Learn about the rarest Panini basketball cards of all time, from Stephen Curry rookie cards to LeBron James Prizm and more.
People started collecting basketball cards in the early 1900s, but trading rare basketball cards only turned into a big business during the last few decades. Some cards are worth millions of dollars, making collectors think twice about how much their collection is worth. While not all rare cards are worth a million or more, it’s not unlikely to see rare basketball cards sell for $10,000 to $265,000.
Panini cards have only been around since 1961, so you won’t find any ancient ones. Basketball cards don’t have to be a century old to be valuable. It was a 2009 card that sold for multiple millions, not a card from the previous century. If you’ve been collecting rarest basketball cards for a few years, you may be sitting on a treasure. Look at the list of these 10 rarest basketball cards and compare them to cards in your collection.
Also Read: Unlocking the World of Collectibles: A Beginner’s Guide to Panini Cards
10 Rarest Basketball Cards
10. 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Gold #127 Luka Dončić Signed Patch Rookie Card
Sold For: $666,000
With only 10 copies, this limited edition Luka Dončić card is rare and sought-after. Card 7 out of 10 sold for the most money so far, but the other 9 cards in the series are also worth a lot though none of them is higher graded than number 7. There’s another set of Luka Dončić patch cards in the 2018 National Treasure collection. As there are 99 cards with a patch, they are not quite as expensive but still rare enough to sell for up to $42,500!
9. 2009-10 Stephen Curry Panini National Treasures Century Gold #206 Rookie Patch Autographs Card
Sold For: $601,220
Don’t be confused when you see a card that looks similar to this one a little further in this list. There’s not much difference between Century Gold and Century Platinum Stephen Curry cards. Still, the difference is enough to make the Platinum cards more expensive. These rookie patch cards are limited editions of a star player, so it’s unlikely they’ll get cheaper over time. If you have any rare Stephen Curry cards in your collection, treat them with extra care. It might be worth a lot.
8. 2018 Luka Dončić Panini Prizm Gold Prizm #280 Rookie Card
Sold For: $780,000
This is the second, but not the last you’ll see of Luka Dončić on this list. The card once sold for $650,000. The price increased quite a bit and will continue to do so. While the Gold Prizm is unique as it’s one-of-a-kind, you can still make good money if you have another Luka Dončić Prizm card from 2018 in your collection. They sell for up to $46,000. The blue Prizm is particularly popular, followed by the tiger stripe version.
Also Read: Top 10 Most Valuable Panini Cards
7. 2009-10 Stephen Curry Panini National Treasures Century Platinum Rookie Patch Autograph Card
Sold For: $960,000
Stephen Curry’s cards are popular, as he’s one of the greatest shooters and greatest players ever. He inspired teams and players to take more three-point shots, leaving a mark on the sport. Rare Stephen Curry cards can get expensive; This is only one example. The autographed Stephen Curry Playoff National Treasure patch card from the same year is worth up to $265,000. Not quite a million dollars, but a nice sum, too!
6. 2012-13 Panini National Treasures Anthony Davis #151 NBA Logoman Rookie Patch Autographs
Sold For: $1,000,000
This is another example of how valuable cards with the NBA logo are. There’s only one per player per season. Normal patch cards are also a nice find. Anthony Davis patch cards from the 2012 National Treasure series can fetch up to $12,500. Davis is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time, so rare basketball cards featuring him will likely continue to rise in value.
5. 2013-2014 Giannis Antetokounmpo Panini Black Mosaic Prizm #290
Sold For: $1,140,000
Usually, basketball cards need to be signed or feature the NBA logo to be very expensive. This Giannis Antetokounmpo Panini Prizm card is an exception because it’s rare, even though it’s not autographed. Only one Giannis Antetokounmpo Prizm card is black, while all the others are of different colours and not as rare. While the black Prizm is the most valuable Giannis Antetokounmpo Prizm, you can sell other colours for up to $10,000.
4. 2013-14 Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo Autographed Horizontal Rookie Patch #130
Sold For: $1,800,000
Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the greatest European players of all time, and it’s no surprise that rare basketball cards featuring him keep fetching record prices. This one-of-a-kind Logoman card is no exception. Even if you only have a Panini National Treasures Giannis Antetokounmpo jersey patch card with an autograph, you can sell it for up to $320,000 if it’s in mint condition. The Logoman card is much more valuable because there’s only one copy.
3. 2020 Panini Flawless Triple Logoman Patch LeBron James
Sold For: $2,400,000
This unique card features three different patches from LeBron James’ jerseys. While you’re unlikely to get your hands on this extremely rare basketball card, you may be lucky to find some other 2020 Panini Flawless cards with logos or patches. These can be worth anything from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, as these are rare basketball cards. The triple Logoman from 2020 is extra valuable because it’s the first time Panini ever put one into a collection.
2. 2018 Luka Dončić Panini National Treasures 1 of 1 Logoman Autograph
Sold For: $4,600,000
This card is graded BGS 9 and was sold on Luka Dončić’s birthday. Logoman basketball cards are the rarest basketball cards someone can find. Still, jersey patch cards of the same player usually also fetch a high price. You may not have a Logoman Luka Dončić card, but if you own an autographed National Treasures Luka Dončić patch card, you could sell it for up to $42,000, maybe more if the card is in perfect condition.
1. 2009 National Treasures Stephen Curry Autographed Logoman RC #206
Sold For: $5,900,000
An investment fund specialising in sports cards now owns Stephen Curry’s one-of-a-kind basketball card. The card is so valuable because it is the only one in existence. It features a patch of Curry’s game-worn jersey and his autograph. It is the most expensive basketball card ever sold. While you obviously can’t own that particular card, other 2009 National Treasure Stephen Curry cards can sell for up to $265,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Should I Do if I Find Rare Basketball Cards in My Collection?
If you find a rare card and it’s not protected yet, get it into a card sleeve or slab ASAP. Your next step is to check the listing on trading card pages and auction houses to see whether your card is sought-after or has been sold for a lot before. The PSA is a good source for price info, though their listing is limited to cards they have previously authenticated.
What’s a Good Place to Value My Rare Basketball Cards?
One of the best and most trusted places to authenticate and value rare basketball cards is the PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator).
How Do I Know Which Basketball Cards From 2023 Could Be Valuable in the Future?
Look at the cards on this list and see what they have in common, then check your 2023 cards. Are they limited editions, Prizm, or autographed? Do they have a logo or a patch? If yes, they will likely increase in value, especially if the card features a star player.
Author Profile
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Name: Kim Anisi
Intro: Gaming has been my passion since childhood. The journey started when I received hand-me-down games on Atari and Amiga systems from my brother and I now mainly play games on PC. Among the vast genres in the gaming world that I have tried, my personal favourites are RPGs, MMORPGs, (Action) adventures, horror games, and settlement/city builders. Overcoming the challenges and helping others in games provide a great satisfaction to me.