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

An on-card auto is one of the main reasons why it makes the list. 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. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. 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. This is currently listed on eBay for $100,000. Still, Jordan and Garnett cards, particularly their refractors, can fetch some top sales at auctions. 12. Like Barkley, Malone was a guy who was clearly good enough to be an NBA champion but sadly never won one. 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. 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. The ascetically pleasing card design features two pictures of Jordan. In this guide, Ill take you through the most valuable 1990s basketball cards, looking at their values and what makes them so rare. For those that remember, it was the 1997 UD Game Jersey cards that sparked the jersey patch craze. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan formed the greatest basketball duo that we'll likely ever see. They were the NBA's Batman and Robin and would win 6 NBA championships togetherand they very well could have won more had their winning streak not been sidetracked by Jordan's retirement. First, look to see if the card is graded by Beckett Grading system (BGS) or Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Many of the cards were hand-signed by the man himself, making it one of the very first pieces of autographed Shaq memorabilia. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. However, with so many basketball cards printed every year, a whole decade will have an ocean of cards, with a wide range of value. 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 means it is rarer than the unsigned cards. Shaqs rookie card + autographed + PSA 10 = very valuable. The background has a wooden effect, fitting in with the Final Floor theme. Theyll always make a list of valuable 90s memorabilia, for a number of reasons which soon become apparent. 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. Yet another Jordan card to make the list, his 1998 SP Authentic Sign of Times is a tiered release. The second Jordan player patch to make our list, the 1999 UD MJs Final Floor is another great option that celebrates the phenoms career. 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. 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. 1992 was all about Shaquille ONeal. Top 1990s Basketball Rookie Cards to Collect Bolded links go directly to detailed player or set profiles. Hes in his Orlando Magic jersey, as he was their number one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. The card features MJ soaring into the air with his arm outstretched. There are many online shops that specialize in buying and selling 1990s basketball cards. 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. 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. Its graded as a 9 by Beckett and was sold by Goldin Auctions for $170,400. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! It is the same thing with basketball cards. Barkley's 1990 Fleer issue was one of the few cards to picture him with any amount of hair whatsoever. The card is finished with a gold trim around the edges. A two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year who helped lead No. 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. With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. However, an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the 2000-01 season and he was never quite the same after that. 6 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, UConn standout Ray Allen was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks along with a future first-round pick in exchange for No. Topps decided to keep their refractor technology in the Topps Chrome set, while also adding a chrome-like finish to all their base cards. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. 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. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. 1996 Fleer Metal Universe Kobe Bryant #181 Error Card $48,000, 9. 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. Getting your basketball card graded is simple as submitting your card to the company. This special basketball card features Michael Jordan throwing what is definitely a 3-pointer. 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. It includes a lot of minor players that you may not have heard the name of before. 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. When selling online, you have the options of selling: The only effort itll take from you is highlighting the specifics of your card (like the player featured, the year of issue, etc) and taking photographs of it thatll help in preliminary evaluations. Allen was part of a loaded rookie class that was headlined by Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, and while he wasn't the chase card in the 1996-97 Topps Chrome set, his rookie card is a solid consolation prize to anyone who missed out on pulling one of those cards. Michael Jordan, now retired, helped the Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA championship with his final shot as a bull. 5 pick out of Farragut Career Academy in Chicago. As one of the fiercest competitors to ever play the game, Bird used his above-average shooting, passing and rebounding skills to help lead the Celtics to three NBA titles over his career. Stats via Basketball Reference. It features MJ reaching to dunk the ball on the left with a red Chicago Bulls game jersey patch on the right side. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above made the cards resemble the blade of a buzz saw. Prices for 1990 Hoops Basketball Cards. It features the Black Mamba bouncing the ball and most probably already eyeing the backboard. 1990 Hoops #39 Larry Bird Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100 . The card comes from a 1997 set containing 123 cards. The word Robert Park is erroneously written over Kobe Bryant on the card. 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". Given the deep background, any flaw is readily apparent, so high grades are costly to buy. Regardless, Hardaway goes down in history as a lighting quick player who constantly attacked the bucket, something Fleer captured nicely on his rookie card. Your email address will not be published. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The card is currently listed on eBay for $500,000, with a similar example selling at a Goldin auction for $206,400. It is graded by Beckett, and proudly has 8 points. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. This mint-condition autographed card is selling for $3,500, making it one of the most valuable baseball cards from the '90s. That's what happens when Michael Jordan is playing in the league during your prime years. Like the 1990 Hoops and SkyBox sets, there were just so many of these cards printed. 1990 Skybox card list & price guide. If your card is graded highly by one of these companies, its likely to be worth a decent amount of money. This gorgeous basketball card is one of rare cards hand numbered by Michael Jordan to only 23. 1990 Hoops #113 Tim Hardaway Rookie Card Like Jordan, Pippen could score, rebound, pass and play lockdown defense. The card features Kobe, again in a yellow Lakers jersey, looking to shoot the ball whilst being guarded. In this article, well show you the most valuable basketball cards of the memorable 1990s decade. 5 pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and his rookie cards helped drive 1998-99 product releases. 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. It is graded 9.5 by Beckett (BAS). This 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC is regarded as one of the most valuable examples. 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. Michael Jordan returned after his baseball journey, and notable rookies such as Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace entered the league. 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC $500,000, 4. 1990 Hoops #391 Gary Payton Rookie Card. It last sold in 2019 for $350,100. The decade started out with mainly Fleer, Skybox, and NBA Hoops. 19 pick Pat Garrity for No. Many basketball cards from the 90s decade are very valuable today, especially those featuring Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. The guy could absolutely jump through the roof and his vertical leaping ability is on full display on his 1990 Fleer card. However, PSA (Pros Sports Authority) is generally regarded as the best. So, this rookie card is a jewel. Talking of special ONeal cards, youll be hard pressed to find one better than this Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 non-perforated card. 4 pick Stephon Marbury on draft night. Worse decade of basketball? As if that is not enough, the card is hand-signed by Michael Jordan himself. Big Shaq is another player of the game whose cards command huge fees. When 1996-97 products were first released, Iverson was the rookie card to pull, and his immediate success only further boosted his appeal. 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. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC BGS 10 $250,000, 5. The basketball cards that are worth the most are rare rookie patch autos (RPA) of star players in mint condition. 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. With all collectibles, condition is a big determinant of value. With Rookie cards produced in limited quantities, this makes them much rarer and more valuable. Total Rookie Cards: 15 5. The card features Iverson in a red Sixers jersey passionately celebrating with his Sixers teammates. An MJ hand-numbered /23 card shows that only 23 of its kind exists, and will be very valuable. Importantly, it is also a PSA 10 GEM mint card. 1990 Score Bo Jackson (#697) This just may be the most famous "baseball" card of the 1990s, and it remains one of the most popular. Notable rookies from 1993 include Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber and Toni Kukoc, each of whom have a Topps Finest Refractor rookie card. Exceedingly rare, the odds of pulling a Jordan were 1 in 55,000 packs, which goes some way to explaining why its so expensive. 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. You can use serial number or population report to determine cards that are rare. What makes it so valuable is that it is a rare error card. When it comes to the world of sports cards, basketball cards are some of the most sought-after and valuable. We wouldn't have really said this a couple years ago. susceptible to surface scratching and wearing, which is another reason why gem mint copies are valued so high compared to the norm. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Many players regarded as the greatest of all time played in this era and still capture the imagination of sports collectors today. Despite his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history, most of his rookie cards can be found for a fraction of what his Topps Chrome card costs, and it still feels tremendously undervalued sitting at the top end of his market. Some of the things considered are: centering of the card, printing errors, and evidence of wear. This is another special and rare autographed Michael Jordan basketball card. Produced in 1999 and known as the Finest Kobe Bryant Refractor card, it features Kobe dunking the ball behind his head in his yellow Lakers jersey. 1986-87 Fleer Clyde Drexler RC #26 Buy on eBay. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Skybox Basketball Cards. Kobe Bryant 1996/97 Topps Chrome Rookie. The card features AI in his Sixers no. This is because it is a 1/1 autographed card. Lets take a look at the most valuable basketball card brands of the 1990s. 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". Rather one side is shaped like a less-curvy S, while the other is shaped like an X. Generally, basketball cards released during a players rookie year are more valuable than those released afterwards. The limited edition card has the serial number 19/40 stamped through the material. All card images courtesy of TCDB, while pricing data is pulled from recent eBay sales as of Tuesday morning. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. The pre-rookie card is 1 of only 1200 and is graded by the PSA as a 10, making it highly desirable and rare. You wont find any like it anywhere. He doesn't quite command the same attention as Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson from his same rookie class, but there is no question Nash was one of the elite players of his generation, and the value of his Topps Chrome rookie card reflects his status. Originally drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. The rise in young basketball talent grew the fanbase in recent years. The sport was on the road to recovery following a lack of interest worldwide, helped by Jordan, Space Jam, and a host of emerging talent like Kobe and Shaq. Price: $600,000 . Talking of unreal basketball cards! The total PSA graded sales of this set is staggering almost $2.7 million as of August 2020. It was released in 1990, two years before his rookies. Prices for 1990 Skybox Basketball Cards. The gold-colored card also shows Michael in a red Chicago Bulls jersey performing a jump shot. 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. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. The 1990s saw a host of famous players make their debuts and play in their rookie years making the cards very valuable to collectors. This was a decade that saw one of the most revered players of the game make his debut. Its a chance to own a piece of basketball history, and its something different compared to the average 90s card. 9 pick in that year's draft. Inserted 1:288 packs, the cards are rare. 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. The 1990s saw a rise in basketball card brand diversity. Only 100 of these cards were produced, with 90 of them having a red foil background. The card was released during his 1997 season and is 1 of only 126 examples known to exist. It is literally one of its kind. This 1997 Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems card is another example from the Metal Universe brand. Counting down the 20 most valuable Basketball RCs of the 1990s. Of the 10 cards, only 6 have been given to PSA for grading. 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. 33 LSU jersey, in his center position, reading the game. The odds of pulling it from a pack is 1 in 55,000 packs. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. The card is personally autographed and hand-numbered 12/23, making it a great addition to any collection. It is in the best condition possible. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Hoops listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. 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. Selling directly to collectors an example is Deanscard.com. He possessed incredible shoot ability for a power forward but was also known as a big-time rebounder who could take the ball coast to coast. This was also the year the Lakers began their dominant run in the sport, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille ONeal. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jerseys In some basketball packs today a jersey card is guaranteed. You can buy basketball cards wherever they are sold such as in garage sales, and in online selling places like eBay. 1993-94 Finest Anfernee Hardaway RC #189 Buy on eBay. 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. 1997 Shaquille O'Neal Metal Universe Platinum Portraits #4 Buy on eBay The 1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe Basketball set is best known for the rare Precious Metal Gems cards, which do make an appearance below. This means it has sharp corners, full original gloss, and a perfectly centered card image. Below are some of the most memorable or important single basketball cards, sets and insert sets of the 1990s. And in this guide, we look at the 11 most valuable the set has to offer. Refractor parallels were released in a ratio of 1:12. 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. 1993-94 Finest Chris Webber RC #212 Buy on eBay. Also, this piece is in near-perfect condition. (For example, the Row 0 version features a hilarious image of Kobe watching himself dribble.). 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. Founded in 1993, Flair produced high-end trading cards before changing direction in 2006. One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. Refractor parallels were released in a ratio of 1:12. So, when gunning for rookie cards, they should be cards of players that went on to achieve great success in the game. Dimensions: 1-1/2 x 2-5/8. 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. 1998 introduced Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter and Paul Pierce as rookies in the NBA. Scottie Pippen in the background also adds a nice touch. The card also has Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers Guard printed in blue on the bottom. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, which of course, was O'Neal.". The list is in order of year of release. 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. While Fleer remained the top brand in 1991, Upper Decks solid design and likability, perhaps due in part to the recognition of the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie carze, makes it a close second. 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. In that year, 90 cards were put into the base sets and separated into Rows. We've listed the cards in order, starting with a great option from the late 1990s. "The holy grail of all '90s basketball cardsthe Michael Jordan 1997-98 Metal Universe PMG Greensold in 2007 for $5,300.23. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Hoops Basketball Cards. 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. The card was sold at a Goldin auction for $206,400. The card pictures Shaq donning his no. 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. Rounding out the most valuable 1990s basketball cards is another Big Shaq card example. 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). 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. 1990 Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 Non Perforated card $100,000, 8. Weve combed through recent auction data to bring you a list of ten of the most expensive basketball cards from the 1990s. The bold blue autograph is perfectly placed on the card. The card was sold following the release of the 10-part Netflix special The Last Dance. 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. (Sold February 2021 by Heritage Auctions). It is in mint condition, graded PSA 10. Estimated PSA 10 Value: $85. The 1990s defined the game of basketball. Of course, youll need to be careful because of the condition-sensitive nature, but its easy to see why its one of the most expensive cards from the era. So, many basketball cards of this decade capture these highlights and are very valuable. This Skybox Z-Force Strike Force Michael Jordan card is one. With famous players renowned for their playing skills still capturing the imagination of collectors, it stands to reason that the best players are worth more money. Not only was it the rookie year of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, Topps Chrome was released. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. 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. 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 number 3 is the 1997 Michael Jordan Upper Deck Game Jersey Autographed card, currently the most valuable MJ card sold to date. What makes this card so expensive, given the range of premium MJ cards weve seen over the years? Due to poor sales of the. The company will closely check the card, and give it a grade (out of 10 points). The same card was then included in Hi-Series packs, with "#1 NBA Draft Pick" replacing "Trade Card" printed on the front. The card is complete with its original protective coating, not usually seen on most cards. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC, Michael Jordan's 1990 Fleer basketball card. Of anyone besides Jordan on this list, Magic Johnson was probably the most exciting as you never knew what his next move was going to be. Also, it is PSA 10 graded card. The card sold at auction in December 2020 for $915,000. The signature of Michael Jordan on a basketball card is enough to make it special. Being a rookie card of big Shaq make this card special. It has the perfect 10 PSA grade. 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. 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. 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. Top 25 Most Valuable Baseball Cards from the 1990's - Rookie Cards Only. It features MJ in pinpoint-sized, die cuts making a shadow illustration on half of the card. 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. BGS and SGC are also two companies that are well-regarded. It was released in 1997, which is a memorable year for AI and collectors of AIs cards. 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. Post contains affiliate links. The card is graded as a Beckett 9 and Autograph 10. The card features the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant in a yellow Lakers jersey dunking the ball from behind his back.