It being the only card in its set to be so autographed takes it from special to super special. Fans and card collectors, Read More 11 Most Valuable Shaquille ONeal Rookie Cards (Round-up list)Continue, In recent years, the NBA fan base has seen a huge growth in the number of fans, Read More 11 Most Valuable Luka Doncic Rookie Cards (Worth Up to $4,600,000)Continue, Whilst most hobbies seem to come and go, sports card collecting is here to stay. Kobe Bryant 1996/97 Topps Chrome Rookie. Dikembe Mutombo and Larry Johnson were the top rookies of the 1991 class, and Jordan cards caught fire after he won his first championship against Magic Johnson and the Lakers to end the previous season. This Row 1 card is graded by Beckett as a 9.5 and was sold at a Goldin auction for $136,530. Sports Card Investing: Maximize Portfolio Returns (Ultimate Guide), 10 Best Football Card Packs to Buy in 2023, In-Depth Sports Card Market Trends and Statistics (2023). 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC $500,000, 4. However, things really started to change in 1993, with the rise of Topps back into the industry and the beginning of refractor and chrome cards. The pack version is the one that is considered his true rookie card, and it was also short-printed since it was a late addition to the set, making it the more valuable of the two and his most valuable rookie card overall. He averaged 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game over his first six NBA seasons, tallying 29 triple-doubles and earning five All-Star selections. The limited edition card has the serial number 19/40 stamped through the material. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. In this guide, Ill take you through the most valuable 1990s basketball cards, looking at their values and what makes them so rare. This later release paved the way for Series 1 and Series 2 releases in the hobby, as Series 2 could feature rookies after they began the season. Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time, Shaquille ONeal received 4 NBA Championship titles and multiple MVP awards. The card was released in a defining year for Iverson when he made his debut and won rookie of the year. The bottom of the card is personally autographed by Shaq in white pen, with the number #32 handwritten next to it. Only 10 of these cards exist, with this being the only one graded 8.5 by PSA. This 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC is regarded as one of the most valuable examples. Still, Jordan and Garnett cards, particularly their refractors, can fetch some top sales at auctions. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC BGS 10 $250,000, 5. Big Shaq is another player of the game whose cards command huge fees. As one of the fiercest competitors to ever play the game, Bird used his above-average shooting, passing and rebounding skills to help lead the Celtics to three NBA titles over his career. The worth of your card can swing wildly depending on factors like the type of card, who is featured in it, how rare it in, and its condition. The list is in order of year of release. His Finest rookie card is his most valuable by a wide margin, and it stands as one of the iconic cards of the decade. That is, a rookie card of a star player that is hard to get, autographed by the player, has a patch of his game-worn jersey, and graded as mint. Known for his passing skills that weren't common at the center position, he turned in several solid seasons, most notably with the Lakers and Kings. And since the debut of "The Last Dance" documentary, all of his cards have soared in value. Thus, cards that are worth money are those graded as mint by trusted grading companies like PSA and BSG. Several of the players ahead of him also have rookie cards in 1986-87 Fleer Basketball. Kemp was a dominant power forward in the 1990s and his ability to score and rebound routinely wreaked havoc on opposing teams night in and night out. However, an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the 2000-01 season and he was never quite the same after that. Being a pristine example of this card, it sold at auction in March 2021 for $1,752,000. It was released in 1997, which is a memorable year for AI and collectors of AIs cards. Also Read:11 Most Valuable Shaquille ONeal Rookie Cards (Round-up list). On Fire: Best LaMelo Ball Rookie Cards To Buy Now. These are 16 of the most valuable cards currently valued or recently sold at auction. Only the first 10 cards in the set were done in green with the rest in red making this one in green foil very rare and valuable. 1996 Kobe Bryant Flair Showcase Legacy Row 0 #10 SHOP NOW 6 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, UConn standout Ray Allen was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks along with a future first-round pick in exchange for No. The card is graded by Beckett as 8. It was all a recipe for superstardom, and his development from tantalizing teen star to franchise player and all-time great helped solidify his place as one of the hobby's biggest names. With all collectibles, condition is a big determinant of value. Barkley's 1990 Fleer issue was one of the few cards to picture him with any amount of hair whatsoever. The card is graded as a Beckett 10, with only one other card known to exist in this quality. Even in lesser condition, 1990 Topps Frank Thomas No Name on Front cards fetch thousands, making it the most valuable 1990 baseball card originally available to the general public. The card features the big man in his LSU days hanging on the rim after a powerful dunk. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. Post contains affiliate links. You can buy basketball cards wherever they are sold such as in garage sales, and in online selling places like eBay. This 1996-96 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant Rookie card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey with the ball looking to turn quickly. The design is clean and features gold trims. (Youll be able to tell, as the back notes where the swatch is from.). Importantly, it is also a PSA 10 GEM mint card. The documentary followed Jordans playing career, reminding people of the brilliance of MJ at a time when basketball was canceled and people needed ways to keep engaged with the sport. Card collectors really value the shiny finish. He averaged more than 30 points per game five different times, won four scoring titles, was an 11-time All-Star, and played with a swagger that made him one of the most popular players in the sport. However, there are a few exceptions to this, as the 90s Michal Jordans cards show. Looking at the 1990 cards above, the 97/ 98 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 is worth a whopping $599,999.99, while the 1998 UD SP Authentic Michael Jordan #M4 is worth $22,575. This Kobe Rookie card produced in 1996-1997 is considered extremely rare. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC, Michael Jordan's 1990 Fleer basketball card. The card sold in February 2022 for $2,000,000 in a private sale making it the most expensive Kobe card sold. His 1996 Topps Chrome is his most coveted rookie card by a fair margin, as the phenom was already viewed as an extreme talent by anyone who had seen him on the court for any amount of time. This chrome approach to card design is one that is continued to this day. We've already touched on this card in our "10 Basketball Cards Every 90s Kid Should Own" article a few months ago: "Due to an exclusive sports card agreement with Classic Games, Shaquille O'Neal was not initially eligible to be included in 1992-93 products. 1990 Hoops #65 Michael Jordan. A two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year who helped lead No. Being a rookie of the years rookie card is not the only thing that makes this AIs card special. Hes in his Orlando Magic jersey, as he was their number one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. Noteworthy rookies of the 1994 season included Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. This is one that that makes this MJ SP Authentic #M4 card very valuable. This rookie Kobe Bryant card is another example of the Finest Gold Refractor card featured in the number 5 spot. Counting down the 20 most valuable Basketball RCs of the 1990s. Teenager Kevin Garnett became the first player since 1975 to jump directly from high school to the NBA when the Minnesota Timberwolves took him with the No. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. As well as MJ, they secured rookie cards for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Ray Allen. What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. The sport was on the road to recovery following a lack of interest worldwide, helped by Jordan, Space Jam, and a host of emerging talent like Kobe and Shaq. Most Valuable Basketball Cards 1990s: Kobe Bryant 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Check Prices eBay A card that has skyrocketed since that tragic day in early 2020. However, PSA (Pros Sports Authority) is generally regarded as the best. Some of the best players in the 1990s include: (This is by no means a complete list of the best players from the 90s). The industry, Read More 13 Most Valuable Rookie Cards (1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 Was Sold For $12,600,000)Continue, Your email address will not be published. The card sold at auction in December 2020 for $915,000. It has a picture of the phenom in game action, as well as a smiling MJ in the background. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above Strange die-cuts were a common theme in 1990s inserts. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC BGS 10 $250,000 I do want to be 100% clear that most of the cards in this set sadly have no value these days. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. It also comes in great condition, graded 8.0 by Beckett (BGS). Its currently listed on eBay for $250,000. The card is personally autographed and hand-numbered 12/23, making it a great addition to any collection. Estimated PSA 10 Value: $85. SGC vs. BGS vs. PSA Grading: Who Is Best in 2023? Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets Click on the linked sets below to shop for available cards on eBay. 1990 Hoops #39 Larry Bird Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100 . The 1990s saw a rise in basketball card brand diversity. Although Allen Iverson was one of the smallest players in the league, he became well known for his explosive playing style. To understand this, lets take a look at the factors that make basketball cards valuable. After grading, the card is encapsulated in a tamper-free casing with the grade and certification number displayed. The card is in mint condition, graded as a 10 by the PSA. The T210 Old Mill deck is one of the most varied. For example, a 1/1 card shows that it is the only one that exists and will be very valuable. The 1990s started out with Fleer being the top brand in the basketball card world, and ended with Topps. If there was one signature move that I remember kids trying to replicate on the basketball court in the early 1990s it was definitely Tim Hardaway's "killer crossover". And in this guide, we look at the 11 most valuable the set has to offer. This was also the year the Lakers began their dominant run in the sport, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille ONeal. Hall of Famer Vlade Divac left a legacy as one of the first European players to have a major impact in the NBA, paving the way for many more fantastic European players to come. Given his height, almost every Shaq RC features him soaring towards the backboard, and this card is no different. Michael Jordan returned after his baseball journey, and notable rookies such as Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace entered the league. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Hoops listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, ahead of UMass center Marcus Camby. If you are looking to rip through an old hobby box, the most noticeable flaw will be off-center cuts. Exceedingly rare, the odds of pulling a Jordan were 1 in 55,000 packs, which goes some way to explaining why its so expensive. This Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson #171 cards is one of the rarest cards of this great basketball players nicknamed the Answer. It has two pictures of Michael Jordan one picture is of the legend executing a beautiful one-handed dunk over another picture of his head. The card is currently listed on eBay for $250,000. As if that is not enough, the card is hand-signed by Michael Jordan himself. His rookie cards are head and shoulders above everyone else on this list in terms of value, with PSA 9 versions of his Topps Chrome rookie selling for more than a PSA 10 version of Allen Iverson's in the No. Shaqs rookie card + autographed + PSA 10 = very valuable. This is also a somewhat historic year for Jordan himself, as it was the year of his first NBA Championship and NBA Finals MVP. 1990 Hoops #382 Michael Jordan's Playground Estimated PSA 10 Value: $125 . It features a bold Kobe dribbling the ball in a Lakers jersey with the background featuring his face looking on. This is another special and rare autographed Michael Jordan basketball card. Talking of unreal basketball cards! The odds of pulling it from a pack is 1 in 55,000 packs. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. Below are some of the most memorable or important single basketball cards, sets and insert sets of the 1990s. Impressively, it is in mint condition. Bryants card is one of 90 in the base set, while each has a further three tiers or Rows. A Michael Jordan rookie basketball card can be worth a few thousand or a few hundred thousand depending on the set and grade. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. We purchase sports cards as an alternative investment to stocks, bonds, and real estate. While Marbury was the bigger star out of the gates, Allen went on to have the better NBA career by a wide margin, developing into one of the greatest three-point shooters in the history of the sport. Few do. Of the 10 cards, only 6 have been given to PSA for grading. With basketball cards featuring historical players still capturing the imagination of basketball fans worldwide, it stands to reason that basketball cards of the 1990s are some of the rarest and most valuable additions to any collection. Don't have that kind of cash in your bankroll? 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s 1. In that year, 90 cards were put into the base sets and separated into Rows. Price: $600,000 . Prices for 1990 Skybox Basketball Cards. So, many basketball cards of this decade capture these highlights and are very valuable. In fact, Michael Jordans 1993 Finest Refractor accounts for approximately $178,000 in PSA graded card sales according to PSAs auction price reports. The cards are wrapped in colored foil, which is highly susceptible to chips or wears and tear. And to have any value at all, the cards on this list will need to be graded in PSA 10 gem mint conditionmeaning they're nearly flawless. This authenticates the cards and defines their condition (in a scale of 1 10). There was competition from Skybox and NBA Hoops, but Fleer had really cemented itself in 1986. The card was sold at a Goldin auction for $206,400. Whether youre, Read More 15 Most Valuable Michael Jordan Cards (1997 Psa 7 Was Sold For Over $1.4 Million In February 2021)Continue, Collecting sports cards continues to be an enjoyable hobby among enthusiastic collectors. Upper Deck introduced its inaugural basketball set, and Skybox came out with another great design in 1991. The most expensive trading card in the world sold to date is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Card (PSA 9) which sold for $5.2 Million and the 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Superfractor Mike Trout Auto RC. 1986-87 Fleer Clyde Drexler RC #26 Buy on eBay. Your basketball cards can be worth anything from a few hundred dollars to millions of dollars. With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. A few important parameters for our list before we get started: After a terrific collegiate career at Duke, Grant Hill was the No. Read our methodology . The card produced by Topps is graded as a PSA 10, meaning it is in pristine condition, making it highly collectible. This authentic stamp of the biggest name of the game raises the value of the card. He wrapped up his 21-year career in the top 25 all-time in points (26,071, 21st), rebounds (14,662, 10th), steals (1,859, 19th) and blocks (2,037, 20th), and he was one of the most popular players in the sport throughout his run in the league. The card pictures Shaq donning his no. Also, I will NOT be using insert set values only the values of base sets.