Post contains affiliate links. Pippen's cards have also taken off since "The Last Dance" documentary went on air. Being a rookie card with a limited number produced makes it more valuable. Topps was certainly not trying to achieve anything flashy with their design, unlike its earlier Finest sets. 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. With the majority being torn away, it's rare to find mint copies on the market. The second Jordan player patch to make our list, the 1999 UD MJs Final Floor is another great option that celebrates the phenoms career. 1997 - 1998 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 $599,999.99 2. This card perfectly captures Robinson throwing down one of his two-handed slams, almost making it look easy. Rounding out the most valuable 1990s basketball cards is another Big Shaq card example. 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. 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. The 1990s defined the game of basketball. His incredible floor vision, court awareness and overall basketball wizardry allowed him to make some of the most thrilling plays. These are 16 of the most valuable cards currently valued or recently sold at auction. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. Although Allen Iverson was one of the smallest players in the league, he became well known for his explosive playing style. Impressively, it is in mint condition. 1 in the 1997 draft. Top 25 Most Valuable Baseball Cards from the 1990's - Rookie Cards Only. 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 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. ), Its slightly basic compared to modern player patches, but thats understandable given its one of the first to be released. The picture has MJ executing a no-look pass, in a black background that blur everything else to highlight the phenom. It is also very rare. Topps Finest remained the top basketball card brand of 1994, and its PSA graded card sales dwarf those of any other brand. Michael Jordan returned after his baseball journey, and notable rookies such as Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace entered the league. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 4 pick Stephon Marbury on draft night. 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 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. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, which of course, was O'Neal.". Scottie Pippen in the background also adds a nice touch. 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. There are many online shops that specialize in buying and selling 1990s basketball cards. It sold at a Heritage Auction in November 2021 for $132,000. So, when gunning for rookie cards, they should be cards of players that went on to achieve great success in the game. This s because grading officially authenticates the card and establishes its quality/ condition. If your card is Ungraded, consider grading it if it looks to be in good condition and features a well-known athlete. The image features Jordan with the ball in his hands, barking orders at his teammates while hes in his iconic Red Bulls jersey. 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. This gorgeous basketball card is one of rare cards hand numbered by Michael Jordan to only 23. 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. Like Jordan, Pippen could score, rebound, pass and play lockdown defense. 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. You can still find hobby boxes from all these brands and years on eBay. Also, this piece is in near-perfect condition. Talking of unreal basketball cards! This is one of the most valuable basketball cards out there. 19 pick Pat Garrity for No. Read our methodology . 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. What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. 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. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. The company will closely check the card, and give it a grade (out of 10 points). 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. Perhaps in time, Upper Deck may even surpass Fleer in sales for brands in 1991. When a company notices an error in a lot, the production is stopped, and those items are never released. 1990 Hoops #223 Sam Vincent. Many basketball cards from the 90s decade are very valuable today, especially those featuring Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. These are usually worth from a few hundred dollars to up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thus, not all rookie cards of the 1990s are worth serious money. Hes set on a beautiful background that features a brown oval shape giving off bright colours. The card is graded as a PSA 7 with the autograph graded as an 8. Its a chance to own a piece of basketball history, and its something different compared to the average 90s card. As the player finishes their rookie years and starts becoming famous, more cards are produced making them more common. Michael Jordan Cards), with lots of info about each one, including how and why they cost so much. The card features Jordan soaring into the air with an outstretched arm, a position that became a trademark of Jordans playing style. Getting your basketball card graded is simple as submitting your card to the company. This means it has sharp corners, full original gloss, and a perfectly centered card image. Refractor parallels were released in a ratio of 1:12. 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10 $500,000, 3. 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. If you are hunting for these cards on eBay, be sure to check the image carefully. This Kobe rookie is a limited-edition example, numbered 442/449 cards. The same card was then included in Hi-Series packs, with "#1 NBA Draft Pick" replacing "Trade Card" printed on the front. This 1998 Michael Jordan Skybox Molten Metal card truly is unique and special. There were Fleer All-Star sticker card inserts that can be worth more than the base cards on this list assuming the sticker is still in tact and is graded in top condition. However, its a bit of a misnomer, as it was easier to get a Members Only Beam Teams than a standard pack-pulled Beam Teams. 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. 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. 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. 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 features MJ reaching to dunk the ball on the left with a red Chicago Bulls game jersey patch on the right side. 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. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. 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. 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. Also, it is PSA 10 graded card. Below are some of the most memorable or important single basketball cards, sets and insert sets of the 1990s. 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. The card is a redemption card, only available by mail. This MJ autographed /23 card is also is very good condition. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. The card is graded as a Beckett 10, with only the card surface receiving a 9.5. One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. To prove it, Malone ended up at number 2 on the all-time scoring list and number 7 on the all-time rebounds list. 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. 1999 Upper Deck Ovation Super Signatures Gold Michael Jordan #MJS card $250,000, 6. It's a perforated card, with untouched versions of the trio being the most valuable overall. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Skybox listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. The First MJ card to make the list is his Finest Refractor from 1993. 1990 Fleer is the most valuable basketball card brand to start the decade, 1996 Topps Chrome becomes the most valuable brand of the 90s, 1999 Topps Chrome is the final most valuable basketball brand of the decade. 1990 Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 Non Perforated card $100,000, 8. The card is graded by Beckett as 10 Pristine making it very rare and collectible. 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. Notable rookies from 1993 include Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber and Toni Kukoc, each of whom have a Topps Finest Refractor rookie card. The card is complete with its original protective coating, not usually seen on most cards. The odds of pulling this card in a pack are thought to be around 1/55,000. Everyone likes to talk about the physicality of the game, as well as the dominance of a certain Chicago Bulls team led by Michael Jordan, but its not just nostalgia talking. 1992 was all about Shaquille ONeal. It doesnt matter that the height of their careers was after the 1990s. Ive set aside the top insert sets of the 90s for another article. \What was your favorite decade of basketball? 1986-87 Fleer Clyde Drexler RC #26 Buy on eBay. This 1992 Classic DP Shaquille ONeal card is one of the most valuable of them all. The card is graded by Beckett as 8. 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. With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. 1997 1998 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 $599,999.99, 2. Worse decade of basketball? Thus, cards that are worth money are those graded as mint by trusted grading companies like PSA and BSG. This is a very interesting and valuable basketball card. Row 2 is the base set and more common while Row 1 and 0 are much rarer. If you want this one in grade 10 condition, be prepared to SPEND BIG. It features Kobe in a yellow Lakers Jersey dunking the ball from behind his back framed in gold trim. 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). You can use serial number or population report to determine cards that are rare. The bottom of the card is personally autographed by Shaq in white pen, with the number #32 handwritten next to it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Hoops Basketball Cards. 3 jersey letting out a celebratory shout, with his teammates around. This set is nothing flashy but there is lots of solid value throughout. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, ahead of UMass center Marcus Camby. However, they were creating solid value through their base designs and high-end value through scarcity with their refractor parallels. Decades later, the error products that make it out can become very valuable. SP serial numbered their base cards to 3,500 and released a few noteworthy subsets such as this one. The card was released in 1990, two years before his rookie cards. It also comes in great condition, graded 8.0 by Beckett (BGS). Regardless, Hardaway goes down in history as a lighting quick player who constantly attacked the bucket, something Fleer captured nicely on his rookie card. 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. That said, his Topps Chrome rookie still carries a high enough price tag to check in No. The card is personally autographed by Jordan in a thin blue pen with the serial number 8/23 also handwritten. Over the past few years, basketball cards have exploded in value when compared to other sports cards. His Finest rookie card is his most valuable by a wide margin, and it stands as one of the iconic cards of the decade. How do I know if my cards are genuine? The card has a bold blue signature of MJ over it. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. Overall, the checklist contained 198 cards in total that, if nothing else, captured some of the greatest players of all-time with exciting imagery. What makes it so valuable is that it is a rare error card. 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. Prices for 1990 Skybox Basketball Cards. This is because it is the big mans first trading card. Rather one side is shaped like a less-curvy S, while the other is shaped like an X. 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. Hes in his Orlando Magic jersey, as he was their number one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. 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. Counting down the 20 most valuable Basketball RCs of the 1990s. 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. As you can see, even the most valuable cards in this set don't pack a great deal of value these days. The Kobe version also features a basketball and a look of concentration on the face of the Lakers star. For my one year anniversary here on YouTube, I am updating and relaunching my most popular video. 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s 1. 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. With basketball cards capturing the best highlights of the game and its players, the cards of 1990s are some of the most memorable, which makes them some of the most valuable. GoldCardAuctions is a high-end investment-caliber trading card company and is the definitive source of sports card investing news and analysis. One of the game's best point guards, Thomas was named one of the league's 50 top players. 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. Whilst some fans enjoy watching, Read More 11 Most Valuable Tom Brady Rookie Cards (Costs Upto $3M+)Continue, If youre a fan of basketball then you know who Shaquille ONeal is. It is graded 9.5 by Beckett (BAS). Selling directly to collectors an example is Deanscard.com. Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets Click on the linked sets below to shop for available cards on eBay. Many players regarded as the greatest of all time played in this era and still capture the imagination of sports collectors today. All card images courtesy of TCDB, while pricing data is pulled from recent eBay sales as of Tuesday morning. The card produced by Topps is graded as a PSA 10, meaning it is in pristine condition, making it highly collectible. The card sold at auction in December 2020 for $915,000. Iverson averaged 23.5 points and 7.5 assists per game for a 22-win Philadelphia 76ers team as a rookie, and two years later he had them in the postseason. The list is in order of year of release. 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. Some of the best players in the 1990s include: (This is by no means a complete list of the best players from the 90s). 1990 Hoops card list & price guide. SGC vs. BGS vs. PSA Grading: Who Is Best in 2023? The card was sold at a Goldin auction for $206,400. 1998-99 Upper Deck Michael Jordan Living Legend - [Base] #147. 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. When 1996-97 products were first released, Iverson was the rookie card to pull, and his immediate success only further boosted his appeal. The card features the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant in a yellow Lakers jersey dunking the ball from behind his back. The card sold at auction in February 2021 for $480,000. This basketball card has surged in value since that tragic passing of Kobe. The North Carolina product was the No. This 1997 Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems card is another example from the Metal Universe brand. He was then traded along with No. 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. Click the title of each to see them for sale and auction on eBay. The 1990s is a storied decade in the game of basketball. This authentic stamp of the biggest name of the game raises the value of the card. The decade was highlighted by Jordans dominance, and the emergence of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan. 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.