At the start of the 1990s, the sports card hobby was still in the Junk Wax Era, where overproduction of cards from card manufacturers caused card values to tank.
So, are there any sports cards from the 1990s that are worth money? Yes, and here’s a look at the top 10.
The Most Expensive 1990s Sports Cards Based On Record Auction Sales
Note – In the interest of variety, any variations of the same card are not included in the list. For example, the red Precious Metal Gems cards aren’t included if the more valuable green version of the card has already been mentioned.
*The list is based on previous auction sales prices*
1. 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan Autograph #GJ13S (PSA 6)
Taking the top spot for the most expensive sports card from the 1990s is the Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan card, from 1997.
The card features a patch of game-worn MJ jersey, which has big appeal to collectors for obvious reasons.
While memorabilia cards are commonplace in the sports card hobby today, they certainly weren’t in the 90s, when this was released; The set marks the first NBA release that included memorabilia cards.
Jordan was a part of the main checklist of 22 different standard jersey cards, which were extremely rare in series 1 packs – The 23 autographed versions were part of Series 2, and he was the only autographed jersey in the set.
The jersey piece itself comes from Jordan’s 1992 NBA All-Star Game jersey, so it’s not Chicago Bulls.
The record $4.25m sale was a private transaction brokered by Goldin.
Record Sale: $4.25m (graded PSA 6) – April 2026
2. 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green Kobe Bryant #81 (PSA 5)
One of the NBA’s biggest ever stars features on this legendary card from the 90s – Kobe Bryant – with the Metal Universe Precious Gems Green card from 1997.
The value of Kobe’s cards saw an increase after his tragic death in 2020.
The card is from the 1997-98 season, which was Bryant’s second in the NBA – He also made his first All-Star game appearance that season.
Only the first 10 printed cards were green etched foil, with the remaining 90 in red foil, so there’s only 10 of this card in existence, and considering Precious Metal Gems cards are generally hard to keep in good condition as well, it’s incredibly rare and valuable.
The record $3.15m sale was a confirmed private transaction – making it the highest price ever for a solo Kobe Bryant card.
Record Sale: $3.15m (graded PSA 5) – April 2026
3. 1997 Ultra Masterpiece Michael Jordan #23P (PSA 8)
The 1997 Ultra Michael Jordan Masterpiece card holds a special place in hobby history as the first-ever one-of-one card produced for Michael Jordan.
Clearly marked on the back with “The only 1 of 1 Masterpiece Edition,” the parallel helped pioneer the 1/1 chase card concept, an innovation that would eventually reshape collecting.
The card also ties directly to one of the most memorable chapters of Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls. During the 1997–98 season, he led Chicago to its sixth championship and delivered the iconic game-winning jumper against the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals.
Record Sale: $2.1m (graded PSA 8) – March 2026
4. 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Kobe Bryant #138 (BGS 10 Black Label)
In third spot, is the Topps Chrome Refractor card from Topps, released during the 1996-97 NBA campaign, Kobe’s rookie season.
The refractor card is considered extremely rare, and is naturally highly sought-after, featuring Kobe in action for the Lakers.
The record sale is one of only two copies of the card to receive the coveted BGS black label 10 grade.
Record Sale: $1.8m (graded BGS 10 Black Label) – March 2021
5. 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Green Michael Jordan #23 (PSA Authentic)
Another highly sought-after and valuable card from the Metal Universe collection is the Precious Metal Gems Green Michael Jordan card from 1997.
Again, the PMG parallels from 1997 Metal Universe are some of the most beloved cards from the 1990s, and they’re still very popular today.
The card is one of the most desirable Michael Jordan cards of all time, and limited to just 10 green foil copies, the same as the Kobe PMG card listed above; The remaining 90 were also red foil.
Record Sale: $915k (graded PSA Authentic) – December 2020
6. 1997 E-X2001 Essential Credentials Now Allen Iverson #3 (PSA 5)
Here’s another NBA star of his era – Allen Iverson.
When this PSA 5 graded copy of his elusive ’97 Essential Credentials Now parallel, which has only 3 serial-numbered copies, sold in January 2025, it beat his previous all-time record sale by almost 10x.
It’s the first time the card had ever gone up for auction. The popularity of the innovative Essential Credentials parallels remains high today.
Record Sale: $701.5k (graded PSA 5) – January 2025
7. 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Red Michael Jordan #23 (BGS .5)
We’ve already seen the rarer Green version (/10) of this card – here’s an example of the Red version (/90).
While it’s maybe overshadowed by the Green card, it’s still a rare and very sought-after MJ card.
It suffers the same condition sensitivity, with the foil design, so finding high graded examples is very tough.
Record Sale: $651.3k (graded BGS 8.5) – December 2025
8. 1997 Metal Universe Championship Precious Metal Gems Kobe Bryant #86 (PSA 8)
Another Precious Metal Gems parallel from 1997, but this one features a different design.
It’s not as popular as the Green and Red PMG cards from the ’97 Metal Universe set, but it’s still one of Kobe Bryant’s most coveted cards of the era.
50 numbered copies exist, and they’re not easy to find in top condition – the record sale was for one of the highest-graded examples out there.
Record Sale: $640.5k (graded PSA 8) – May 2026
9. 1998 Ultra Masterpiece Michael Jordan #85P
A second-year Fleer Ultra Masterpiece Jordan 1/1 – this one features a horizontal design, unlike the vertical Masterpiece card from the 1997 set.
It’s not as valuable as that ’97 card, but it’s still one of the cards of the decade.
It also connects to a memorable moment late in Jordan’s run with the Chicago Bulls. On March 8, 1998, during what would become his final game at Madison Square Garden as a Bull – He scored 42 points in a win over the New York Knicks.
Record Sale: $625.3k (graded PSA 5) – March 2026
10. 1997 Skybox E-X2001 Essential Credentials Now Kobe Bryant #8 (PSA 6)
We’ve already seen the 1997 Essential Credentials Now parallel of Allen Iverson above, and here’s an example of Kobe Bryant’s card from the same set.
Just 8 numbered copies of this card exist, making it one of the rarest Kobe Bryant parallel cards of the 90s.
Record Sale: $625.3k (graded PSA 6) – May 2026
Most Expensive Cards Of The 90s By Sport
Football
1998 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph Peyton Manning #87 (PSA 10)
Record Sale: $72k (graded PSA 10) – January 2019
Basketball
1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan #GJ13S (BGS 8)
Record Sale: $4.25m (graded PSA 6) – April 2026
Baseball
1993 Upper Deck SP Foil Derek Jeter #279 (PSA 10)
Record Sale: $600k (graded PSA 10) – April 2022
Soccer
1991 Panini Foot '92 Zinedine Zidane #43 (PSA 10)
Record Sale: $69k (graded PSA 9) – October 2021
