In 1997, Fleer/SkyBox released E-X2000, an experimental release that utilized a plastic stock, intricate layering, and die-cutting. That set proved popular with collectors, but many have a greater attachment to the second release of the popular premium brand. For the 100-card follow-up series, 1998 E-X2001 Baseball, the company put a new twist on the Credentials parallel, utilizing a new plastic stock, unique serial numbering, and two tiers that offered more scarcity.
The 1998 Essential Credentials Now parallel features a green color scheme on each card and serial numbering that matches the card number. So this Ken Griffey Jr., who is #10 on the base set checklist, has an Essential Credentials Now print run /10.
Essential Credentials Future, which are pink, go in the opposite direction, starting at the end of the checklist and going backwards. So Junior's Future parallel is a much more plentiful /91.
As Essential Credentials parallels from the line's original run continue to be among the most popular cards of the era, this represents one of the key Ken Griffey Jr. cards ever produced.
Graded a NM-MT 8, this card is a pop 2 in the PSA registry with just two copies ranking higher.
The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 06/25/2026.
