Everyone likes to talk about the physicality of the game, as well as the dominance of a certain Chicago Bulls team led by. 1990 Hoops #279 Shawn Kemp Rookie Card. This Kobe Rookie card produced in 1996-1997 is considered extremely rare. A Michael Jordan rookie basketball card can be worth a few thousand or a few hundred thousand depending on the set and grade. And in this guide, we look at the 11 most valuable the set has to offer. The card comes from a 1997 set containing 123 cards. As you can see, even the most valuable cards in this set don't pack a great deal of value these days. The guy could absolutely jump through the roof and his vertical leaping ability is on full display on his 1990 Fleer card. Thats none other than the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. MJ is shown stretching to execute a one-handed dunk in front of a superimposed picture of his head where he is looking into the distance. Total Rookie Cards: 15 5. The First MJ card to make the list is his Finest Refractor from 1993. I will be using total PSA graded card sales to determine values. After grading, the card is encapsulated in a tamper-free casing with the grade and certification number displayed. What makes this card so expensive, given the range of premium MJ cards weve seen over the years? The picture has MJ executing a no-look pass, in a black background that blur everything else to highlight the phenom. To put it simply, Payton was one of the most complete guards in the history of the game and his 1990 Hoops rookie card is must-have for basketball card collectors. For example, a 1/1 card shows that it is the only one that exists and will be very valuable. If your card is graded highly by one of these companies, its likely to be worth a decent amount of money. 4 pick Stephon Marbury on draft night. (Especially considering his untimely death following a helicopter crash in January 2020.). The Jordan name is one reason why the card makes the list, but he also wore the jersey in question during the 1992-93 NBA All-Star game. Rather, the very valuable ones are rookie cards that feature stars of the game like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, and Allen Iverson. The card is graded by Beckett as 10 Pristine making it very rare and collectible. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. It is the same thing with basketball cards. The card is a redemption card, only available by mail. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? I've been looking forward to covering this set as today we'll look at the 15 highest selling psa graded basketball cards from the inaugural 1990 Skybox setFe. All the big names you would expect, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, etc, but some. This Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 1 Kobe Bryant is an excellent Rookie card. This is because it is a 1/1 autographed card. The crazy electric style background is one of the main reasons why its so hard to find a decent copy of this card, as it tends to show any chipping or damage straight away. Speaking of Magic Johnson, Fleer did a fantastic job of capturing him in action on this card not so much because of what is going on but what you could imagine might be underway. Weve put together a list with 10 of the most expensive 90s basketball cards (i.e. This is another special and rare autographed Michael Jordan basketball card. How do I know if my cards are genuine? The game is regarded as iconic as it was the last game played by both Hall of Famer James Worthy and fellow Laker Magic Johnson. They also had a low print run in comparison to other sets from the time, with just 100 cards overall. 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10 $500,000, 3. With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. Prices for 1990 Skybox Basketball Cards. When it comes to the world of sports cards, basketball cards are some of the most sought-after and valuable. The Honus Wagner T206 baseball card is considered the rarest card and would most likely break the record for the most expensive card if sold today. 1993-94 Finest Chris Webber RC #212 Buy on eBay. He possessed incredible shoot ability for a power forward but was also known as a big-time rebounder who could take the ball coast to coast. This is a very interesting and valuable basketball card. One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. It is also very rare. 1996 Kobe Bryant Flair Showcase Legacy Row 0 #10 SHOP NOW With famous players renowned for their playing skills still capturing the imagination of collectors, it stands to reason that the best players are worth more money. If you are hunting for these cards on eBay, be sure to check the image carefully. After two seasons as a backup with the Phoenix Suns, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks where he teamed with Dirk Nowitzki for six seasons before returning to the Suns. So, when gunning for rookie cards, they should be cards of players that went on to achieve great success in the game. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, ahead of UMass center Marcus Camby. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Skybox listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. These are 16 of the most valuable cards currently valued or recently sold at auction. 6 pick Robert "Tractor" Traylor in one of the most lopsided draft-night deals in league history. The card features Jordan soaring into the air with an outstretched arm, a position that became a trademark of Jordans playing style. That's an ROI 6,505.37% over a 12-year period," says Chris McGill of the House of Jordans podcast. 15 (tie). Row 2, the base set, is known as Style. The next batch of cards goes by Row 1 or Grace. Row 0, the rarest cards in the base set, is called Showcase., Youll be able to tell the difference by checking out the image on the front, as each Row has a different pair of pictures. 1997 Shaquille O'Neal Metal Universe Platinum Portraits #4 Buy on eBay The 1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe Basketball set is best known for the rare Precious Metal Gems cards, which do make an appearance below. The 1990s saw a rise in basketball card brand diversity. 1997 SPx Gold Die-Cut Michael Jordan #5 Signed PSA 10 $59,999, 10. However, they were creating solid value through their base designs and high-end value through scarcity with their refractor parallels. This is because it is the big mans first trading card. Michael Jordan 1997/98 Metal Universe "Precious Metal Gems" - other than the Jordan rookie card, these may be the holy grail of Jordan collectors, and of basketball cards in general. 19 pick Pat Garrity for No. 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. SGC vs. BGS vs. PSA Grading: Who Is Best in 2023? It last sold in 2019 for $350,100. 1990 Fleer #6 Dominique Wilkins Estimated PSA 10 Value: $40 1990 Fleer #30 Scottie Pippen Estimated PSA 10 Value: $35 Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan formed the greatest basketball duo that we'll likely ever see. The decade was highlighted by Jordans dominance, and the emergence of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan. 1996 was truly a historic year in the hobby. In summary, if you're looking for a basketball card set with a lot of star power that you can acquire cheaply then this is one for you. Other things that make a card valuable are autographs and patches. This was a decade that saw one of the most revered players of the game make his debut. Inserted 1:288 packs, the cards are rare. One of the game's best point guards, Thomas was named one of the league's 50 top players. It has a picture of the phenom in game action, as well as a smiling MJ in the background. (Youll be able to tell, as the back notes where the swatch is from.). Card number 48 served as a checklist for those cards, with Michael Jordan shown on the front going up for the score. Fleer remains at the top for overall PSA graded card sales for 1991 basketball card brands, but the competition began ramping up. For my one year anniversary here on YouTube, I am updating and relaunching my most popular video. 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC $500,000, 4. The 1997 PMG cards are one of the most exciting base sets of the decade and come with a couple of expensive parallels to pick from. T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson. It's a perforated card, with untouched versions of the trio being the most valuable overall. It includes a lot of minor players that you may not have heard the name of before. In fact, Michael Jordans 1993 Finest Refractor accounts for approximately $178,000 in PSA graded card sales according to PSAs auction price reports. 9. His rookie cards dramatically increased the value of all card brands. The card features AI in his Sixers no. 1990 Hoops #5 Michael Jordan All-Star. Topps Chrome continued into 1998 with another highly collectible set of cards. His pro transition was as smooth as any in recent memory, as he averaged 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks while earning a spot in the All-Star Game as a rookie. Read our methodology . The bottom of the card is personally autographed by Shaq in white pen, with the number #32 handwritten next to it. Alonzo Mourning, Christian Laettner, and Robert Horry are other notable rookies from this year. 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. 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille O'Neal Auto RC $500,000 4. Card collectors really value the shiny finish. This non-perforated card had only 1,200 print runs making it a very rare Shaqs card. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jerseys In some basketball packs today a jersey card is guaranteed. Big Shaq is another player of the game whose cards command huge fees. Michael Jordan, now retired, helped the Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA championship with his final shot as a bull. 1990 Fleer is the most valuable basketball card brand to start the decade, 1996 Topps Chrome becomes the most valuable brand of the 90s, 1999 Topps Chrome is the final most valuable basketball brand of the decade. Allen was part of a loaded rookie class that was headlined by Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, and while he wasn't the chase card in the 1996-97 Topps Chrome set, his rookie card is a solid consolation prize to anyone who missed out on pulling one of those cards. There are a lot of grading companies. The card also has Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers Guard printed in blue on the bottom. 1990 Upper . Topps was certainly not trying to achieve anything flashy with their design, unlike its earlier Finest sets. Whilst some fans enjoy watching, Read More 11 Most Valuable Tom Brady Rookie Cards (Costs Upto $3M+)Continue, If youre a fan of basketball then you know who Shaquille ONeal is. This card perfectly captures Robinson throwing down one of his two-handed slams, almost making it look easy. The lightning quick move allowed Hardaway to create just enough separation against opposing defenders to turn him into an elite scorer and passer. 2 spot in these rankings. These include: 97 UD Michael Jordan auto patch #GJ13 BSA 10, 96 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10, 92 Classic DP Shaq ONeal auto RC PSA 10, and 97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson #171 RC BGS 10. In that year, 90 cards were put into the base sets and separated into Rows. They included a "Trade Upper Deck" card that could be sent to Upper Deck along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope in exchange for a special card of the No. The card is one of the first from the metal gems collection, issued alongside the sets base cards. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. Also, I will NOT be using insert set values only the values of base sets. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above made the cards resemble the blade of a buzz saw. This card is 1 of only 2 graded as authentic, making it very rare and valuable. Contact him at [emailprotected]. The 1990s started out with Fleer being the top brand in the basketball card world, and ended with Topps. The odds of pulling one of these cards are thought to be 1/5000 packs, making them extremely rare. While it's impossible to say for sure (as those arguments go), there is no question that Olajuwon was an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball. (For example, the Row 0 version features a hilarious image of Kobe watching himself dribble.). How Much Should You Invest Annually In Sports Card. The card features Kobe, again in a yellow Lakers jersey, looking to shoot the ball whilst being guarded. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. However, with so many basketball cards printed every year, a whole decade will have an ocean of cards, with a wide range of value. The bold blue autograph is perfectly placed on the card. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. The card is personally autographed by Jordan in a thin blue pen with the serial number 8/23 also handwritten. Barkley's 1990 Fleer issue was one of the few cards to picture him with any amount of hair whatsoever. Michael Jordan Cards), with lots of info about each one, including how and why they cost so much. This is one that that makes this MJ SP Authentic #M4 card very valuable. Its currently listed on eBay for $250,000. 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. You can still find hobby boxes from all these brands and years on eBay. The card was released in 1990, two years before his rookie cards. It didn't take long for him to develop into the face of the Timberwolves franchise. In this guide, Ill take you through the most valuable 1990s basketball cards, looking at their values and what makes them so rare. SHOP OUR MOST EXPENSIVE BASKETBALL CARDS FROM THE 1990s, 10 Most Expensive Basketball Cards from the 90s. He was then traded along with No. The card pictures Shaq donning his no. Also Read:15 Most Valuable Michael Jordan Cards (1997 Psa 7 Was Sold For Over $1.4 Million In February 2021), (Sold December 2020 by Heritage Auctions). Impressively, it is in mint condition. The Kentucky Big Blue Shaquille ONeal Non-Perforated card features Shaq in an LSU jersey, in the center position during a game. Just twenty-three examples of this particular card were autographed, making them far rarer than the unsigned editions. However, by 1990, the basketball card hobby was clearly back on the map as kids everywhere were ripping through packs in hopes of pulling a Michael Jordan. The SPx Die-Cut Gold MJ #5 card is not like the regular rectangular cards. It doesnt matter that the height of their careers was after the 1990s. Upper Deck has emerged over time as the most valuable base rookie card (not including inserts) for ONeal, with PSA 10s reaching over $3,000 in mid-2020. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. As a high-gloss, chrome card, its very susceptible to surface scratching and wearing, which is another reason why gem mint copies are valued so high compared to the norm. The Super Signatures Gold Michael Jordan card is another example from the Upper Deck collection. This 1992 Classic DP Shaquille ONeal card is one of the most valuable of them all. An MJ hand-numbered /23 card shows that only 23 of its kind exists, and will be very valuable. The card has a bold blue signature of MJ over it. Worse decade of basketball? The rise in young basketball talent grew the fanbase in recent years. Yet another Jordan card to make the list, his 1998 SP Authentic Sign of Times is a tiered release. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. The card was sold at a Goldin auction for $206,400. Some of the best players in the 1990s include: (This is by no means a complete list of the best players from the 90s). With many new fans and demand outgrowing supply, the price of basketball cards increased. That's what happens when Michael Jordan is playing in the league during your prime years. The picture is the Black Mamba himself executing some sort of over the back slam dunk, and it is framed by a gold edge. An on-card auto is one of the main reasons why it makes the list. As well as MJ, they secured rookie cards for the likes of Kobe Bryant, , the base set, is known as Style. The next batch of cards goes by, , the rarest cards in the base set, is called Showcase., The rarity of the Row 0 ensures that it makes the, What makes this card so expensive, given the range of premium, 2020 Zion Williamson Panini Blockchain Zion Williamson Rui RC (sold for $19,978), 2020 LeBron James Dowtown One and One ($6,100 not graded), expensive basketball cards from the 1990s, list of expensive 1990s basketball cards, Mike Trout Rookie Card Best 10 Cards, Values, Investment Outlook, 9 Most Expensive Pokemon Cards of All-Time (2021), 3 Best 2015 Topps Update Rookie Cards To Consider, 10 Best 2023 Topps Series 1 Variations Baseball Cards To Buy, 10 Best 1989 Topps Baseball Cards To Buy Plus Error List, 2022 Topps Heritage Baseball Most Valuable Cards and Checklist, These 10 GOATS Rookie Cards Will Outperform Stocks Over Next 10 Years, Gold Card Auctions | Sports Card Investing. Today we'll be looking at the 20 highest selling PSA graded. The card sold at auction in February 2021 for $480,000. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? With 5.2 seconds left on the clock, MJ released that 17-footer that helped the Bulls win their 6th NBA championship in the 90s. It is literally one of its kind. (However, most signatures are aftermarket examples. Today we'll take a look at the 20 highest selling PSA graded basketball cards from the 1990 Fleer Basketball Set.Background track credit: https://artist.land. This card is produced with a red foil background, making it not as rare as the green Metal gems card in the number 4 spot. The card is graded as a PSA 7 with the autograph graded as an 8. The limited edition card has the serial number 19/40 stamped through the material. The colors and the edging make it susceptible to chips and wear, which is another reason why its valued highly. It sold at a Heritage Auction in November 2021 for $132,000. The card features the big man in his LSU days hanging on the rim after a powerful dunk. It has the perfect 10 PSA grade. 5 pick out of Farragut Career Academy in Chicago. 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 former MVP and 11-time All-Star was arguably one of the most deserving players who never did quite when an NBA title. 1990 Hoops #382 Michael Jordan's Playground Estimated PSA 10 Value: $125 . The image features Jordan with the ball in his hands, barking orders at his teammates while hes in his iconic Red Bulls jersey. Coming in second place is the Kobe Bryant Chrome Refractor Rookie card. Being a pristine example of this card, it sold at auction in March 2021 for $1,752,000. This set is nothing flashy but there is lots of solid value throughout. 1. This is also a somewhat historic year for Jordan himself, as it was the year of his first NBA Championship and NBA Finals MVP. Refractor parallels were released in a ratio of 1:12. Pippen's cards have also taken off since "The Last Dance" documentary went on air. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! It features the Black Mamba bouncing the ball and most probably already eyeing the backboard. With basketball cards capturing the best highlights of the game and its players, the cards of 1990s are some of the most memorable, which makes them some of the most valuable. Given his height, almost every Shaq RC features him soaring towards the backboard, and this card is no different. With only 31 of these cards presented to Beckett for grading, this makes it highly desirable. Perhaps due to a lack of abundant standout rookies and it being the third year of Finest, overall PSA graded sales of this set are lower than the two previous years. This makes Big Shaq cards very valuable. Some of the things considered are: centering of the card, printing errors, and evidence of wear. Also, it is one of the five that have managed to earn the prestigious PSA 10 points grade. I'd like to think he's in the middle of going across the lane for one of his signature "baby sky hook" shots that were nearly impossible to defend. 1990 Hoops #39 Larry Bird Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100 . With the majority being torn away, it's rare to find mint copies on the market. Gary Payton was included in the release of 1990 Fleer Update. Given the deep background, any flaw is readily apparent, so high grades are costly to buy. 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. Selling in auction sites some of these sites include eBid, Selling in online market places these include eBay and Craiglist. Rookie cards are produced when a player is just starting out and therefore made in limited quantities. Here is a selection of the most popular sites: Basketball cards from the 1990s are some of the rarest and highly sought-after sports cards around today. 3 jersey letting out a celebratory shout, with his teammates around. Also Read: 12 Most Valuable LeBron James Rookie Cards (2003-04 Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel #78 Sold for $5,200,000), If youre going through your old sports trading cards at home, you might be sitting on a, Read More 15 Most Valuable Bo Jackson Cards (1986 Topps Traded Tiffany #50T Bo Jackson Was Sold For $12,300)Continue, Whilst Michael Jordans playing days are finished, his collectable cards are continuing to break records. The 1990s saw a host of famous players make their debuts and play in their rookie years making the cards very valuable to collectors.