The 90s were a golden era for basketball, filled with legendary players, unforgettable moments, and some of the most iconic NBA trading cards ever produced.
For the younger audience, pulling a Babe Ruth or a Honus Wagner might not be as exciting as pulling a Scottie Barnes or a Zion Williamson.
Clearly, they no longer hold the same relevance for most of us.
But there are some stars that are still shining bright even today. After taking retirement from the game, they chose to venture out to newer fields to continue entertaining their fans in one way or the other.
That’s why,
Here’s a list of the top 10 most iconic NBA trading cards from the 90s.
1. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant Rookie Card
Priced on eBay: $47,699.99 (as seen on the day of publishing)
For the seasoned collectors, Topps Chrome cards are the crown jewels in the vast treasure of trading cards. The average sale value of graded “Topps Chrome” cards can typically vary from $15 to millions of dollars depending on the condition and market demand.
For any collector, a Kobe Bryant rookie card would perfectly be the highlight of their personal collection.
The sudden and untimely passing of Kobe Bryant in 2020 left a profound impact on fans and the global community. His legacy continues to be celebrated, and his popularity continues to grow through his loyal fans. And, of course, through his trading cards.
2. 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems (PMG) Michael Jordan
Purchased on PSA card: $915,000.00 (as seen on PSA’s official website at the time of publishing)
And making it onto the list is none other than Michael Jordan, which should be highly expected because… Duh. You can’t expect the list to be complete without at least 2 MJ cards in the top 10.
This one is a GREEN-colored PMG (Precious Metal Gems), manufactured by Skybox International. The thing that makes it so special for collectors is its rarity.
Each PMG card was limited to only 100 copies per player, with 10 green versions and 90 red versions.
It is so coincidental that the PMG cards were released during 1997-98 which was the final year of Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls. This added a layer of historical significance to the cards, making them even more valuable.
Overall, PMG cards made a significant impact in reviving the economics of the trading card market by introducing the concept of artificial scarcity.
This innovation opened newer tangents for manufacturers to explore and helped the oversaturated market of sports memorabilia to gain new heights.
3. 1992-93 Upper Deck (UD) Shaquille O’Neal Rookie Card
Priced on eBay: $47,699.99 (as seen on the day of publishing)
It’s time for my man Shaquille. He is certainly a crowd favorite, known for his humor and very witty remarks.
His ability to score, rebound, and block shots was unmatchable truly.
Shaq’s incredible size, strength, and skill made him one of the most dominant centers in NBA history.
Whether he’s making jokes about fitting into small cars, comparing himself to everyday objects, or playfully teasing his co-hosts on shows like “Inside the NBA,” Shaq’s ability to laugh at himself adds to his charm and keeps him relevant even to the newer generation.
The card here is an Upper Deck Rookie Card, which showcases the 1993 NBA All-Star game, which set the record for the highest TV ratings in the event’s history then. It featured the league’s newest superstar at the time, Orlando’s Shaquille O’Neal.
4. 1993-94 Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings Michael Jordan
Priced on eBay: $18,500.00 (as seen on the day of publishing)
The Ultra Scoring Kings cards were manufactured by Fleer.
The idea behind creating the Fleer Ultra Scoring Kings set was to highlight the top scorers in the NBA and provide collectors with a high-quality, visually appealing insert set.
As for this card, it is printed on foil stock with vibrant colors and lightning bolt design, making it stand out in showcases and collections.
The last sold Fleer Michael Jordan (Ultra Scoring Kings)—graded with a BGS 9.5 was sold for $6,600.00. This shows that collectors are willing to spend substantial amounts of money to acquire any Michael Jordan card they can find.
5. 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force Rave Reviews Allen Iverson
Priced on eBay: $49,999.00 (as seen on the day of publishing)
“The Answer.” Yes, that’s what Allen Iverson was popularly referred to as.
He earned the nickname “The Answer” during his high school basketball career. The name signifies that he was seen as the solution to any basketball-related question, thanks to his extraordinary talent and ability to perform under pressure.
Iverson’s rookie cards from 1996-97 are some of the most popular and valuable cards out there. These include cards from brands like Upper Deck, Fleer, SkyBox, and Topps.
Also, Iverson’s cards capture a significant era in the NBA’s history, reflecting his impact on the game and his cultural influence. That’s why they are not only sought after by trading card collectors but also by some historians.
6. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson Rookie Card
Priced on eBay: $150,000.00 (as seen on the day of publishing)
Here is another Allen Iverson, but Topps Chrome Refractor this time. Refractor cards were first introduced in 1993 with a Topps baseball set called “finest.”
Refractor cards were meant to be eye-catching. Thus, Topps introduced a new card technology called the Chrome Tech, designed to have a reflective shiny finish and a rainbow-like sheen that can be seen if tilted and moved under light.
The Refractor cards were introduced as a parallel to the base set, and after gaining initial success with Chrome Tech, Topps expanded the refractor line to include various colors and special editions, such as Gold Refractor, Black Refractor, and Superfractors.
The mentioned Allen Iverson RC Refractor stands as the sole card (POP 1) in existence for 25 years, significantly enhancing its rarity.
7. 1997 SPx PROMOTION AUTOGRAPH AUTO ANFERNEE PENNY HARDAWAY
Priced on eBay: $25,000.00 (as seen on the day of publishing)
After his retirement, “Penny” transitioned into coaching. He is currently the head coach of the Memphis Tigers men’s basketball team. (University of Memphis Team)
Hardaway was known for his stylish play and became a cultural icon in the 1990s, known for his crossover dribble and his association with the hip-hop community.
The SPx in the above card stands for Super Premier Xtra. It’s a line of trading cards produced by Upper Deck, known for featuring high-quality cards with premium materials, autographs, and memorabilia.
The value of Hardaway’s ungraded autograph cards averages around $1000 on eBay, which certainly highlights the demand and justifies the value of this card.
8. 1992 92 – 93 TOPPS STADIUM CLUB BEAM TEAM MICHAEL JORDAN
Priced on eBay: $29,999.99 (as seen on the day of publishing)
The story of Beam Team trading cards is quite unique and interesting!
The Beam Team cards were first released by Topps in the 1992-93 season. These cards were part of the Stadium Club series and were inspired by a laser light show called “Beams Above the Rim.”
The design of the Beam Team cards featured holographic beams of light on either side of the card, capturing the essence of the laser light show.
Over the years, the Beam Team cards have become collectible items, with variations and re-releases, including Topps Gold and Members Choice versions.
This Michael Jordan card is part of the original 1992-93 set, which remains a favorite among collectors due to its unique design and connection to the iconic laser light show.
9. 1995 Signature Rookies Kevin Garnett
Priced on eBay: $25,000.00 (as seen on the day of publishing)
The 1995 Signature Rookies Draft Day Draft Gems – Promos featuring Kevin Garnett is part of a special subset within the 1995 Signature Rookies basketball card series.
The Signature Rookies includes rookie cards of promising NBA players from the 1995 draft class, signed by the players themselves.
The Draft Day in the card indicates that the cards are part of a set that celebrates the excitement of the NBA Draft Day.
The Draft Gems subset is known to feature particularly valuable and rare cards, often with unique designs or limited print runs.
These cards were promotional items (hence, “PROMO”), often distributed in limited quantities and sometimes available only through specific promotions or events.
KG’s legacy is undoubtedly captured by this card, as it highlights the high standards he upheld right from the start of his career. This card stands as a testament to his numerous accolades, including an MVP award and an NBA Championship.
10. 1997-98 Topps Vintage Tim Duncan Rookie Card
Priced on eBay: $125,000.00 (as seen on the day of publishing)
The “Vintage” in Topps Vintage refers to collectible trading cards produced by Topps before 1980.
These cards are highly sought after by collectors due to their historical significance, classic designs, and the iconic players featured on them.
Oftentimes, these vintage cards are priced on the basis of the story they depict.
The 1997-98 Topps Vintage Tim Duncan Rookie Card tells a story of a promising young player who would go on to become one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history.
As a rookie card, it represents the beginning of Tim Duncan’s illustrious career with San Antonio Spurs. It captures the excitement and potential that surrounded him as he entered the NBA.
Some may also see this card depicting the story of Duncan’s journey from a rookie to a Hall of Famer.
Conclusion
NBA Cards from the 90s are considered to be the crowd favorite. Each card’s popularity and worth are directly linked with the player’s legacy. For the investors, it is a No-lose investment primarily because these players are well established, and there is no risk of loss of value because of any player’s mode of conduct. Would you like to have one in your collection?
