Also, I will NOT be using insert set values only the values of base sets. Still, his status as one of the most dynamic stars of the 1990s has helped him maintain some enduring hobby popularity, and the 1994-95 Finest is his most sought-after rookie card. This basketball card has surged in value since that tragic passing of Kobe. 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. His incredible floor vision, court awareness and overall basketball wizardry allowed him to make some of the most thrilling plays. Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets, Most Valuable List, Best '90s NBA Cards Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? Card number 48 served as a checklist for those cards, with Michael Jordan shown on the front going up for the score. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. Many players regarded as the greatest of all time played in this era and still capture the imagination of sports collectors today. An on-card auto is one of the main reasons why it makes the list. 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. Michael Jordan being in his later years, removed from the Chicago Bulls was also a contributing factor. It is in mint condition, graded PSA 10. Most companies simply waited to include him in their sets until they released Series 2 of their checklist, but Upper Deck took a different approach. 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. (For example, the Row 0 version features a hilarious image of Kobe watching himself dribble.). The 10 Most Valuable '90s Baseball Cards That Might Be - TheRichest 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. His Finest rookie card is his most valuable by a wide margin, and it stands as one of the iconic cards of the decade. 9. Weve combed through recent auction data to bring you a list of ten of the most expensive basketball cards from the 1990s. Topps Chrome continued into 1998 with another highly collectible set of cards. The 1997-98 Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Card #81 was sold recently in a private sale for $2,000,000, making it the most valuable 1990s basketball card to date. It's a novel card and extremely rare so it has a decent value. All card images courtesy of TCDB, while pricing data is pulled from recent eBay sales as of Tuesday morning. The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant who unfortunately recently passed away, made his debut. ), The 1982 Penny Value Chart (Most Valuable Penny Sold for $18,800), Most Valuable Antique and Vintage Vases: Identifying, Valuing and Buying (2023 Updated), A Detailed Outlook on the 2000 Sacagawea Dollar Value, Antique Floor Lamp: Identification, Valuation, And Buying Guide (2023 Updated), Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems #81, 1997 Michael Jordan Upper Deck Game Jersey (Autograph) #GJ13S, Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC, Upper Deck Ovation Super Signatures Gold Michael Jordan #MJS, Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant Rookie #269, 1998 Michael Jordan Skybox Moltern Metal #41, E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant Rookie #30, Finest Kobe Bryant Refractor W/Coating #269, Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 1 Kobe Bryant Rookie #31, Upper Deck Michael Jordan (Game Jersey Autographs) #GJ10A, Auction (Popular high-end auction sites such as. The Bulls logo, red-colored key nameplate at the bottom and Pippen's bright red jersey really make this card pop to give it strong eye appeal. 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. The card features Shaq as a rookie in an LSU jersey hanging from the rim with both legs in the air after a trademark dunk. Stats via Basketball Reference. And Bo continues to stir the imagination of fans and collectors nearly three decades after his careers in the NFL and Major League Baseball ended. This mint-condition autographed card is selling for $3,500, making it one of the most valuable baseball cards from the '90s. Not only was it the rookie year of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, Topps Chrome was released. This s because grading officially authenticates the card and establishes its quality/ condition. What makes this card so expensive, given the range of premium MJ cards weve seen over the years? Noteworthy rookies of the 1994 season included Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. Iverson averaged 23.5 points and 7.5 assists per game for a 22-win Philadelphia 76ers team as a rookie, and two years later he had them in the postseason. The Sign of the Times inserts which were all die-cut autos, issued in Bronze, Silver, and Gold versions. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. How Much Should You Invest Annually In Sports Card. And since the debut of "The Last Dance" documentary, all of his cards have soared in value. The credentials set was made by the company Panini, known as the biggest competition for the Topps trading card brand. This Skybox Z-Force Strike Force Michael Jordan card is one. 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. Whilst he didnt win any NBA championships, he was an 11-time NBA All-star and won multiple MVP awards. That is why its worth reaches the six-figure mark. 6 pick Robert "Tractor" Traylor in one of the most lopsided draft-night deals in league history. 1996 Fleer Metal Universe Kobe Bryant #181 Error Card $48,000, 9. You can still find hobby boxes from all these brands and years on eBay. 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. Selling directly to collectors an example is Deanscard.com. The former MVP and 11-time All-Star was arguably one of the most deserving players who never did quite when an NBA title. It's a perforated card, with untouched versions of the trio being the most valuable overall. Getting your basketball card graded is simple as submitting your card to the company. The First MJ card to make the list is his Finest Refractor from 1993. The picture is the Black Mamba himself executing some sort of over the back slam dunk, and it is framed by a gold edge. Top 10 Baseball Cards of 1990 That Made History & Shaped a Generation The 1990s is a storied decade in the game of basketball. The renewed attention led to increased numbers of collectors and investors taking an interest in cards from the era, and now theyre some of the most valuable options that money can buy. It has a picture of the phenom in game action, as well as a smiling MJ in the background. 1990 Hoops #382 Michael Jordan's Playground Estimated PSA 10 Value: $125 . It has the perfect 10 PSA grade. 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. 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 bold blue autograph is perfectly placed on the card. As you can see, even the most valuable cards in this set don't pack a great deal of value these days. The card is graded by Beckett as 10 Pristine making it very rare and collectible. 15 Most Valuable Basketball Cards 1990s (Round-up list) Since refractors are just parallel designs of the base set, I dont consider them a completely separate insert set, but it should be noted that refractors add a huge amount of value overall to PSA graded sales history. Thus, cards that are worth money are those graded as mint by trusted grading companies like PSA and BSG. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. It features Kobe in a yellow Lakers Jersey dunking the ball from behind his back framed in gold trim. 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. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, ahead of UMass center Marcus Camby. Just like the health of a company affect its stock, how much a player goes on to achieve affects the value of his rookie cards. He and the Bulls also dropped the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 to pick up his first NBA title after struggling for years to get past the Detroit Pistons and into the finals. This decade also saw one of the most iconic moments of the game: Michael Jordans final shot as a Bull. Given his height, almost every Shaq RC features him soaring towards the backboard, and this card is no different. The card is graded as a PSA 10 and numbered 33/2500. Fleer started out the decade where it left off in the late 80s as the most valuable basketball card brand in the business, despite much of these years being described as junk wax. Barkley's 1990 Fleer issue was one of the few cards to picture him with any amount of hair whatsoever. It was released in 1990, two years before his rookies. 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. So, this basketball card has some sort of historical significance. 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. 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. With only 31 of these cards presented to Beckett for grading, this makes it highly desirable. Founded in 1993, Flair produced high-end trading cards before changing direction in 2006. 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. Thats none other than the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. Dimensions: 1-1/2 x 2-5/8. Michael Jordan Cards), with lots of info about each one, including how and why they cost so much. Impressively, it is in mint condition. susceptible to surface scratching and wearing, which is another reason why gem mint copies are valued so high compared to the norm. As you might expect, the list is dominated by a few major players from the era, (cough, Michael Jordan) but there are a couple of cards that may have gone under your radar. This 1998 Michael Jordan Skybox Molten Metal card truly is unique and special. This UD Ovation Super Signature Jordan #MJS card is one of the most beautiful basketball cards youll find. This card perfectly captures Robinson throwing down one of his two-handed slams, almost making it look easy. All the big names you would expect, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, etc, but some. The lightning quick move allowed Hardaway to create just enough separation against opposing defenders to turn him into an elite scorer and passer. Top 1980s Basketball Rookie Cards Ranked List, Most Valuable Guide Read our methodology . 1990 Skybox card list & price guide. How do I know if my cards are genuine? Price: $600,000 . They also had a low print run in comparison to other sets from the time, with just 100 cards overall. Fleer remains at the top for overall PSA graded card sales for 1991 basketball card brands, but the competition began ramping up. \What was your favorite decade of basketball? One of the things that always sticks out in my memory was how Divac was able to play at such a high level while being a heavy cigarette smoker. 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille O'Neal Auto RC $500,000 4. 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC $500,000, 4. Some of the most valuable cards produced are limited editions featuring historical players in their rookie years. However, lots of brands contributed lots of brand diversitry to the hobby during the decade, including Upper Deck, SP, Hoops, Bowmans Best, and Collectors Choice. 20 Most Valuable 1991 Upper Deck Basketball Cards 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. This 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson card is a rare example of the player known as the Answer. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. Estimated PSA 10 Value: $85. Coming in second place is the Kobe Bryant Chrome Refractor Rookie card. It features a bold Kobe dribbling the ball in a Lakers jersey with the background featuring his face looking on. 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. 1996 was truly a historic year in the hobby. Bryants card is one of 90 in the base set, while each has a further three tiers or Rows. A high school phenom playing in one of the sport's biggest markets, Bryant was compared to Michael Jordan from the start of his pro career. He was a model of consistency in the middle of the San Antonio Spurs roster for 19 seasons, finishing his career 18th all-time in points (26,496) and seventh all-time in rebounds (15,091). A two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year who helped lead No. (However, most signatures are aftermarket examples. The deep-etched image sees Jordan leaping through the air, with purple lightning exploding across the background, lighting up the night sky. Upper Deck introduced its inaugural basketball set, and Skybox came out with another great design in 1991. 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. It being the only card in its set to be so autographed takes it from special to super special. This MJ autographed /23 card is also is very good condition. In fact, Michael Jordans 1993 Finest Refractor accounts for approximately $178,000 in PSA graded card sales according to PSAs auction price reports. 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. It is in the best condition possible. The 7-footer spent his entire 21-year career in a Dallas Mavericks uniform, finishing as a 14-time All-Star who currently sits sixth on the all-time scoring list with 31,560 points. 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 this second-year card was also hot at the time Because of his dominating play at Annapolis, there was so much hype surrounding the legendary big man upon entering the NBA. This means it has sharp corners, full original gloss, and a perfectly centered card image. 1990 Hoops Card Prices | PSA & Ungraded Values - SportsCardsPro 1990 Hoops #391 Gary Payton Rookie Card. As well as a signature on some versions, the card has a piece of game floor attached, with the location and game noted on the front of the card. 1990 Upper . 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 is a very interesting and valuable basketball card. The odds of pulling it from a pack is 1 in 55,000 packs. He averaged 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists to win co-Rookie of the Year honors alongside Jason Kidd, and Hill quickly developed into a perennial All-Star from there. Still, Jordan and Garnett cards, particularly their refractors, can fetch some top sales at auctions. 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. It was released in 1997, which is a memorable year for AI and collectors of AIs cards. The total PSA graded sales of this set is staggering almost $2.7 million as of August 2020. He and Bird share a rookie card that has rightfully earned its place as one of the hobby's most expensive basketball cards of all-time. Sports Cards: 10 Most Valuable Baseball Rookie Cards of the 1990s This is because it is the big mans first trading card. 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. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan formed the greatest basketball duo that we'll likely ever see. That's an ROI 6,505.37% over a 12-year period," says Chris McGill of the House of Jordans podcast. What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. The basketball cards that are worth the most are rare rookie patch autos (RPA) of star players in mint condition. We purchase sports cards as an alternative investment to stocks, bonds, and real estate. A Michael Jordan rookie basketball card can be worth a few thousand or a few hundred thousand depending on the set and grade. 11 Most Valuable 1989 NBA Hoops Cards - Old Sports Cards 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. This is one that that makes this MJ SP Authentic #M4 card very valuable. Weve put together a list with 10 of the most expensive 90s basketball cards (i.e. Topps Finest continued to be the most sought after set of the mid-90s, this time with a more basic design. Also, it is one of the five that have managed to earn the prestigious PSA 10 points grade. The lightning is made of foil which helps to make Jordan appear to jump out of the card, but it means that the card is in danger of chipping, both on the front and the back. When it comes to the world of sports cards, basketball cards are some of the most sought-after and valuable. In the sports card hobby, rookies are king which is the biggest contributing factor to the lower value of this year. A passing of the torch from the MJ years, Kobes RCs are clearly some of the most popular youll find at auction today. 1990 Hoops #65 Michael Jordan. 25 Most Valuable 1990 NBA Hoops Cards. Finest did begin adding a protective coating to peel and remove to their cards in order to prevent sticking and chipping off of the highly glossy, chrome-like surface. Like over $100,000 big. Like Jordan, Pippen could score, rebound, pass and play lockdown defense. Being a rookie card of big Shaq make this card special. Rather one side is shaped like a less-curvy S, while the other is shaped like an X. The 20 Most Valuable Basketball Rookie Cards of the 1990s 1990 Hoops #205 Mark Jackson. This 1996-96 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant Rookie card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey with the ball looking to turn quickly. These are usually worth from a few hundred dollars to up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. 12 Most Valuable LeBron James Rookie Cards (2003-04 Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel #78 Sold for $5,200,000), 10 Most Valuable Lefton China Pieces (Rarest Sold For $1,295), Antique Cast Iron Stoves Value (Rarest & Most Valuable is Selling for $24,500), 1920 Singer Sewing Machine Value (Rarest Sold For $3,000), Most Valuable 1934 20 Dollar Bill (Rarest Sold For $40,800), 4 Most Valuable Antique Typewriter (Rarest Sold For $110,059), Antique Ruby Rings Value (Rarest & Most Valuable Sold For $2.6 Million), Antique Cast Iron Toy Value (Rarest & Most Valuable Sold For $13,500), Top 10 Antique Stores in Connecticut [Update 2023], THE 10 BEST Pennsylvania Antique Stores (with Photos), 10 Best Antiques Near Me in Fort Worth, TX, The 13 Most Valuable Disney Pins (Rarest Sold For $10,000), Most Valuable Rare Hummel Figurines (Rarest Sold For $5000+), 1941 Penny Value Chart (Worth Million Dollars? 1990 Skybox Card Prices | PSA & Ungraded Values - SportsCardsPro When 1996-97 products were first released, Iverson was the rookie card to pull, and his immediate success only further boosted his appeal. The card features MJ soaring into the air with his arm outstretched. Related: Most Valuable Basketball Cards 2020. The first is a Lebron James rookie card that sold for $5.2 million, and the second is a Luka Doncic rookie card that sold for $4.6 million. 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. This chrome approach to card design is one that is continued to this day. Your email address will not be published. Top 1990s Basketball Rookie Cards to Collect Bolded links go directly to detailed player or set profiles. 1 in the 1997 draft. Also, if the card comes with a game-worn patch of the featured players jersey, itll be very valuable. His Topps Chrome rookie is the most valuable of his first-year cards, and while the PSA 9 population is high, a mere 8.4 percent of the 5,299 PSA submissions have come back with a Gem Mint 10 grade. Total Rookie Cards: 15 5. But this particular one is pristine with BGS 10 grade. The company will closely check the card, and give it a grade (out of 10 points).