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. 10 Basketball Cards Every 90s Kid Should Own. In the same vein, those released in the players second year will be more valuable than those released in the third year, and so on. This Kobe rookie is a limited-edition example, numbered 442/449 cards. Although Allen Iverson was one of the smallest players in the league, he became well known for his explosive playing style. When it comes to the world of sports cards, basketball cards are some of the most sought-after and valuable. This Kobe Rookie card produced in 1996-1997 is considered extremely rare. Joe Jackson is one of the renowned names. The limited edition card has the serial number 19/40 stamped through the material. 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. 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. There are other Larry Bird cards worth more than this one but I've always loved the action shot on this card of him shooting a jumper over his career rival, Magic Johnson. Read our methodology . This s because grading officially authenticates the card and establishes its quality/ condition. Big Shaq is another player of the game whose cards command huge fees. Being a rookie card with a limited number produced makes it more valuable. 10 Most Expensive Basketball Cards From The 90s - Gold Card Auctions Stats via Basketball Reference. That is the story of this Metal Basketball Kobe Bryant #181 card. What I wouldnt give to have one of these in my personal collection! Due to poor sales of the. Some of the best players in the 1990s include: (This is by no means a complete list of the best players from the 90s). This is currently listed on eBay for $100,000. A passing of the torch from the MJ years, Kobes RCs are clearly some of the most popular youll find at auction today. Bryants card is one of 90 in the base set, while each has a further three tiers or Rows. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. SP serial numbered their base cards to 3,500 and released a few noteworthy subsets such as this one. So, this basketball card has some sort of historical significance. Prices for 1990 Hoops Basketball Cards. If your card is graded highly by one of these companies, its likely to be worth a decent amount of money. The 1990 -1991 season was as remarkable as any for Jordan individually as he'd lead the league in scoring, be named an All-Star, be selected to the All-NBA and All-Defensive teams as well as being named league MVP. One of the most important factors when determining what a card is worth is its grading. 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10 $500,000 3. It features a bold Kobe dribbling the ball in a Lakers jersey with the background featuring his face looking on. Most Valuable Baseball Cards 1990s - BaseballLoveClub.com Many of the cards were hand-signed by the man himself, making it one of the very first pieces of autographed Shaq memorabilia. The design is clean and features gold trims. 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. You can still find hobby boxes from all these brands and years on eBay. Only 100 of these cards were produced, with 90 of them having a red foil background. It's a novel card and extremely rare so it has a decent value. 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. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. Also Read:11 Most Valuable Shaquille ONeal Rookie Cards (Round-up list). 25 Most Valuable 1990 NBA Hoops Cards - Old Sports Cards Worse decade of basketball? 1990 Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 Non Perforated card $100,000, 8. This card perfectly captures Robinson throwing down one of his two-handed slams, almost making it look easy. This UD Ovation Super Signature Jordan #MJS card is one of the most beautiful basketball cards youll find. It is in mint condition, graded PSA 10. As the modern-day big man, its no surprise to see one of Shaqs rookie cards making the list. How Much Should You Invest Annually In Sports Card. With all collectibles, condition is a big determinant of value. His tenacity and hustle were nearly unmatched. (Especially considering his untimely death following a helicopter crash in January 2020.). Decades later, the error products that make it out can become very valuable. The card is one of the first from the metal gems collection, issued alongside the sets base cards. To understand this, lets take a look at the factors that make basketball cards valuable. Fleer remains at the top for overall PSA graded card sales for 1991 basketball card brands, but the competition began ramping up. The card is graded as a PSA 7 with the autograph graded as an 8. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. 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. 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. Also, I will NOT be using insert set values only the values of base sets. 15 (tie). 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. 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. 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. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Skybox Basketball Cards. If you want this one in grade 10 condition, be prepared to SPEND BIG. Row 2 is the base set and more common while Row 1 and 0 are much rarer. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. ), Its slightly basic compared to modern player patches, but thats understandable given its one of the first to be released. 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. Like many sports cards of this era, they were heavily produced in such large quantities that the market is still flooded with them. 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 graded as a Beckett 8 with the autograph graded as a 10. In the early to mid 1990s, there were few players as exciting to watch as Shawn Kemp. 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. We wouldn't have really said this a couple years ago. For example, a 1/1 card shows that it is the only one that exists and will be very valuable. While 1990 Fleer basketball cards have not held up as well over time as some of the other Fleer sets, they do remain some of the most recognizable basketball cards of the "junk era". Card number 48 served as a checklist for those cards, with Michael Jordan shown on the front going up for the score. These are 16 of the most valuable cards currently valued or recently sold at auction. Sports Cards: 10 Most Valuable Basketball Rookie Cards of the 1990s The card comes from the Metal Universe set, with cards featuring other popular players also highly sought after. Nowitzki averaged a modest 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 20.4 minutes as a rookie, but he quickly upped his production in the coming years to emerge as one of the NBA's top scorers. 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. Kobes card is the one to make our list, although there are lots of interesting options like Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady RCs, as well as an MJ version to look out for. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's take a look at the list: It should come as no surprise that Michael Jordan's 1990 Fleer basketball card comes in at the top spot ashis cardsare always in high demand with collectors. The card features the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant in a yellow Lakers jersey dunking the ball from behind his back. 1996 was truly a historic year in the hobby. Scottie Pippen in the background also adds a nice touch. 1990 Hoops #382 Michael Jordan's Playground Estimated PSA 10 Value: $125 . 1997 1998 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 $599,999.99, 2. Many players regarded as the greatest of all time played in this era and still capture the imagination of sports collectors today. The odds of puling a gold refactor from a pack is 1 in 288 packs. Theyll always make a list of valuable 90s memorabilia, for a number of reasons which soon become apparent. 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. 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. Still, Jordan and Garnett cards, particularly their refractors, can fetch some top sales at auctions. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. 1980's Most Valuable Baseball Cards George Bush (1990 Topps #USA1) Yes, you read it right. Barkley's 1990 Fleer issue was one of the few cards to picture him with any amount of hair whatsoever. The Ultimate Guide to '90s Basketball Cards - ONE37pm If your card is Ungraded, consider grading it if it looks to be in good condition and features a well-known athlete. 1990 Upper . The card features the big man in his LSU days hanging on the rim after a powerful dunk. 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. 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. I will be using total PSA graded card sales to determine values. However, there are a few exceptions to this, as the 90s Michal Jordans cards show. 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. The odds reduce to virtually zero if the card is to be in mint condition. This 1992 Classic DP Shaquille ONeal card is one of the most valuable of them all. They also had a low print run in comparison to other sets from the time, with just 100 cards overall. Few do. This MJ autographed /23 card is also is very good condition. 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. 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. 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). 1993-94 Finest Anfernee Hardaway RC #189 Buy on eBay. Contact him at [emailprotected]. 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. 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 deep-etched image sees Jordan leaping through the air, with purple lightning exploding across the background, lighting up the night sky. On the opposite end of the spectrum from Kevin Garnett, who made the NBA jump straight from high school, Tim Duncan played out his four years of college eligibility at Wake Forest before going No. The bold blue autograph is perfectly placed on the card. What is the most expensive basketball card? The lightning quick move allowed Hardaway to create just enough separation against opposing defenders to turn him into an elite scorer and passer. His Finest rookie card is his most valuable by a wide margin, and it stands as one of the iconic cards of the decade. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Dimensions: 1-1/2 x 2-5/8. Only 10 of these cards exist, with this being the only one graded 8.5 by PSA. 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. 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. 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 picture is the Black Mamba himself executing some sort of over the back slam dunk, and it is framed by a gold edge. Let's say you did some basketball card collecting during the 1990s, and now you're revisiting your old collection and wondering if anything you have is valuable. 1997 was another strong year for rookies, with all-time great Tim Duncan joining the league, along with Chauncey Billips and Tracy McGrady. 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. This 1998 Michael Jordan Skybox Molten Metal card truly is unique and special. 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. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jerseys In some basketball packs today a jersey card is guaranteed. Some of the most valuable cards produced are limited editions featuring historical players in their rookie years. The 90s are known for a number of popular Jordan cards, but few match up to the Ultra Scoring Kings when you hold them up side by side. 15 Most Valuable 1991 Fleer Basketball Cards 5 pick out of Farragut Career Academy in Chicago. 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. For my one year anniversary here on YouTube, I am updating and relaunching my most popular video. The card features Michael Jordan bouncing the ball as he prepares for a scoring run. 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. 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. I remember being amazed as a kid when I heard stories of him being able to grab a quarter off the top of the backboard. Generally, basketball cards released during a players rookie year are more valuable than those released afterwards. Cards that are rare are generally valuable than those are easy to get. You can buy basketball cards wherever they are sold such as in garage sales, and in online selling places like eBay. Following this, the coronavirus pandemic meant many fans were unable to attend in-person sporting events, leaving them with more money and a desire to interact with the sport. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. The 20 Most Valuable Basketball Rookie Cards of the 1990s The First MJ card to make the list is his Finest Refractor from 1993. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Hoops listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. 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. Malone was an incredible power forward who was extremely effective on both offense and defense as he used his strong frame to his advantage night in and night out. Card numbers 49 - 72 in the set feature each player who participated in the 1991 NBA All-Star Game on February 10, 1991, in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. With Rookie cards produced in limited quantities, this makes them much rarer and more valuable. It includes a lot of minor players that you may not have heard the name of before. The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant who unfortunately recently passed away, made his debut. 1990 Hoops #5 Michael Jordan All-Star. Inserted 1:288 packs, the cards are rare. It is literally one of its kind. One of the game's best point guards, Thomas was named one of the league's 50 top players. The card is personally autographed and hand-numbered 12/23, making it a great addition to any collection. The former MVP and 11-time All-Star was arguably one of the most deserving players who never did quite when an NBA title. 5 pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and his rookie cards helped drive 1998-99 product releases. 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 card is currently listed on eBay for $500,000, with a similar example selling 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. 1990 Hoops #279 Shawn Kemp Rookie Card. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. Topps Finest remained the top basketball card brand of 1994, and its PSA graded card sales dwarf those of any other brand. 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. The SPx Die-Cut Gold MJ #5 card is not like the regular rectangular cards. The 1990s saw a rise in basketball card brand diversity. Although both Upper Deck and Fleer continued to be staple card brands throughout the 90s, a new top dog was about to emerge for the remainder of the decade. The card features MJ soaring into the air with his arm outstretched. This basketball card has surged in value since that tragic passing of Kobe. The card has a bold blue signature of MJ over it. His 1998-99 SP Authentic rookie card is actually his most valuable, but with a limited print run of 3,500, it was not eligible to be included in these rankings. Although other brands of the mid-90s havent sold as many PSA graded cards as Topps Chrome, each set has inserts and rare cards that can sell for top dollar. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. MJ has signed the card in blue ink and handwritten the serial number 10/23. The card is finished with a gold trim around the edges. 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. If you are hunting for these cards on eBay, be sure to check the image carefully. 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. Weve combed through recent auction data to bring you a list of ten of the most expensive basketball cards from the 1990s. It is the same thing with basketball cards. Founded in 1993, Flair produced high-end trading cards before changing direction in 2006. A Michael Jordan rookie basketball card can be worth a few thousand or a few hundred thousand depending on the set and grade. This authenticates the cards and defines their condition (in a scale of 1 10). Like Barkley, Malone was a guy who was clearly good enough to be an NBA champion but sadly never won one. 20 Most Valuable 1991 Upper Deck Basketball Cards 1997 SPx Gold Die-Cut Michael Jordan #5 Signed PSA 10 $59,999, 10. The colors and the edging make it susceptible to chips and wear, which is another reason why its valued highly. This 1997 Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems card is another example from the Metal Universe brand. Ive set aside the top insert sets of the 90s for another article. Being a pristine example of this card, it sold at auction in March 2021 for $1,752,000. 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. This is because it is a 1/1 autographed card. Of the 10 cards, only 6 have been given to PSA for grading. 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. The signature of Michael Jordan on a basketball card is enough to make it special. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Refractor parallels were released in a ratio of 1:12. The card produced by Topps is graded as a PSA 10, meaning it is in pristine condition, making it highly collectible. 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? Top 1980s Basketball Rookie Cards Ranked List, Most Valuable Guide The card is a redemption card, only available by mail. Top 20 Most Valuable 1990 Fleer Basketball Cards! (20 Highest Selling 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. 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. Post contains affiliate links. 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 card sold in February 2022 for $2,000,000 in a private sale making it the most expensive Kobe card sold. Isiah Thomas was the leader of the Detroit Pistons squads that won back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. If he wasn't reigning jumpers over you with his lanky frame and offensive quickness, he was pulling down rebound after rebound or blocking the ball on defense. With the majority being torn away, it's rare to find mint copies on the market. The 1990s saw a host of famous players make their debuts and play in their rookie years making the cards very valuable to collectors. With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. That is why its worth reaches the six-figure mark. 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. Perhaps in time, Upper Deck may even surpass Fleer in sales for brands in 1991. Also, it is one of the five that have managed to earn the prestigious PSA 10 points grade. 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. Over the past few years, basketball cards have exploded in value when compared to other sports cards. It being the only card in its set to be so autographed takes it from special to super special. So that there are no confusions about the condition of a basketball card, cards are usually officially graded. 25 Most Wanted Baseball Cards of 1990 - Wax Pack Gods It features Jordan dribbling the ball during a 1992 NBA All-star game, played in Orlando, Florida in front of 14,000 spectators. What baseball cards from 1990s are worth money? The Super Signatures Gold Michael Jordan card is another example from the Upper Deck collection. Finest introduced refractors, which is a coating on a cards surface that creates a rainbow-like shine when reflected by the light. 1998 introduced Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce as rookies in the NBA. In a career packed full of iconic moments, one of Michael Jordan's most memorable occurred during Game 1 of the 1991-1992 NBA Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers. Most Valuable Baseball Cards of the 1990's A few important parameters for our list before we get started: After a terrific collegiate career at Duke, Grant Hill was the No. This authentic stamp of the biggest name of the game raises the value of the card. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Regardless, Hardaway goes down in history as a lighting quick player who constantly attacked the bucket, something Fleer captured nicely on his rookie card.