Dirk Nowitzki is widely regarded as one of the greatest power forwards of all time and a 2023 inductee to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This honor is well-earned, as Nowitzki was a huge (7’ tall) player physically and figuratively who helped elevate the Dallas Mavericks as a franchise for 21 years, including 15 playoff appearances, their first two Finals, and only NBA championship in 2011, where he was also named the MVP. He was a 14-time All-Star and stacked up numerous other awards, including in Europe where he played for his home country, Germany, on their national team.
Perhaps most impressively, Nowitzki’s a member of the 30,000 points club. He sits on that list of players who have scored that lofty number, nestled between Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain. That’s some truly epic company. Since his retirement, Nowitzki’s continued to support the Mavs as a special advisor.
All of these elements have led to his trading cards becoming highly sought-after collector's items for fans and investors alike. In this article, we’ll explore the top 15 Dirk Nowitzki trading cards for a variety of price points. In truth, a lot of Nowitzki’s cards are still quite budget-friendly if you buy them ungraded. His ascendance into the Hall of Fame may have an impact on those prices so there’s no better time to buy than now.
So, whether you're a die-hard fan or a savvy investor, we've got you covered with some exceptional options for any budget. Keep in mind you can always see a great overview of his cards from the Dirk Nowitzki cards Main page on Cardbase.
$10 - $50 Dirk Nowitzki Cards
Remember that graded cards have more value since a third-party has validated their authenticity and condition. You can often find cheaper versions of cards if they have not been graded or are damaged or dented from improper storage.
15. 2005 Upper Deck Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Debut Gold #17 /50
While Nowitzki's rookie year was in 1998, the 2005 Upper Deck Rookie Debut card series celebrates a player’s progress since they joined the league. This card is part of the Upper Deck Rookie Debut series, which is known for its emphasis on highlighting rookie players and young stars in the league. Were they also trying to include the word ‘rookie’ on cards that were printed years after a player’s rookie season? Definitely.
Even so, this limited edition (of 50) card from 2005 shows off the power forward in motion and features a backside with many of the accomplishments of his early career. Copies of this card are available for less than $10 ungraded, which is an exceptional price for such a low population.
14. 2006-07 UD Reserve Game Jersey Dirk Nowitzki #UD-DN
This Upper Deck card features a swatch of a game-worn jersey from Dirk Nowitzki and it’s part of their Reserve set, which includes game-used memorabilia cards from some of the NBA's top players. The #UD-DN specific designation indicates that this card is part of the Dirk Nowitzki subset within the set. This card is currently available for about $10 ungraded and is a steal for a card with a memorabilia component. This card is sure to rise in value in time because it holds a unique piece of basketball history right on the card.
13. 1998 Fleer Ultra Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #118
This budget-friendly Dirk Nowitzki rookie card is a Fleer Ultra card from 1998. Showing off a young Nowitzki at the beginning of his career rather than in action like most of his cards, you can easily find this attractive 1998 Fleer Ultra Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #118 card online for $10-20 dollars, even in Near Mint condition. Keep an eye out for something similar further up the list because Nowitzki joined the NBA after the various sports card companies started doing more limited edition and single-card prints.
12. 1998 SkyBox Molten Metal Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #35
This 1998 SkyBox Molten Metal Dirk Nowitzki #35 rookie card is a great example of a card on the rise in value. While copies could be found in late 2022 for roughly $10, recent sales of similarly graded cards are now hovering around 4x to 5x that price. The cool action shot taken from above the jumping 7’ tall forward is a key part of the card’s appeal. The Molten Metal series is part of the SkyBox metallic series, which are easy to spot with their metallic finish, dynamic action shots, and futuristic graphics. It’s a great series full of top athletes and this card would be a terrific first card in the set to acquire.
11. 2007 Topps Chrome Refractor Dirk Nowitzki #41 /999
This excellent 2007 Topps Chrome Refractor Dirk Nowitzki #41 /999 card is one of almost a thousand, but the price for them is starting to surge. The Topps Chrome design is eye-catching with its shiny and stylish border. Even so, the main attraction is a one-handed layup caught in motion, one of the signature moves Dirk Nowitzki employed for over 20 years. The card can be found ungraded for about $20, but copies that are graded Mint or better will run you 2x to 3x that price at the moment. It’s not a bad time to invest in a copy of this limited edition card as it has the potential for growth in value.
$50-$100 Dirk Nowitzki Cards
Keep in mind that graded cards will fetch more money and that you may find some of these cards for less if they are ungraded or poor in quality.
10. 1998 Topps Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #154
As one of the more affordable Dirk Nowitzki rookie cards, this 1998 Topps Dirk Nowitzki #154 card is perfect for fans looking to start their collection without breaking the bank. It features a young Dirk Nowitzki in his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks, showing off his towering figure in motion. It’s a great shot and a terrific card to honor his legacy. While prices vary, you can definitely find very good-to-mint copies for $50-100. Keep an eye out if you search for this one because if you get a copy of the refractor, refer to that version further up the list.
9. 2004 Upper Deck Extra Exquisite Jersey Dirk Nowitzki #EE-DN /25
Upper Deck’s Extra Exquisite collection highlights game-worn memorabilia on the cards in this line. Dirk Nowitzki’s white jersey is center stage on this card, along with a solid shot of the athlete mid-career. The back has a message confirming authentication with a signature not from Nowitski, but from the CEO of Upper Deck. Regardless, it’s Nowitzki that wore the jersey in an NBA game and his face and name on it. This limited edition of 25 collectible can be acquired in mint condition for about $100, which isn’t bad for a card from one of the greats featuring a piece of his jersey and basketball history.
High-End Option: Over $100 Range
As always, graded card prices are higher and upgraded copies are less expensive. In fact, if you can snap up an ungraded copy and have it professionally graded by PSA or BGS, you can turn a profit on your Dirk Nowitzki cards, too.
8. 2012 Panini Flawless Diamond Dirk Nowitzki #49 /20
This card is part of the Panini Flawless basketball card series, which is known for its high-end, luxury design and limited availability. The Diamond reference is because a literal tiny diamond is embedded into the card’s design. As a result, the card is more valuable, with some versions selling for over a thousand dollars. Collectors and investors alike look for this and other Panini Flawless cards as both an investment possibility and also as a high-profile piece of sports memorabilia.
7. 1998 SP Authentic Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #99
This good-looking Dirk Nowitzki rookie card has a clean design and features a young Nowitzki showcasing his skills. It's an excellent choice for those looking to invest in a higher-quality card that will generally run you between $300 and $1200, depending on the condition. With the induction into the Hall of Fame, we may see a spike in prices with cards that vary this much in price. Either way, this 1998 SP Authentic Dirk Nowitzki #99 card is a solid investment choice for a card likely to increase in value.
6. 2016 National Treasures Dirk Nowitzki Signatures Bronze (11/25)
The 2016 National Treasures Dirk Nowitzki Signatures Bronze card is a limited edition set of 25 cards. The card is autographed by the NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki on top of a compelling black and white portrait of the power forward in a rare moment of reflection when he isn’t leaping above his colleagues and opponents to score another outside shot. With such a limited quantity for his stunning collectible, it’s no surprise that this copy sold for $916 in July 2021.
5. 1998 Fleer Lucky 13 Dirk Nowitzki Rookie #9
This 1998 Fleer Lucky 13 Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #9 noted the early selection of Nowitski during the draft his first year. He was pick #9 and that is also the card’s designation in the set. A young Nowitzki looks proudly into the camera, almost anticipating his amazing run as the power forward for the Mavericks. This card is pretty available, with prices ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to PSA 10 Gem Mint copies going for over $1,000. A special rookie card like this is a welcome addition to any sports card collection. If you don’t mind having a copy of this gorgeous card in Near Mint condition, prices for lower-graded copies can be substantially lower.
4. 2017 Immaculate Red Dirk Nowitzki Game Used Patch Autographed /10
This Dirk Nowitzki card features a piece of game-worn fabric from Nowitzki's jersey, along with his autograph, making it a unique and valuable item. There were only 10 of these cards made, which makes it worth even more money. As Nowitzki is now going into the Hall of Fame, this card can be expected to increase in value over time. An ungraded copy sold in February 2023 for over $1,000. The next time one of these 10 cards comes up for sale, we can expect to see another price spike.
3. 2008 SkyBox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Dirk Nowitzki #9 /50
SkyBox’s Metal Universe series in 2008 produced one of the most sought-after Dirk Nowitzki cards, the Red and Green editions of the Precious Metal Gems cards: 2008 SkyBox Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Dirk Nowitzki #9 /50. While this series has always dealt in very limited quantities, they are truly sought after because of the stunning photography and the contrast of players in action with the strong blue, red, and green backdrops. As usual, the Red version was a run of 40, and the Green version was only a run of 10. Thus, you can find a Red version for between $100-700, but the Green version has gone for as much as $10,000 in February 2023.
2. 1998 Topps Chrome Refractor Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #154
Yes, this 1998 Topps Chrome Refractor Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #154 is similar to another Dirk Nowitzki rookie card down the list. That’s the standard and this one is a limited edition refractor card with a shiny mirrored finish. This rookie card is one of the earliest cards in Nowitzki’s career. The card's design features a close-up of Nowitzki in action, surrounded by a bright, reflective surface that enhances the colors and detail of the image. The refractor effect also results in a distinctive rainbow-like pattern when the card is tilted at different angles. The other big difference from the original version of #154 is the value that it will fetch. This copy was graded by PSA as a 10 Gem mint and it sold in March 2021 for $35,000. A hefty sum, but also a wonderful collectible to celebrate the prowess of one of basketball's all-time greats.
1. 1998 Fleer Ultra Masterpiece Edition Dirk Nowitzki Rookie Card #118 1/1
If this looks familiar, trust your instincts. One of the least expensive cards above has a variant that tops the list because it is truly unique. The front of both cards are similar, but the back of the Masterpiece Edition denotes its status clearly - and what a difference a sentence makes. This card is a “1 of 1” edition, which was judged as ‘Authentic’ by PSA and sold in September 2022 for $79,200. While there are a number of other Dirk Nowitzki single-copy cards that have gone up in value lately, this is the most expensive one we have seen sell on the open market so far.
Now is the Time to Pick Up Dirk Nowitzki Cards
As you can see from our top 15 Dirk Nowitzki trading cards, he has plenty of affordable cards across the range of budgets, from affordable options to high-end rarities. Whether you're a fan looking to celebrate Nowitzki's incredible career or an investor seeking valuable collectibles, these cards offer a diverse selection to suit your needs. As the legend of Dirk Nowitzki continues to grow, these trading cards will only become more sought after and valuable, making them a smart and enjoyable investment.
