In that year, 90 cards were put into the base sets and separated into Rows. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, which of course, was O'Neal.". So, many basketball cards of this decade capture these highlights and are very valuable. This mint-condition autographed card is selling for $3,500, making it one of the most valuable baseball cards from the '90s. 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. The card features Jordan soaring into the air with an outstretched arm, a position that became a trademark of Jordans playing style. 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. Given his height, almost every Shaq RC features him soaring towards the backboard, and this card is no different. To prove it, Malone ended up at number 2 on the all-time scoring list and number 7 on the all-time rebounds list. 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. (Especially considering his untimely death following a helicopter crash in January 2020.). 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. 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. So that there are no confusions about the condition of a basketball card, cards are usually officially graded. Parallels: Red PMG (/90), Green PMG (/10). The card is graded as a Beckett 10, with only one other card known to exist in this quality. If a popular card produced in limited quantities is in high demand with collectors, it makes the card more valuable. 15 (tie). 1996 Kobe Bryant Flair Showcase Legacy Row 0 #10 SHOP NOW As well as MJ, they secured rookie cards for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Ray Allen. Still, Jordan and Garnett cards, particularly their refractors, can fetch some top sales at auctions. Dimensions: 1-1/2 x 2-5/8. 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. GoldCardAuctions is a high-end investment-caliber trading card company and is the definitive source of sports card investing news and analysis. Importantly, it is also a PSA 10 GEM mint card. How do I know if my cards are genuine? 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. 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. The card is graded by Beckett as 8. In number 3 is the 1997 Michael Jordan Upper Deck Game Jersey Autographed card, currently the most valuable MJ card sold to date. It has two pictures of Michael Jordan one picture is of the legend executing a beautiful one-handed dunk over another picture of his head. 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 card is graded by Beckett as 10 Pristine making it very rare and collectible. Founded in 1993, Flair produced high-end trading cards before changing direction in 2006. 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. The card is graded as a Beckett 9 and Autograph 10. It is also very rare. The card is considered very rare with only 23 being produced. Only 10 of these cards exist, with this being the only one graded 8.5 by PSA. The card features MJ soaring into the air with his arm outstretched. 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. His rookie cards dramatically increased the value of all card brands. A two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year who helped lead No. That is the story of this Metal Basketball Kobe Bryant #181 card. 1981 Topps Basketball Magic Johnson #21 The next card also features Magic Johnson, in a great action shot that sees him evading multiple players on the court. 1990 Upper . Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! 1. The credentials set was made by the company Panini, known as the biggest competition for the Topps trading card brand. 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. Somewhat ironically, Classic doesnt live up to its name as a brand, but its worth making an exception for Shaq. 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. The SPx Die-Cut Gold MJ #5 card is not like the regular rectangular cards. The image features Jordan with the ball in his hands, barking orders at his teammates while hes in his iconic Red Bulls jersey. The worth of your card can swing wildly depending on factors like the type of card, who is featured in it, how rare it in, and its condition. The card comes from the Metal Universe set, with cards featuring other popular players also highly sought after. He wrapped up his 21-year career in the top 25 all-time in points (26,071, 21st), rebounds (14,662, 10th), steals (1,859, 19th) and blocks (2,037, 20th), and he was one of the most popular players in the sport throughout his run in the league. The odds of pulling this card in a pack are thought to be around 1/55,000. 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. The card pictures Shaq donning his no. 1990 saw notable rookie cards from Shawn Kemp and Tim Hardaway, along with other historic players such as Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Dennis Rodman, and Scottie Pippen. Topps Chrome continued into 1998 with another highly collectible set of cards. The card is graded as a Beckett 10, with only the card surface receiving a 9.5. I will be using total PSA graded card sales to determine values. Other things that make a card valuable are autographs and patches. 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. 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. It features MJ in pinpoint-sized, die cuts making a shadow illustration on half of the card. The bottom of the card is personally autographed by Shaq in white pen, with the number #32 handwritten next to it. His personality is as big as his basketball legacy, for which he is known as being one of the greatest power forwards to ever set foot on the hardwood. The card was released during his 1997 season and is 1 of only 126 examples known to exist. His 1996-97 E-X2000 rookie also sells for a boat load, as do high-grade versions of his Topps base rookiereally, you can't go wrong with any early Kobe cards. 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. Over the past few years, basketball cards have exploded in value when compared to other sports cards. ), 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. A few important parameters for our list before we get started: After a terrific collegiate career at Duke, Grant Hill was the No. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. 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. Some of the things considered are: centering of the card, printing errors, and evidence of wear. 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. The card features Kobe, again in a yellow Lakers jersey, looking to shoot the ball whilst being guarded. 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. Its currently listed on eBay for $500,000. 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. 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. Refractor cards were randomly inserted into hobby boxes and retail packs, and carry enormous value in the marketplace. 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. Generally, a card with a higher grade (is in a better condition), and will be valuable than an identical card with a lower grade. Selling in auction sites some of these sites include eBid, Selling in online market places these include eBay and Craiglist. This means it has sharp corners, full original gloss, and a perfectly centered card image. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 1980's Most Valuable Baseball Cards George Bush (1990 Topps #USA1) Yes, you read it right. Regardless, Hardaway goes down in history as a lighting quick player who constantly attacked the bucket, something Fleer captured nicely on his rookie card. One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. The rarity of the Row 0 ensures that it makes the list of expensive 1990s basketball cards. It is literally one of its kind. Scottie Pippen in the background also adds a nice touch. Also, this piece is in near-perfect condition. The lightning quick move allowed Hardaway to create just enough separation against opposing defenders to turn him into an elite scorer and passer. 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. Total Rookie Cards: 15 5. The card features Michael Jordan bouncing the ball as he prepares for a scoring run. The company will closely check the card, and give it a grade (out of 10 points). Stats via Basketball Reference. And in this guide, we look at the 11 most valuable the set has to offer. The bold signature covers the entire bottom part of the card. 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. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. The former MVP and 11-time All-Star was arguably one of the most deserving players who never did quite when an NBA title. 10 seed Santa Clara to an NCAA tournament win over Maryland as a senior, Steve Nash was selected 15th in the 1996 NBA draft. Yet another Jordan card to make the list, his 1998 SP Authentic Sign of Times is a tiered release. Rookie cards are produced when a player is just starting out and therefore made in limited quantities. Upper Deck introduced its inaugural basketball set, and Skybox came out with another great design in 1991. The pre-rookie card is 1 of only 1200 and is graded by the PSA as a 10, making it highly desirable and rare. 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 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. In fact, Michael Jordans 1993 Finest Refractor accounts for approximately $178,000 in PSA graded card sales according to PSAs auction price reports. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. It also comes in great condition, graded 8.0 by Beckett (BGS). It's a novel card and extremely rare so it has a decent value. 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 didn't take long for him to develop into the face of the Timberwolves franchise. It features Kobe in a yellow Lakers Jersey dunking the ball from behind his back framed in gold trim. MJ has signed the card in blue ink and handwritten the serial number 10/23. The decade was highlighted by Jordans dominance, and the emergence of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan. Topps was certainly not trying to achieve anything flashy with their design, unlike its earlier Finest sets. Being a rookie card of big Shaq make this card special. 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. Another card that makes it into our list is this SP Authentic Michael Jordan insert card. 9 pick in that year's draft. Thats none other than the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. These two are the most well-known and trusted grading companies. When it comes to buying 1990s basketball cards or searching the attic to see if you have any hidden treasures, there are some things you need to look for when trying to determine what 90s basketball cards are worth money. I'll never forget how he got the best of Shaquille O'Neal during the 1995 NBA Finals although you could argue O'Neal wasn't quite yet in his prime. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. The deep-etched image sees Jordan leaping through the air, with purple lightning exploding across the background, lighting up the night sky. Being a rookie of the years rookie card is not the only thing that makes this AIs card special. 1 1990 - Fleer is the most valuable basketball card brand to start the decade 2 1991 - Fleer 3 1992 - Upper Deck 4 1993 - Topps Finest 5 1994 - Topps Finest 6 1995 - Topps Finest 7 1996 - Topps Chrome becomes the most valuable brand of the 90s 8 1997 - Topps Chrome 9 1998 - Topps Chrome 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10 $500,000, 3. Also, if the card comes with a game-worn patch of the featured players jersey, itll be very valuable. 33 LSU jersey, in his center position, reading the game. Getting your basketball card graded is simple as submitting your card to the company. This non-perforated card had only 1,200 print runs making it a very rare Shaqs card. 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. The 1990s is a storied decade in the game of basketball. Also, it is PSA 10 graded card. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC, Michael Jordan's 1990 Fleer basketball card. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. You can still find hobby boxes from all these brands and years on eBay. For example, the most expensive basketball cards ever are rookie cards. Who else but Kobe Bryant in the top spot? Apart from being a piece of history, this is one very rare card. 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. Worse decade of basketball? 1990 Hoops #39 Larry Bird Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100 . This Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Byrant card is very aesthetically appealing, framed in gold edges. This is currently listed on eBay for $100,000. Theyll always make a list of valuable 90s memorabilia, for a number of reasons which soon become apparent. Topps Finest continued to be the most sought after set of the mid-90s, this time with a more basic design. 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. This UD Ovation Super Signature Jordan #MJS card is one of the most beautiful basketball cards youll find. 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. He debuted in that year and also went on to win rookie of the year. However, an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the 2000-01 season and he was never quite the same after that. Weve combed through recent auction data to bring you a list of ten of the most expensive basketball cards from the 1990s. 1997 was another strong year for rookies, with all-time great Tim Duncan joining the league, along with Chauncey Billips and Tracy McGrady. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. If a card is signed by the featured player, itll be more valuable than an unsigned version. Vinyl Records Value: Your Old Value Records Worth a Fortune, Vintage Stiffel Lamps: Value and Price Guide, Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Vintage Schwinn Bikes: [Types, Identification, and Values], Vintage Rooster Cookie Jar Identification and Value Guide. Shaqs rookie card + autographed + PSA 10 = very valuable. It features a diagonal image of Jordan with a basketball clutched in one hand, with a gold background and a multicolored border. Here are 10 of the most valuable. 1990 Hoops #391 Gary Payton Rookie Card. If your card is Ungraded, consider grading it if it looks to be in good condition and features a well-known athlete. 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. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. 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. A passing of the torch from the MJ years, Kobes RCs are clearly some of the most popular youll find at auction today. This Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 1 Kobe Bryant is an excellent Rookie card. Row 2 is the base set and more common while Row 1 and 0 are much rarer. This is because it is a 1/1 autographed card. 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. The limited edition card has the serial number 19/40 stamped through the material. Also, I will NOT be using insert set values only the values of base sets. 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. 1997 - 1998 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 $599,999.99 2. According to Upper deck, the odds of pulling a Michael Jordan insert card is 1 in 144. There are many online shops that specialize in buying and selling 1990s basketball cards. Cards that are rare are generally valuable than those are easy to get. One of the most important factors when determining what a card is worth is its grading. 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. 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. 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. It's a perforated card, with untouched versions of the trio being the most valuable overall. Being a rookie card with a limited number produced makes it more valuable. This is truly the most valuable basketball card brand of the 90s. The pack version is the one that is considered his true rookie card, and it was also short-printed since it was a late addition to the set, making it the more valuable of the two and his most valuable rookie card overall. In the sports card hobby, rookies are king which is the biggest contributing factor to the lower value of this year. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. With only 31 of these cards presented to Beckett for grading, this makes it highly desirable. The card comes from a 1997 set containing 123 cards. Some of the most valuable cards produced are limited editions featuring historical players in their rookie years. His tenacity and hustle were nearly unmatched. As you can see, even the most valuable cards in this set don't pack a great deal of value these days. 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. Michael Jordan returned after his baseball journey, and notable rookies such as Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace entered the league. With the majority being torn away, it's rare to find mint copies on the market. Contact him at [emailprotected]. 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. The picture is the Black Mamba himself executing some sort of over the back slam dunk, and it is framed by a gold edge. 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. 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. Post contains affiliate links. 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