For example, a 1/1 card shows that it is the only one that exists and will be very valuable. The list is in order of year of release. 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. Few do. This MJ autographed /23 card is also is very good condition. Row 2 is the base set and more common while Row 1 and 0 are much rarer. 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. 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". 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. It includes a lot of minor players that you may not have heard the name of before. It last sold in 2019 for $350,100. 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. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. BGS and SGC are also two companies that are well-regarded. Michael Jordan, now retired, helped the Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA championship with his final shot as a bull. Generally, basketball cards released during a players rookie year are more valuable than those released afterwards. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? 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 odds of puling a gold refactor from a pack is 1 in 288 packs. If you want this one in grade 10 condition, be prepared to SPEND BIG. 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. Overall, the checklist contained 198 cards in total that, if nothing else, captured some of the greatest players of all-time with exciting imagery. The card has a bold blue signature of MJ over it. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? Rather one side is shaped like a less-curvy S, while the other is shaped like an X. In other words, if you like shiny things, theres nothing better than this Topps refractor! If you are hunting for these cards on eBay, be sure to check the image carefully. As you might expect, the list is dominated by a few major players from the era, (cough, Michael Jordan) but there are a couple of cards that may have gone under your radar. 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. Released in the same year, the Ultra Scoring Kings is one of the most iconic MJ cards that money can buy. Yet another Jordan card to make the list, his 1998 SP Authentic Sign of Times is a tiered release. 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. In number 3 is the 1997 Michael Jordan Upper Deck Game Jersey Autographed card, currently the most valuable MJ card sold to date. 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's a perforated card, with untouched versions of the trio being the most valuable overall. 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. 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. 1990 Upper . 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. The 1990s defined the game of basketball. 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. Sometimes, what makes a collectible very rare and valuable is an error. This is truly the most valuable basketball card brand of the 90s. With the majority being torn away, it's rare to find mint copies on the market. 1980's Most Valuable Baseball Cards George Bush (1990 Topps #USA1) Yes, you read it right. If a popular card produced in limited quantities is in high demand with collectors, it makes the card more valuable. The card was released in a defining year for Iverson when he made his debut and won rookie of the year. 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. One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. 9. 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s 1. Stats via Basketball Reference. The card features Iverson in a red Sixers jersey passionately celebrating with his Sixers teammates. Also Read: 12 Most Valuable LeBron James Rookie Cards (2003-04 Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel #78 Sold for $5,200,000), If youre going through your old sports trading cards at home, you might be sitting on a, Read More 15 Most Valuable Bo Jackson Cards (1986 Topps Traded Tiffany #50T Bo Jackson Was Sold For $12,300)Continue, Whilst Michael Jordans playing days are finished, his collectable cards are continuing to break records. The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant who unfortunately recently passed away, made his debut. 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. Weve put together a list with 10 of the most expensive 90s basketball cards (i.e. Get my weekly newsletter with the latest hobby updates delivered straight to your inbox! 1992 was all about Shaquille ONeal. This gorgeous basketball card is one of rare cards hand numbered by Michael Jordan to only 23. One of the most important factors when determining what a card is worth is its grading. Its a chance to own a piece of basketball history, and its something different compared to the average 90s card. Finest introduced refractors, which is a coating on a cards surface that creates a rainbow-like shine when reflected by the light. The card is graded by Beckett as 8. These are usually worth from a few hundred dollars to up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. This basketball card has surged in value since that tragic passing of Kobe. A passing of the torch from the MJ years. You can use serial number or population report to determine cards that are rare. The odds of pulling this card in a pack are thought to be around 1/55,000. If you are looking to rip through an old hobby box, the most noticeable flaw will be off-center cuts. Due to poor sales of the. This Row 1 card is graded by Beckett as a 9.5 and was sold at a Goldin auction for $136,530. Required fields are marked *. 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. Also, the front of the Michael Jordan #GJ13 basketball card features an authentic piece from a jersey worn by the legend himself in the 1992 All Star Game. 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. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Hoops Basketball Cards. Ahead, we've taken a closer look at the 10 most valuable rookie cards of the 1990s. ), Its slightly basic compared to modern player patches, but thats understandable given its one of the first to be released. We strive to provide simple, straightforward advice that is objective, independent, and honest, helping you get the most for your money in the sports card investment world. He averaged 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists to win co-Rookie of the Year honors alongside Jason Kidd, and Hill quickly developed into a perennial All-Star from there. All card images courtesy of TCDB, while pricing data is pulled from recent eBay sales as of Tuesday morning. The card features MJ soaring into the air with his arm outstretched. (Youll be able to tell, as the back notes where the swatch is from.). The Sign of the Times inserts which were all die-cut autos, issued in Bronze, Silver, and Gold versions. This 1997 Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems card is another example from the Metal Universe brand. Read our methodology . Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. 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. This authenticates the cards and defines their condition (in a scale of 1 10). An on-card auto is one of the main reasons why it makes the list. As well as MJ, they secured rookie cards for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Ray Allen. 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. Read our methodology . 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. Its currently listed on eBay for $500,000. Also Read:11 Most Valuable Shaquille ONeal Rookie Cards (Round-up list). 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. 1. Total Rookie Cards: 15 5. And in this guide, we look at the 11 most valuable the set has to offer. It being the only card in its set to be so autographed takes it from special to super special. 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. You wont find any like it anywhere. In this guide, Ill take you through the most valuable 1990s basketball cards, looking at their values and what makes them so rare. On Fire: Best LaMelo Ball Rookie Cards To Buy Now. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The card features the big man in his LSU days hanging on the rim after a powerful dunk. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. 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. The card is complete with its original protective coating, not usually seen on most cards. 4 on the list. Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. The card is graded as a Beckett 10, with only one other card known to exist in this quality. Michael Jordan returned after his baseball journey, and notable rookies such as Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace entered the league. This set is nothing flashy but there is lots of solid value throughout. The 1990s saw a host of famous players make their debuts and play in their rookie years making the cards very valuable to collectors. The Kobe version also features a basketball and a look of concentration on the face of the Lakers star. 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. Talking of special ONeal cards, youll be hard pressed to find one better than this Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 non-perforated card. How do I know if my cards are genuine? His rookie cards dramatically increased the value of all card brands. (Sold November 2021 by Heritage Auctions), Produced in 1999, the Upper Deck Michael Jordan Game Jersey Autograph card was issued after MJ finished with the Chicago Bulls. One of the game's best point guards, Thomas was named one of the league's 50 top players. With PSA 10 points grade, it is in the best condition possible. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. It is graded by Beckett, and proudly has 8 points. 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. 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 gold-colored card also shows Michael in a red Chicago Bulls jersey performing a jump shot. Many players regarded as the greatest of all time played in this era and still capture the imagination of sports collectors today. His 2,973 threes rank second all-time, and he hit them at a 40.0 percent clip over the course of his 18-year career with the Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics and Heat. His incredible floor vision, court awareness and overall basketball wizardry allowed him to make some of the most thrilling plays. Originally drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. Not only was it the rookie year of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, Topps Chrome was released. This Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 1 Kobe Bryant is an excellent Rookie card. Less than 250 of these cards exist. 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. SGC vs. BGS vs. PSA Grading: Who Is Best in 2023? Out of 100 produced, only 10 were made with green foil with the other 90 in red. Notable rookies from 1993 include Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber and Toni Kukoc, each of whom have a Topps Finest Refractor rookie card. Another card that makes it into our list is this SP Authentic Michael Jordan insert card. 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. Rather, the very valuable ones are rookie cards that feature stars of the game like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, and Allen Iverson. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. This card perfectly captures Robinson throwing down one of his two-handed slams, almost making it look easy. The 1989 Hoops David Robinson rookie card was one of the hobby's most-coveted basketball cards during the early 90s. Being a gold refactor, this basketball card is visually appealing. This mint-condition autographed card is selling for $3,500, making it one of the most valuable baseball cards from the '90s. The second Shaq RC to make our list, the 1992 Beam Team insert features an image of the giant dominating the defense as he reaches high above the rim of the net. Over the past few years, basketball cards have exploded in value when compared to other sports cards. 1997 SPx Gold Die-Cut Michael Jordan #5 Signed PSA 10 $59,999, 10. 1990 Hoops #113 Tim Hardaway Rookie Card This card is special, being the first Shaquille ONeal trading card produced. 1993-94 Finest Chris Webber RC #212 Buy on eBay. 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. Read the full disclosure here. 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. 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. 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 LSU, and the player was already becoming a major celebrity because of his size and skills. Hes set on a beautiful background that features a brown oval shape giving off bright colours. The same card was then included in Hi-Series packs, with "#1 NBA Draft Pick" replacing "Trade Card" printed on the front. 1990 Hoops #223 Sam Vincent. 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. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. The odds reduce to virtually zero if the card is to be in mint condition. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. Its currently listed on eBay for $250,000. This special basketball card features Michael Jordan throwing what is definitely a 3-pointer. 6 pick Robert "Tractor" Traylor in one of the most lopsided draft-night deals in league history. Prices for 1990 Hoops Basketball Cards. And since the debut of "The Last Dance" documentary, all of his cards have soared in value. The lightning quick move allowed Hardaway to create just enough separation against opposing defenders to turn him into an elite scorer and passer. 1990 Hoops #391 Gary Payton Rookie Card. 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. Topps Finest remained the top basketball card brand of 1994, and its PSA graded card sales dwarf those of any other brand.