Sports trading cards have been around since the late 1800s, and they were originally just souvenirs for fans who’d attended live games. Nowadays, these cards are highly collectible items that can sell for millions. This is especially true of basketball cards.
The most expensive basketball card of all time is the 2009-10 National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Rookie Card. Investment platform Alt Fund II purchased a majority stake in this card for $5.9 million in 2021. One of the main draws of this card is its autograph.
If you’re an avid basketball trading card collector, you’ll want to know which cards fetch the highest prices. This ranking will reveal everything you need to know about the most expensive basketball cards!
Here Are the Top 10 Most Expensive Basketball Cards:
- 2009-10 National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Rookie Card (Autographed) – $5.9 million
- 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Card (Autographed) – $5.2 million
- 2018-19 National Treasures Luka Doncic Logoman Rookie Card (Autographed) – $4.6 million
- 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan Rookie Card (Autographed) – $2.7 million
- 2020-21 Panini Flawless LeBron James Triple Logoman Rookie Card – $2.4 million
- 1997-98 Metal Universe Kobe Bryant Precious Metal Gems (Green) Rookie Card – $2 million
- 2013-14 Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo Logoman Rookie Card (Autographed) – $1.857 million
- 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant Rookie Card – $1.795 million
- 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Jordan/James/Bryant Triple Logoman Rookie Card – $1.68 million
- 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems (Green) Rookie Card – $915,000
10. 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems (Green) Rookie Card – $915,000
Card Number: 23
Grade: PSA Authentic
Without a doubt, Michael Jordan is one of the most legendary and celebrated basketball players of all time. Even though he retired (for the final time) in 2003, his record-setting games and international fame continue his legacy as one of the most talented U.S. basketball players of all time.
Consequently, it should come as no surprise that Michael Jordan basketball trading cards are worth a fortune, including the 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems (Green) Rookie Card. This card sold for $915,000 in December 2020.
Why Is It So Expensive?
By 1997, Michael Jordan had played basketball professionally in the NBA for over a decade. He’d also starred in the 1996 hit children’s film Space Jam and released his own set of athletic shoes, Air Jordans.
In short, Michael Jordan was on top of the world in 1997. So any official Jordan merchandise released this year sold quickly in high volume. This includes the green 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems Rookie Card.
This card was comparatively rare to other Metal Universes Precious Metal Gems cards featuring the record-setting Chicago Bulls player, as most in the set had a red background instead of a green one. In fact, this card is only one of ten ever produced, making it an exceptionally rare vintage card that’s bound to earn recognition as a crucial part of U.S. sports history.
That said, this Michael Jordan rookie card isn’t the most valuable of its kind. But we’ll reveal which Jordan rookie card is the most expensive in just a few moments.
9. 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Jordan/James/Bryant Triple Logoman Rookie Card – $1.68 Million
Card Number: JJB
Grade: PSA Authentic
The 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Jordan/James/Bryant Triple Logoman Rookie Card is unlike any other basketball card.
For starters, it’s a mix of standard cardstock (used for trading cards) and three game-worn NBA patches. These authentic threaded patches were each worn by Michael Jordans, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant during their athletic careers.
As you might imagine, few basketball trading cards feature sports memorabilia worn by world-famous athletes. So this card isn’t only a rare find but also a tangible piece of U.S. basketball history, making it extremely valuable.
In 2022, this distinct rookie card sold for $1.68 million. Still, considering its uniqueness, it’ll probably sell for even higher prices in the future.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Most trading cards are valuable due to their rarity (few were produced), condition, or associated athlete. For example, rookie cards featuring athletes who would go on to become sports stars are often the priciest of the bunch.
This particular basketball card not only features three athletes who are considered the most talented U.S. basketball players of all time, but it also features their game-worn NBA patches. As a result, this card checks almost all the boxes for a “high-value basketball card,” plus some!
8. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant Rookie Card – $1.795 Million
Card Number: 138
Grade: BGS PRISTINE / Black Label 10
Basketball cards that are more than two decades old are often in slightly lackluster condition. For example, many of these cards end up with bent corners after spending time in unorganized shoebox collections or suffer color loss from long-term sun exposure.
But a rare few are considered absolutely perfect. The 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant Rookie Card that sold for $1.795 million in 2021 is one such card.
This Kobe Bryant rookie card has the extremely rare Black Label 10 grade designation, the highest possible BGS grade attainable. This card’s centering, edges, corners, and surface are pristine, with absolutely zero signs of damage.
Only one identical Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant Rookie Card earned the same grade.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Condition is one of the major reasons this card sold for such a high price. However, athlete popularity is another aspect to consider.
After all, Kobe Bryant was one of the all-time U.S. basketball greats. When he retired in 2016, any official sports memorabilia tied to his career playing for the Los Angeles Lakers skyrocketed in value.
But his sudden and tragic death in 2020 only made Bryant-related merchandise more valuable. All these reasons contribute to the unusually high price of this Topps basketball trading card.
7. 2013-14 Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo Logoman Rookie Card (Autographed) – $1.857 Million
Card Number: 130
Grade: BGS MT 9
In September 2020, an autographed Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo Logoman Rookie Card sold for $1.857 million, making it the most valuable Antetokounmpo rookie card in the world.
This card is one of a kind, and like the 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Jordan/James/Bryant Triple Logoman Rookie Card, it features a fabric NBA game-worn patch that once graced Antetokounmpo’s jersey.
This card has a Mint 9 grade, making it just shy of flawless.
Although Giannis Antetokounmpo isn’t quite as famous as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, or LeBron James, he’s quickly becoming one of the most celebrated NBA players. For example, in 2019, Antetokounmpo won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.
Why Is It So Expensive?
This basketball trading card is valuable because it’s the rookie card for one of the brightest up-and-coming NBA stars, Giannis Antetokounmpo. It also features a game-worn patch that once belonged to Antetokounmpo and his blue-inked signature.
Combined with this card’s incredibly stellar condition, these factors ensure that the autographed 2013-14 Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo Logoman Rookie Card remains an expensive basketball card that could only become more valuable over time.
6. 1997-98 Metal Universe Kobe Bryant Precious Metal Gems (Green) Rookie Card – $2 Million
Card Number: 81
Grade: BGS NM-MT+ 8.5
Like the green-background 1997 Metal Universe Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems Rookie Card, the 1997-98 Metal Universe Kobe Bryant Precious Metal Gems Rookie Card was released in two styles: one with a green background and one with a red background.
The red-background cards were more common, while the green-background versions were limited to only ten total cards. These rare green-background insert cards (also called Emerald cards) are incredibly valuable.
In 2022, a Near Mint specimen sold for $2 million, making it the world’s most expensive Kobe Bryant basketball card. Though it’s not impossible for the nine other examples of this card to make their way to auction, it’s unlikely that any of them will exhibit such a great condition grade as this one.
Why Is It So Expensive?
The top reasons this basketball card is worth millions include the following:
- Exceptional condition (Near Mint)
- Rarity (it’s one of only ten)
- Athlete popularity
Although Kobe Bryant passed away in 2020, he remains one of the most celebrated NBA stars of all time. As such, his trading cards are highly collectible and valuable items that aren’t likely to go out of style any time soon.
5. 2020-21 Panini Flawless LeBron James Triple Logoman Rookie Card – $2.4 Million
Card Number: 3LG-LBJ
Grade: PSA Authentic
LeBron James might be known for his time spent playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, but this NBA star has actually played for three major NBA teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
So, when his 2020-21 Panini Flawless Triple Logoman Rookie Card was released, the three Logoman patches included were representative of this varied career. Each patch is a game-worn specimen from each of the teams LeBron James played for!
This feature makes the Panini Flawless card a highly coveted and collectible item, as well as a notable piece of U.S. basketball history. Maybe that’s why it sold for a jaw-dropping $2.4 million during a Goldin auction in 2022.
Why Is It So Expensive?
LeBron James is both a crowd and NBA favorite, and he’s played more than 1,400 games. His athletic legacy ensures that any official merchandise sporting his name can sell for top-dollar prices, especially items featuring real game-worn decals.
This Logoman card is one such example, and its high price stems from its condition, the included pieces of memorabilia, and its rarity.
4. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan Rookie Card (Autographed) – $2.7 Million
Card Number: GJ13S
Grade: BGS MT 8 / Beckett 8
There’s no doubt about it; several of the world’s most expensive basketball cards are autographed. While other rookie Michael Jordan cards might be worth a pretty penny, none can compare to the 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan Rookie Card featuring the athlete’s autograph.
This signed rookie card sold for $2.7 million at a Goldin auction in 2021, making it the most valuable Michael Jordan basketball card of all time. For perspective, this basketball card is pricier than the most expensive Air Jordan shoes, which are also worth millions.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Although this card’s condition isn’t quite perfect (earning a Mint 8 rating instead of the ideal Mint 10), it’s one of only 23 and comes with a tiny patch of Michael Jordan’s actual game-worn jersey (worn during the NBA All-Star Game of 1992). Even better, this card is autographed!
These qualities make the autographed 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan Rookie Card more than just a basketball trading card. It’s a piece of NBA memorabilia hailing from one of the association’s most iconic years: 1997.
3. 2018-19 National Treasures Luka Doncic Logoman Rookie Card (Autographed) – $4.6 Million
Card Number: 127
Grade: N/A (Ungraded)
The autographed 2018-19 National Treasures Luka Doncic Logoman Rookie Card is a one-of-a-kind card, much like many other high-value basketball cards. But it’s also a record-setting trading card, selling for $4.6 million to a private buyer in 2021.
Notably, this card sold on the public auction site PWCC for a slightly less impressive $3.12 million in 2022. As such, it might not appreciate quite as well as other high-value basketball trading cards.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Luka Doncic is among the most (if not the most) popular Dallas Mavericks players. He’s helped his team gain countless victories against other NBA opponents, earning him a reputation as one of the newest basketball players to watch.
Doncic’s popularity is one of the primary reasons his rookie card is so valuable, although its rarity also contributes to its high selling price.
2. 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Card (Autographed) – $5.2 Million
Card Number: 78
Grade: BGS MT 9
The PWCC auction marketplace has facilitated some of the most astounding sports card sales of all time. Take, for example, the 2021 private sale of the autographed 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Card.
This card sold for $5.2 million, instantly making it the most valuable LeBron James card in the world.
Also called the Rookie Patch Auto Parallel (named for the rookie patch on the front of the card), this card is one of only 23 ever produced. Notably, the one that sold for more than $5 million in 2021 is graded better than all other identical cards, with a near-perfect grade of Mint 9.
Why Is It So Expensive?
Condition, rarity, and LeBron James’ popularity are all significant factors contributing to this record-setting card’s high value. Still, this card falls just shy of being the most expensive basketball card of all time.
1. 2009-10 National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Rookie Card (Autographed) – $5.9 Million
Card Number: 206
Grade: PSA NM-MT 8 / Auto 10
The most expensive basketball card is the autographed 2009-10 National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Rookie Card. In 2021, Alt Fund II (an investment platform) purchased more than half the stakes for this card (51%), an acquisition valued at $5.9 million.
Although this isn’t technically the most expensive basketball card purchase, as Alt Fund II only purchased a stake in the card rather than the entire card, it’s still the most monumental purchase related to basketball trading cards.
For perspective, this basketball card is more valuable than the most expensive football trading card!
Why Is It So Expensive?
This card has it all.
It’s autographed (with a perfect autograph grade of 10), features an authentic game-worn Logoman patch belonging to Curry, and is one-of-a-kind. As Stephen Curry’s NBA career continues to blossom, there’s an excellent chance that his trading cards will become highly valuable treasures, and this card proves it.
What’s the Most Expensive Basketball Card of All Time?
So, what’s the most expensive basketball card? That honor goes to the autographed 2009-10 National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Rookie Card. Investment platform Alt Fund II purchased a majority stake in this card in 2021 for a whopping $5.9 million.
This card is one-of-a-kind and features Curry’s signature on the bottom portion. The card is considered Mint 8 (almost perfect), while the autograph has earned a coveted Mint 10 designation (the highest possible grade).
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