The sports card industry has experienced a massive resurgence over the last few years as multiple generations of Americans are renewing their childhood memories of collecting and trading baseball, basketball, and football cards.
Although baseball cards often get the most attention in collecting circles, basketball cards can be just as valuable, partly due to the massive growth in popularity of the NBA in the last 3 decades.
One basketball player who has been gaining traction in the market is Ray Allen, the hall of fame shooting guard who played in the NBA for 18 seasons.
Below are the 6 most valuable Ray Allen rookie cards, as well as some other Ray Allen rookie cards for collectors who have a tighter budget.
6 Most Valuable Ray Allen Rookie Cards
6. 1996-1997 Upper Deck SP, Card #136
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $60
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $18.50
The 1996-1997 Upper Deck SP may at first appear to be a surprising addition to this list considering its price, which is lower than some of the budget cards listed later. However, the sports card industry is notoriously volatile, and most rookie cards of hall of famers almost always have the potential to skyrocket.
The SP series is a good investment if you want to add a card to your collection that could be very valuable in the future.
5. 1996-1997 Fleer Flair Showcase Row 2, Card #35
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $200
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $50
The 1996-1997 Fleer Flair Showcase Row 2 card is one of the rarest Ray Allen rookie cards on the market with very few confirmed transactions over the last few years.
The lack of a presence on sites such as eBay or Amazon and little data on major sports card sites such as psacard.com or sportscardpro.com increase the difficulty of determining a proper valuation, both in the present and future.
4. 1996-1997 Skybox E-X2000, Card #37
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $840
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $60
For collectors of the 1990s, Skybox was one of the most popular options for rookie cards, especially the widely renowned E-X2000 series. The premium cards offered in this set offer an unconventional orange-purple-red background/border with gold lettering along the base.
There are plenty of these cards available on the market in a PSA 8 or 9 condition but finding a PSA 10 can be very difficult.
3. 1996-1997 Topps Finest (Refractor), Card #22
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $1,500
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $230
The 1996-1997 Topps Finest was a relatively unremarkable rookie card in its base version. However, the refractor versions, coming in bronze, silver, and gold are some of the most desirable Ray Allen rookie cards on the market.
The approximated PSA prices listed for this card most closely reflect the bronze and silver versions, with the gold version possibly holding twice the value, since they are very rare.
2. 1996-1997 Bowman’s Best (Atomic Refractor and Refractor), Card #R5
Approximate PSA 10 Value (Atomic Refractor) – $1800
Approximate PSA 9 Value (Atomic Refractor) – $300
Approximate PSA 10 Value (Refractor) – $820
Approximate PSA 9 Value (Refractor) – $125
The 1996-1997 Bowman’s Best version come in two separate versions, the Atomic Refractor and the Refractor.
As a package, they’re easily one of the most sought-after Ray Allen memorabilia available. Although the Atomic Refractor is the real draw for hard-core collectors.
1. 1996-1997 Topps Chrome Refractor, Card #217
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $7,000
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $2500
The most valuable Ray Allen rookie card available in the market is the 1996-1997 Topps Chrome Refractor version.
Although the base version of the card is also a good addition to any collection, the real value is in the Chrome Refractor version. It is one of the most prestigious cards to own from the 1990s and is several times the value of any other Ray Allen rookie card.
Best Budget Ray Allen Rookie Cards
10. 1996-1997 Collector’s Choice, Card #278
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $42.50
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $15
Instead of incorporating an in-game image, the 1996-1997 Collector’s Choice card features Ray Allen posing on the front holding a basketball.
The more casual image presentation of this card has a different aesthetic feel and helps to provide more variety to card collections that normally include action-based pictures.
9. 1996-1997 Skybox Premium, Card #63
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $47.50
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $12.50
Although the Skybox Premium set included an autographed series featuring several players including Ray Allen, the base version of the 1996-1997 Skybox Premium rookie card is much more affordable.
The card itself has a colorful feel, with a solo picture of Allen in Milwaukee’s classic 90’s purple jersey going for a layup in a light-green background.
8. 1996-1997 NBA Hoops, Card #279
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $48.50
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $10
Although a minor player in the sports card industry compared to some of the giants such as Upper Deck, Topps, and Fleer. NBA Hoops still produced some good card classes during the 90s.
One of its best individual products was its 1996-1997 #279 Ray Allen rookie card. A solid addition for hard-core NBA fans and serious collectors.
7. 1996-1997 Topps, Card #217
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $60+
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $12
The more affordable version of the 1996-1997 Topps Chrome Refractor card. The 1996-1997 Topps Ray Allen rookie card is the starting point for any basketball card collection featuring Ray Allen.
It is probably the most recognizable Ray Allen rookie card available. And features a pretty impressive action shot of Allen attempting a contested layup while surrounded by many opponents.
6. 1996-1997 Upper Deck UD3, Card #5
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $60+
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $13.50
The Upper Deck UD3 deviates from the popular 90s shiny/metallic look. Instead providing a wooden colored background, similar to the color of a basketball court. While the price tag of this card usually puts it solidly into the budget Ray Allen rookie cards. Occasionally it has sold for $100-$200.
5. 1996-1997 Upper Deck, Card #69
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $70
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $17.50
The 1996-1997 Upper Deck #69 card sets itself apart by featuring Ray Allen in his draft day outfit, wearing a suit and a Milwaukee Bucks baseball hat. It was a relatively groundbreaking style of rookie card for the day. As this type of basketball rookie card wouldn’t become popular until the early to mid-2000s.
4. 1996-1997 Fleer, Card #212
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $75
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $15
The first of several Fleer cards in the best budget list. The 1996-1997 #212 card is the most basic Ray Allen rookie card produced by Fleer. It contains gold lettering on the front of the card, characteristic of late 90s Fleer cards. And it shows Allen dribbling the ball in a live-game action picture.
3. 1996-1997 Fleer Metal, Card #136
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $80+
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $15
The Fleer Metal series features arguably the best shiny, metallic look out of all basketball cards from the 1990s, an impressive accomplishment. Finding graded versions of the Ray Allen #136 rookie version of this card, however, can be difficult.
2. 1996-1997 Fleer Ultra, Card #60
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $85+
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $22.50
The 1996-1997 Fleer Ultra card features one of the best action shots of all Ray Allen rookie cards, showing him in the air initiating the process of a thunderous dunk. The picture as a whole is the best quality possible for the time, clearly showing detailed images of fans in the background of the overall shot.
1. 1996-1997 Skybox Z-Force, Card #140
Approximate PSA 10 Value – $150
Approximate PSA 9 Value – $25
The best budget Ray Allen rookie card is the Skybox Z-Force #140 card, featuring Allen going up for a layup amid a cool and colorfully designed background.
The card is a beautiful piece of artwork that will stand out in any selection of basketball cards.
For those on a mid range budget that don’t mind taking a punt. Then this will probably be the most valuable of the Ray Allen rookie cards in our second list. Especially if you can pick up a PSA 10 at a keen price and are looking for a long term hold.
When I was just starting out with my card collection, I had lots of questions about authenticity, trading, and card conditions. But with not that much information available online, I felt quite alone in my queries. Some questions still haven’t been answered to this day.
This site aims to rectify this, and now, I am passing on my knowledge!
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