Back in the 1990s, the hobby was a lot different. Not every card was serially numbered the way that they are today, and for the most part, autos and relics were very rare items. As a result, when a serially numbered card was produced, they had extreme value to the collecting public. As a novel idea, it was crazy to believe that only a certain amount of one card were available, and it made the prestige of owning those rare cards that much greater.
Basketball cards used this idea sparingly enough that even today, the serial numbered cards from the 1990s carry EXTREME ending prices with them. Obviously, cards from Michael Jordan reign supreme, as I have commented on before, so much so that my mouth hangs open when I see how much they go for.
Check these out:
1998 Fleer Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan /90 BGS 9
1998 Fleer Precious Metal Gems Michael Jordan /90 #2
These cards are so sought after, that any similarity in concept drives ridiculous clamoring for the cards. Panini released Totally Certified with a foil and rarity that hearkened back to the days of the Fleer Precious Metal Gems, and collectors went nuts for them. This shiny and ugly foil is like an addiction for some collectors, and the prices they sell for solidify that observation
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With the release of 2012 Upper Deck Fleer Retro, we can expect that the aura of these cards from the 1990s will carry the product to incredible heights. Some of the cards, mirrored after the famous inserts from this era have already hit eBay, and are generating prices usually not seen for similarly numbered cards today. Its crazy to believe that a card numbered to 150 or 50 in a recent product would be worth any money due to commonality, but the brand speaks for itself.
Here are some of the first ones:
2012 Fleer Retro Larry Bird Precious Metal Gems Red /150
2012 Fleer Retro Grant Hill Precious Metal Gems Red /150
As I was shocked to see the popularity of the gaudy inserts from previous decades, I guess I will need to maintain a similar level of shock with these cards too. Im still waiting to see what happens when the first 2012 Precious Metal Gems Jordan gets posted. Mayhem might ensue.
UPDATE – FIRST JORDAN PRECIOUS METAL GEMS IS UP!
Finally a win! These look sweet but I dont the Jordan will get 3K. Even still top notch work.
I know what it’s like to collect metal gems NBA collectors are a different breed of collector than NFL and MLB they go ballistic, even common and semi-stars. When I bought my Derrick Coleman Green Precious Gems (which the first 10 or 20 are green the rest are red) it went for over $90US. I know I know I over spent on Coleman but I had only seen 1 green once.
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For that Jordan to go for $2k is ridiculous. #ed out of 150 and in college uni? I can get 2 maybe 3 autos of his for that… Its like PT Barnum was in the card collecting business when he said there is one born every minute…..
Its funny that I can turn up my nose at a card numbered to 150 like it is not a tough pull but with UD fb and hoop products in the college unis and panini putting out the same product in design and content year after year my hobby world is very small right now….