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In a couple of days, Kobe Bryant will soon be inducted into the Hall of Fame, adding another feather to the late legend’s long list of achievements. And although the Los Angeles Lakers’ icon has been gone for more than a year, his presence still reverberates across the league and to those who idolize him, which makes Kobe Bryant cards arguably the most sought after piece of cardboard on the planet.
Kobe Bryant Card Watch:
Along with Michael Jordan and LeBron James, Bryant remains to be one of the safest and hottest names to invest in the card market. The Black Mamba’s historic career, impressive highlight reel, and legendary status have elevated him to a must-have for any serious card collector.
We take a look below at three of Bryant’s most popular rookie cards in the market and how they’ve been performing these past few months.
1996 Topps Rookie Card
Bryant’s Topps Rookie Card has always been one of the most popular offerings in the market. The card’s simple design, paired with a great action shot of the Black Mamba, makes it an instant classic that will age well down the line.
Unfortunately, the prices of this card have been stumbling down since the first quarter of this year. Last February, a PSA 10 graded copy of Bryant’s Topps Rookie Card sold for $10,500. That figure went down to $7,900 at the end of March and is now at $5,700 this week.
As evidenced by the prices above, the value of Bryant’s PSA 10 Topps Rookie Card has been on a decline. His induction into the Hall of Fame can potentially boost this card up in the coming weeks.
1996 Bowman’s Best Rookie Card
Another popular Kobe Bryant rookie card that’s gaining traction among collectors is his 1996 Bowman’s Best. Its chrome finish places the Black Mamba front and center, making the legend look like he’s going to pop out from the card.
Just like Bryant’s Topps Rookie Card, his PSA 10 Bowman’s Best offerings are dropping on eBay. At the start of February, a gem-mint copy sold for $5,557 and fell to $4,450 a month later. Now, a PSA 10 copy of this card can be purchased at $2,610.
1996 Topps Chrome Rookie Card
Last, but not the least, is the Black Mamba’s 1996 Topps Chrome, his definitive high-end rookie card in the market. Just like the base card, this chrome variant offers a cleaner and sleeker finish that looks very good, especially when it is encased in a slab.
Speaking of slabs, a PSA 10 copy of this card went ballistic in the middle of February this year when it sold for $55,000.That figure plummeted when another gem-mint graded card fetched $14,100 when March ended. Although that price rebounded to $24,200 this May, it’s still nowhere near the peak this card reached a few months earlier.
As seen by the price action of these Kobe Bryant rookie cards, it’s safe to say that the Black Mamba’s value has been dropping down. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing because a correction was bound to happen sooner than later, giving card enthusiasts the perfect opportunity to purchase Bryant’s stock. His value will soon go up again, especially for those who choose to hold these cards for the long-term. All in all, there’s little reason to fear this price drop because Kobe Bryant cards will always retain their value well in the coming years.
