Introduction
This article will cover the best Kobe Bryant rookie cards from the 90s. Due to the high number of Kobe cards, I will not include his rookie cards or refractors in this list. I will make separate lists of his other cards and list them below. Please comment at the end of the article and let us know what Kobe Bryant basketball card you think should be on this list.
Quick Links
[table id=8 /]
#30.
1997 Skybox Z-Force Rave
Kobe Bryant #88
PSA 9 sold for $1,200
#29.
1998 Fleer Tradition Electrifying
Kobe Bryant #1
PSA 10 sold for $1,675
#28.
1998 Hoops Frequent Flyer Club Upgrade
Kobe Bryant #9
PSA 10 sold for $1,800
#27.
1997 Metal Universe Planet Metal
Kobe Bryant #3
PSA 10 sold for $2,225
#26.
1998 Metal Universe Planet Metal
Kobe Bryant #6
PSA 10 sold for $2,424
#25.
1997 Fleer Thrill Seekers
Kobe Bryant #2
PSA 10 sold for $2,880
#24.
1997 Skybox Premium Competitive Advantage
Kobe Bryant #CA2
PSA 10 sold for $2,952
#23.
1997 Metal Universe Platinum Portraits
Kobe Bryant #3
PSA 10 sold for $3,051
#22.
1998 Flair Showcase Takeit2.net
Kobe Bryant #5
PSA 10 sold for $3,450
#21.
1998 Skybox E-X Century Dunk ‘N Go-Nuts
Kobe Bryant #6DG
PSA 10 sold for $3,500
#20.
1997 Skybox Premium Premium Player
Kobe Bryant #3
PSA 10 sold for $3,874
#19.
1998 Skybox Premium That’s Jam
Kobe Bryant #14
PSA 10 sold for $4,027
#18.
1997 Skybox Z-Force Big Men on Court
Kobe Bryant #2
PSA 10 sold for $5,500
#17.
1998 Skybox Premium Intimidation Nation
Kobe Bryant basketball card #2
PSA 10 sold for $7,500
1998 Skybox Premium Intimidation Nation cards.
Intimidation Nation inserts are found in 1:360 packs of 1998 Skybox Premium hobby boxes or one per case. They feature up close and personal photos of players looking “intimidating” placed over a fiery background. Fleer did something unique with this set that has not been replicated since.
Because of the challenging pull ratio and unique concept, the Intimidation inserts are gaining popularity in the hobby. Moreover, Fleer included Intimidation Nation cards in their ’98 football set, creating more awareness and collectability.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded 58 of Kobe’s Intimidation Nation cards, with nine grading gem mint 10, twenty mint 9, two nm-mt+, and the remaining grading PSA 8 or less. Some things to look out for when grading is centering and damage on the backside edges and corners. Due to the back having black, cards are often found with chipping on the edges, resulting in lower grades.
What is the value of Kobe Bryant’s Intimidation Nation basketball card?
The value of an ungraded 1998 Intimidation Nation Kobe Bryant card is between $800 – $1,000, depending on the condition. A PSA 9 example is valued between $1,800 – $2,200, while a PSA 10 just sold at auction by Golding Auctions for $7,500.
#16.
1997 Skybox Premium Golden Touch
Kobe Bryant basketball card #3GT
PSA 10 sold for $8,300
1997 Skybox Premium Golden Touch cards.
Golden Touch die-cut inserts are found in 1:360 packs from series 2 boxes. These are easily identifiable with a unique die-cut pattern, gold foil background, and bevel and embossed Golden Touch letters. This 15-card set includes the typical players from the late 90s, such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, and Scottie Pippen.
This is a second-year card of Kobe with the back description complementing his incredible leaping ability and all-around skills. Furthermore, Fleer states that he’s established himself as a legitimate three-point threat, and at age 19, Bryant will only get better.
PSA Population report.
Kobe Bryant has the second most Golden Touch basketball cards in PSA’s population report with 64; Michael Jordan has the most, with 84. Of the 64 Kobe examples, ten are in gem mint 10 conditions, eighteen in mint 9, and twenty in NM-MT 8.
What is the value of the Golden Touch Kobe Bryant basketball card?
The value of Kobe Bryant’s Golden Touch insert depends on the condition. When ungraded, the value is between $800-$1,000. PSA 9, mint condition examples sell between $1,800-$2,000, while Goldin Auctions recently sold a PSA 10 for $8,300.
#15.
1997 Metal Universe Championship Hardware
Kobe Bryant basketball card #7
PSA 10 sold for $8,610
1997 Metal Universe Championship Hardware cards.
1997 Metal Universe Championship Hardware inserts are found in 1:360 packs of ’97-’98 Metal Universe Championship hobby boxes. The Hardware inserts have the most formidable odds of the many chase cards in the set. They offer an entire foil front with cropped-out photos of players positioned over a gold background.
Kobe is shown soaring through the air catching a pass that will undoubtedly result in points on the board. Because of the sensitive material used on these, they are challenging to find and even more difficult to find in near-perfect conditions.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded 41 of Kobe’s Hardware cards with eight grading gem mint 10, ten mint 9, and three nm-mt+ 8.5. The majority of cards in the population are nm-mt PSA 8, with fifteen total. So, if you submit an example to PSA, chances are you will receive an 8 or a 9, as long as the card doesn’t have any significant damage.
What is the value of Kobe Bryant’s Championship Hardware basketball card?
The value of an ungraded Kobe Bryant Hardware basketball card is between $700 – $1,000, depending on the condition. A PSA 9 example sold at auction on eBay in September 2022 for $1,375. The most recent PSA 10 gem mint condition was sold by Goldin Auctions in October 2021 for $8,610. Because there are many Hall of Fame players in the set, prices can get competitive due to collectors wanting to complete the set. Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are the two most prominent names in the set.
#14.
1997 Hoops High Voltage 500
Kobe Bryant basketball card #1
PSA 8 sold for $9,600
1997 High Voltage 500 basketball cards.
NBA Hoops is primarily a retail product known for having lower-quality cardstock and a high supply. However, there are also ultra-rare inserts randomly inserted in their hobby boxes known as High Voltage 500. High Voltage 500 are parallel cards to the regular High Voltage inserts, which are in roughly one per hobby box. The set contains 20 electric players of the late 90s, including Jordan, Pippen, Malone, Rodman, Iverson, Garnett, and Kobe.
The 500 series are limited to 500 copies per player and sequentially numbered out of 500 on the backside. Moreover, the design includes a spiral Prizm overlay that refracts when held in the light at an angle, making it easily identifiable. Because of the scarcity, impressive design, and legendary player list, High Voltage 500 cards are highly collectible and valuable.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded just 21 of the Kobe High Voltage 500 inserts, with one grading gem mint 10, five near-mint-mint 8, eight near-mint 7, and the remaining PSA 6 or less. Due to the foil finish, cards are often found with wear and tear on the edges, making them difficult to grade.
What is the value of Kobe Bryant’s High Voltage 500 basketball card?
The value of Kobe’s High Voltage 500 card is between $6,700 – $13,650, depending on the condition. Goldin Auctions recently sold a PSA 8 at auction for $8,000. A BGS 7 example sold at auction in October 2022 for $2,500.
#13.
1998 Skybox Molten Metal Fusion
Kobe Bryant basketball card #33F
PSA 9 sold for $9,840
1998 Molten Metal Fusion Titanium basketball cards.
This 50-card set is semi-parallel to the base set cards #101-150, which are the Heavy Metal and Supernatural subsets. The cards feature laser cut technology with pinhole-sized cutouts tracing the player’s silhouette. Cards #1-30 were inserted at 1:16 packs, while cards #31-50 were limited to 250.
Moreover, Fleer included a rarer parallel to the Fusion called Titanium Fusion, which is limited to 40 copies per player of numbers 31-50 and has a gold color on the front. Fusion basketball cards are undoubtedly one of the more iconic and earliest cards with serial numbers.
There was a manufacturing error during production.
Due to a manufacturing error, Fleer produced 15 of the 20 Supernatural cards with an incorrect front logo, resulting in five cards with serial numbers out of 40 rather than 250. Five players remain correct: Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, Allen Iverson, Shawn Kemp, and Stephon Marbury. The subset name is located above the skybox Molten Metal logo. For instance, the Kobe Bryant card belongs to the Supernatural Subset, the same as Michael Jordan’s.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded fifteen of Kobe’s Fusion basketball cards, with five grading gem mint 10, six mint 9, three NM-MT 8, and one authenticated. Only 22 Michael Jordan Fusion cards are PSA-graded, which shows just how elusive these are.
What is the value of the ’98 Fusion Titanium Kobe Bryant basketball card?
The value of an ungraded 1998 Fusion Kobe Bryant card is between $2,500 – $4,000, depending on the condition. A BGS 8.5 example recently sold at auction in October 2022 for $3,916.
#12.
1998 Hoops Slam Bams
Kobe Bryant #2
PSA Authentic sold for $15,100
#11.
1997 Fleer Ultra Platinum Medallion
Kobe Bryant basketball card #1P
PSA 8 sold for $15,350
1997 Fleer Ultra Platinum Medallion cards.
Platinum Medallion parallels are one of the Holy Grail parallels from the ’90s. They are limited to 100 copies per card and have serial numbers on the back, making them some of the hobby’s earliest parallel cards to have such a feature. Moreover, the background is covered with a “platinum” finish, and the text also boasts a metallic gradient.
Platinum Medallion parallels first appeared in the 1996 set; however, they do not have serial numbers. Gold Medallion parallels are also in the set and easier to pull. If you’re looking for an ultimate challenge, consider hunting down the 1/1 Masterpiece edition. Only one copy per card exists.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded 18 of Kobe’s Platinum Medallion cards, with one grading gem mint 10, six mint 9, six NM-MT 8, and the remaining PSA 7 or less. Finding cards in high grades is challenging due to the heavy ink and thick foil finish. The cards often stick together when opening from packs peeling away tiny parts of the front and back surface, resulting in a damaged card.
Furthermore, many cards are cut off-centered and have wear and tear on the edges. These are some of the most problematic cards to find in near-perfect conditions.
How much is Kobe Bryant’s 1997 Platinum Medallion basketball card worth?
Due to scarcity, a few of Kobe’s Platinum Medallion cards have surfaced for auction. Goldin Auctions recently sold a PSA example at auction in August 2022 for $15,350. Ungraded examples have a value between $9,000 – $12,000, depending on the condition.
#10.
1997 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 0
Kobe Bryant #18
PSA 10 sold for $16,888
#9.
1997 Fleer Ultra Star Power Supreme
Kobe Bryant basketball card #3
PSA 10 sold for $18,450
1997 Fleer Ultra Star Power Supreme cards.
Star Power Supreme die-cut inserts are in 1:288 packs in series two boxes of 1997 Fleer Ultra paralleling the “Star Power” and “Star Power Plus” inserts but are the rarest tier of the three. Star Power Supreme cards offer a clear acetate feature, a die-cut top left corner, and many foil finishes on the text and atom symbols.
The 20-card set features notable players such as Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan (RC), Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant. Fleer did an excellent job creating a memorable and collectible insert card with the Star Power Supreme.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded 49 of Kobe’s Star Power Supreme inserts with eleven grading gem mint 10, twelve mint 9, seventeen NM-MT 8, and the remaining PSA 7 or less. In short, these cards are not too difficult to grade. If you have one, consider submitting it to PSA for authentication and grading.
How much is Kobe Bryant’s 1997 Star Power Supreme basketball card worth?
The value of an ungraded Star Power Supreme Kobe Bryant card is between $500 – $800, depending on the condition. PSA mint 9 examples sell between $1,500 – $1,800. Goldin Auctions sold a PSA 10 example at auction in March 2021 for an impressive $18,450.
#8.
1998 Skybox E-X Century Essential Credentials Future
Kobe Bryant basketball card #10
PSA 9 sold for $19,500
1998 Essential Credentials basketball cards.
Essential Credentials parallel the base set cards except for having vibrant color backgrounds and limited serial numbers. There are two versions; the “Future” version, shown here, has a yellow tint background and is limited to 81 copies. The second parallel is called Essential Credentials “Now” and has 10 copies for Kobe.
Because this is Kobe’s third-year card and the second year of Essential Credentials, it holds significant value to hobbyists. Furthermore, due to Jordan’s retirement in 1998, he is not included in the ’98 issue, which leaves Kobe as the biggest name to collect in the ’98 set.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded 11 of the ’98 Essential Credential Kobe cards, with three grading gem mint 10, seven mint 9, and one NM-MT 8. Proving just how rare they are.
How much is Kobe Bryant’s 1998 Essential Credentials basketball card worth?
The most recent sale of Kobe’s second-year Credentials parallel took place in February 2022 by auction house Goldin Auctions. Surprisingly, the auction only had 20 bids, a small amount for a card of such significance, and ended with a final bid of $19,500.
#7.
1998 Fleer Playmakers Theatre
Kobe Bryant basketball card #3
PSA 9 sold for $33,000
1998 Fleer Tradition Playmaker Theatre basketball cards.
The Playmakers Theatre inserts are gaining more momentum in the hobby recently for a few reasons. Firstly, they are limited to 100 copies per player and are of the early cards with serial numbers. Secondly, the designs are pretty impressive, with an entire foil-type front, and the refractor finish gives them a massive eye appeal. Lastly, the 15-card set is loaded with collectible players, including Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Scottie Pippen.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded six of Kobe’s Playmaker Theatre cards, with none grading gem mint 10, one mint 9, one NM-MT 8, three NM 7, and one EX-MT 6. Because of the foil-type finish, they are often found with soft corners and edge wear, resulting in a lower grade.
How much is Kobe Bryant’s Playmakers Theatre basketball card worth?
The value of a Playmaker Theatre Kobe Bryant card is between $8,000 – $33,000, depending on the condition. The most recent auction was a PSA 9 example, which ended in May 2022 for $33,000. A Michael Jordan PSA 10 example sold at auction in 2021 for a staggering $186,960.
#6.
1997 Skybox E-X2001 Jambalaya
Kobe Bryant basketball card #8
PSA 10 sold for $57,600
1997 Skybox E-X2001 Jambalaya basketball cards.
Jambalaya inserts feature 15 of the NBA’s most prolific dunkers in ’97 and have one of the most recognizable designs of any basketball card. The most recognizable feature of the Jambalaya is the oval die-cut shape. Another giveaway feature is the green and red foil background split between the word Jambalaya in cursive.
Some of the most collected players in the set are Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, and Dennis Rodman. However, because they are so rare, any player is considered valuable.
Overall, there are so many things going for these as far as the design goes. Moreover, will a pull rate of 1:720 packs, they are some of the rarest and more challenging inserts to pull.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded 53 of Kobe’s Jambalaya cards, with fifteen grading gem mint 10, twenty mint 9, seven nm-mt 8, and the remaining psa 7 or less. Because of the oval die-cut shape, the Jambalaya card doesn’t have corners, which makes them easier to find in near-perfect conditions.
How much is Kobe Bryant’s Jambalaya basketball card worth?
Ungraded examples of the Kobe Bryant Jambalaya card sell between $7,500 – $9,000, depending on the condition. PSA 9 examples sell between $16,800 – $18,450, while PSA 10s sell between $57,000 – $68,000.
#5.
1999 Fleer Mystique Raise the Roof
Kobe Bryant basketball card #4
PSA 10 sold for $80,000
1999 Fleer Mystique Raise the Roof cards.
There aren’t many inserts in 1999 that demand attention. However, Fleer’s Raise the Roof insert has too much going for it to leave it off the list. Firstly, the designs are epic. Players are cropped-out and placed over a background of the sky, appearing as though they have broken through the roof.
The Raise the Roof text has the early ’90s feel, with the letters having varying angles and sizes. Secondly, the thick chromium finish makes these feel premium and sturdy, unlike any other sets. Lastly, they are limited to 100 copies per player, making them ultra-rare and hard to find.
PSA Population report.
The evidence of how rare these are can be found in PSA’s population reports. PSA graded a meager 6 of Kobe’s Raise the Roof cards, with one grading gem mint 10, one nm-mt 8, and four near mint 7. Honestly, it doesn’t get much rarer than that.
What is the value of the Raise the Roof Kobe Bryant card?
Due to the extreme rarity of Raise the Roof cards, it is difficult to state an exact value. The only recorded sales are of a PSA 7, selling for $20,400 in October 2021, and a PSA 10, selling for $80,000 in February 2022.
#4.
1997 Skybox Premium Star Rubies
Kobe Bryant basketball card #23
PSA 6 sold for $85,000
1997 Skybox Premium Star Rubies.
Because of the limited supply, Star Rubie’s parallels have always been a highly desired card in the hobby; however, with the recent attention increase, they have gotten even more popular. Moreover, Fleer did a fantastic job designing the Star Rubies, giving them massive eye appeal and making them even more collectible.
Each card parallels the base set and has a serial number of 50 on the back. With only 50 copies per player, the competition gets pretty stiff when one surfaces for auction.
PSA Population report.
There are two Star Rubies cards of Kobe in the ’97 set, his #23 base card, and #226 Team Skybox subset card. PSA graded eleven of his #23 and thirteen of his #226.
What is the value of Kobe’s Star Rubies basketball card?
The most recent auction for a Star Rubies Kobe Bryant from the 1997 set was for a PSA 6 example. The auction received 39 bids and ended at $85,000.
#3.
1997 Skybox E-X2001 Essential Credentials Future
Kobe Bryant basketball card #8
PSA 9 sold for $90,000
1997 Skybox Essential Credential cards.
The first year of the highly popular Essential Credentials parallel was 1997, which was Kobe’s second year in the league. There are two versions to obtain, including the “Future” and “Now.” Kobe’s Future parallels have a serial number of /73 and have a bright pink background. With only 73 copies available, they are challenging to find; however, the Now parallels have only eight copies and are near impossible to find for sale due to collectors locking them up in vaults for permanent keeping.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded thirteen of Kobe’s Essential Credential cards, with none grading gem mint 10, two mint 9, five NM-MT 8, four NM 7, one PSA 6.5, and one authentic.
What is the value of the Essential Credential Kobe Bryant card?
The most recent sale of a ’97 Credential Kobe parallel was in September 2022 by PWCC Auctions and ended at $90,000. A BGS 9.5, gem mint condition example sold for $69,000 in November 2022.
#2.
1997 Metal Universe Championship PMG
Kobe Bryant basketball card #86
PSA 8 sold for $111,000
1997 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems.
In 1997, Fleer released two Metal Universe sets, the standard set and the Championship set, which has 100 total cards, including 98 players and two checklists. Fleer included the Precious Metal Gems parallels in the Championship set but limited each card to 50 copies as opposed to 100, like the standard set. So, the Championship PMGs are much rarer.
Moreover, the design is a bit different from the standard set, with what is now called the “Scope Prizm ” spiraling in the background. Panini uses this same design in its modern products. This set is full of Hall of Fame players and is the second most valuable (non-rookie) Kobe Bryant basketball card to collect.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded seven of Kobe’s ’97 Metal Championship PMGs, with none grading gem mint 10, two mint 9, three NM-MT 8, and two NM 7. Not only are these highly elusive, but they are also challenging to grade.
How much is Kobe Bryant’s Championship PMG basketball card worth?
Because the ’97 Metal Universe Championship PMGs have such high demand and low supply, the value is priceless. However, in February 2022, a collector decided to let their PSA 8 example go up for auction and chose Goldin Auction as the auction house. With 42 bids, it ended for a total of $111,000.
#1.
1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Games
Kobe Bryant basketball card #81
PSA 5 sold for $131,000
1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems.
The number one most valuable (non-rookie) Kobe Bryant basketball card is his 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems parallel, which parallels the base cards; however, the backgrounds are bright green or red. There are 100 PMGs per player, with the first 10 featuring a green foil and the remaining 90 having a red foil front.
Because of the vibrant design, heavy foil finish, incredible artwork, unmatched player photos, and limited print run, PMGs have hobbyists worldwide wanting to add these to their collections.
PSA Population report.
PSA graded 23 of Kobe’s PMG cards, with three grading NM_MT 8, one PSA 7, one PSA 6, and the remaining PSA 5 or less. We can understand how challenging these are to grade with no mint 9 or gem mint 10 examples. Moreover, we see how rare they are, with a small supply of only 23 graded by PSA.
What is the value of Kobe Bryant’s Precious Metal Gems basketball card?
Due to a low supply and high demand, the value of Kobe Bryants Precious Metal Gems parallel from the ’97 Metal Universe set is priceless. However, in September 2022, a collector let their PSA 5 example go to an auction, which ended at $131,000. Stay posted for any cards that surface on eBay for auction because any PMG card is valuable regardless of the player.
Conclusion
This article listed the best Kobe Bryant basketball cards recently sold at auction. Due to the many Kobe Bryant cards on the market, I left out his rookie cards, autograph cards, jersey cards, and refractors. I will make separate lists for those and link them below. Please, comment below and let me know which cards you think should be on the list. Thank you for reading, and happy collecting!
From a young age, Matt dove deep into sports card valuation, turning to esteemed price guides like Beckett and Tuff Stuff. Eventually he extended to Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, and Yu-Gi-Oh!. With a vision to sustain and nurture the hobby he loved, Matt established the ‘Graded Card Investor’ YouTube channel and website. He aims to foster a healthy community and offer invaluable insights to those entering the world of sports cards and TCGs. His depth of understanding, from the card market’s 2020 pinnacle to its 1990s valleys, is consistently fortified by meticulous research.
