LeBron Gold Refractor

[HoopsieDoopsie]

Hey guys,

So I have the oppurtunity to buy/trade for a 2004/05 Bowman Chrome LeBron James Gold Refractor. Looking at potentially a multi card trade involving several cards on my end and cash for this LeBron. I know these 2nd year LeBrons have been climbing in price significantly over the last few months.. do these continue to climb because its LeBron and they're gold refractors or do they eventually fall. Can someone also explain why the Bowman Chrome is so much cheaper than the Topps Chrome. 49 less copies in the bowman but the topps almost sell for double the price. Does Bowman continue to lag behind or do you guys think these will get there due and catch up or surpass the topps chrome.

[mglevy125]

I’m biased, but I’m a big believer in the second year topps chrome. I think it’s the best looking chrome card he has, and topps chrome has always been superior to bc in basketball.

As lebron’s legacy continues to take shape, I do think the gold will continue to rise as there are so few of them.

[miscus555]

I have a 2003-04 Lebron bowman gold chrome and I know if it was a Topps gold chrome it would be valued much higher. I think Topps chrome is just considered the “gold” standard as a lot of collectors tend to like and value a players first Topps chrome card whether it’s their rookie year or not

[chasacar86]

There is no due for bowman chrome to get. It is priced as it should be, moderately below the king topps chrome. That will never change and has no reason to.

No clue if this is legit, but I know the 04 ref 10 prices around 7k are so it would make sense. Worst case let's call it 10k:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-Topps-Chrome-Black-Refractor-LeBron-James-500-23-PSA-10-GEM-MINT-PWCC/402293584468?hash=item5daa90f254:g:6PUAAOSwx79e5AAU

500 of these, quite a few more than the BC gold /50 and both are tough grades.

With that being said #d bron chrome esp gold is a no brainer, topps or bowman chrome. Go get it!!!

[Clipperfan3]

I would get that card. You're always in a better position when you are trading multiple cards for a single larger card. It's like when a team trades a major star and gets 5 players in return. Who's getting the better deal? Almost always the team receiving the huge star.

These cards are not going to go down in value. Anything with under 100 copies is going to get locked away which will cripple the supply of available copies.

Absolutely get this card.

[ninjacookies]

Bowman or Topps. Doesn't matter. It's a second year Lebron gold refractor. It's a good investment with basically zero downside.


Bring a gun if you have to. But get it.

[pokemaniac]

Bowman or Topps. Doesn't matter. It's a second year Lebron gold refractor. It's a good investment with basically zero downside.


Bring a gun if you have to. But get it.

Tomorrow's front page thread:

How I lost multiple cards to an assailant in a UPS truck.

[ninjacookies]

Tomorrow's front page thread:

How I lost multiple cards to an assailant in a UPS truck.

Former 5th infantry/volunteer turtle veterinarian....nobody saw it comin.

[Gem10collection]

His second year topps chrome refractor is gorgeous! Regardless if it's gold, black, or regular.

As for the bowman to topps difference, I think that gap will shrink as time goes by with the bowman increasing in value.

[HoopsieDoopsie]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I knew in the back of my mind LeBron BC Gold Refractor /50 kinda a no brainer. Just needed to be sure for my own piece of mind. As I'm giving up alot of my key cards I had planned to hold long term and a significant amount of cash for me.

I want to raise one other question before I go forward but with regards to the trade specifics for this transaction. I dont know if its frowned upon to post trade specifics, maybe somebody can enlighten me and I'll go into detail what's involved here

[mglevy125]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I knew in the back of my mind LeBron BC Gold Refractor /50 kinda a no brainer. Just needed to be sure for my own piece of mind. As I'm giving up alot of my key cards I had planned to hold long term and a significant amount of cash for me.

I want to raise one other question before I go forward but with regards to the trade specifics for this transaction. I dont know if its frowned upon to post trade specifics, maybe somebody can enlighten me and I'll go into detail what's involved here

Go for it!

[DajuanWagner]

I have a 2003-04 Lebron bowman gold chrome and I know if it was a Topps gold chrome it would be valued much higher. I think Topps chrome is just considered the “gold” standard as a lot of collectors tend to like and value a players first Topps chrome card whether it’s their rookie year or not



Same.......

[HoopsieDoopsie]

Here's what I am giving for this potential trade along with 2K cash.. all raw cards listed I was going to send in for grading, everything is super clean

(3) Luka Prizm RC
(1) Luka Prizm PSA 9 RC
(2) Zion Prizm RC
(2) Ja Morant Prizm RC
(2) Ja Morant Optic RC
(1) Zion Optic RC
(1) Optic Fanatics set
(1) Ja Morant NBA Hoops Yellow Border Dollar Tree
(1) Zion NBA Hoops Yellow Dollar Tree
(2) Jayson Tatum Prizm RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic PSA 10 RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic Holo RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic Fast Break Blue RC /50
(1) Jayson Tatum Crown Royale RC
(1) Jayson Tatum 18/19 Prizm Green

Please let me know your thoughts, I trust this community and value everyone's input. To me I feel like I'm getting the better end of this trade but I still want to hear thoughts

[KhalDrogo]

If all those cards are as clean as you say they are, you are giving up way too much.

[GeechQuest]

Here's what I am giving for this potential trade along with 2K cash.. all raw cards listed I was going to send in for grading, everything is super clean

(3) Luka Prizm RC
(1) Luka Prizm PSA 9 RC
(2) Zion Prizm RC
(2) Ja Morant Prizm RC
(2) Ja Morant Optic RC
(1) Zion Optic RC
(1) Optic Fanatics set
(1) Ja Morant NBA Hoops Yellow Border Dollar Tree
(1) Zion NBA Hoops Yellow Dollar Tree
(2) Jayson Tatum Prizm RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic PSA 10 RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic Holo RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic Fast Break Blue RC /50
(1) Jayson Tatum Crown Royale RC
(1) Jayson Tatum 18/19 Prizm Green

Please let me know your thoughts, I trust this community and value everyone's input. To me I feel like I'm getting the better end of this trade but I still want to hear thoughts

So you’re trading a bunch of unproven NBA rookies who will not all pan out long term in the hobby + $2K cash for a Lebron BC Gold?

I wouldn’t even think twice about making the trade. You’re essentially trading a ton of cards that will always be available for a Lebron that never sells. Even during the absolute peak of basketball cards, at Lebron’s peak, we’ve seen 2 sell.

You’re getting:

-Better player
-Rarity
-Less downside
-More upside

You’re getting everything in this trade. Even if you could sell all the cards you’re giving up and net more cash, you can’t turn around and buy the Lebron because it’s never available.

The reason why those other cards you’re giving up are worth more is solely based on the fact the Jordan/Kobe/Lebron cards that are similar are worth more.

It’s a great trade for you.

[mglevy125]

Couple things, if you’re looking for a short term monetary gain and those cards look clean, you’re probably leaving $ on the table. But there’s risk there. If you send them to PSA and the league has cancelled because of Covid by the time you get them back, I strongly believe those base rookies are the first cards to drop in value. If the league doesn’t get cancelled, by the time you get the order back, most of those players (except maybe Tatum) will have been eliminated from the playoffs. Not to mention the possibility of you getting crushed on the grades.

Long term, It’s a no brainer for me, I’d take the Lebron. Much less volatility and less work for you. Plus you’re only giving up base cards and 2K. If you think Lebron golds are expensive now, wait until more celebrities get into cards and bring their followers...what do you think they’ll want first?

[dgbarnes]

Here's what I am giving for this potential trade along with 2K cash.. all raw cards listed I was going to send in for grading, everything is super clean

(3) Luka Prizm RC
(1) Luka Prizm PSA 9 RC
(2) Zion Prizm RC
(2) Ja Morant Prizm RC
(2) Ja Morant Optic RC
(1) Zion Optic RC
(1) Optic Fanatics set
(1) Ja Morant NBA Hoops Yellow Border Dollar Tree
(1) Zion NBA Hoops Yellow Dollar Tree
(2) Jayson Tatum Prizm RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic PSA 10 RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic Holo RC
(1) Jayson Tatum Optic Fast Break Blue RC /50
(1) Jayson Tatum Crown Royale RC
(1) Jayson Tatum 18/19 Prizm Green

Please let me know your thoughts, I trust this community and value everyone's input. To me I feel like I'm getting the better end of this trade but I still want to hear thoughts

Personally, I would do this in a heartbeat. Sure there might be money left on the table with what you're giving up. But I would much rather have 1 card that is a jaw dropper, than a dozen rookies that frequent eBay.

Plus, that Bowman is an insanely cool photo + design.

[Yikes]

You're insane if you go through with the deal.

I'd rather get (2) 2004 Topps Chrome refractors than 1 Bowman Gold

Although the Bowman is limited, it's not desirable as the Topps Chrome.

That is quite a treasure of a lot to be giving up.

[Beavers98]

I'm kind of in the camp of not doing the trade myself. That's a lot to give up and 2K in cash. Now if it was some kind of Rookie Refractor yes I could see it, but I guess I'm more biased towards RC in that manner. But on the other side I'd take that lot and 2K. Again just preference I guess..

[nera20]

i would do that trade

[KhalDrogo]

Same card sold raw for $6500 three weeks ago. Let’s be extra generous and say it’s worth $10k now.

If the raw cards are truly gem worthy, you have $8.5k alone in the Luka, Tatum, and Zion Prizm, and Tatum Optic Holo. So yes, you are giving up way too much if you’re being honest with yourself about what those raw cards would grade.

But if the trade was for something like a PSA 10 E-X RC, I’d say do it. So today’s value isn’t everything.