The total PSA graded sales of this set is staggering almost $2.7 million as of August 2020. (Especially considering his untimely death following a helicopter crash in January 2020.). 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. 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. Gary Payton was included in the release of 1990 Fleer Update. The guy could absolutely jump through the roof and his vertical leaping ability is on full display on his 1990 Fleer card. Topps Chrome would continue its status as top base set of the rest of the decade. Coming in second place is the Kobe Bryant Chrome Refractor Rookie card. We've listed the cards in order, starting with a great option from the late 1990s. 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. Kobes card is the one to make our list, although there are lots of interesting options like Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady RCs, as well as an MJ version to look out for. Generally, a card with a higher grade (is in a better condition), and will be valuable than an identical card with a lower grade. Selling in auction sites some of these sites include eBid, Selling in online market places these include eBay and Craiglist. Read the full disclosure here. 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. This card example was sold at a Goldin Auction for $162,360. It includes a lot of minor players that you may not have heard the name of before. 1990 Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 Non Perforated card $100,000, 8. The Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant who unfortunately recently passed away, made his debut. 3 jersey letting out a celebratory shout, with his teammates around. An MJ hand-numbered /23 card shows that only 23 of its kind exists, and will be very valuable. What this set may lack in terms of overall value, it certainly makes up in nostalgia. 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". As well as MJ, they secured rookie cards for the likes of Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, and Ray Allen. Vinyl Records Value: Your Old Value Records Worth a Fortune, Vintage Stiffel Lamps: Value and Price Guide, Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Vintage Schwinn Bikes: [Types, Identification, and Values], Vintage Rooster Cookie Jar Identification and Value Guide. 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. 15 (tie). (However, most signatures are aftermarket examples. Parallels: Red PMG (/90), Green PMG (/10). It features MJ reaching to dunk the ball on the left with a red Chicago Bulls game jersey patch on the right side. Read our methodology . 1981 Topps Basketball Magic Johnson #21 The next card also features Magic Johnson, in a great action shot that sees him evading multiple players on the court. This means it is rarer than the unsigned cards. 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 features the big man in his LSU days hanging on the rim after a powerful dunk. Due to poor sales of the. Okay, this is where it gets even more interesting. Prices are updated daily based upon 1990 Hoops listings that sold on eBay and our marketplace. 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. 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. SGC vs. BGS vs. PSA Grading: Who Is Best in 2023? Like many sports cards of this era, they were heavily produced in such large quantities that the market is still flooded with them. You may find some other of this card, but finding one in pristine condition is very difficult. Card company Flair made its debut a few years before, but 1996 was their best release to date. As if that is not enough, the card is hand-signed by Michael Jordan himself. One of the game's best point guards, Thomas was named one of the league's 50 top players. The card features MJ soaring into the air with his arm outstretched. Over the past few years, basketball cards have exploded in value when compared to other sports cards. The odds reduce to virtually zero if the card is to be in mint condition. 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. That's what happens when Michael Jordan is playing in the league during your prime years. The 1990s defined the game of basketball. 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. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. Who else but Kobe Bryant in the top spot? 10 Basketball Cards Every 90s Kid Should Own. This means it has sharp corners, full original gloss, and a perfectly centered card image. Talking of special ONeal cards, youll be hard pressed to find one better than this Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 non-perforated card. 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). 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, which of course, was O'Neal.". The renewed attention led to increased numbers of collectors and investors taking an interest in cards from the era, and now theyre some of the most valuable options that money can buy. This UD Ovation Super Signature Jordan #MJS card is one of the most beautiful basketball cards youll find. The second Jordan player patch to make our list, the 1999 UD MJs Final Floor is another great option that celebrates the phenoms career. Your basketball cards can be worth anything from a few hundred dollars to millions of dollars. 1992 was all about Shaquille ONeal. The picture is the Black Mamba himself executing some sort of over the back slam dunk, and it is framed by a gold edge. Today we'll take a look at the 20 highest selling PSA graded basketball cards from the 1990 Fleer Basketball Set.Background track credit: https://artist.land. What is the most expensive card in the world? 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. 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. Dikembe Mutombo and Larry Johnson were the top rookies of the 1991 class, and Jordan cards caught fire after he won his first championship against Magic Johnson and the Lakers to end the previous season. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. With Rookie cards produced in limited quantities, this makes them much rarer and more valuable. The card is currently listed on eBay for $250,000. Worse decade of basketball? I will be using total PSA graded card sales to determine values. 1990 Hoops #391 Gary Payton Rookie Card. Ahead, we've taken a closer look at the 10 most valuable rookie cards of the 1990s. What I wouldnt give to have one of these in my personal collection! Michael Jordan being in his later years, removed from the Chicago Bulls was also a contributing factor. This is truly the most valuable basketball card brand of the 90s. Fans and card collectors, Read More 11 Most Valuable Shaquille ONeal Rookie Cards (Round-up list)Continue, In recent years, the NBA fan base has seen a huge growth in the number of fans, Read More 11 Most Valuable Luka Doncic Rookie Cards (Worth Up to $4,600,000)Continue, Whilst most hobbies seem to come and go, sports card collecting is here to stay. 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. 1990 Hoops card list & price guide. And to have any value at all, the cards on this list will need to be graded in PSA 10 gem mint conditionmeaning they're nearly flawless. The card was graded as a Beckett 9 and sold at a Goldin auction in March 2021 for $198,030. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, ahead of UMass center Marcus Camby. His incredible floor vision, court awareness and overall basketball wizardry allowed him to make some of the most thrilling plays. If you are looking to rip through an old hobby box, the most noticeable flaw will be off-center cuts. It has two pictures of Michael Jordan one picture is of the legend executing a beautiful one-handed dunk over another picture of his head. The 1990s saw a host of famous players make their debuts and play in their rookie years making the cards very valuable to collectors. 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. 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 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. 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s 1. The card features the Black Mamba, Kobe Bryant in a yellow Lakers jersey dunking the ball from behind his back. The card is complete with its original protective coating, not usually seen on most cards. However, they were creating solid value through their base designs and high-end value through scarcity with their refractor parallels. Exceedingly rare, the odds of pulling a Jordan were 1 in 55,000 packs, which goes some way to explaining why its so expensive. One small flaw is the relative darkness on the upper half of the card. Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan formed the greatest basketball duo that we'll likely ever see. 1996 Fleer Metal Universe Kobe Bryant #181 Error Card $48,000, 9. It also paved the way for future NBA stars like Allen Iverson to implement similar moves into their offensive arsenals although Iverson and Hardaway don't necessarily see eye to eye on who did it better. The former MVP and 11-time All-Star was arguably one of the most deserving players who never did quite when an NBA title. 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. Required fields are marked *. It features a diagonal image of Jordan with a basketball clutched in one hand, with a gold background and a multicolored border. Card collectors really value the shiny finish. The card is in mint condition, graded as a 10 by the PSA. This 1996-96 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant Rookie card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey with the ball looking to turn quickly. 4 on the list. It features a bold Kobe dribbling the ball in a Lakers jersey with the background featuring his face looking on. The T210 Old Mill deck is one of the most varied. 1990 Hoops #5 Michael Jordan All-Star. It last sold in 2019 for $350,100. 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. 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10 $500,000 3. This is another special and rare autographed Michael Jordan basketball card. Of the 10 cards, only 6 have been given to PSA for grading. Barkley's 1990 Fleer issue was one of the few cards to picture him with any amount of hair whatsoever. Importantly, it is also a PSA 10 GEM mint card. The "Vinsanity" hype was very real during Vince Carter's peak with the Toronto Raptors, and he went on to play 22 seasons, progressing from high-flying dunk contest champion and leading scorer to veteran role player and fan favorite. The card sold at auction in December 2020 for $915,000. This was also the year the Lakers began their dominant run in the sport, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille ONeal. 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. 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. 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. This is one that that makes this MJ SP Authentic #M4 card very valuable. Notable rookies from 1993 include Anfernee Hardaway, Chris Webber and Toni Kukoc, each of whom have a Topps Finest Refractor rookie card. 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. The card is personally autographed and hand-numbered 12/23, making it a great addition to any collection. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above made the cards resemble the blade of a buzz saw. The 1990s saw a rise in basketball card brand diversity. 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. He and the Bulls also dropped the Los Angeles Lakers 4-1 to pick up his first NBA title after struggling for years to get past the Detroit Pistons and into the finals. Michael Jordan, now retired, helped the Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA championship with his final shot as a bull. With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. Given the deep background, any flaw is readily apparent, so high grades are costly to buy. The card pictures Shaq donning his no. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. The gold-colored card also shows Michael in a red Chicago Bulls jersey performing a jump shot. It sold at a Heritage Auction in November 2021 for $132,000. This 1992 Classic DP Shaquille ONeal card is one of the most valuable of them all. 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. 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. This decade also saw one of the most iconic moments of the game: Michael Jordans final shot as a Bull. 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. 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. The decade started out with mainly Fleer, Skybox, and NBA Hoops. Finest introduced refractors, which is a coating on a cards surface that creates a rainbow-like shine when reflected by the light. This 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC is regarded as one of the most valuable examples. Following this, the coronavirus pandemic meant many fans were unable to attend in-person sporting events, leaving them with more money and a desire to interact with the sport. How Much Should You Invest Annually In Sports Card. Below are some of the most memorable or important single basketball cards, sets and insert sets of the 1990s. Several of the players ahead of him also have rookie cards in 1986-87 Fleer Basketball. This chrome approach to card design is one that is continued to this day. We've already touched on this card in our "10 Basketball Cards Every 90s Kid Should Own" article a few months ago: "Due to an exclusive sports card agreement with Classic Games, Shaquille O'Neal was not initially eligible to be included in 1992-93 products. When it comes to buying 1990s basketball cards or searching the attic to see if you have any hidden treasures, there are some things you need to look for when trying to determine what 90s basketball cards are worth money. The card was released in 1990, two years before his rookie cards. 3 pick in the 1994 NBA draft and an immediate star for the Detroit Pistons. 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". 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. It was all a recipe for superstardom, and his development from tantalizing teen star to franchise player and all-time great helped solidify his place as one of the hobby's biggest names. This Michael Jordan insert is from Upper Decks 98/99 SP Authentic release. You can still find hobby boxes from all these brands and years on eBay. A big part of the card is devoted to MJs signed autograph. Sometimes, what makes a collectible very rare and valuable is an error. Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets Click on the linked sets below to shop for available cards on eBay. The 1990s is a storied decade in the game of basketball. It being the only card in its set to be so autographed takes it from special to super special. So, many basketball cards of this decade capture these highlights and are very valuable. The card has Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers printed at the bottom in gold. (Youll be able to tell, as the back notes where the swatch is from.). These two are the most well-known and trusted grading companies. Its currently listed on eBay for $500,000. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. However, an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the 2000-01 season and he was never quite the same after that. One of the things that always sticks out in my memory was how Divac was able to play at such a high level while being a heavy cigarette smoker. 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. 1997 1998 UD Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13, 1996 Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant #269 PSA 10, 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC, 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC BGS 10, 1999 Upper Deck Ovation Super Signatures Gold Michael Jordan #MJS card, 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card, 1990 Big Blue Shaquille ONeal #19 Non Perforated card, 1996 Fleer Metal Universe Kobe Bryant #181 Error Card, 1997 SPx Gold Die-Cut Michael Jordan #5 Signed PSA 10, 1998 Upper Deck SP Authentic Michael Jordan #M4 PSA 10 GEM MINT, 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s, 1. 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.