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Kobe Bryant basketball cards have been one of the most popular alternative investment purchases over the last few years, particularly since his passing.
Kobe Bean Bryant was born to play basketball. He was born in Philadelphia, the youngest of three children, the only son of Pamela Cox Bryant and former NBA player Joe Bryant.
During host time in the league, he was well respected and regarded as one of the best basketball in the NBA. During his career, Kobe won five NBA championships, took home the NBA Most Valuable Player award in 2008, and has too many scoring titles to count.
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Not only are Kobe cards a tremendous long-term investment, but when compared to similar cards, they outperform in the short term by a country mile.
If you are a first-time sports card buyer as an alternative investment, you can’t do much better than a Kobe Bryant basketball card.
Best Investments 1 to 50
Let’s look at the top 10 Kobe cards in terms of long-term return on investment over the next 20 years. Please email any questions regarding alternative investments in sports cards to [email protected].
1. 1996 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome (Refractor, Chrome, Base) RC #138
The 1996 Kobe Bryant Topps rookie card is an ROI cash cow racking enormous profits for its investors.
Not only is this card one of the best Kobe cards to invest in, but it is one of the best in the entire alternative investment realm.
Full Disclosure: LYCOSTAX is currently invested in five 1996 Kobe Bryant Chrome rookie cards all at PSA 10 grades.
The card comes in three versions, with the highest being the refractor, followed by the chrome, and then the base. The ROI should be similar regardless of the version (the chrome should be slightly higher than the other two).
PSA Population Report (Refractor)
- 63 at PSA 10 GEM MINT
- 286 at PSA 9 MINT
- 48 at PSA 8 NEAR MINT – MINT
Only 63 at a PSA 10 grade explains the 6 figure price tag shown below.
Past Graded Sales (Refractor)
- 8/28/2022 – PSA 10 – $156,000 (Heritage Auctions)
- 8/17/2022 – PSA 9 – $26,100 (EBAY)
- 7/11/2022 – PSA 8 – $10,300 (EBAY)
2. 1996 Kobe Bryant Topps Finest RC #74
PSA Population Report
- 1725 at PSA 10 GEM MINT
- 4892 at PSA 9 MINT
- 2041 at PSA 8 NEAR MINT – MINT
As you can see this card is abundant at high grades.
Past Graded Sales
- 9/13/2022 – PSA 10 – $771 (EBAY)
- 9/9/2022 – PSA 7 – $70 (EBAY)
- 8/28/2022 – PSA 8 – $930 (Heritage)
3. 2012 Kobe Bryant Panini Select Silver Prizm #54
Another gorgeous Kobe card is clocking in at number four on our list. It’s hard to beat the 2012 Kobe Select Silver Prizm when combing the overall looks of the card design, price, and return on investment.
PSA Population Report (Silver Prizm)
- 30 total at PSA 10 GEM MINT
- 72 at PSA 9 MINT
- 9 at PSA 8 NEAR MINT – MINT
PSA Graded Value Estimates
- PSA 10 – $2000+
- PSA 9 – $500+/-
- PSA 8 – $275 +/-
4. 2008 Kobe Bryant w/ Lebron James Topps Chrome (Base/White or Orange Refractor) #24
This is one of the best looking cards in the game and has thew added side bonus of being an outstanding long-term money maker.
Full Disclosure: LYCOSTAX is currently invested in two of the 2008 Kobe Bryant w/ Lebron James Topps Chrome Orange Refractor /499 #24 cards at a PSA 10 and PSA 9 grade.
PSA Population Report
- 503 total at PSA 10 GEM MINT
- 1137 at PSA 9 MINT
- 414 at PSA 8 NEAR MINT – MINT
Past Graded Sales
- 9/1/2022 – PSA 10 – $425 (EBAY)
- 8/13/2022 – PSA 10 – $670 (EBAY)
- 7/8/2022 – PSA 10 – $500 (EBAY)
5. 1997 Kobe Bryant Skybox Metal Universe #81
The card is tremendously popular and will be a hot item when it is up for auction.
PSA Population Report
- 63 total at PSA 10 GEM MINT
- 286 at PSA 9 MINT
- 48 at PSA 8 NEAR MINT – MINT
Past Graded Sales
- 9/11/2022 – PSA 9 – $123 (EBAY)
- 8/24/2022 – PSA 9 – $121(EBAY)
- 1/14/2022 – PSA 10 – $1,900 (EBAY)
6. 1997 Kobe Bryant Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems #81
A 1997 Skybox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems #81, numbered 60 out of 100 is shown below.
The signature was authenticated and the card was graded in mint condition, making it “incredibly rare” with an expected final price of over $1 million.
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7. 1996 Kobe Bryant Topps Finest Gold Refractor RC #269
One of the most stunning of all the Kobe basketball cards. Would fit right in at the Jersey shore with all that gold dripping from head to toe.
Past Graded Sales
- 2/28/2022 – $4,327 – PSA 7 (EBAY)
- 8/31/2021 – $6,179.00 – PSA 6 (EBAY)
- 8/11/2021 – $55,350.00 – PSA 10 (Goldin Auctions)
8. 1997 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant HOF #171
In all honesty this card should have been much higher on this list and is one of the better Kobe basketball card investments.
The image depicted in the 1997 Refractor Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome card is a true masterpiece and truly embodies the real Kobe.
Past Graded Sales
- 7/25/2022 – $852 – PSA 9 – (eBay)
- 11/22/2021 – $1,285 – PSA 8 – (eBay)
- 12/22/2020 – $22,090 – PSA 10 – (eBay)
9. 1998 Skybox Thunder Noyz Boyz Kobe Bryant #3
Past Graded Sales
- 7/24/2022 – $3,240 – PSA 9 (Heritage Auctions)
- 10/6/2021 – $2,706 – PSA 8 (Goldin Auctions)
- 10/21/2020 – $8,887 – PSA 10 (eBay)
10. 1998 Skybox Molten Metal Supernatural Fusion Kobe Bryant #33F
PSA Population Report
- 63 total at PSA 10 GEM MINT
- 286 at PSA 9 MINT
- 48 at PSA 8 NEAR MINT – MINT
Past Graded Sales
- 8/28/2022 – PSA 10 – $156,000 (Heritage Auctions)
- 8/17/2022 – PSA 9 – $26,100 (EBAY)
- 7/11/2022 – PSA 8 – $10,300 (EBAY)
11. 1998 Kobe Bryant Fleer Electrifying #1
One of the more popular of all Kobe cards and clocks in at a “won’t break the bank” price tag at high grades.
12. 1999 Kobe Bryant Upper Deck Game Jerseys Patch #GJP11 (#GJP27)
13. 2012 to 2018 Kobe Bryant Panini Flawless Auto or RPA Cards
14. 2012 Kobe Bryant National Treasures Notable Nicknames /49 #6
15. 1996 Kobe Bryant Fleer 23KT Gold Purple Signature
And we thought the 1996 Kobe Topps Finest Gold Refractor card was dripping with gold; the 1996 Fleer Kobe 23kt beats it by a mile and a half.
A super popular card with Kobe fanboys, but we prefer our card with a traditional flavor. Please give us a 1996 base Topps Kobe rookie card any day over this one.
16. 2000 to 2003 Kobe Bryant Ultimate Collection Ultimate Signatures Auto #KB
If you have the coin to back up the investment, we suggest making a bid regarding a Kobe Ultimate Collection Sig Series(2000 to 2003).
It’s rare to see any of these cards up for auction, including all three years. If you are lucky enough to have the cash flow buy, buy, BUY.
17. 1996 Kobe Bryant SkyBox E-X2000 #30
18. 2019 Kobe Bryant Panini Prizm #8
19. 1998 Kobe Bryant NBA Hoops Bams /250 #2
20. 1998 Fleer Playmakers Theatre /100 Kobe Bryant #3
21. 1997 Ultra Stars Kobe Bryant #3
22. 2017 Panini Eminence Black Mamba Moments Auto Kobe Bryant #17
23. 1997 Kobe Bryant E-X2001 Jambalaya #12
24. 1997 Ultra Star Power Supreme Kobe Bryant #SPS3
25. 2017 Kobe Bryant Panini Hoops Premium /199 #299
Full Disclosure: LYCOSTAX is currently invested in one 1998 Kobe Bryant Intimidation Nation card at a PSA 10 grade.
26. 1996 Kobe Bryant Flair Showcase Legacy Collection /150 RC #31
27. 2019 Kobe Bryant Panini Contenders Tribute Auto (#all/numerous)
28. 1996 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant RC /499 #30
29. 2006 Kobe Bryant Fleer 20th Anniversary #58
DOPE LOOKING CARD.
Buy it and thanks us later.
Enough said.
30. 1997 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Kobe Bryant /50 #86
31. 1997 Skybox Premium Golden Touch Kobe Bryant #GT3
32. 2003 Kobe Bryant Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Signatures #KB-A
33. 1997 Kobe Bryant Skybox Premium Star Rubies /50 #23
34. 1997 Kobe Bryant Skybox Z-Force Big Men on Court #2
35. 1998 Kobe Bryant Upper Deck Game Jerseys #GJ19 or 21
36. 1998 Kobe Bryant SkyBox Intimidation Nation #2
In our opinion, the 1998 Kobe SkyBox intimidation Nation card is a terrific sleeper investment, as you won’t see this card on many of the so-called experts’ Kobe card picks.
Full Disclosure: LYCOSTAX is currently invested in one 1998 Kobe Bryant Intimidation Nation card at a PSA 10 grade.
37. 2007 Kobe Bryant UD Black Ticket Auto /50 #TA-KB
38. 2000 Kobe Bryant UD Hardcourt Authentics Auto Inscribed #8
39. 2005 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Refractor #40
40. Any Kobe Bryant KABOOM! Basketball Card
You can never go wrong investing a players KABOOM! card as they are crazy popular.
41. 1996 Kobe Bryant Topps Youthquake RC #G15
A nice looking Kobe rookie card that won’t cost a small fortune even at top grades.
42. 2010 Kobe Bryant National Treasures RPA #18
43. 2008 Skybox Metal Universe Precious Gems Kobe Bryant #4
44. 2009 Rookies Stars Kobe Bryant Jersey Auto #4
45. 1998 Kobe Bryant Upper Deck Ionix #31
46. 1996 Topps Draft Redemption Kobe Bryant Rookie Card #DP13
47. 2018 Panini Select Kobe Bryant In Flight Signatures #IF-KBR
48. 1996 Kobe Bryant SP RC #134
49. 1996 Kobe Bryant Upper Deck Exclusives RC Insert #R10
50. 1998 Kobe Bryant Ultra Gold Medallion #61G
Last but not least is Fleer’s 1998 Ultra Gold Medallion Kobe card.
The card features Kobe exploding through the air, attempting a backward slam dunk NBA Jam style. His name and team name are in rainbow color with cursive print.
FAQ
How much is Kobe Bryant basketball card worth?
The 1997-98 Skybox E-X2001 Essential Credentials Future #8 Kobe Bryant basketball card is worth $52,100 at a BGS 8.5 grade. This card sold via eBay auctions on 8/22/22. The 2016 Panini Impeccable Stats Kobe Bryant card is worth $28,566.
What is a 1999 Kobe Bryant card worth (Topps)?
A 1999 Kobe Bryant Topps Finest Dunk Masters Refractor card is worth $2,224 at a BGS 9.5 grade. This stunning card sold via eBay auctions on 6/22/2022 and had 31 bids.
What is the best Kobe Bryant card?
In terms of pure ROI, the 1996 Topps Chrome or 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant rookie cards at a PSA 10, PSA 9, or SGC 10 are the best Kobe card to buy as an alternative investment.
What is the most valuable Kobe Bryant basketball/rookie card?
The 1997-98 Metal Universe Kobe Bryant basketball card sold for a mind-blowing 2 million US dollars in the Spring of 2022. This card received an 8.5 grade from Beckett Grading Services. The buyer is not known but one lucky dog.