Shaquille O’Neal Basketball Cards
Hey guys! Matt here with Graded Card Investor and today we’re looking at the best Shaq basketball cards from the ’90s. Ah, the 90s – a time of epic basketball matchups and killer card collections. Shaquille O’Neal, or ‘Shaq’ as we fondly remember shouting at our TV screens, wasn’t just a force on the court; he’s become a legend in the card-collecting as well.
If you’ve got a soft spot for the nostalgia of the 90s NBA or if you’re looking for a smart card investment, you’re in the right place. Let me guide you through some of the most iconic Shaquille O’Neal basketball cards from that unforgettable era.
➡️ Watch the full video of this list on YouTube
15. 1998 Bowman’s Best Shaquille O’Neal Atomic Refractor Card
- Serial Number: 76/100
- Grade: BGS 9 Mint Condition
- Sale Price: $1,170 (September 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: These Atomic Refractors, reminiscent of modern-day cracked ice cards from the Panini brand, are especially captivating. The limited serial number adds exclusivity.
14. 1997 Skybox Premium Shaquille O’Neal Premium Players Card
- Insert Number: #4
- Grade: PSA 10 Gem Mint
- Sale Price: $1,380 (September 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: With one insert per 192 packs of the series 1 Skybox Premium boxes, these chromium-finish cards are not just visually appealing but also fairly scarce.
13. 1998 Skybox Thunder Shaquille O’Neal Noyz Boyz Die cut Insert
- Insert Number: #11
- Grade: BGS 9.5 Gem Mint
- Sale Price: $1,440 (June 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: These cards were a 1 in 300 rarity from the 1998 Skybox Thunder hobby boxes. The fact that a PSA 10 of the same card sold for $369 in July 2018 highlights the card’s appreciating value.
12. 1997 Skybox Premium Shaquille O’Neal Golden Touch Diecut Basketball Card Insert
- Insert Number: #4 GT
- Grade: PSA 9 Mint
- Sale Price: $1,470 (September 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: These Golden Touch cards, found in only one of every 360 packs of the series 2 Skybox Premium hobby boxes, are gems to behold.
11. 1996 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Shaquille O’Neal Basketball Card
- Number: 10 Row 0
- Serial Number: 33/150
- Grade: PSA 9 Mint
- Sale Price: $2,300 (June 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: These are special due to the introductory year of the Legacy Collection. The 1996 cards have a particularly cherished design, making them a fantastic investment.
10. 1998 Fleer Shaquille O’Neal Classic 1961 Basketball Card
- Card Number: #143
- Serial Number: 56/61
- Grade: BGS 9 Mint
- Sale Price: $2,880 (June 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: These cards, inspired by the iconic 1961 Fleer design, are rare. With only 61 in existence, they’re a treasure trove for collectors.
9. 1997 Metal Universe Shaquille O’Neal Championship Hardware Basketball Card
- Insert Number: #3
- Grade: PSA 10 Gem Mint
- Sale Price: $3,600 (February 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: Not just their rarity, but being part of the metal Universe box which already had a high price tag due to the PMGs makes them a valuable asset.
8. 1996 Fleer Ultra Shaquille O’Neal Platinum Medallion Parallel
- Card Number: #P55
- Grade: PSA 10 Gem Mint
- Sale Price: $3,722 (September 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: 1996 Ultra marked the first year of the Platinum Medallions, making them especially valuable to collectors. However, they are not serial numbered like the 1997 and 1998 sets.
7. 1997 Skybox EX-2001 Shaquille O’Neal Essential Credentials Parallel
- Card Number: #7
- Serial Number: 56/74
- Grade: BGS 8.5 Near Mint to Mint Plus
- Sale Price: $11,700 (January 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: Introduced with a unique acetate design in 1997, these cards are a testament to Fleer’s innovation in the hobby.
➡️ Watch the Instagram Reel of this card
6. 1998 Skybox Premium Shaquille O’Neal Star Rubies Parallel
- Card Number: #21
- Serial Number: 20/50
- Grade: BGS 9 Mint
- Sale Price: $13,200 (January 2023)
- Auction House: Golden Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: With only 50 in existence, these Star Rubies parallel cards are undeniable gems in the world of collectible cards.
➡️ Watch the YouTube #short of this card
5. 1998 Skybox Molten Metal Shaquille O’Neal Fusion Insert
- Insert Number: #45
- Serial Number: 2/40
- Grade: BGS 8 Near Mint to Mint
- Sale Price: $15,600 (July 2023)
- Auction House: Golden Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: Only 40 of these Fusion cards were ever made. Owning one is like owning a piece of rare art from the basketball card realm.
4. 1997 Skybox E-X Century Essential Credentials Shaquille O’Neal
- Card Number: #45
- Serial Number: 14/14
- Grade: PSA 6
- Sale Price: $15,600 (February 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: This is the Now parallel, which is much rarer than the Future parallels. It is amazing that one was pulled and surfaced for auction with only 14 in existence.
Check prices of 1997 Essential Credentials Now Cards on eBay
3. 1997 Skybox EX 2001 Shaquille O’Neal Jambalaya Diecut Insert
- Card Number: #7
- Grade: PSA 10 Gem Mint
- Sale Price: $16,200 (August 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: This Jambalaya Diecut has seen a significant increase in value over the years, underscoring its desirability among collectors.
2. 1997 Metal Universe Shaquille O’Neal Precious Metal Gems Parallel
- Card Number: #1
- Serial Number: 7/50
- Grade: BGS 8.5 Near Mint to Mint Plus
- Sale Price: $24,000 (April 2023)
- Auction House: PWCC Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: Included in the esteemed Metal Universe Championship set, these cards are renowned for their iconic PMG prism scope design—a design so influential that Panini incorporated it into their modern sets. The in-hand experience of these cards is simply unparalleled.
1. 1997 Metal Universe Shaquille O’Neal Precious Metal Gems Green Parallel
- Card Number: #50
- Serial Number: 6/100
- Grade: PSA 4
- Sale Price: $175,200 (May 2023)
- Auction House: Golden Auctions
- Noteworthy Info: Dubbed the “ultimate basketball card unicorn”, this green parallel PMG card is among the most iconic sports cards ever. Only 10 of these cards exist in basketball, making it a monumental collectible piece.
➡️ Watch the YouTube #short of this card
Conclusion
There’s something truly special about the world of sports card collecting. Over the years, I’ve seen countless cards come and go, but Shaquille O’Neal basketball cards? They always catch the eye and never seem to lose their charm. For those who remember Shaq’s glory days or even those new to the scene, these cards offer a delightful mix of nostalgia and potential growth. As tastes and trends change, some things stay golden. Trust me, Shaquille O’Neal basketball cards are one of those timeless gems in the collecting world.
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.
