Best Lebron Rookie to start with?

[wife says no]

ex
topps chrome
finest

[jnmcards]

Thanks for the insight guys! Great stuff!

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

Topps Chrome
Hoops
Upper Deck

Great choice.

Might be a surprise to many, but Upper Deck was the "premium" base card back in the day. Outsold Topps 3-5x routinely. Sad that people don't care.

Give me the UD > Topps

[TheTimeIsNow]

Like others have said, the Topps Pristine #101 Refractor /1999 still has plenty of room to grow just from the fact that it is a refractor rookie card. I bought mine (BGS 9) right before the price surge for $265, but still think that it is a good buy right now. Upper Deck #301 is a great option. much more rare and nicer looking than the flagship Topps. I would personally love to own a Contemporary Collection, but it is out of my budget right now

[LeonfromNC]

These are my two newest pickups. I feel both have a ton of room to grow.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by Willikn

Most everyone will tell you to spend that on a mint TC RC. What's more, most everyone holding that opinion is more in tune with the modern market than me. My opinions are likely the ramblings of an old fart who still thinks it is 2005.

In that price range (actually a bit less), assuming I didn't have one, I'd target Black Diamond in a 10 slab, Mystique in a 10 slab, and UD #301 in a 10 slab.

If I'm going after the coolest card in an 8.5 or 9, base Finest RC or Topps Contemporary Collection. I'd say the Honor Roll RC, but I know I'll get crushed just for mentioning it so I won't...derp

I have adored the Glass and Finite since 2004. You can reach either of those it sure seems worth it.

Hahaha but you have a lot more experience and wisdom than younger collectors (such as myself)!

Thanks for sharing your picks! Out of the 3 that you mentioned in a 10 slab, the Mystique is the only one that's sequentially numbered, correct?

I really like your taste in regards to coolest card! Regarding the Honor Roll RC, I see that there's a few kinds. Which one are you referring to?

The Glass and Finite are very beautiful cards too.

I'm glad to have asked you for your opinion because our tastes are quite similar. Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. I'll be looking out for a few of the cards you mentioned (and, if possible, pick a couple up).

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by LeonfromNC

These are my two newest pickups. I feel both have a ton of room to grow.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Beautiful cards, Leon! Thanks for sharing

[Willikn]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

I really like your taste in regards to coolest card! Regarding the Honor Roll RC, I see that there's a few kinds. Which one are you referring to?

None of the inserts. Those are plentiful and ugly. Just the base RC.

It is #/499. There is an additional #/25 gold auto'd version, so 524 total if you count those. It is an extremely "chippy" card, so I do not trust any gems of this card.

This isn't mine. I have one in a PSA 8 slab. That should be less than $300. A BGS 8.5 should be the same. I don't see one on Ebay currently. They don't come frequently.

It has been brought to my attention that no one wants this card because no one knows what it is. I counter by saying the average collector can't pick the Exquisite #/99 out of lineup either. Obviously I'm wrong because this card is cheaper than a paper Topps and there are thousands of those in a gem slab.

[Willikn]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

Great choice.

Might be a surprise to many, but Upper Deck was the "premium" base card back in the day. Outsold Topps 3-5x routinely. Sad that people don't care.

Give me the UD > Topps

LeBron had already signed an exclusive contract with UD. Game used and autos, only UD. People bought boxes of Fleer and Topps because they were cheap. All of the Jordan or LeBron hits were in UD, which at the time meant all of the hits anyone wanted. Kobe auto/game used items also found in UD boxes.

[Comix Guy]

For those looking for some images, this poster has posted some from their amazing collection. I really like that Hardcourt Futures.
https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1363102

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by Willikn

None of the inserts. Those are plentiful and ugly. Just the base RC.

It is #/499. There is an additional #/25 gold auto'd version, so 524 total if you count those. It is an extremely "chippy" card, so I do not trust any gems of this card.

This isn't mine. I have one in a PSA 8 slab. That should be less than $300. A BGS 8.5 should be the same. I don't see one on Ebay currently. They don't come frequently.

It has been brought to my attention that no one wants this card because no one knows what it is. I counter by saying the average collector can't pick the Exquisite #/99 out of lineup either. Obviously I'm wrong because this card is cheaper than a paper Topps and there are thousands of those in a gem slab.

Got it. Thank you very much for this information!

I can’t see your photo for some reason, unfortunately

Haha, it’ll eventually catch on. Until then, hopefully I can come across one and pick it up for a good price Or you (should you want another) haha

[Arianny_Fan]

Cant believe just a month or so ago his topps pristine refractor rc /1999 could be had for $500 for either a pack fresh raw or a graded 9 all day. Not so much now because of all those domo harigato investo robot-o guys.

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by Arianny_Fan

Cant believe just a month or so ago his topps pristine refractor rc /1999 could be had for $500 for either a pack fresh raw or a graded 9 all day. Not so much now because of all those domo harigato investo robot-o guys.

where are you finding all these 17 year old cards in "pack fresh" condition?

[Willikn]

Originally Posted by ThoseBackPages

where are you finding all these 17 year old cards in "pack fresh" condition?

All over Ebay. Those same cards are usually "Like New". The sellers of these items are almost always NOT professional graders.

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by Willikn

All over Ebay. Those same cards are usually "Like New". The sellers of these items are almost always NOT professional graders.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Point me in the direction of those LeBrons that look crisp please! Sharp corners and dead centering preferred as they must be slabbed!

[Willikn]

Originally Posted by imbluestreak23

Point me in the direction of those LeBrons that look crisp please! Sharp corners and dead centering preferred as they must be slabbed!

I stare at any of those long enough I convince myself that they've had a haircut. I'm sure I'm wrong more than half the time, but what percentage is a viable risk/reward scenario?

[imbluestreak23]

Originally Posted by Willikn

I stare at any of those long enough I convince myself that they've had a haircut. I'm sure I'm wrong more than half the time, but what percentage is a viable risk/reward scenario?

Yeah, that's why I don't buy them. 99.9% of gradeable Brons have been graded. 17 years of mining doesn't leave much opportunity left sadly. Raw for a reason for sure.

[isles4life]

Black Diamond! how has this not been mentioned.

[Willikn]

Originally Posted by isles4life

Black Diamond! how has this not been mentioned.

It was. One of my personal favorites too.

Originally Posted by Willikn

In that price range (actually a bit less), assuming I didn't have one, I'd target Black Diamond in a 10 slab, Mystique in a 10 slab, and UD #301 in a 10 slab.

[Onepocketj]

Originally Posted by LeonfromNC

These are my two newest pickups. I feel both have a ton of room to grow.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Saw this and thought it looked familiar. Dug through my closet and found one in a box I bought a few years ago drunk ebaying. Tried to find it in my purchase history but it was more than 2.5 years ago. BGS 9.5 Topps with the same subs as yours. Pretty happy right now - only Lebron I own and it's a pretty decent one.

[Willikn]

Originally Posted by Onepocketj

Saw this and thought it looked familiar. Dug through my closet and found one in a box I bought a few years ago drunk ebaying. Tried to find it in my purchase history but it was more than 2.5 years ago. BGS 9.5 Topps with the same subs as yours. Pretty happy right now - only Lebron I own and it's a pretty decent one.

About $800 right now. Maybe better with those subs. Fun to guess what you paid 2.5 years ago..

I say $75

[jnmcards]

Originally Posted by Willikn

It was. One my personal favorites too.

Which Black Diamond is his true rookie? Seems to be a few different ones out there.

[Willikn]

Originally Posted by jnmcards

Which Black Diamond is his true rookie? Seems to be a few different ones out there.

Check the LeBron Trinity thread. He has the good one in a 10 slab.

#184

[Onepocketj]

Quick question - I'm new to Lebron rookies.
Is there an easy way to tell the difference between the Fleer Ultra and the Hummer version?
Thank you

[Kenflin]

Originally Posted by Onepocketj

Quick question - I'm new to Lebron rookies.
Is there an easy way to tell the difference between the Fleer Ultra and the Hummer version?
Thank you

The base version is sn/500 and says lucky 13 on the front.