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. 1. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. There are many online shops that specialize in buying and selling 1990s basketball cards. 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s 1. Cards that are rare are generally valuable than those are easy to get. Parallels: Red PMG (/90), Green PMG (/10). 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. A passing of the torch from the MJ years. 1990 Hoops #5 Michael Jordan All-Star. Impressively, it is in mint condition. Being a pristine example of this card, it sold at auction in March 2021 for $1,752,000. The First MJ card to make the list is his Finest Refractor from 1993. Thats none other than the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant. However, an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the 2000-01 season and he was never quite the same after that. 1990 Hoops #65 Michael Jordan. 15 (tie). GoldCardAuctions is a high-end investment-caliber trading card company and is the definitive source of sports card investing news and analysis. The rarity of the Row 0 ensures that it makes the list of expensive 1990s basketball cards. Exceedingly rare, the odds of pulling a Jordan were 1 in 55,000 packs, which goes some way to explaining why its so expensive. Selling in auction sites some of these sites include eBid, Selling in online market places these include eBay and Craiglist. This is another special and rare autographed Michael Jordan basketball card. Thus, cards that are worth money are those graded as mint by trusted grading companies like PSA and BSG. 5 pick in the 1998 NBA draft, and his rookie cards helped drive 1998-99 product releases. You wont find any like it anywhere. The card was graded as a Beckett 9 and sold at a Goldin auction in March 2021 for $198,030. 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 card features AI in his Sixers no. 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. With many new fans and demand outgrowing supply, the price of basketball cards increased. What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. 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 background has a wooden effect, fitting in with the Final Floor theme. An MJ hand-numbered /23 card shows that only 23 of its kind exists, and will be very valuable. This mint-condition autographed card is selling for $3,500, making it one of the most valuable baseball cards from the '90s. 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. Released in the same year, the Ultra Scoring Kings is one of the most iconic MJ cards that money can buy. 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. It is in mint condition, graded PSA 10. Founded in 1993, Flair produced high-end trading cards before changing direction in 2006. The 1990s saw a rise in basketball card brand diversity. 11 Most Valuable 1989 NBA Hoops Cards - Old Sports Cards The card features Kobe, again in a yellow Lakers jersey, looking to shoot the ball whilst being guarded. 1990 Hoops #358 Michael Jordan. The guy could absolutely jump through the roof and his vertical leaping ability is on full display on his 1990 Fleer card. (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. Not only was it the rookie year of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, Topps Chrome was released. The card was sold following the release of the 10-part Netflix special The Last Dance. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, ahead of UMass center Marcus Camby. Like Jordan, Pippen could score, rebound, pass and play lockdown defense. The odds of puling a gold refactor from a pack is 1 in 288 packs. The North Carolina product was the No. Due to poor sales of the. 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. Row 2 is the base set and more common while Row 1 and 0 are much rarer. 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". 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. 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. Refractor cards were randomly inserted into hobby boxes and retail packs, and carry enormous value in the marketplace. 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. Its the main reason why the card makes the list! 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. He averaged 25.7 points per game during his second season in the NBA, peaked at 27.6 points per contest the following year and he earned eight straight All-Star Game selections during his time with the Raptors and Nets. It sold at a Heritage Auction in November 2021 for $132,000. (For example, the Row 0 version features a hilarious image of Kobe watching himself dribble.). 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 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. This was a decade that saw one of the most revered players of the game make his debut. Selling directly to collectors an example is Deanscard.com. Like Jordan, Pippen could score, rebound, pass and play lockdown defense. The card is a redemption card, only available by mail. 15 Most Valuable Basketball Cards 1990s (Round-up list) With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. Who else but Kobe Bryant in the top spot? Adding the mystique of being a pre-rookie, it is one very valuable basketball card. Scottie Pippen in the background also adds a nice touch. 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. The most expensive basketball card sold to date is the 2013-14 National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo NBA Logoman Patch Auto rookie card which sold for a mind-blowing $1.85 million. According to Upper deck, the odds of pulling a Michael Jordan insert card is 1 in 144. A few important parameters for our list before we get started: After a terrific collegiate career at Duke, Grant Hill was the No. 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. If a popular card produced in limited quantities is in high demand with collectors, it makes the card more valuable. Less than 250 of these cards exist. The card is considered very rare with only 23 being produced. As the player finishes their rookie years and starts becoming famous, more cards are produced making them more common. It is also very rare. This Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 1 Kobe Bryant is an excellent Rookie card. One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. 1996 Kobe Bryant Flair Showcase Legacy Row 0 #10 SHOP NOW To prove it, Malone ended up at number 2 on the all-time scoring list and number 7 on the all-time rebounds list. Cards of star players are generally the most valuable. This is a very interesting and valuable basketball card. The card comes from a 1997 set containing 123 cards. It features Jordan dribbling the ball during a 1992 NBA All-star game, played in Orlando, Florida in front of 14,000 spectators. Required fields are marked *. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. MJ has signed the card in blue ink and handwritten the serial number 10/23. Michael Jordan being in his later years, removed from the Chicago Bulls was also a contributing factor. The Gold featured only the most desired names, including MJ and Allen Iverson. 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. Fleer remains at the top for overall PSA graded card sales for 1991 basketball card brands, but the competition began ramping up. The card was released during his 1997 season and is 1 of only 126 examples known to exist. Kobe Bryant 1996/97 Topps Chrome Rookie. 5 pick out of Farragut Career Academy in Chicago. This 1997 Michael Jordan precious metal games card is another card from the highly sought-after Metal Universe collection. He debuted in that year and also went on to win rookie of the year. That said, his Topps Chrome rookie still carries a high enough price tag to check in No. 25 Most Valuable 1990 Fleer Basketball Cards - Old Sports Cards Over the past few years, basketball cards have exploded in value when compared to other sports cards. 1997 was another strong year for rookies, with all-time great Tim Duncan joining the league, along with Chauncey Billips and Tracy McGrady. 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. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above made the cards resemble the blade of a buzz saw. The 1990s is a storied decade in the game of basketball. Perhaps due to a lack of abundant standout rookies and it being the third year of Finest, overall PSA graded sales of this set are lower than the two previous years. Pippen's cards have also taken off since "The Last Dance" documentary went on air. If you are hunting for these cards on eBay, be sure to check the image carefully. Don't have that kind of cash in your bankroll? They also had a low print run in comparison to other sets from the time, with just 100 cards overall. If a card is signed by the featured player, itll be more valuable than an unsigned version. 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). The card is finished with a gold trim around the edges. Still, Jordan and Garnett cards, particularly their refractors, can fetch some top sales at auctions. Finest introduced refractors, which is a coating on a cards surface that creates a rainbow-like shine when reflected by the light. 10 Basketball Cards Every 90s Kid Should Own. Estimated PSA 10 Value: $85. The odds of pulling this card in a pack are thought to be around 1/55,000. The decade was highlighted by Jordans dominance, and the emergence of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan. The lightning quick move allowed Hardaway to create just enough separation against opposing defenders to turn him into an elite scorer and passer. If you want this one in grade 10 condition, be prepared to SPEND BIG. Originally drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the No. This Michael Jordan insert is from Upper Decks 98/99 SP Authentic release. 25 Most Valuable 1990 NBA Hoops Cards - Old Sports Cards Decades later, the error products that make it out can become very valuable. 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. 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10 $500,000, 3. While his 1992 Bowman rookie is one of the iconic cards of the 1990s, it's actually his 1992 Fleer Update card that earns a spot on this most valuable list. Counting down the 20 most valuable Basketball RCs of the 1990s. I do want to be 100% clear that most of the cards in this set sadly have no value these days. Another card that makes it into our list is this SP Authentic Michael Jordan insert card. 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. Rookie cards are produced when a player is just starting out and therefore made in limited quantities. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. This Kobe Rookie card produced in 1996-1997 is considered extremely rare. 1997 SPx Gold Die-Cut Michael Jordan #5 Signed PSA 10 $59,999, 10. Related: Most Valuable Basketball Cards 2020. The Super Signatures Gold Michael Jordan card is another example from the Upper Deck collection. Dimensions: 1-1/2 x 2-5/8. If your card is Ungraded, consider grading it if it looks to be in good condition and features a well-known athlete. What is the most expensive card in the world? It's a perforated card, with untouched versions of the trio being the most valuable overall. The bold blue autograph is perfectly placed on the card. 1994 was not a particularly exciting year, as Jordan had left to play baseball following his 3rd championship in the 1992-1993 season. With PSA 10 points grade, it is in the best condition possible. Like Barkley, Malone was a guy who was clearly good enough to be an NBA champion but sadly never won 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. Need help buying or selling cards or have a general question about the hobby? The rise in young basketball talent grew the fanbase in recent years. The list is in order of year of release. 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. How much is a Michael Jordan rookie basketball card worth? 19 pick Pat Garrity for No. 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. Weve put together a list with 10 of the most expensive 90s basketball cards (i.e. The card is complete with its original protective coating, not usually seen on most cards. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC, Michael Jordan's 1990 Fleer basketball card. 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille O'Neal Auto RC $500,000 4. 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. It features Kobe in a yellow Lakers Jersey dunking the ball from behind his back framed in gold trim. In other words, if you like shiny things, theres nothing better than this Topps refractor! 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. Out of 100 produced, only 10 were made with green foil with the other 90 in red. Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets, Most Valuable List, Best '90s NBA Cards 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 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. This card example was sold at a Goldin Auction for $162,360. The card is graded by Beckett as 10 Pristine making it very rare and collectible. 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. Although Allen Iverson was one of the smallest players in the league, he became well known for his explosive playing style. 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.