Fake High End Kobe Auto with Inscription?

[carsonhobby]

Any thoughts on this 2009-2010 NT Notable Nicknames Kobe auto Card with “Black Mamba inscription”? It’s supposedly serial # out of 99 however, serial doesn’t show anywhere in the card. Appears to be authenticated by Beckett. (Photos below)

Is the missing serial number an error from Panini? Or possibly just a fake/replica card?

I’m looking to purchase this very card for ~$10,000 and would love to get any feedback before pulling the trigger.

546153
546154

[Asian62150]

I haven't seen a Kobe Mamba with a missing serial number, but I picked up a Kris Bryant Notable Nicknames with a missing serial number.

I haven't seen any Kobe fakes with the "24" sticker--yet. There are also fake BGS cases out there. Hopefully it's legit but $10K seems pretty low for a Black Mamba inscription.

[boxbuster7]

I'd say it is real but would do some internet research as to why the serial number is missing before spending that much

[kingofsnake]

That's an interesting auction. Everything about the card looks legit to me except the lack of a serial number. That would be enough to make me not want to buy it.

[boxbuster7]

That's an interesting auction. Everything about the card looks legit to me except the lack of a serial number. That would be enough to make me not want to buy it.

can you post the link to it?

[Kingofkings1281]

I’d say that’s normally a $20-25k card. I’d think this goes in the $12-$15k range just because of the missing serial number. It looks legit though.

[carsonhobby]

Here’s the auction link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/386268937319?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=lRWoOGb3Tnq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=jJSDTkskTeG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

There is a comp of the card from June 2023 and it had the serial# 60/99. Sold via auction on Goldin for $12000

I’m wondering if this likely one of those replacement cards from Panini? And if it’s even worth investing the money on…

[ninjacookies]

Seems like it could be ex/current Panini employees sneaking out backdoor cards.


From my understanding, all replacements still should have serial numbers.


Bet there's gonna be a flood of these in a few years once Fanatics takes over completely.

[boxbuster7]

Here’s the auction link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/386268937319?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=lRWoOGb3Tnq&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=jJSDTkskTeG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

There is a comp of the card from June 2023 and it had the serial# 60/99. Sold via auction on Goldin for $12000

I’m wondering if this likely one of those replacement cards from Panini? And if it’s even worth investing the money on…

So a version without any serial number just sold more? Or was it shilled :eek:

[kingofsnake]

So a version without any serial number just sold more? Or was it shilled :eek:

https://media.giphy.com/media/135E47VKw6TM6A/giphy.gif

[carsonhobby]

Patience was definitely tested with that auction. In the end, I decided to stay away from bidding over my max price. Too much of a risk for the amount of money. Huge gamble to whoever won for sure.

PS
Still looking for an actual numbered card if anyone is selling.

[Kennyd011]

$10k budget is too low for this type of card with black mamba inscription.

The card is real, one of the Kobe collectors I traded with received a redemption from panini in 2015 and it was also not numbered. I've seen a few copies at big shows before they all locked away from personal collection in 2020.

The $12k comp on Goldin, the auto is faded so its not a true comp. PSA 10 Auto 10 sold for $50k recently at Burbank card show with bold auto in Oct 2023. BGS 9 and 9.5 asking price usually 25k-30k

[Asian62150]

Two of Kobe's iconic cards/sigs are probably the Black Mamba and Spotlight Sigs, which last I heard was around $10-12K.

If the Black Mamba is remotely the same price, I'd much rather have the Mamba, numbered or unnumbered.

$25-30K Mamba price seems more in line as stated above (full disclosure, I sold mine for some terribly low amount right after Kobe retired).