most valuable basketball cards 1990s most valuable basketball cards 1990s

For my one year anniversary here on YouTube, I am updating and relaunching my most popular video. Anything Michael Jordan and/or Kobe Bryant. Noteworthy rookies of the 1994 season included Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. With a third of the card dedicated to his signature, its one of the best pieces of signed Jordan merchandise youll be able to buy from the 1990s. Decades later, the error products that make it out can become very valuable. It features MJ in pinpoint-sized, die cuts making a shadow illustration on half of the card. 6 pick Robert "Tractor" Traylor in one of the most lopsided draft-night deals in league history. Despite the lack of an autograph, its a solid piece of Jordan merch which is sure to retain value in the next decade or so. 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. As if that is not enough, the card is hand-signed by Michael Jordan himself. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC BGS 10 $250,000 15 (tie). Regarded as one of the greatest basketball players and centers of all time, Shaquille ONeal received 4 NBA Championship titles and multiple MVP awards. 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. 1998 introduced Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce as rookies in the NBA. susceptible to surface scratching and wearing, which is another reason why gem mint copies are valued so high compared to the norm. 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s 1. 1990 Hoops #391 Gary Payton Rookie Card. The card pictures Shaq donning his no. In fact, Michael Jordans 1993 Finest Refractor accounts for approximately $178,000 in PSA graded card sales according to PSAs auction price reports. Being a gold refactor, this basketball card is visually appealing. 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. Ahead, we've taken a closer look at the 10 most valuable rookie cards of the 1990s. 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. 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. The sport was on the road to recovery following a lack of interest worldwide, helped by Jordan, Weve put together a list with 10 of the most expensive 90s, Weve combed through recent auction data to bring you a list of ten of the most, modern-day big man, its no surprise to see one of, Classic Games were a pre-rookie/prospect card company that managed to get the temporary exclusive rights to produce Shaq cards during his time at, Many of the cards were hand-signed by the man himself, making it one of the very first pieces of, As with the majority of rare Jordan cards from the era, its tough to locate in high-grade and is also extremely popular among collectors and investors following the release of. Apart from being a piece of history, this is one very rare card. When 1996-97 products were first released, Iverson was the rookie card to pull, and his immediate success only further boosted his appeal. 1990 Skybox card list & price guide. The T210 Old Mill deck is one of the most varied. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. The card is graded as a Beckett 10, with only the card surface receiving a 9.5. The decade started out with mainly Fleer, Skybox, and NBA Hoops. We've listed the cards in order, starting with a great option from the late 1990s. 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. Founded in 1993, Flair produced high-end trading cards before changing direction in 2006. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. He was then traded along with No. Only 100 of these cards were produced, with 90 of them having a red foil background. The card sold at auction in February 2021 for $1,440,000. The basketball cards that are worth the most are rare rookie patch autos (RPA) of star players in mint condition. What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. This is another special and rare autographed Michael Jordan basketball card. Hes set on a beautiful background that features a brown oval shape giving off bright colours. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, which of course, was O'Neal.". 12. This Row 1 card is graded by Beckett as a 9.5 and was sold at a Goldin auction for $136,530. Total Rookie Cards: 15 5. The Kobe version also features a basketball and a look of concentration on the face of the Lakers star. 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. 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. Overall, the checklist contained 198 cards in total that, if nothing else, captured some of the greatest players of all-time with exciting imagery. It is literally one of its kind. 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 cards are wrapped in colored foil, which is highly susceptible to chips or wears and tear. 1990 Hoops #205 Mark Jackson. Impressively, it is in mint condition. 1986-87 Fleer Clyde Drexler RC #26 Buy on eBay. 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. Getting your basketball card graded is simple as submitting your card to the company. 1998-99 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Living Legend - [Base] #147. 1. Card collectors really value the shiny finish. Thats none other than the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. Rookie cards are always regarded as more valuable, especially if they feature well-known athletes. The 1990s defined the game of basketball. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Skybox Basketball Cards. Released in the same year, the Ultra Scoring Kings is one of the most iconic MJ cards that money can buy. The SPx Die-Cut Gold MJ #5 card is not like the regular rectangular cards. The gold-colored card also shows Michael in a red Chicago Bulls jersey performing a jump shot. 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. For years during the 1980s, there were hardly any basketball cards to collect whatsoever Topps bowed out of the hobby after 1981, Star released a few sets later on and Fleer didn't join the market until 1986. 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. Thus, cards that are worth money are those graded as mint by trusted grading companies like PSA and BSG. Pippen's cards have also taken off since "The Last Dance" documentary went on air. Selling in auction sites some of these sites include eBid, Selling in online market places these include eBay and Craiglist. 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. 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 features Shaq as a rookie in an LSU jersey hanging from the rim with both legs in the air after a trademark dunk. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jerseys In some basketball packs today a jersey card is guaranteed. It is in mint condition, graded PSA 10. He debuted in that year and also went on to win rookie of the year. (Youll be able to tell, as the back notes where the swatch is from.). Like Jordan, Pippen could score, rebound, pass and play lockdown defense. Refractor cards were randomly inserted into hobby boxes and retail packs, and carry enormous value in the marketplace. 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. The card comes from the Metal Universe set, with cards featuring other popular players also highly sought after. It is graded 9.5 by Beckett (BAS). One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. Related: Most Valuable Basketball Cards 2020. Isiah Thomas was the leader of the Detroit Pistons squads that won back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. Hes in his Orlando Magic jersey, as he was their number one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. 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. Another card that makes it into our list is this SP Authentic Michael Jordan insert card. Just twenty-three examples of this particular card were autographed, making them far rarer than the unsigned editions. 10 Basketball Cards Every 90s Kid Should Own. Refractor parallels were released in a ratio of 1:12. The card is personally autographed by Jordan in a thin blue pen with the serial number 8/23 also handwritten. This basketball card has surged in value since that tragic passing of Kobe. 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. Everyone likes to talk about the physicality of the game, as well as the dominance of a certain Chicago Bulls team led by Michael Jordan, but its not just nostalgia talking. 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. The card sold in February 2022 for $2,000,000 in a private sale making it the most expensive Kobe card sold. 1992 was all about Shaquille ONeal. It's a novel card and extremely rare so it has a decent value. 1997 1998 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 $599,999.99, 2. Somewhat surprisingly, he was elected to only one All-Star game over his career but I guess it makes sense considering Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson routinely represented the Western Conference at center during that time. Ive set aside the top insert sets of the 90s for another article. Its currently listed on eBay for $250,000. The odds of pulling one of these cards are thought to be 1/5000 packs, making them extremely rare. The card is graded as a PSA 7 with the autograph graded as an 8. Kobe was always going to make any list with the most expensive 1990's cards, and the 1996-97 Topps set has one of the strongest rookie classes of all time. 19 pick Pat Garrity for No. What is the most expensive card in the world? Michael Jordan Cards), with lots of info about each one, including how and why they cost so much. An on-card auto is one of the main reasons why it makes the list. 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. Parallels: Red PMG (/90), Green PMG (/10). The second Jordan player patch to make our list, the 1999 UD MJs Final Floor is another great option that celebrates the phenoms career. It features a bold Kobe dribbling the ball in a Lakers jersey with the background featuring his face looking on. Dirk Nowitzki made a name for himself at the 1998 Nike Hoop Summit, and he was drafted out of Germany by the Milwaukee Bucks with the No. Shaqs rookie card + autographed + PSA 10 = very valuable. Prices for 1990 Hoops Basketball Cards. It has the perfect 10 PSA grade. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. 1997 was another strong year for rookies, with all-time great Tim Duncan joining the league, along with Chauncey Billips and Tracy McGrady. This was also the year the Lakers began their dominant run in the sport, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille ONeal. 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. 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. He won back-to-back MVP awards during the 2004-05 (15.5 PPG, 11.5 APG, 43.1 3PT%) and 2005-06 (18.8 PPG, 10.5 APG, 43.9 3PT%) seasons, and he currently ranks fourth all-time with 10,335 career assists. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan formed the greatest basketball duo that we'll likely ever see. Everyone likes to talk about the physicality of the game, as well as the dominance of a certain Chicago Bulls team led by. Still, notable rookies included Baron Davis, Richard Hamilton, Steve Francis, Shawn Marion, and Jason Terry. After grading, the card is encapsulated in a tamper-free casing with the grade and certification number displayed. The background is supposed to resemble the popular laser halftime show during the 1992-93 season, and it definitely makes it stand out from the crowd. If your card is Ungraded, consider grading it if it looks to be in good condition and features a well-known athlete. Cards that are rare are generally valuable than those are easy to get. The card was graded as a Beckett 9 and sold at a Goldin auction in March 2021 for $198,030. It last sold in 2019 for $350,100. Finest introduced refractors, which is a coating on a cards surface that creates a rainbow-like shine when reflected by the light. The odds of pulling it from a pack is 1 in 55,000 packs. This means it has sharp corners, full original gloss, and a perfectly centered card image. Sometimes, what makes a collectible very rare and valuable is an error. That's what happens when Michael Jordan is playing in the league during your prime years. So that there are no confusions about the condition of a basketball card, cards are usually officially graded. If you are hunting for these cards on eBay, be sure to check the image carefully. 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. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? Topps Finest continued to be the most sought after set of the mid-90s, this time with a more basic design. The signature of Michael Jordan on a basketball card is enough to make it special. Rather one side is shaped like a less-curvy S, while the other is shaped like an X. 1989 Hoops #21 Michael Jordan All-Star Estimated PSA 10 Value: $90 MVP Karl Malone may have led the West to a 143-134 victory over the East during the 1989 All-Star Game in Houston, but, not surprisingly, Jordan's All-Star card is the most desirable in the set. 1994 was not a particularly exciting year, as Jordan had left to play baseball following his 3rd championship in the 1992-1993 season. According to Upper deck, the odds of pulling a Michael Jordan insert card is 1 in 144. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! The rise in young basketball talent grew the fanbase in recent years. It is the same thing with basketball cards. Like over $100,000 big. The lanky 6'11" forward played sparingly as a rookie, tallying 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game, but his potential was impossible to ignore. This is one of the most valuable basketball cards out there. You may find some other of this card, but finding one in pristine condition is very difficult. SHOP OUR MOST EXPENSIVE BASKETBALL CARDS FROM THE 1990s, 10 Most Expensive Basketball Cards from the 90s. The bold blue autograph is perfectly placed on the card. 1990 Hoops card list & price guide. Michael Jordan being in his later years, removed from the Chicago Bulls was also a contributing factor. You can use serial number or population report to determine cards that are rare. I've always loved the look and feel of this card as it captures Jordan up close doing what he did best: throwing down a slam dunk on a breakaway drive. (However, most signatures are aftermarket examples. 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. The odds reduce to virtually zero if the card is to be in mint condition. The colors and the edging make it susceptible to chips and wear, which is another reason why its valued highly. Being a rookie card with a limited number produced makes it more valuable. First, look to see if the card is graded by Beckett Grading system (BGS) or Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). The card is graded as a PSA 10 and numbered 33/2500. It didn't take long for him to develop into the face of the Timberwolves franchise. Fleer remains at the top for overall PSA graded card sales for 1991 basketball card brands, but the competition began ramping up. Given his height, almost every Shaq RC features him soaring towards the backboard, and this card is no different. It has a picture of the phenom in game action, as well as a smiling MJ in the background. Don't have that kind of cash in your bankroll? 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. Below are some of the most memorable or important single basketball cards, sets and insert sets of the 1990s. 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. Many of the cards were hand-signed by the man himself, making it one of the very first pieces of autographed Shaq memorabilia. When it comes to the world of sports cards, basketball cards are some of the most sought-after and valuable. And he definitely didn't disappointthe 10-time All-Star, 2-time NBA champ and 1-time MVP easily goes down in history as one of the game's greatest centers. Thus, not all rookie cards of the 1990s are worth serious money. The front of the card features an authentic jersey patch from the 1992 All-star game, with Upper Deck starting the basketball Game Jersey cards around the same time this card was produced. Barkley's 1990 Fleer issue was one of the few cards to picture him with any amount of hair whatsoever. Somewhat ironically, Classic doesnt live up to its name as a brand, but its worth making an exception for Shaq. There was competition from Skybox and NBA Hoops, but Fleer had really cemented itself in 1986. 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. 1993-94 Finest Anfernee Hardaway RC #189 Buy on eBay. Topps decided to keep their refractor technology in the Topps Chrome set, while also adding a chrome-like finish to all their base cards. Worse decade of basketball? Many players regarded as the greatest of all time played in this era and still capture the imagination of sports collectors today. (For example, the Row 0 version features a hilarious image of Kobe watching himself dribble.). His rookie cards dramatically increased the value of all card brands. Also, it is one of the five that have managed to earn the prestigious PSA 10 points grade. Regardless, Hardaway goes down in history as a lighting quick player who constantly attacked the bucket, something Fleer captured nicely on his rookie card. Scottie Pippen in the background also adds a nice touch. What is the most expensive basketball card? After draining his sixth three-pointer in just the first half, Jordan headed back on defense and shrugged at the crowd in disbelief himself at the shooting clinic he was unleashing. How much is a Michael Jordan rookie basketball card worth? Card number 48 served as a checklist for those cards, with Michael Jordan shown on the front going up for the score. The card is graded by Beckett as 8. 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. It was released in 1990, two years before his rookies. This MJ autographed /23 card is also is very good condition. The card features the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant in a yellow Lakers jersey dunking the ball from behind his back. The pre-rookie card is 1 of only 1200 and is graded by the PSA as a 10, making it highly desirable and rare. His tenacity and hustle were nearly unmatched. Notable rookies from 1993 include Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber and Toni Kukoc, each of whom have a Topps Finest Refractor rookie card. If you immediately notice the sharp decline in sales from previous years, its mainly because the 1999 NBA draft class did not have many notable hall-of-fame or NBA champion players. The credentials set was made by the company Panini, known as the biggest competition for the Topps trading card brand. He was ultimately overtaken by Kobe Bryant for top rookie card honors in his class, but the market for his cards remains robust, and his Topps Chrome rookie is the cream of the crop. The company will closely check the card, and give it a grade (out of 10 points). Still, Jordan and Garnett cards, particularly their refractors, can fetch some top sales at auctions. Topps Finest remained the top basketball card brand of 1994, and its PSA graded card sales dwarf those of any other brand. If you were to make the argument that Hakeem Olajuwon were the greatest center to ever play in the NBA, you probably wouldn't get too much pushback. 1990 Hoops #382 Michael Jordan's Playground Estimated PSA 10 Value: $125 . MJ has signed the card in blue ink and handwritten the serial number 10/23. This is because it is a 1/1 autographed card. It is also very rare. Stats via Basketball Reference. What makes it so valuable is that it is a rare error card. The bold signature covers the entire bottom part of the card. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. Yet another Jordan card to make the list, his 1998 SP Authentic Sign of Times is a tiered 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. The card comes from a 1997 set containing 123 cards. After averaging 20.4 points per game as a freshman at Georgetown, Allen Iverson racked up 25.0 points, 4.7 assists and 3.4 steals per contest as a sophomore to secure his spot as the No. The card sold at auction in December 2020 for $915,000. Less than 250 of these cards exist. The 1990s saw a host of famous players make their debuts and play in their rookie years making the cards very valuable to collectors. 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. The bottom of the card is personally autographed by Shaq in white pen, with the number #32 handwritten next to it. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. As with the majority of rare Jordan cards from the era, its tough to locate in high-grade and is also extremely popular among collectors and investors following the release of The Last Dance. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. Many people will list a card as a refractor when it is in fact not, because the base 1993 Finest design looks a lot like a refractor to the naked eye. Adding the mystique of being a pre-rookie, it is one very valuable basketball card. This 1997 Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems card is another example from the Metal Universe brand. Prices for 1990 Skybox Basketball Cards. 1990 Hoops #223 Sam Vincent. These are usually worth from a few hundred dollars to up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. That said, his Topps Chrome rookie still carries a high enough price tag to check in No. SP serial numbered their base cards to 3,500 and released a few noteworthy subsets such as this one. 9 pick in that year's draft. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. While his 1992 Bowman rookie is one of the iconic cards of the 1990s, it's actually his 1992 Fleer Update card that earns a spot on this most valuable list. This s because grading officially authenticates the card and establishes its quality/ condition. This Skybox Z-Force Strike Force Michael Jordan card is one. On Fire: Best LaMelo Ball Rookie Cards To Buy Now. Alonzo Mourning, Christian Laettner, and Robert Horry are other notable rookies from this year. This was a decade that saw one of the most revered players of the game make his debut. 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10 $500,000, 3. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. I will be using total PSA graded card sales to determine values. Kobe was always going to make any list with the most expensive 1990s cards, and the 1996-97 Topps set has one of the strongest rookie classes of all time. We purchase sports cards as an alternative investment to stocks, bonds, and real estate. For example, the most expensive basketball cards ever are rookie cards. 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. We wouldn't have really said this a couple years ago. The odds of puling a gold refactor from a pack is 1 in 288 packs. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. This Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson #171 cards is one of the rarest cards of this great basketball players nicknamed the Answer. Generally, basketball cards released during a players rookie year are more valuable than those released afterwards. Theyll always make a list of valuable 90s memorabilia, for a number of reasons which soon become apparent. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. 1990 Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 Non Perforated card $100,000, 8. The decade was highlighted by Jordans dominance, and the emergence of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan.