1996-1997 Topps Finest Basketball #269 Kobe Bryant Rookie Refractor with Coating PSA MINT 9

Sold For:

$12,600

Year:

1996

Auction:

2021 Summer

Lot #:

2479

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Graded MINT 9 by PSA. Offered is one of the key rookie cards from the 1996-1997 Topps Finest basketball series, Kobe Bryant. 1996-1997 Tops Finest was one of the premiere basketball issues of its era. The set was unique and innovative for basketball sets of the time. It was released in two series, each containing cards with bronze, silver, and gold borders to indicate different levels of rarity. Bronze cards were considered common, silver uncommon, and gold were considered the rare cards in the set. In addition to the varying levels of rarity, the cards were also issued in themed subsets. The themes for the issue were Apprentices, Gladiators, Maestros, Sterling, Foundations, Heirs, and Mainstays. Several players, including Kobe, appear on multiple cards in the set. The offered example is card #269, which is a gold bordered card from the Heirs subset. Finest cards were issued with a clear film over the front (commonly referred to as the "coating") to protect the delicate surface from scratches. This coating has not been removed from this card. This example is spectacular! A clean surface and reverse, razor-sharp corners, and near-perfect centering. Kobe Bryant appears as a key rookie in many 1996-1997 basketball issues, but Topps Finest is one of his most popular. This is a highly desirable Hall of Fame rookie card that would make a worthy addition to any basketball-card collection. Reserve $2,500.