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. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. 1990 Skybox Card Prices | PSA & Ungraded Values - SportsCardsPro Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Hoops Basketball Cards. The decade was highlighted by Jordans dominance, and the emergence of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal and Tim Duncan. In other words, if you like shiny things, theres nothing better than this Topps refractor! Being a gold refactor, this basketball card is visually appealing. 1993-94 Finest Anfernee Hardaway RC #189 Buy on eBay. 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 Sign of the Times inserts which were all die-cut autos, issued in Bronze, Silver, and Gold versions. The guy could absolutely jump through the roof and his vertical leaping ability is on full display on his 1990 Fleer card. The card is graded by Beckett as 10 Pristine making it very rare and collectible. Due to poor sales of the. Talking of unreal basketball cards! Although Allen Iverson was one of the smallest players in the league, he became well known for his explosive playing style. 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. Looking at the 1990 cards above, the 97/ 98 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13 is worth a whopping $599,999.99, while the 1998 UD SP Authentic Michael Jordan #M4 is worth $22,575. Price: $600,000 . 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13 Most Valuable Rookie Cards (1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 Was Sold For $12,600,000)Continue, Your email address will not be published. What makes this card so expensive, given the range of premium MJ cards weve seen over the years? What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. When Topps released its Finest set in 1993 for basketball and baseball, it was a real game changer in the hobby. Rather, the very valuable ones are rookie cards that feature stars of the game like Kobe Bryant, Shaquille ONeal, and Allen Iverson. Other things that make a card valuable are autographs and patches. Selling directly to collectors an example is Deanscard.com. 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. 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. All card images courtesy of TCDB, while pricing data is pulled from recent eBay sales as of Tuesday morning. 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. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC BGS 10 $250,000, 5. This card is 1 of only 2 graded as authentic, making it very rare and valuable. If you immediately notice the sharp decline in sales from previous years, its mainly because the 1999 NBA draft class did not have many notable hall-of-fame or NBA champion players. Ive set aside the top insert sets of the 90s for another article. 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. Like many sports cards of this era, they were heavily produced in such large quantities that the market is still flooded with them. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Hoops listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. (Sold February 2021 by Heritage Auctions). Ross is the founder of Old Sports Cards and has been collecting sports cards for over 30 years. Notable rookies from 1993 include Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber and Toni Kukoc, each of whom have a Topps Finest Refractor rookie card. Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets Click on the linked sets below to shop for available cards 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. 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. And since the debut of "The Last Dance" documentary, all of his cards have soared in value. 1. 1996 Fleer Metal Universe Kobe Bryant #181 Error Card $48,000, 9. Since refractors are just parallel designs of the base set, I dont consider them a completely separate insert set, but it should be noted that refractors add a huge amount of value overall to PSA graded sales history. 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 gorgeous basketball card is one of rare cards hand numbered by Michael Jordan to only 23. The ascetically pleasing card design features two pictures of Jordan. It also comes in great condition, graded 8.0 by Beckett (BGS). 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. So, when gunning for rookie cards, they should be cards of players that went on to achieve great success in the game. 1990 Hoops Card Prices | PSA & Ungraded Values - SportsCardsPro 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. Michael Jordan, now retired, helped the Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA championship with his final shot as a bull. This is a very interesting and valuable basketball card. 1994 was not a particularly exciting year, as Jordan had left to play baseball following his 3rd championship in the 1992-1993 season. When a company notices an error in a lot, the production is stopped, and those items are never released. Thus, not all rookie cards of the 1990s are worth serious money. 15 (tie). 1 1992 Bowman Trevor Hoffman #11 Trevor Hoffman isn't as well-known as the other players on this list, but his #11 Bowman card is still worth a decent bit of money. This was also the year the Lakers began their dominant run in the sport, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille ONeal. Weve combed through recent auction data to bring you a list of ten of the most expensive basketball cards from the 1990s. Several of the players ahead of him also have rookie cards in 1986-87 Fleer Basketball. 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 1996-96 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant Rookie card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey with the ball looking to turn quickly. (For example, the Row 0 version features a hilarious image of Kobe watching himself dribble.). Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan formed the greatest basketball duo that we'll likely ever see. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. 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. With only 31 of these cards presented to Beckett for grading, this makes it highly desirable. Rounding out the most valuable 1990s basketball cards is another Big Shaq card example. He also loves to write about the hobby and has written for Beckett, Topps, SABR and of course, this website. The card features the big man in his LSU days hanging on the rim after a powerful dunk. 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. The Gold featured only the most desired names, including MJ and Allen Iverson. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. There are many online shops that specialize in buying and selling 1990s basketball cards. 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. The 1990s defined the game of basketball. Alonzo Mourning, Christian Laettner, and Robert Horry are other notable rookies from this year. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above Strange die-cuts were a common theme in 1990s inserts. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. The card is finished with a gold trim around the edges. After draining his sixth three-pointer in just the first half, Jordan headed back on defense and shrugged at the crowd in disbelief himself at the shooting clinic he was unleashing. 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. You can buy basketball cards wherever they are sold such as in garage sales, and in online selling places like eBay. For my one year anniversary here on YouTube, I am updating and relaunching my most popular video. 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. With all collectibles, condition is a big determinant of value. You wont find any like it anywhere. Talking of special ONeal cards, youll be hard pressed to find one better than this Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 non-perforated card. (Youll be able to tell, as the back notes where the swatch is from.). We've listed the cards in order, starting with a great option from the late 1990s. 9. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. The colors and the edging make it susceptible to chips and wear, which is another reason why its valued highly. This card perfectly captures Robinson throwing down one of his two-handed slams, almost making it look easy. 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. So, this rookie card is a jewel. Sports Cards: 10 Most Valuable Baseball Rookie Cards of the 1990s However, they were creating solid value through their base designs and high-end value through scarcity with their refractor parallels. A high school phenom playing in one of the sport's biggest markets, Bryant was compared to Michael Jordan from the start of his pro career. With many new fans and demand outgrowing supply, the price of basketball cards increased. 1990 Hoops #358 Michael Jordan. 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. 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 Ultimate Guide to '90s Basketball Cards - ONE37pm 1998 Upper Deck SP Authentic Michael Jordan #M4 PSA 10 GEM MINT $22,575, 30+ Vintage Christmas Cards Worth Looking At In 2022, The Top 10 Most Valuable Glass Insulators Today, Top 10 Most Valuable Case Knives: Complete Value Guide, Top 10 Most Valuable Beach Stones: Complete Value Guide, 10 Rarest and Most Valuable Lladro Figurines: Value Guide, 10 Rarest and Most Valuable Starbucks Mugs: Value Guide, 12 Most Valuable Tom Clark Gnomes: Value and Price Guide, Vintage Linens (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Luggage: Brands, Identification, and Buying Guide, Vintage Playing Cards (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Japanese Music Box Rare Collectibles, Sports Memorabilia Price and Identification Guide, White Sewing Machine 101: Everything you need to know. Post contains affiliate links. So, many basketball cards of this decade capture these highlights and are very valuable. Your basketball cards can be worth anything from a few hundred dollars to millions of dollars. Some of the best players in the 1990s include: (This is by no means a complete list of the best players from the 90s). 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. After two seasons as a backup with the Phoenix Suns, he was traded to the Dallas Mavericks where he teamed with Dirk Nowitzki for six seasons before returning to the Suns. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. His rookie cards dramatically increased the value of all card brands. This authenticates the cards and defines their condition (in a scale of 1 10). A passing of the torch from the MJ years, Kobes RCs are clearly some of the most popular youll find at auction today. Just twenty-three examples of this particular card were autographed, making them far rarer than the unsigned editions. 1990 Hoops #279 Shawn Kemp Rookie Card. Whether youre, Read More 15 Most Valuable Michael Jordan Cards (1997 Psa 7 Was Sold For Over $1.4 Million In February 2021)Continue, Collecting sports cards continues to be an enjoyable hobby among enthusiastic collectors. Hes in his Orlando Magic jersey, as he was their number one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. 1990 Hoops #39 Larry Bird Estimated PSA 10 Value: $100 . 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. The card is by Topps, considered to be one of the more exclusive card companies for collectors. However, lots of brands contributed lots of brand diversitry to the hobby during the decade, including Upper Deck, SP, Hoops, Bowmans Best, and Collectors Choice. Who else but Kobe Bryant in the top spot? The game is regarded as iconic as it was the last game played by both Hall of Famer James Worthy and fellow Laker Magic Johnson. It doesnt matter that the height of their careers was after the 1990s. It is literally one of its kind. BGS and SGC are also two companies that are well-regarded. 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. 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. Lets take a look at the most valuable basketball card brands of the 1990s. These are usually worth from a few hundred dollars to up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most Valuable Baseball Cards of the 1990's 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. Thus, cards that are worth money are those graded as mint by trusted grading companies like PSA and BSG. This Skybox Z-Force Strike Force Michael Jordan card is one. 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 card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. The card sold at auction in February 2021 for $1,440,000. A big part of the card is devoted to MJs signed autograph. A real piece of history, the 97 Upper Deck Game Jersey helped to kickstart the beginning of the Jersey Patch craze and set the precedent for future productions. Yet another Jordan card to make the list, his 1998 SP Authentic Sign of Times is a tiered release. 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. 1 in the 1997 draft. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Isiah Thomas was the leader of the Detroit Pistons squads that won back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990. Less than 250 of these cards exist. The card is personally autographed and hand-numbered 12/23, making it a great addition to any collection. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. 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 odds of pulling this card in a pack are thought to be around 1/55,000. First, look to see if the card is graded by Beckett Grading system (BGS) or Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). 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. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Old Sports Cards, LLC, Michael Jordan's 1990 Fleer basketball card. And he definitely didn't disappointthe 10-time All-Star, 2-time NBA champ and 1-time MVP easily goes down in history as one of the game's greatest centers. It is in the best condition possible. 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 card is complete with its original protective coating, not usually seen on most cards. 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. susceptible to surface scratching and wearing, which is another reason why gem mint copies are valued so high compared to the norm. Ahead, we've taken a closer look at the 10 most valuable rookie cards of the 1990s. This Kobe rookie is a limited-edition example, numbered 442/449 cards. 4 on the list. So that there are no confusions about the condition of a basketball card, cards are usually officially graded. Also Read:11 Most Valuable Shaquille ONeal Rookie Cards (Round-up list). This Michael Jordan insert is from Upper Decks 98/99 SP Authentic release. The background has a wooden effect, fitting in with the Final Floor theme. This means it has sharp corners, full original gloss, and a perfectly centered card image. 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. The deep-etched image sees Jordan leaping through the air, with purple lightning exploding across the background, lighting up the night sky. 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. This is one of the most valuable basketball cards out there. The card produced by Topps is graded as a PSA 10, meaning it is in pristine condition, making it highly collectible. The card features Kobe, again in a yellow Lakers jersey, looking to shoot the ball whilst being guarded. Contact him at [emailprotected]. In fact, Michael Jordans 1993 Finest Refractor accounts for approximately $178,000 in PSA graded card sales according to PSAs auction price reports. Some of the most valuable cards produced are limited editions featuring historical players in their rookie years. 33 LSU jersey, in his center position, reading the game. This basketball card has surged in value since that tragic passing of Kobe. 1980's Most Valuable Baseball Cards George Bush (1990 Topps #USA1) Yes, you read it right. If a card is signed by the featured player, itll be more valuable than an unsigned version. The card was graded as a Beckett 9 and sold at a Goldin auction in March 2021 for $198,030. The card was released in a defining year for Iverson when he made his debut and won rookie of the year. Ungraded & graded values for all '90 Skybox Basketball Cards.