how the cards were supposed to look:
- Card #659: Features the "5,000 K's" artwork on the front. The back should talk about the 5,000th strikeout.
- Card #665: Features the "King of Kings" artwork on the front. The back should have the "King of Kings" text.
Naturally, Donruss swapped them. You will frequently find the "5,000 K's" front with the "King of Kings" back, and vice versa. While these are technically errors, they were printed in such massive quantities during the "junk wax" era that they aren't exactly rare. Honestly, you can find the "error" versions for a few bucks on eBay any day of the week.
The "No Number" Variation: The Real Rare Bird
If you want the version that actually makes collectors sit up and take notice, you have to flip the card over and look at the top right corner.
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There is a version of the Nolan Ryan Donruss King of Kings card that completely lacks a card number. It’s just blank where "#665" should be. These were primarily found in factory sets rather than individual wax packs. While still not a "Honus Wagner" level find, this "No Number" variation is significantly harder to track down than the standard wrong-back errors.
Even then, don't get too excited. We're talking about a card that sells for maybe $10 to $50 depending on the day and the grade, not thousands. The "King of Kings" title refers to Ryan's dominance on the mound, not necessarily the card's value in your wallet.
Why the 1990 Donruss Set Still Matters
You've probably heard the term "Junk Wax Era." It refers to the period from roughly 1987 to 1994 when companies like Topps, Donruss, and Fleer printed cards by the billions.
1990 Donruss is the poster child for this. It’s notorious for poor quality control—off-center cuts, ink smudges, and the infamous "inc vs. inc." periods on the back. But Nolan Ryan is different. Collectors will always buy Nolan Ryan. He’s the "The Ryan Express." He’s the guy who threw seven no-hitters and put Robin Ventura in a headlock.
Because of his legendary status, even his overproduced cards have a floor price. People love the Dick Perez artwork. It feels more like a piece of sports history than a standard action shot.
Market Reality and PSA Grading
Let’s talk numbers. If you check recent sales from 2025 and early 2026, a raw (ungraded) 1990 Donruss #665 usually goes for $1 to $5.
If you have a PSA 10—a perfect Gem Mint copy—that’s a different story. Because the 1990 Donruss stock was so cheap and prone to chipping on those red borders, finding a perfect 10 is actually tough. A PSA 10 "King of Kings" can fetch over $150. But be warned: sending a card in for grading costs money. If your card has even a tiny white speck on a corner, it’s probably a PSA 8 or 9, which might be worth less than the cost of the plastic slab it’s housed in.
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How to Identify What You Have
Don't just look at the front. Grab a magnifying glass and follow this checklist:
- Check the Number: Is it #665? If there’s no number, you’ve found the best version.
- Match the Back: Does the "King of Kings" text match the front? If it says "5,000 K's" on the back but "King of Kings" on the front, you have the common "Wrong Back" error.
- Inspect the "Inc.": On the back, look at the copyright line. Some cards are missing the period after "Inc." This is a microscopic error that some "error hunters" obsess over, though it rarely adds real value.
- Look at the Borders: Are they chipped? Is the image centered? If the red border is thicker on the left than the right, it’s "off-center," which kills the value for serious collectors.
The Nolan Ryan Donruss King of Kings card is a classic piece of hobby history. It represents a time when the industry was chaotic and the players were larger than life. Just don't let a "Pro Mold" holder and a handwritten "RARE ERROR" sticker fool you into overpaying.
To truly capitalize on this card, focus on the "No Number" variation or aim for high-grade copies (PSA 9 or 10) of the standard version. If you're just a fan of the Express, enjoy the artwork—it's one of the coolest-looking cards from a decade that wasn't always known for its aesthetics.
Your next step is to check the back of your card for the #665 designation. If the spot is blank, you should consider getting it authenticated by a reputable grading service like PSA or SGC.