How Much Is A Kobe Bryant Rookie Card Worth?

Black Mamba. Kobe Byrant is the one and only. If you’ve had the opportunity to watch Bryant play, you’ll understand how exciting he was every time he took the floor for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kobe made his professional debut on February 8, 1998.

During his outstanding sophomore season, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was named for his first 18 All-Star Game appearances.

On February 8, 1998, the then-19-year-old became the NBA’s youngest starter to play in an All-Star Game, surpassing the record held by Lakers great legend Magic Johnson.

You should be familiar with the pastime of collecting sports cards if you grew up before 2000. Having some of your favorite athletes’ most incredible cards was like having a million dollars back then.

As a youngster, though, you do not entirely appreciate the concept of worth. Basketball cards, for example, end up in your parent’s garage among the other stuff and lie covered in dust for years after.

A single and rare edition Kobe Bryant card sold for a record $1.795 million in March 2021 at Goldin Auctions, an online auction house.

The card’s high price tag made it one of the most expensive basketball cards and collectibles ever sold.

The “1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Kobe Bryant Rookie Card” is one of just two in the world that is still in mint condition.

The bulk of the most expensive Kobe Bryant rookie cards were variants of those to be mentioned later. 

1996-97 Topps Chrome Rookie Refractor. The price difference between a BGS Black Label and a PSA 10 shows how valuable the Black Label certification can be.

This card is still out of reach for the average enthusiast, with some price tags of $138,000 for even more.

The final auction price of $1.795 million, the highest for any Kobe Bryant card, demonstrates how highly regarded he was worldwide.

When it comes down to it, the value of a Kobe Bryant rookie card is determined by a variety of factors. What is the brand of the card? What edition and condition is the card in?

When appraising and purchasing any collectible card, even Bryants, all these factors play a role in calculating the value of the card in question.

As you can see from everything we’ve discussed and covered so far in this brief overview, there are a variety of pricing levels for Kobe Byrant rookie cards.

Not only does the general condition and age of the card matter, but so do the specific card and edition.

1996 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant

This is the previously stated record-breaking card sold at Goldin Auctions for a staggering 1.795 million dollars. This statistic is why we chose this card as our initial selection from today’s deck.

The card was rated BGS Black Label Grade and was sold in outstanding condition. All four auction house characteristics were given 10 points to this card: centering, edges, corners, and surface.

The front depicts Byrant in his home jersey in the middle of what appears to be a lay-up for a fellow LA Lakers player. The card had a chrome border with pearlescent colors that varied depending on how the light was angled.

The back of the card had information about Kobe’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, who had a 16-year professional career before Kobe’s debut.

1996 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant

Today’s first prime example of one of the most valuable Kobe cards out there. The 1996 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant #30.

This collectible is one of the most sought-after collectibles regarding the NBA or any other sports collectible.

Bryant is still considered one of the greatest players of all time, and this card is one of the best Bryant cards available. It’s a limited edition of only 60 copies, proving Bryant’s excellence.

The back has an indication and a black and white photograph with a row and seat number in the upper corners.

The statistics for this extraordinary player, who scored 2,883 points in his career, are listed at the bottom like most NBA cards. In November 2021, it sold for a healthy sum of $96,000.

1996 Flair Kobe Bryant Showcase 

Another exemplary Kobe card that can go without a mention is the 1993 Flair Kobe Bryant Showcase card.

 Bryant began to emerge in sets called Legacy Collections during his debut year of professional basketball.

This card represents his on-court accomplishments and his narrative, which is both outstanding and long-lasting and rich in investment possibilities.

This PSA 9 card exhibits a mosaic of Kobe with a more refined picture in the foreground. His name and team are at the bottom of the card, bordered by a black frame.

The back is identical to the last choice, with a few minor alterations fans would love to have.

This card proceeded to sell for a blinding $90,000 in February 2021.

1997 E-X2001 Jambalaya Kobe Bryant

This is a one-of-a-kind card. Several PSA 10 examples of this card have sold for more than $60,000 in the past. It is exceedingly challenging to locate worldwide due to its rarity.

The Jambalaya does an outstanding job of commemorating and honoring Bryant’s memory. They were randomly arranged on 720 cards, and the front of the card displays his name, team, position, and number.

At first sight, everyone can tell that this card is not only a vintage classic but also one of the most distinctive and sought-after secondhand memorabilia available for enthusiasts and Kobe fans alike to get their hands on,

Conclusion

With such a long and rich history in the NBA and with the Lakers, it’s no wonder that over 150 distinct types and editions of Bryant memorabilia are available.

As you can see from everything we’ve discussed and covered in this brief overview, there are a variety of pricing levels for Kobe Byrant rookie cards.

Not only does the general condition and age of the card matter, but so do the specific card and edition.

Topps Chrome 1996 Kobe Bryant has to be the market’s most famous and sought-after card. If you want to discover more about particular cards for Kobe Byrant, click the link below.

If you wish to discover more about Kobe Bryant’s cards, follow the link for more.

Nate Heath

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