MJ is shown stretching to execute a one-handed dunk in front of a superimposed picture of his head where he is looking into the distance. After draining his sixth three-pointer in just the first half, Jordan headed back on defense and shrugged at the crowd in disbelief himself at the shooting clinic he was unleashing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Many people will list a card as a refractor when it is in fact not, because the base 1993 Finest design looks a lot like a refractor to the naked eye. This 1997 Michael Jordan Precious Metal Gems card is another example from the Metal Universe brand. This card is produced with a red foil background, making it not as rare as the green Metal gems card in the number 4 spot. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, ahead of UMass center Marcus Camby. All the big names you would expect, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki, Shaquille O'Neal, etc, but some. The 1990s is a storied decade in the game of basketball. With a few exceptions, the most expensive basketball cards of the 90s are rare RPA (rookie patch autographed) mint cards. 1 1992 Bowman Trevor Hoffman #11 Trevor Hoffman isn't as well-known as the other players on this list, but his #11 Bowman card is still worth a decent bit of money. To prove it, Malone ended up at number 2 on the all-time scoring list and number 7 on the all-time rebounds list. 1997 Skybox Z-Force Michael Jordan Quick Strike card $199,999, 7. Some of the things considered are: centering of the card, printing errors, and evidence of wear. The card comes from the Metal Universe set, with cards featuring other popular players also highly sought after. The credentials set was made by the company Panini, known as the biggest competition for the Topps trading card brand. Somewhat surprisingly, he was elected to only one All-Star game over his career but I guess it makes sense considering Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson routinely represented the Western Conference at center during that time. If he wasn't reigning jumpers over you with his lanky frame and offensive quickness, he was pulling down rebound after rebound or blocking the ball on defense. He wrapped up his 21-year career in the top 25 all-time in points (26,071, 21st), rebounds (14,662, 10th), steals (1,859, 19th) and blocks (2,037, 20th), and he was one of the most popular players in the sport throughout his run in the league. Big Shaq is another player of the game whose cards command huge fees. Perhaps due to a lack of abundant standout rookies and it being the third year of Finest, overall PSA graded sales of this set are lower than the two previous years. When Topps released its Finest set in 1993 for basketball and baseball, it was a real game changer in the hobby. Talking of unreal basketball cards! Being a rookie card of big Shaq make this card special. To understand this, lets take a look at the factors that make basketball cards valuable. Other things that make a card valuable are autographs and patches. The second Shaq RC to make our list, the 1992 Beam Team insert features an image of the giant dominating the defense as he reaches high above the rim of the net. Whilst he didnt win any NBA championships, he was an 11-time NBA All-star and won multiple MVP awards. However, with so many basketball cards printed every year, a whole decade will have an ocean of cards, with a wide range of value. However, an ankle injury sidelined him for most of the 2000-01 season and he was never quite the same after that. 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC BGS 10 $250,000 I'd like to think he's in the middle of going across the lane for one of his signature "baby sky hook" shots that were nearly impossible to defend. 12 Most Valuable LeBron James Rookie Cards (2003-04 Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel #78 Sold for $5,200,000), 10 Most Valuable Lefton China Pieces (Rarest Sold For $1,295), Antique Cast Iron Stoves Value (Rarest & Most Valuable is Selling for $24,500), 1920 Singer Sewing Machine Value (Rarest Sold For $3,000), Most Valuable 1934 20 Dollar Bill (Rarest Sold For $40,800), 4 Most Valuable Antique Typewriter (Rarest Sold For $110,059), Antique Ruby Rings Value (Rarest & Most Valuable Sold For $2.6 Million), Antique Cast Iron Toy Value (Rarest & Most Valuable Sold For $13,500), Top 10 Antique Stores in Connecticut [Update 2023], THE 10 BEST Pennsylvania Antique Stores (with Photos), 10 Best Antiques Near Me in Fort Worth, TX, The 13 Most Valuable Disney Pins (Rarest Sold For $10,000), Most Valuable Rare Hummel Figurines (Rarest Sold For $5000+), 1941 Penny Value Chart (Worth Million Dollars? I'll never forget how he got the best of Shaquille O'Neal during the 1995 NBA Finals although you could argue O'Neal wasn't quite yet in his prime. In the early to mid 1990s, there were few players as exciting to watch as Shawn Kemp. It is graded by Beckett, and proudly has 8 points. 1990 Hoops #382 Michael Jordan's Playground Estimated PSA 10 Value: $125 . The card is graded by Beckett as 8. His incredible floor vision, court awareness and overall basketball wizardry allowed him to make some of the most thrilling plays. Top 1990s Basketball Rookie Cards to Collect Bolded links go directly to detailed player or set profiles. Wat is more, it is autographed and hand-numbered by the big man himself. As well as a player-worn patch from the biggest name in the sport, the added bonus of a signature from Jordan is enough to make it one of the most expensive jersey patches of all-time, never mind the decade. The SPx Die-Cut Gold MJ #5 card is not like the regular rectangular cards. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. 1997-98 Upper Deck Game Jerseys In some basketball packs today a jersey card is guaranteed. 1996 Fleer Metal Universe Kobe Bryant #181 Error Card $48,000, 9. Upper Deck introduced its inaugural basketball set, and Skybox came out with another great design in 1991. The front of the card features an authentic jersey patch from the 1992 All-star game, with Upper Deck starting the basketball Game Jersey cards around the same time this card was produced. Of the 10 cards, only 6 have been given to PSA for grading. The decade started out with mainly Fleer, Skybox, and NBA Hoops. The card features AI in his Sixers no. Post contains affiliate links. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. Michael Jordan, now retired, helped the Chicago Bulls win their 6th NBA championship with his final shot as a bull. (Sold November 2021 by Heritage Auctions), Produced in 1999, the Upper Deck Michael Jordan Game Jersey Autograph card was issued after MJ finished with the Chicago Bulls. Like Jordan, Pippen could score, rebound, pass and play lockdown defense. You wont find any like it anywhere. 4 on the list. The card is personally autographed and hand-numbered 12/23, making it a great addition to any collection. The card features Shaq as a rookie in an LSU jersey hanging from the rim with both legs in the air after a trademark dunk. The guy could absolutely jump through the roof and his vertical leaping ability is on full display on his 1990 Fleer card. The 1997 PMG cards are one of the most exciting base sets of the decade and come with a couple of expensive parallels to pick from. The pack version is the one that is considered his true rookie card, and it was also short-printed since it was a late addition to the set, making it the more valuable of the two and his most valuable rookie card overall. However, by 1990, the basketball card hobby was clearly back on the map as kids everywhere were ripping through packs in hopes of pulling a Michael Jordan. He averaged 25.7 points per game during his second season in the NBA, peaked at 27.6 points per contest the following year and he earned eight straight All-Star Game selections during his time with the Raptors and Nets. The limited edition card has the serial number 19/40 stamped through the material. I've always loved the look and feel of this card as it captures Jordan up close doing what he did best: throwing down a slam dunk on a breakaway drive. His rookie cards dramatically increased the value of all card brands. It doesnt matter that the height of their careers was after the 1990s. Whats the Difference Between Vintage And Antique ? Nowitzki averaged a modest 8.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 20.4 minutes as a rookie, but he quickly upped his production in the coming years to emerge as one of the NBA's top scorers. Lets take a look at the most valuable basketball card brands of the 1990s. 1993-94 Finest Anfernee Hardaway RC #189 Buy on eBay. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above made the cards resemble the blade of a buzz saw. Impressively, it is in mint condition. The word Robert Park is erroneously written over Kobe Bryant on the card. There are other Larry Bird cards worth more than this one but I've always loved the action shot on this card of him shooting a jumper over his career rival, Magic Johnson. The card features the big man in his LSU days hanging on the rim after a powerful dunk. Only 100 of these cards were produced, with 90 of them having a red foil background. The rise in young basketball talent grew the fanbase in recent years. Pippen's cards have also taken off since "The Last Dance" documentary went on air. Vinyl Records Value: Your Old Value Records Worth a Fortune, Vintage Stiffel Lamps: Value and Price Guide, Vintage Smith Corona Typewriter: History, Models, and Value, Vintage Schwinn Bikes: [Types, Identification, and Values], Vintage Rooster Cookie Jar Identification and Value Guide. Rounding out the most valuable 1990s basketball cards is another Big Shaq card example. The background has a wooden effect, fitting in with the Final Floor theme. While his 1992 Bowman rookie is one of the iconic cards of the 1990s, it's actually his 1992 Fleer Update card that earns a spot on this most valuable list. It is the same thing with basketball cards. The card is currently listed on eBay for $250,000. There are a lot of grading companies. I will be using total PSA graded card sales to determine values. This 1996-96 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant Rookie card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey with the ball looking to turn quickly. 1997-98 Topps Chrome #115 Tim Duncan 6 of. With PSA 10 points grade, it is in the best condition possible. That's an ROI 6,505.37% over a 12-year period," says Chris McGill of the House of Jordans podcast. This was also the year the Lakers began their dominant run in the sport, led by Kobe Bryant and Shaquille ONeal. Coming in second place is the Kobe Bryant Chrome Refractor Rookie card. (However, most signatures are aftermarket examples. Given his height, almost every Shaq RC features him soaring towards the backboard, and this card is no different. Despite his status as one of the greatest players in NBA history, most of his rookie cards can be found for a fraction of what his Topps Chrome card costs, and it still feels tremendously undervalued sitting at the top end of his market. Michael Jordan being in his later years, removed from the Chicago Bulls was also a contributing factor. This Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson #171 cards is one of the rarest cards of this great basketball players nicknamed the Answer. Although other brands of the mid-90s havent sold as many PSA graded cards as Topps Chrome, each set has inserts and rare cards that can sell for top dollar. It has a picture of the phenom in game action, as well as a smiling MJ in the background. With the majority being torn away, it's rare to find mint copies on the market. His 1998-99 SP Authentic rookie card is actually his most valuable, but with a limited print run of 3,500, it was not eligible to be included in these rankings. Refractor parallels were released in a ratio of 1:12. The game is regarded as iconic as it was the last game played by both Hall of Famer James Worthy and fellow Laker Magic Johnson. Still, notable rookies included Baron Davis, Richard Hamilton, Steve Francis, Shawn Marion, and Jason Terry. This is because it is the big mans first trading card. Michael Jordan Cards), with lots of info about each one, including how and why they cost so much. On Fire: Best LaMelo Ball Rookie Cards To Buy Now. The odds of puling a gold refactor from a pack is 1 in 288 packs. This 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC is regarded as one of the most valuable examples. It was all a recipe for superstardom, and his development from tantalizing teen star to franchise player and all-time great helped solidify his place as one of the hobby's biggest names. Exceedingly rare, the odds of pulling a Jordan were 1 in 55,000 packs, which goes some way to explaining why its so expensive. The "Vinsanity" hype was very real during Vince Carter's peak with the Toronto Raptors, and he went on to play 22 seasons, progressing from high-flying dunk contest champion and leading scorer to veteran role player and fan favorite. The picture has MJ executing a no-look pass, in a black background that blur everything else to highlight the phenom. Click on any card to see more graded card prices, historic prices, and past sales. Hes in his Orlando Magic jersey, as he was their number one pick in the 1992 NBA Draft. He won back-to-back MVP awards during the 2004-05 (15.5 PPG, 11.5 APG, 43.1 3PT%) and 2005-06 (18.8 PPG, 10.5 APG, 43.9 3PT%) seasons, and he currently ranks fourth all-time with 10,335 career assists. 1998 Upper Deck SP Authentic Michael Jordan #M4 PSA 10 GEM MINT $22,575, 30+ Vintage Christmas Cards Worth Looking At In 2022, The Top 10 Most Valuable Glass Insulators Today, Top 10 Most Valuable Case Knives: Complete Value Guide, Top 10 Most Valuable Beach Stones: Complete Value Guide, 10 Rarest and Most Valuable Lladro Figurines: Value Guide, 10 Rarest and Most Valuable Starbucks Mugs: Value Guide, 12 Most Valuable Tom Clark Gnomes: Value and Price Guide, Vintage Linens (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Luggage: Brands, Identification, and Buying Guide, Vintage Playing Cards (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Japanese Music Box Rare Collectibles, Sports Memorabilia Price and Identification Guide, White Sewing Machine 101: Everything you need to know. The card was graded as a Beckett 9 and sold at a Goldin auction in March 2021 for $198,030. The bold blue autograph is perfectly placed on the card. "The holy grail of all '90s basketball cardsthe Michael Jordan 1997-98 Metal Universe PMG Greensold in 2007 for $5,300.23. You can still find hobby boxes from all these brands and years on eBay. Overall, the checklist contained 198 cards in total that, if nothing else, captured some of the greatest players of all-time with exciting imagery. (For example, the Row 0 version features a hilarious image of Kobe watching himself dribble.). This decade also saw one of the most iconic moments of the game: Michael Jordans final shot as a Bull. Alonzo Mourning, Christian Laettner, and Robert Horry are other notable rookies from this year. It has two pictures of Michael Jordan one picture is of the legend executing a beautiful one-handed dunk over another picture of his head. As with the majority of rare Jordan cards from the era, its tough to locate in high-grade and is also extremely popular among collectors and investors following the release of The Last Dance. The card was released during his 1997 season and is 1 of only 126 examples known to exist. This is currently listed on eBay for $100,000. It is graded as a Beckett 8 with the autograph graded as a 10. He debuted in that year and also went on to win rookie of the year. Of course, youll need to be careful because of the condition-sensitive nature, but its easy to see why its one of the most expensive cards from the era. 6 pick in the 1996 NBA draft, UConn standout Ray Allen was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks along with a future first-round pick in exchange for No. His rookie cards are head and shoulders above everyone else on this list in terms of value, with PSA 9 versions of his Topps Chrome rookie selling for more than a PSA 10 version of Allen Iverson's in the No. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's take a look at the list: It should come as no surprise that Michael Jordan's 1990 Fleer basketball card comes in at the top spot ashis cardsare always in high demand with collectors. Iverson averaged 23.5 points and 7.5 assists per game for a 22-win Philadelphia 76ers team as a rookie, and two years later he had them in the postseason. The card sold at auction in February 2021 for $480,000. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Most Valuable Basketball Cards 1990s: Kobe Bryant 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Check Prices eBay A card that has skyrocketed since that tragic day in early 2020. This is another special and rare autographed Michael Jordan basketball card. It also comes with a Members Only parallel, which can be distinguished by a faint watermark. And he definitely didn't disappointthe 10-time All-Star, 2-time NBA champ and 1-time MVP easily goes down in history as one of the game's greatest centers. Related: Most Valuable Basketball Cards 2020. He and Bird share a rookie card that has rightfully earned its place as one of the hobby's most expensive basketball cards of all-time. 1 in the 1997 draft. 1 1990 - Fleer is the most valuable basketball card brand to start the decade 2 1991 - Fleer 3 1992 - Upper Deck 4 1993 - Topps Finest 5 1994 - Topps Finest 6 1995 - Topps Finest 7 1996 - Topps Chrome becomes the most valuable brand of the 90s 8 1997 - Topps Chrome 9 1998 - Topps Chrome The card comes from a 1997 set containing 123 cards. When selling online, you have the options of selling: The only effort itll take from you is highlighting the specifics of your card (like the player featured, the year of issue, etc) and taking photographs of it thatll help in preliminary evaluations. He possessed incredible shoot ability for a power forward but was also known as a big-time rebounder who could take the ball coast to coast. The card was sold following the release of the 10-part Netflix special The Last Dance. You can use serial number or population report to determine cards that are rare. Row 2 is the base set and more common while Row 1 and 0 are much rarer. 1999 Upper Deck Ovation Super Signatures Gold Michael Jordan #MJS card $250,000, 6. Cards that are rare are generally valuable than those are easy to get. Refractor cards were randomly inserted into hobby boxes and retail packs, and carry enormous value in the marketplace. 4 pick Stephon Marbury on draft night. It is in the best condition possible. It was released in 1997, which is a memorable year for AI and collectors of AIs cards. When it comes to buying 1990s basketball cards or searching the attic to see if you have any hidden treasures, there are some things you need to look for when trying to determine what 90s basketball cards are worth money. The list is in order of year of release. As you can see, even the most valuable cards in this set don't pack a great deal of value these days. The deep-etched image sees Jordan leaping through the air, with purple lightning exploding across the background, lighting up the night sky. Everyone likes to talk about the physicality of the game, as well as the dominance of a certain Chicago Bulls team led by Michael Jordan, but its not just nostalgia talking. This Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Byrant card is very aesthetically appealing, framed in gold edges. The 1997-98 Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Card #81 was sold recently in a private sale for $2,000,000, making it the most valuable 1990s basketball card to date. This means it is rarer than the unsigned cards. His 2,973 threes rank second all-time, and he hit them at a 40.0 percent clip over the course of his 18-year career with the Bucks, SuperSonics, Celtics and Heat. Noteworthy rookies of the 1994 season included Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. I've been looking forward to covering this set as today we'll look at the 15 highest selling psa graded basketball cards from the inaugural 1990 Skybox setFe. Coming in the number 1 spot for the most Valuable 1990s basketball cards is the Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems card. 1990 Hoops #5 Michael Jordan All-Star. The pre-rookie card is 1 of only 1200 and is graded by the PSA as a 10, making it highly desirable and rare. Your basketball cards can be worth anything from a few hundred dollars to millions of dollars. Top 1990s Basketball Insert Sets Click on the linked sets below to shop for available cards on eBay. So, this rookie card is a jewel. The card is a redemption card, only available by mail. Also, I will NOT be using insert set values only the values of base sets. If your card is Ungraded, consider grading it if it looks to be in good condition and features a well-known athlete. This is truly the most valuable basketball card brand of the 90s. Cards of star players are generally the most valuable. (Sold February 2021 by Heritage Auctions). With Rookie cards produced in limited quantities, this makes them much rarer and more valuable. Like many sports cards of this era, they were heavily produced in such large quantities that the market is still flooded with them. The sport was on the road to recovery following a lack of interest worldwide, helped by Jordan, Weve put together a list with 10 of the most expensive 90s, Weve combed through recent auction data to bring you a list of ten of the most, modern-day big man, its no surprise to see one of, Classic Games were a pre-rookie/prospect card company that managed to get the temporary exclusive rights to produce Shaq cards during his time at, Many of the cards were hand-signed by the man himself, making it one of the very first pieces of, As with the majority of rare Jordan cards from the era, its tough to locate in high-grade and is also extremely popular among collectors and investors following the release of. The company will closely check the card, and give it a grade (out of 10 points). The Gold featured only the most desired names, including MJ and Allen Iverson. Weve put together a list with 10 of the most expensive 90s basketball cards (i.e. Some of the best players in the 1990s include: (This is by no means a complete list of the best players from the 90s). It is also very rare. The lightning quick move allowed Hardaway to create just enough separation against opposing defenders to turn him into an elite scorer and passer. It last sold in 2019 for $350,100. This is a very interesting and valuable basketball card. The card pictures Shaq donning his no. 1990 Fleer is the most valuable basketball card brand to start the decade, 1996 Topps Chrome becomes the most valuable brand of the 90s, 1999 Topps Chrome is the final most valuable basketball brand of the decade. When it comes to the world of sports cards, basketball cards are some of the most sought-after and valuable. 1990 Upper . Also, this piece is in near-perfect condition. This gorgeous basketball card is one of rare cards hand numbered by Michael Jordan to only 23. Parallels: Red PMG (/90), Green PMG (/10). Dikembe Mutombo and Larry Johnson were the top rookies of the 1991 class, and Jordan cards caught fire after he won his first championship against Magic Johnson and the Lakers to end the previous season. The Flair showcase legacy collection is from the 1996-97 season. It's a novel card and extremely rare so it has a decent value. Since refractors are just parallel designs of the base set, I dont consider them a completely separate insert set, but it should be noted that refractors add a huge amount of value overall to PSA graded sales history. His Finest rookie card is his most valuable by a wide margin, and it stands as one of the iconic cards of the decade. Not only was it the rookie year of Kobe Bryant and Allen Iverson, Topps Chrome was released. His Topps Chrome rookie is the most valuable of his first-year cards, and while the PSA 9 population is high, a mere 8.4 percent of the 5,299 PSA submissions have come back with a Gem Mint 10 grade. This card example was sold at a Goldin Auction for $162,360. The card sold at auction in December 2020 for $915,000. So, this card is a one-of-a-kind card that should have ever been released. Like over $100,000 big. It features Jordan dribbling the ball during a 1992 NBA All-star game, played in Orlando, Florida in front of 14,000 spectators. In other words, if you like shiny things, theres nothing better than this Topps refractor! 15 (tie). The card is graded as a PSA 7 with the autograph graded as an 8. Scottie Pippen in the background also adds a nice touch. The card features Kobe, again in a yellow Lakers jersey, looking to shoot the ball whilst being guarded. If your card is graded highly by one of these companies, its likely to be worth a decent amount of money. Generally, a card with a higher grade (is in a better condition), and will be valuable than an identical card with a lower grade. Topps decided to keep their refractor technology in the Topps Chrome set, while also adding a chrome-like finish to all their base cards. Upper Deck has emerged over time as the most valuable base rookie card (not including inserts) for ONeal, with PSA 10s reaching over $3,000 in mid-2020. The lanky 6'11" forward played sparingly as a rookie, tallying 10.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game, but his potential was impossible to ignore. 1993-94 Finest Chris Webber RC #212 Buy on eBay. What is the most expensive card in the world? While it's impossible to say for sure (as those arguments go), there is no question that Olajuwon was an unstoppable force on both sides of the ball. The card features Kobe in a yellow Lakers jersey passing the ball with one hand. 1990 Hoops #65 Michael Jordan. The card is currently listed on eBay for $500,000, with a similar example selling at a Goldin auction for $206,400. The worth of your card can swing wildly depending on factors like the type of card, who is featured in it, how rare it in, and its condition. 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above Strange die-cuts were a common theme in 1990s inserts. They were the NBA's Batman and Robin and would win 6 NBA championships togetherand they very well could have won more had their winning streak not been sidetracked by Jordan's retirement. Given the deep background, any flaw is readily apparent, so high grades are costly to buy. Somewhat ironically, Classic doesnt live up to its name as a brand, but its worth making an exception for Shaq. I remember being amazed as a kid when I heard stories of him being able to grab a quarter off the top of the backboard. 10 most valuable basketball card of the 1990s 1. In the same vein, those released in the players second year will be more valuable than those released in the third year, and so on. 1990 Hoops #113 Tim Hardaway Rookie Card In this guide, Ill take you through the most valuable 1990s basketball cards, looking at their values and what makes them so rare. On the opposite end of the spectrum from Kevin Garnett, who made the NBA jump straight from high school, Tim Duncan played out his four years of college eligibility at Wake Forest before going No. T210 Old Mill Joe Jackson. It didn't take long for him to develop into the face of the Timberwolves franchise. An MJ hand-numbered /23 card shows that only 23 of its kind exists, and will be very valuable. We wouldn't have really said this a couple years ago. Kobe tragically passed away in a helicopter crash in January 2020 leading to the value of his memorabilia skyrocketing. 33 LSU jersey, in his center position, reading the game. This later release paved the way for Series 1 and Series 2 releases in the hobby, as Series 2 could feature rookies after they began the season. The ascetically pleasing card design features two pictures of Jordan. Dimensions: 1-1/2 x 2-5/8. The card is one of the first from the metal gems collection, issued alongside the sets base cards. The renewed attention led to increased numbers of collectors and investors taking an interest in cards from the era, and now theyre some of the most valuable options that money can buy. The 1990s defined the game of basketball. 12. Worse decade of basketball? It is in mint condition, graded PSA 10. The "Trade Card" sells for $40-50 in PSA 9 condition and $800-1,000 in PSA 10 condition. Kobe was always going to make any list with the most expensive 1990's cards, and the 1996-97 Topps set has one of the strongest rookie classes of all time. Thus, not all rookie cards of the 1990s are worth serious money. Due to poor sales of the. 1992 Classic Draft Pick Shaquille ONeal Auto RC $500,000, 4.