Ryan Barone (@ballcardgenius, Card Expert) is a lifelong member of the hobby. He has been quoted in PSA Magazine, and his content has regularly been mentioned in “Quick Rips” (the Topps RIPPED Newsletter) and across other hobby publications. hello@ballcardgenius.com; Last Time Ago LLC dba Ballcard Genius.
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While the 1990s are a distant memory, the explosion of basketball cards over the last few years easily brought us right back where we were as kids and teens just decades ago.
Much of our collection might be worth peanuts, but there are certainly diamonds in the rough withy that shiny cardboard of 1990-1999. And when I say “diamonds” I really mean precious metal gems, platinum portraits, star rubies, 24K, and other beauties.
Here are 1990’s 100 most valuable basketball cards:
| Player | Card | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Hakeem Olajuwon | 1997 Metal Universe #59 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $9,750 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996 Topps Chrome #138 Refractor Raw | $7,162.77 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1997 Metal Universe #3 Platinum Portraits Raw | $6,999.99 |
| Vince Carter | 1998 Fleer Brilliants #105TG 24-Karat Gold /24 Raw | $6,402 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 1998 SkyBox Premium #212 Ninety Fine - Star Rubies /50 Raw | $4,626.76 |
| Arvydas Sabonis | 1997 Metal Universe #37 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $4,371 |
| Michael Jordan | 1998 Metal Universe #8-LP Linchpins Raw | $4,344.29 |
| Karl Malone | 1998 Fleer Brilliants #75TG 24-Karat Gold /24 Raw | $4,200 |
| Kevin Garnett | 1998 SkyBox Molten Metal #36F Supernatural - Titanium Fusion /40 Raw | $4,000 |
| Dikembe Mutombo | 1997 Metal Universe #106 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $3,850 |
| Larry Johnson | 1998 SkyBox Premium #63 Star Rubies /50 Raw | $3,605 |
| Karl Malone | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 #19 Essential Credentials Future (/62) Raw | $3,544.52 |
| Allen Iverson | 1998 SkyBox Premium #209 Ninety Fine - Star Rubies /50 Raw | $3,500 |
| Tracy McGrady | 1998 SkyBox Premium #42 Star Rubies /50 Raw | $3,000 |
| Grant Hill | 1997 Metal Universe #64 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $2,941.50 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Metal Universe #1 Platinum Portraits Raw | $2,900 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996 Topps Finest #269 Gold - Refractor (No Coating) Raw | $2,818.33 |
| Larry Johnson | 1997 Metal Universe #88 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $2,769.33 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 1998 SkyBox E-X Century #14 Essential Credentials Future (/77) Raw | $2,738 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 SkyBox E-X2000 #5 A Cut Above Raw | $2,627 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 SkyBox Z-Force #4 Big Men on Court - Z-Peat Raw | $2,566.06 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1998 Topps Chrome #A1 Apparitions - Refractor /100 Raw | $2,550 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 Topps Finest #291 Gold - Refractor (with Coating) Raw | $2,525 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996 SkyBox Premium #55 Star Rubies Raw | $2,462 |
| Dale Ellis | 1997 Metal Universe #24 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $2,395.88 |
| Michael Jordan | 1998 Topps #EW5 East-West Refractor (w/Kobe Bryant) Raw | $2,365 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996 Bowman's Best #R23 Atomic Refractor Raw | $2,330.67 |
| Michael Jordan | 1998 Flair Showcase #13TN takeit2.net /1000 Raw | $2,222 |
| Erick Dampier | 1997 Metal Universe #79 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $2,076 |
| Isaiah Rider | 1997 Metal Universe #36 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $2,036.32 |
| Damon Stoudamire | 1998 SkyBox Molten Metal #48F Supernatural - Titanium Fusion /40 Raw | $2,000 |
| Michael Jordan | 1998 SkyBox E-X Century #15DG Dunk 'N Go-Nuts Raw | $2,000 |
| Tim Duncan | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 #8JB Jambalaya Raw | $1,980 |
| Bryon Russell | 1997 Metal Universe #99 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $1,975 |
| Roy Rogers | 1997 Metal Universe #46 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $1,900 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Metal Universe Championship #1CG Championship Galaxy Raw | $1,890.50 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Bowman's Best #60 Atomic Refractor Raw | $1,855 |
| Allen Iverson | 1998 Fleer #8PT Playmakers Theatre /100 Raw | $1,800 |
| Keith Van Horn | 1998 Hoops #7SB Slam Bams /100 Raw | $1,800 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 Flair Showcase #1 Hot Shots Raw | $1,725 |
| Vitaly Potapenko | 1997 Metal Universe #102 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $1,686 |
| Anfernee Hardaway | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 Jambalaya Raw | $1,650 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Fleer Ultra #1-US Ultra Stars Raw | $1,632.68 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996 Bowman's Best #BP10 Picks - Atomic Refractor Raw | $1,603.05 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1998 Fleer Brilliants #70G Gold /99 Raw | $1,551.30 |
| Allen Iverson | 1996 SkyBox E-X2000 #53 Credentials /499 Raw | $1,546.50 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1998 Flair Showcase #2 Row 1 - Legacy Collection /99 Raw | $1,500 |
| Shawn Kemp | 1997 Metal Universe Championship #78 Precious Metal Gems /50 Raw | $1,499.99 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 Fleer #6 Thrill Seekers Raw | $1,420.96 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 SkyBox Z-Force #4 Big Men on Court Raw | $1,417.84 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996 Topps Finest #74 Bronze - Refractor (with Coating) Raw | $1,407.74 |
| Rony Seikaly | 1997 Metal Universe #10 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $1,399.99 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Metal Universe #1 Titanium Raw | $1,392.92 |
| Charles Barkley | 1998 SkyBox E-X Century #23 Essential Credentials Future (/68) Raw | $1,350 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 Bowman's Best #BC2 Cuts - Atomic Refractor Raw | $1,349 |
| Allen Iverson | 1996 Topps Chrome #171 Refractor Raw | $1,301 |
| Dennis Rodman | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 Jambalaya Raw | $1,300 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 Fleer Ultra #4 Scoring Kings - Plus Raw | $1,265.37 |
| Larry Johnson | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 #48 Essential Credentials Now (/48) Raw | $1,225.04 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1998 Flair Showcase #2 Row 2 - Legacy Collection /99 Raw | $1,225 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Topps Finest #154 Gold - Refractor (No Coating) /289 Raw | $1,202.11 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 Topps Finest #291 Gold - Refractor (No Coating) Raw | $1,200 |
| Austin Croshere | 1997 Metal Universe #12 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $1,200 |
| Reggie Miller | 1998 SkyBox E-X Century #12 Essential Credentials Future (/79) Raw | $1,150.50 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1996 Topps Finest #74 Bronze - Refractor (No Coating) Raw | $1,142.25 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1999 Topps Chrome #125 Refractor Raw | $1,140 |
| Scottie Pippen | 1997 Fleer Ultra #15-US Ultra Stars Gold Raw | $1,130.85 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Fleer Ultra #1-SPS Star Power Supreme Raw | $1,100 |
| Michael Jordan | 1998 SkyBox Premium #4DDD 3D Raw | $1,067.33 |
| Tim Duncan | 1997 Flair Showcase #5 Row 0 /250 Raw | $1,054.35 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 Fleer Ultra #2 Court Masters Raw | $1,049.80 |
| Michael Jordan | 1996 SkyBox Premium #5 Golden Touch Raw | $1,031.83 |
| Dale Davis | 1997 Metal Universe #100 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $1,026 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Topps Chrome #123 Refractor Raw | $1,025.26 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1998 SkyBox Thunder #3NB Noyz Boyz Raw | $1,023.40 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Bowman's Best #96 Best Performance - Atomic Refractor Raw | $1,021.42 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 SkyBox Premium #5TL Thunder & Lightning Raw | $1,014.01 |
| Rasheed Wallace | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 #56 Essential Credentials Now (/56) Raw | $1,009 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 SkyBox Premium #1GT Golden Touch Raw | $980 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 Jambalaya Raw | $974.50 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Topps #RS1 Rock Stars - Refractor Raw | $950 |
| Michael Jordan | 1998 Fleer #6E Electrifying Raw | $936.39 |
| Michael Jordan | 1993 Topps Finest #1 Refractor Raw | $932.45 |
| Vin Baker | 1998 Fleer Brilliants #17TG 24-Karat Gold /24 Raw | $924.99 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 #6 Jambalaya Raw | $910 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 SkyBox Premium #1PP Premium Player Raw | $901.03 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 SkyBox Premium #3CA Competitive Advantage Raw | $900 |
| Danny Ferry | 1997 Metal Universe #85 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $900 |
| Mitch Richmond | 1998 SkyBox Premium #126 Star Rubies /50 Raw | $899.99 |
| Jerry Stackhouse | 1998 SkyBox Premium #47 Star Rubies /50 Raw | $878.88 |
| Mario Elie | 1997 Metal Universe #32 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw | $868 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1998 SkyBox Premium #2IN Intimidation Nation Raw | $867.77 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1997 Topps Finest #323 Gold - Refractor (No Coating) /289 Raw | $865 |
| Shaquille O'Neal | 1996 SkyBox E-X2000 #32 Credentials /499 Raw | $864.75 |
| Chauncey Billups | 1997 SkyBox E-X2001 #71 Essential Credentials Now (/71) Raw | $850 |
| Vince Carter | 1998 Flair Showcase #25 Row 1 - Legacy Collection /99 Raw | $850 |
| Kobe Bryant | 1998 SkyBox E-X Century #6DG Dunk 'N Go-Nuts Raw | $845 |
| Bryant Reeves | 1998 SkyBox Premium #88 Star Rubies /50 Raw | $822 |
| Michael Jordan | 1997 Fleer Ultra #1-SS Ultrabilities Superstar Raw | $807.50 |
| Dirk Nowitzki | 1998 Topps Chrome #154 Refractor Raw | $797.50 |
This is according to average sales data for “raw” cards in the Market Movers catalog sold over the last 365 days as of 1/11/2024.
Yes, you’re seeing that right:
- Hakeem Olajuwon is at the top of the list
- Arvydas Sabonis is on the list before Michael Jordan
- Dale Ellis has a card in the top 25
- Erick Dampier isn’t too far behind him
I really could go on and on with the point being that sure, player matters a lot, but the set could hold just as much value.
Starting with those names you might be shocked to see, what do they all have in common?
- Arvydas Sabonis 1997 Metal Universe #37 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Dale Ellis 1997 Metal Universe #24 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Erick Dampier 1997 Metal Universe #79 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Byron Russell 1997 Metal Universe #99 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Roy Rogers 1997 Metal Universe #46 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Vitaly Potapenko 1997 Metal Universe #102 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Rony Seikaly 1997 Metal Universe #10 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Austin Croshere 1997 Metal Universe #12 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Danny Ferry 1997 Metal Universe #85 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
- Mario Elie 1997 Metal Universe #32 Precious Metal Gems Red /90 Raw
Catch my drift? It’s pretty easy to see that 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Red is in the conversation for greatest basketball card sets of all time.
In fact, on the list of 100, there are 16 total 1997 Metal Universe PMG Red /90 card.
Another set you can’t get too far into a 90s basketball card conversation before mentioning it is SkyBox Star Rubies. While the list has a mix of years and card types, it’s certainly a common theme, and a card to look for:
- Shaquille O’Neal 1998 SkyBox Premium #212 Ninety Fine – Star Rubies /50 Raw
- Larry Johnson 1998 SkyBox Premium #63 Star Rubies /50 Raw
- Allen Iverson 1998 SkyBox Premium #209 Ninety Fine – Star Rubies /50 Raw
- Kobe Bryant 1996 SkyBox Premium #55 Star Rubies Raw
- Mitch Richmond 1998 SkyBox Premium #126 Star Rubies /50 Raw
- Jerry Stackhouse 1998 SkyBox Premium #47 Star Rubies /50 Raw
- Bryant Reeves 1998 SkyBox Premium #88 Star Rubies /50 Raw
Mostly 1998 with a sprinkle of 1996, SkyBox Premium Star Rubies represents a good chunk of the most valuable basketball cards of the 90s. And let me remind you that these are raw sales (the cheapest on the list is the Reeves with an average sales value of $822 RAW). To show where grading takes the value of these cards, a PSA 7 (not great) Michael Jordan 1998 Star Rubies /50 sold for over $200K (and a PSA 4 PMG Red MJ sold for over $300K)!
So with 16 PMGs and 8 Star Rubies, what’s left?
Well, there are 17 total Kobes on the list (one being 1996 SkyBox Premium #55 Star Rubies). But even greater, there are 34 Michael Jordan’s. We’ve already recapped Jordan’s 100 most valuable cards, so we won’t detail a ton more.
One other set I want to point out because it seems to be lesser known as one of the most valuable of the 1990s—1998 Fleer Brilliants 24-Karat Gold. On the list, you can see Vince Carter selling for over $6K! This set also holds a special place in my heart because knowing just a little about them enabled me to grab a Chauncey for about $8…and then selling it for $800!
@ballcardgenius Lets just say this doesn’t happen often
♬ Suspense, horror, piano and music box – takaya
So again, while you might feel like you’ll never have a chance of owning any of the best basketball cards from the 1990s, you could find yourself in the right place and right time.
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