Top 24 Kobe Bryant Cards of All-Time
Kobe Bean Bryant is an elite athlete who has proven to be one of the biggest names in the sporting world. It should come as no surprise that Kobe Bryant cards and autographs are among the most popular sports options in modern collecting.
The following list features some of the best Kobe Bryant cards in existence. Value is important, but the goal is to showcase a variety of remarkable cards. This includes several Kobe Bryant rookie cards. Given the sheer number of Kobe Bryant cards, it would be impossible to provide a complete list. Therefore, many great cards were left off. However, all of these cards would make a fine addition to any collection and are some of the most sought-after and valuable Kobe Bryant cards in existence.
Given his relevance to both the sport and the collecting world, there are, of course, plenty of other notable Kobe Bryant cards out there. For a snapshot of what is commanding the most attention from collectors at any given moment, check out our real-time guide to the hottest Kobe Bryant cards on eBay.
If you are looking for something that offers more functionality than basketball cards, take a detailed look at the signature line of Kobe Bryant sneakers.
Top Kobe Bryant Basketball Cards of All-Time
The bolded text in the descriptions link to detailed set profiles or player guides.
1996-97 E-X2000 Credentials Kobe Bryant RC #30 #/499
Easily one of the most innovative card designs, 1996-97 E-X2000 is part high-end card and part art project and one of several appealing Kobe Bryant rookie cards. The green base #30 edition has maintained strong values because of its relative rarity and the frailty of the card. However, the card in question is the Credentials parallel, which is numbered to 499. This may sound like a lot, but at this time, it was considered rare, and it remains a notable option for collectors.
Later sets have the Credentials parallels also, but the white-framed rookie edition is the top pick for KB.
For a detailed look at all the Kobe Bryant rookie cards, check out our comprehensive guide and checklist.
1996-97 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Kobe Bryant RC #31 #/150
Another rookie-year offering, 1996-97 Flair Showcase carries on the tradition of multiple images, a nice glossy finish, and a refined design. There are three base Kobe Bryant "Row" versions, each with different images and rarity. The real appeal comes from the Legacy Collection parallels. Each base version has a teal counterpart, which is numbered to 150. The Row 2 Legacy Collection parallel is shown below.
1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant RC #138
The clear favorite among Kobe Bryant rookies, Bryant's base 1996-97 Topps Chrome card is one of the few non-numbered rookie cards without a signature that still commands high prices. Even more valuable are Refractor parallels, which fall 1:12 packs, on average. That may not seem very tough for an unnumbered parallel, but there are 220 cards in the base set so they don't appear too often.
While the Refractor has reached very high levels, the base #138 rookie card is by no means cheap either.
1996-97 Topps Finest Gold Refractor Kobe Bryant RC #269
The Refractor appeal continues in 1996-97 Finest Basketball. Bryant has a Bronze Apprentice rookie (#74) and the rare Gold Heir version. But the rarest of the bunch is his Gold Refractor, and the prices reflect that.
1997-98 E-X2001 Jambalaya Kobe Bryant #12
One of the biggest insert sets in the history of basketball cards, Jambalaya has the fortune of including both Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in the checklist. This die-cut card includes a dynamic pre-dunk image, bright colors and crazy odds (1:720 packs).
The rounded insert made several appearances, so collectors have a few choices.
1997-98 Finest Gold Embossed Refractor Kobe Bryant #323 #/74
Not content to just stop at Refractors, 1997-98 Finest took the brand to the next level with Embossed Refractors. While Kobe Bryant has Bronze, Silver and Gold versions in the base set, the Gold version is the rarest and it comes in three versions. First is the basic Gold Embossed die-cut card. Next is the Gold Refractor, which is numbered to 289 copies. The third card is the real prize. The Gold Embossed Refractor is also die-cut, numbered to 74, and it features that familiar Atomic Refractor finish. These cards don't surface often, but when they do, they produce high prices and a flurry of bids.
1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Kobe Bryant #81 #/100
One of the most iconic parallels in modern collecting, Precious Metal Gems have seen their stock rise considerably over the years and this really took off with 1997-98 Skybox Metal Universe. Each foil-covered Bryant card is numbered to 100 copies. The first 10 cards feature green foil and the remaining 90 cards include red foil. In addition to the rarity, the cards are very condition-sensitive. These can be almost impossible to find.
1997-98 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Kobe Bryant #86 #/50
Although they are not quite as popular as the foil version in 1997-98 Metal Universe, PMG parallels found in 1997-98 Metal Universe Championship are the rarest, with a print run of just 50 copies. The difference is a little more subtle as the colorful foil is replaced with a Refractor-like finish.
1997-98 Skybox Premium Golden Touch Kobe Bryant #GT3
Golden Touch brought collectors a winning formula for inserts. Gold foil, a unique die-cut design, and tough odds made for a strong card. Naturally, Kobe Bryant is one of the most popular options from the set.
1997-98 Skybox Premium Star Rubies Kobe Bryant #23 #/50
Rare parallels really began to take hold around this time, and the Star Rubies found in 1997-98 Skybox Premium are another popular option. Although the Star Rubies parallel was included in multiple years of the Skybox Premium product line, this particular '97-98 version has one of the craziest designs. With only 50 copies, this is another very elusive card.
1997-98 Skybox Z-Force Big Men on Court Kobe Bryant #2
Not as distinctive as the original Big Men on Court inserts in 1996-97 Z-Force, the 1997-98 set has a 3-D look and is just as rare. Since he was not included in the first batch, fans need to look to this version for their Kobe Bryant collection.
1997-98 Ultra Star Power Supreme Kobe Bryant #SPS3
Star Power is an insert from 1997-98 Ultra Basketball. The regular Kobe Bryant Star Power card is fairly common, but the two limited parallels have proven to be quite valuable. Star Power Plus includes a green background and die-cut design. The rarest version, Star Power Supreme, includes a yellow background and an additional image of Bryant.
1997-98 Ultra Stars Kobe Bryant #3
Also found in 1997-98 Ultra NBA, Ultra Stars is a rare insert with an even rarer parallel. The regular version includes a shiny, silver foil background. Ultra Stars Gold is a parallel that only comprises 10 percent of the total print run. The final effect has the look of a gold diamond combined with a cracked ice design.
1998-99 Fleer Playmakers Theatre Kobe Bryant #3 #/100
Playmakers Theatre bucks the trend of the many futuristic inserts from this time and goes for a more refined look. With the gold foil, embossing and wood panel background, it's a blast from the past that evokes the image of an ornate antique. This elaborate insert features a young Kobe Bryant and is numbered to 100.
While they appear similar, the second card is a bit different. This version has appeared in similar numbers to the serial numbered version, but it is not embossed and is not serial numbered. Both carry good value, but the numbered version is generally preferred.
1998-99 NBA Hoops Bams Kobe Bryant #2 #/250
Hoops is not normally a place for collectors to chase high-end inserts. However, with Bams, that is exactly what they will find in 1998-99 NBA Hoops. Multiple images and large text make for a slightly overwhelming design, but that has not hurt values. The dunk-inspired insert is numbered to 250. There is also a rare parallel, appropriately named Slam Bams, that is limited to 100 copies. They can be distinguished from the Bams by the gold "SLAM" found in the upper-right and lower-left corners and a gold tint.
1998-99 Skybox Molten Metal Supernatural Fusion Kobe Bryant #33F #/250
Sporting a similar look to the 1997-98 Metal Universe Platinum Portraits, the Fusion inserts take it a step further with a colorized player image. Tiny holes are formed in the card to produce an image of Kobe Bryant and make for a very unique card. While the base insert is numbered to 250, there is also a gold parallel available, which is limited to 40 copies. Collectors may notice that the serial numbering for the parallel is done in an uncommon way on the card front so that you can see through the card.
1998-99 Skybox Thunder Noyz Boyz Kobe Bryant #3
What Noyz Boyz lacks in grammatical correctness, it more than makes up for with flash and tough odds. The intricate die-cut design employs another pre-dunk image of Bryant. Based on overall value and popularity, collectors have clearly heard the Noyz.
1998-99 Upper Deck Game Jerseys Kobe Bryant #GJ19,21
Let's face it, jersey cards have jumped the shark. But in the late 1990s, jersey cards were rare and collectors actually wanted to pull them, even plain, one-color jersey swatches. Although the Game Jerseys insert appeared the previous season, Kobe Bryant's first official jersey card did not come until 1998-99 Upper Deck. Bryant has two different cards, both of which can be seen below. The first card (#GJ19) is part of a group that averaged 1:2,500 packs. The silver card below that (#GJ21) is only found in Hobby boxes (1:250 packs).
1998-99 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Kobe Bryant #53 #/50
Numbered to 50, the last Kobe Bryant PMG from the original run is not quite as popular as the first cards. Perhaps this is due to the decision to add only a gold tint to distinguish the rare parallel. In any event, PMGs always equal big money in the hobby.
1999-00 Upper Deck Game Jerseys Patch Kobe Bryant #GJP11, #GJP27
The only other jersey cards on the list, 1999-00 Upper Deck upped the ante by adding Game Jersey Patch and Super Patch cards for Kobe Bryant. The odds for any card in the 30-card Game Jersey Patch set was an unlikely 1:7,500 packs, while the Super Patch version is numbered to 25. Both the Game Jersey Patch and Super Patch sets include two different options for Kobe Bryant collectors.
2000-01/2001-02/2002-03 Ultimate Collection Ultimate Signatures Kobe Bryant #KB Autograph
When it comes to certified Kobe Bryant autographs, there is really no wrong answer. Supply and price are the obvious constraints for most collectors, but many prefer on-card, if possible.
For popular releases from his peak playing days, Upper Deck has a lot of good choices. In particular, the Ultimate Signatures cards from the early 2000s are impressive.
2009-10 National Treasures Notable Nicknames Kobe Bryant Autograph (#KB1 #/99 or #KB2 #/35)
Kobe Bryant autographs are still one of the biggest pulls for modern collectors, but Notable Nicknames makes them a little more special with inscriptions. There were two different versions in 2009-10 National Treasures. Cards with "MVP" are numbered to 35 and cards with "Black Mamba" are numbered to 99.
2012-13 National Treasures Notable Nicknames Kobe Bryant #6 Autograph #/49
Notable Nicknames returned in 2012-13 National Treasures, and Kobe Bryant was again included in the set. This time, "Vino" was the moniker featured. If you don't understand the reference of Kobe's other nickname, think of a fine wine and what age does to it. Certainly not as flashy or evocative as Black Mamba, Bryant's new moniker and a print run of 49 still stand out for collectors.
While the NT inscriptions are obviously impressive, nearly any Kobe Bryant autograph from National Treasures is a worthwhile addition.
Any Flawless Kobe Bryant Autograph
During the 2012-13 season, a new high-end product was released at a price level that was unmatched to that point. 2012-13 Flawless showed that basketball collectors are not deterred by high prices, even for new products. The Flawless brand has continued over the years and remains a prime option for Kobe Bryant collectors.
Any Immaculate Kobe Bryant Autograph
Like Flawless, Immaculate is another premium basketball offering with Kobe Bryant autographs. Although the price tag is lower than Flawless, many view Immaculate Collection as the better overall value. The autographed jersey cards have proven to be the most popular.
Any Exquisite Collection Kobe Bryant Autograph
Lastly, we come to Exquisite Collection. Exquisite was the premium basketball product for multiple years. Unfortunately, since Upper Deck lost the NBA license and Kobe Bryant in close succession, Exquisite has just not been the same. Over the years, there have been some great Kobe Bryant autographs, but during the stretch from 2003-04 to 2008-09, nothing could match the autographed Kobe Bryant cards found in Exquisite Collection NBA.
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