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- Collecting Allen Iverson Rookie Cards
- 1996-97 Upper Deck Allen Iverson #91 Rookie Card
- 1996 Ultra Allen Iverson #82 RC
- 1996 Topps Finest Allen Iverson Refractor #69 Rookie Card
- 1998 SkyBox Premium Autographics Allen Iverson
- 1997 Upper Deck Game Jerseys Allen Iverson #GJ6 Rookie Card
- 1997 Skybox E-X2001 Jambalaya Allen Iverson #1 RC
- 1998 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Gold Allen Iverson Rookie Card #AI
- 1996 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Allen Iverson Rookie Card #3 (Row 0)
- 1997 Skybox Premium Star Rubies Allen Iverson #100 SR #/50
- 1996 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Allen Iverson Rookie Card #53 #/499
- 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Allen Iverson #20 PMG #/100
- 1996 Bowman's Best Atomic Refractor Allen Iverson Rookie Card #R1
- 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC #171
- Final Word On The 13 Most Valuable Allen Iverson Rookie Cards
Allen Iverson may have yet to win a title and does not figure in the GOAT discussion. But to an entire generation of fans, he was as memorable and iconic as any other player. “The Answer” had ball handling and scoring skills that were ridiculous. Remember, his 26.7 places Iverson 8th all-time. Right behind Jerry West and LeBron James. Aside from the ring, Iverson's credentials are as good as they come. An MVP, 11 All-Star appearances, and 4 scoring titles. People also forget how good Allen was at stealing the ball, leading the league three times in that category.
But “The Answer” wasn’t just an excellent hoopster. He represented a new breed of unapologetic African-American players who had no intention of conforming to what the White executive dominated NBA. As a teenager, Iverson was involved in a racially motivated fight in a Hampton, Virginia bowling alley. He was arrested despite being underage and charged with adult felony charges. He was placed in jail, but the incident got much publicity, and charges were dropped.
When he reached the NBA, Iverson was known for wearing the fashionable hip-hop clothes of the time, including chains, and sported elaborate tattoos. While this is commonplace today, the guard was the first to rise to superstardom without trying to conform to the cultural standards David Stern and others forced on the primarily American American league.
Collecting Allen Iverson Rookie Cards
That combination of flashy basketball chops and a fiercely independent style and personality made Iverson one of the most memorable and iconic players ever to grace a basketball court. The sport is richer for his contribution. More importantly, for our purposes, Allen Iverson cards will always remain collectible because he was an unforgettable character with skills to match the absolute elite.
To make things even better for Iverson card collectors, “The Answer” emerged in the mid-1990s, when the card industry was at an apex of innovation and style. Therefore, a wide selection of stunning and relatively scarce Iverson rookie cards exist. These cards will continue to gain value because, trust me, the legend of this once-in-a-generation player will never die.
1996-97 Upper Deck Allen Iverson #91 Rookie Card
A PSA 10 sold for $250
The newly drafted Allen Iverson. Look at how much hope and promise he had going to the Sixers. Remember, Iverson was the no. 1 pick in a loaded draft class that included Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen and Steve Nash. The 1996-97 Upper Deck Allen Iverson #91 also has a very typical 1990s design, with those jagged teeth down the side. And let's get real, Iverson had one of the best smiles ever. Most draft picks look so awkward, but he is killing it with that charming smile.
1996 Ultra Allen Iverson #82 RC
A PSA 10 sold for $500.
Have you ever seen “The Answer” looking this wholesome? You know the answer! Sorry, I had to use that pun somewhere. Fleer Ultra was a bit more scarce than the regular Fleer, so the 1996-97 Ultra Allen Iverson #82 has a bit more value than most base cards. The visual is absolutely stunning, though Iverson looks a bit too precocious to be an NBA star. An absolutely wonderful image of a timeless legend.
1996 Topps Finest Allen Iverson Refractor #69 Rookie Card
A PSA 10 sold for $900.
The Topps Finest cards have not matured as well as the Bowman Best. However, the 1996 Topps Finest Allen Iverson Refractor #69 has the advantage of being more scarce than the base card. Of course, if you want to get the highest selling price for this item, you want one with the coating still on. Though personally, I am not a huge fan of cards with “peel and remove” plastered all over them. And is it just me, or does Iverson look suspiciously like a young Chris Paul in this picture?
1998 SkyBox Premium Autographics Allen Iverson
A PSA 9 sold for $1,355.
Back in 1997, there were far fewer auto cards than there are today. Therefore, the 1998 SkyBox Premium Autographics Allen Iverson really stands out from his other tragically unsigned cards. Why doesn’t it go for a higher price? I guess this is because this is not the most attractive Iverson card ever. It also hasn’t sold since 2020, so it is probably worth a good deal more right now. Keep an eye out for the blue version, which has a population count of 5 and would be worth a ton. No copies have ever been sold.
1997 Upper Deck Game Jerseys Allen Iverson #GJ6 Rookie Card
A PSA 8 sold for $3,247
As you go over this list, the jaw-dropping beauty of these cards will start to hit you. Iverson really has one of the most attractive collections of early cards ever. But the 1997 Upper Deck Game Jerseys Allen Iverson #GJ6 is an exception. What a drab eyesore this is. Nonetheless, it's an essential early patch card and an Iverson rookie. And as always, our friend looks great with his cheeky smile and yet another exciting action shot. There needs to be auto because if this were an RPA, it would break every bank in the land.
1997 Skybox E-X2001 Jambalaya Allen Iverson #1 RC
A PSA 10 sold for $4,000.
I have no idea why this card is named after the meat, rice, and vegetables dish. Although, if you haven’t been there, hit the Olde Nola Cookery for the best jambalaya ever. You will never want to leave Louisiana again. What were we talking about? Oh yeah, Allen Iverson cards. The weird-looking die-cut card we call the 1997-98 Skybox E-X2001 Jambalaya Allen Iverson #1 is like none you have seen before. Collectors have taken to this insert and fetches a strong price on the market. There are only 28 of these, and the round black corners are susceptible to imperfections. Therefore, you can only find two PSA 10s.
1998 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Gold Allen Iverson Rookie Card #AI
A PSA 9 sold for $4,805.
I am surprised Prince (or was he the artist formerly known as Prince at that time), didn’t sue Upper Deck for this baby. The 1998 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Gold Allen Iverson #AI is probably the most appealing early career Iverson auto card on the market. This gold version was the rarest tier of this card and, therefore, the most valuable. The PSA 9 sold for quite a bit. However, there is one gem mint PSA, and it seems like a good card to have.
1996 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Allen Iverson Rookie Card #3 (Row 0)
A PSA 10 sold for $8,650.
The 1990s were filled with some of the most beautiful rookie cards imaginable as the hobby transitioned into more imaginative and high-end products. But only some reach the level of the 1996-97 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Allen Iverson Rookie Card #3 (Row 0). The perfectly rendered yet somewhat surrealistic rendering of Iverson as a gem-encrusted figure in the background of that beautiful shot of the earnest-looking guard is a raving beauty.
There are three Iverson cards in this release; they include the Row 2 and Row 1 version. But the zero one is easily the scarcest and, therefore, most valuable of the bunch. It is also more attractive than the more pedestrian-looking alternatives. But there isn’t a single card in the 1996 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection that isn’t gorgeous.
1997 Skybox Premium Star Rubies Allen Iverson #100 SR #/50
A PSA 9 sold for $16,230.
Do I love this design? I really can’t decide. But ultimately, I have never seen anything like the 1997 Skybox Premium Star Rubies Allen Iverson #100 SR #/50 background. While it's supposed to be rubies, it looks like a bunch of threatening Venus flytraps. But the lettering is superb, and the action shot is vintage “The Answer” just as he is about to destroy your life. Skybox Premium has produced some of the best cards of the era, and this one is no exception.
Only 50 of these cards are printed, 30 of which are PSA-graded. Oh, and none have a PSA 10 grade. There are also several Reebok inserts of three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold), all of which are very scarce but have yet to sell for high prices. These could be fabulous investments for the future.
1996 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Allen Iverson Rookie Card #53 #/499
A PSA 10 sold for $18,288.
Like many of these early Allen Iverson cards, the 1996 Skybox E-X2000 Credentials Allen Iverson RC #53 #/499 flattened our works. The action shot is utterly brilliant, and the way they place Iverson outside the lines of the frame complements the chaotic picture and also reflects the unrestrained personality of “The Answer.”
The cards from this release do not grade well. And they are scarce to begin with. There are only 23 PSA 10s of the base card version (amazing because there are 1,912 graded items) and 3 of the Credentials card (out of 130). With those numbers and the undeniable aesthetic appeal, these cards (base and Credentials) will probably be worth a good deal more money in the future.
1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Allen Iverson #20 PMG #/100
A PSA 5 sold for $23,256.
If a PSA 5 of this card sold for this much, imagine how much a PSA 10 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Allen Iverson #20 PMG #/100 would go for? The red is also the more common version of this card. There are only 100 copies of this card to begin with, but 90 of them are red, while only 10 are green. If you were a collector in the 1990s, you remember the Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems as the king of the insert hill. Therefore, aside from scarcity, these cards are also particularly iconic in the hobby. As a result, these cards (especially the green ones) are the best investment of any Allen Iverson rookie card. See what you can do to secure a copy.
1996 Bowman's Best Atomic Refractor Allen Iverson Rookie Card #R1
A PSA 10 sold for $39,999.
As you can see, the 1996 Bowman's Best Atomic Refractor Allen Iverson RC #R1 sold for a very healthy price. However, that massive sale was a total fluke. The sales are all over the place, with a PSA 10 most recently costing $1,424. But which price reflects its actual value? The population numbers are relatively low, suggesting that if it isn’t worth 40 grand yet, it might be someday. Only 7 PSA 10s of this baby are out there. Meanwhile, the outstanding design of this refractor will ensure its long-term appeal. But investor tip: the regular refractor is almost as scarce and comes at a lower price. It may be an excellent investment for the future.
1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC #171
A PSA 10 sold for $57,968.
One of the best-known and most loved rookie cards of the 1990s. The 1996 Topps Chrome Refractor Allen Iverson RC #171 is one of the items that made Topps Chrome the go-to rookie card of the decade. Personally, I have some questions about the shot they used for this card. “The Answer” looks like he has none in this case. Indeed, the star looks like a baby about to cry because someone took his candy. Yes, taking candy from a baby has its price.
While the regular chromium card is very popular, the refractor version breaks the bank. The difference in population is significant. There are 3,926 PSA-graded versions of the base card, but only 252 of the Refractor and a mere 36 PSA 10s. Therefore, the prices for those babies will likely go up. It has all the makings of a truly important card.
Final Word On The 13 Most Valuable Allen Iverson Rookie Cards
Below the absolute top-tier of Michael Jordans and LeBrons there are other players who are also immortal. Maybe they didn't win as many titles, but their careers and personalities were unforgettable. Allen “The Answer” Iverson is at the top of that list. The cards of players who will always be in the hearts of an entire generation will appreciate nicely in value. In Iverson’s case, the selection of rookie cards is also so strong that there are a myriad of worthwhile investments for this player. Just pick a scarce and attractive Allen Iverson rookie card and hold on to it.
