Help educate me on a Kobe grail

[Jasonheff]

I’m looking to pick up a Kobe grail for my PC in the near future and would love some advice.

I got back into collecting about 3 years ago and honestly was never into basketball during the Kobe years. Can someone walk me through the Flair Legacy Collection Row cards and how they stack up to similar graded Topps Crome refractors? The below is a pop 7 and absolutely sick .

What’s your favorite Kobe rookie and if money was no object what would you want?

Thanks!!

Jason





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[Nomad]

I think that for whatever reason that is not a true Kobe grail, but still a nice hit. Like a rave.

Chromium seems to be a nice starting point. Also super condition sensitive. An Ultra PSA 10 could be worth more.

or future-referencing, or silver.

[rustywest]

You are on the right track...

If you are looking at a parallel card from his rookie year, (so not technically rc's MC1 shout out) one of his 3 Flair Showcase Legacy cards are fantastic options, also an E-X2000 Credentials or an Ultra Platinum are superior options to the Topps Chrome Refractor (only in my opinion, personal preference of course). Even his Metal, Precious Metal is abit of a sleeper.

There will be people on here that will tell you ad nauseam that the Topps Chrome Refractor is the holy grail and at one time it surely was but since we know all of these cards will discolor over time that premise has become outdated and problematic. The same can be said for the other Kobe card prone to discoloration, the Topps Finest Gold Refractor.

End of the day, you go for what you think looks best. I think the Flair Showcase Legacy is a brilliant option...

[Jasonheff]

Really appreciate the feedback guys!


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[drobfan8]

100% a Kobe grain.

If you can afford it, grab it.

Only way is up. In saying that, I prefer the Row 1 Design.

I guess that's where it gets tricky. Stunning set though

[Archangel1775]

From cardboard connection: (Kobe Bryant is Card #31)

1996-97 Flair Showcase Basketball Base / Parallels
A total of 90 cards make up the base set, but each card has three different levels, or "Rows," as they are called. So really, there are 270 base cards, with each Row featuring different odds based on their placement in the main checklist.

Good so far? Each Row features a different front image for each player and a specific theme, noted on the card front. Row 2, the true base set, is known as "Style." The next batch of cards, rarer than Row 2, goes by Row 1 or "Grace." Row 0, the rarest cards in the base set, is called "Showcase." Since each Row features a different front image, distinguishing the different versions for each player is fairly easy. The specific odds, which are tiered within each Row, can get a little messy, but a simple breakdown can be seen below.

1996-97 Flair Showcase Basketball Row Odds Breakdown

Row 2 Odds (Style)

Card #1-30 (Showtime) - 1:1 pack
Card #31-60 (Showpiece) - 1:2 packs
Card #61-90 (Show Stopper) - 1:1.5 packs



Row 1 Odds (Grace)

Card #1-30 (Show Stopper) - 1:2.5 packs
Card #31-60 (Showtime) - 1:2 packs
Card #61-90 (Showpiece) - 1:3.5 packs




Row 0 Odds (Showcase)

Card #1-30 (Showpiece) - 1:24 packs
Card #31-60 (Show Stopper) - 1:10 packs
Card #61-90 (Showtime) - 1:5 packs

[Archangel1775]

However, the Legacy Collection parallel cards are the most sought after. Each limited to /150. The different color foil lettering on front, the Row is on the top left of the back and the serial number of course.

Row 2 Style Legacy Collection /150



Row 1 Grace Legacy Collection /150




Row 0 Showcase Legacy Collection /150



Showcase Legacy

[Nomad]

That filtered glitter effect on the bottom, was that the first in that style?

It definitely influenced what is known as "shimmer" in say Select these days, or simply black/gold/red in flux. I am guessing it was a digital filter innovation, or Photoshop effect, introduced around that time.

[Kingofkings1281]

Always loved the row 2 Legacy.

[Archangel1775]

Originally Posted by Jasonheff

I’m looking to pick up a Kobe grail for my PC in the near future and would love some advice.

I got back into collecting about 3 years ago and honestly was never into basketball during the Kobe years. Can someone walk me through the Flair Legacy Collection Row cards and how they stack up to similar graded Topps Crome refractors? The below is a pop 7 and absolutely sick .

What’s your favorite Kobe rookie and if money was no object what would you want?

First, great topic. Can I ask why you're adding a high end Kobe card to your collection? Personally my son is a Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan. I was a fan of his aggressiveness and style to the game and his "Mamba Mentality" approach to everyday life. I respected him even more after he won an Academy Award. Kobe's legacy transcends generations.

To answer your question, my favorite rookie card is one I recently found in a deal I made for a 5000 count monster box of random basketball cards. I grabbed the first row and saw 1995 Topps rookie cards. I figured 1996 may be in there so I bought the box for about $50. As I was going through, I saw the stack of shiny cards and there Kobe was, the Row 2 of this very set. If money was no object, it would be the same card, Legacy Collection style and numbered 8/150.

[maconithappen]

I would prefer any of the Flair showcase over the Topps Chrome any day of the week. If I were to chose one Kobe rookie I'd go with the Finest Heirs. Very nice action shot and design.

[Hellcat]

His chrome rookie refractor is THE rookie to own it always has been and always will be. Not only that it’s one of the most iconic basketball cards of all time it started the refractor hysteria yes the 93 Finest was the first refractive card but chrome in its first year and a refractor made it iconic. I would estimate there are less than 20 that have no greening in existence a very rare find indeed! The highest selling Kobe rookie in the world?! You guessed it a chrome refractor! Not many can afford a superior copy so they brush it aside but let’s not get it twisted! I hope this helps you out. Start at the chrome refractor if you can’t swing that go to the Credentials next.

[Dame]

I'd personally stay away from Chromium products if it was my money. I like his E-X2000 the best. It doesn't even have to be the credentials, the base green is beautiful.

[mc1]

Theres actually possibly 151 of each Legacy. Theres been confirmed sightings of 000/150 copies, as far back as 1997. These parallels were the first serial numbered cards in basketball.

Flair cards are incredibly condition sensitive. I remember they would come out of packs all scratched to hell.

Chrome Refractor isnt a rookie, the Base card is the Rookie.

[Jasonheff]

Thanks for the responses guys!

A couple quick questions:

- Ultimately, will all of the Chrome Refractors green?

- Is there a significance (price difference) in the Row 0,1,2 variations or is it all based on eye-appeal since they are all numbered to 150?

- The E-X2000 Credentials that I have seen all look a bit slanted at the top, is that normal?

Thanks!


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[Jasonheff]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

First, great topic. Can I ask why you're adding a high end Kobe card to your collection? Personally my son is a Lakers and Kobe Bryant fan. I was a fan of his aggressiveness and style to the game and his "Mamba Mentality" approach to everyday life. I respected him even more after he won an Academy Award. Kobe's legacy transcends generations.

To answer your question, my favorite rookie card is one I recently found in a deal I made for a 5000 count monster box of random basketball cards. I grabbed the first row and saw 1995 Topps rookie cards. I figured 1996 may be in there so I bought the box for about $50. As I was going through, I saw the stack of shiny cards and there Kobe was, the Row 2 of this very set. If money was no object, it would be the same card, Legacy Collection style and numbered 8/150.

Always been a HUGE Kobe fan, loved that he was a killer on the court. Now that I have the ability to pick up a grail type piece I’m excited to learn a bit more about his top “rookie” cards.

Thanks for the question btw!


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[Archangel1775]

Originally Posted by Hellcat

His chrome rookie refractor is THE rookie to own it always has been and always will be. Not only that it’s one of the most iconic basketball cards of all time it started the refractor hysteria yes the 93 Finest was the first refractive card but chrome in its first year and a refractor made it iconic. I would estimate there are less than 20 that have no greening in existence a very rare find indeed! The highest selling Kobe rookie in the world?! You guessed it a chrome refractor! Not many can afford a superior copy so they brush it aside but let’s not get it twisted! I hope this helps you out. Start at the chrome refractor if you can’t swing that go to the Credentials next.

I cant really deal with the greening, it's terrible.

Originally Posted by Jasonheff

Thanks for the responses guys!

A couple quick questions:

- Ultimately, will all of the Chrome Refractors green?

The consensus from what I gather is that eventually, all of them will. Nobody knows the real reason why they green though there are some great threads on that in these forums.

[losangelesfan]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

From cardboard connection: (Kobe Bryant is Card #31)

Nice! I've always curious how they were distributed back them, good info!

[AbraCalabro]

Anyone telling you the Chrome is the way to go has money in the card. Those cards still retaining color can become discolored in the long run...ticking time bomb. The only reason those cards are mentioned now is because enough rich guys have money in the cards, been this way for a while... but look at them for yourself, even non-discolored, the photo isn't all that and there isn't much to the card.

The head of the pack was always the Showcase Row 0, there was nothing, absolutely nothing, like it at the time and there still isn't. Same argument can be made for the EX2000 Credentials as well.

Runner up is the EX2000 Credentials, but beware of trimmed copies. Wouldn't shock me if trimmed copies of the Row 0 are in slabs either at this point in time. All the Credentials cards can be slanted, just part of the production process.

As mentioned, there are copies of Legacy Collection parallels that are numbered 000, odd, but true. There are also two, or three copies of the Kobe Row 0 Legacy card which are pack pulled, but unfinished. In other words, the Legacy Collection stamp is there, but there's no blue holo foil.

The Row 0 has the most eye appeal, if you've never seen these in person, you've got to take a look, just get a cheap one of any player. While there are people who prefer the other Rows, the one that appeals to most is the Row 0...reflected in the prices, although I haven't looked at pricing in a while.

Even the Topps Finest cards are much nicer than the Chrome, but as mentioned, I would steer clear of anything with the Chromium technology. The cards just look ugly as all hell once discolored and again...if it's not discolored now, just give it time and the card will develop that nice gonorrhea green patina.

[discodanman45]

If you like the look of the Topps rookie, I think the Topps 50th Anniversary is the way to go. Low POP, condition sensitive, and won't suffer from hulking.

[Hellcat]

Jean from Arena design has said several times the chromium cards are on a one to one basis. Just because others have greened it doesn’t mean the pristine color versions will green. It’s was all in how the mixture of chemicals were distributed in the process. Again the guys who discount the chrome refractors are the ones who can’t afford a superior copy. All these Legacy cards are laughable being considered a grail in the first place when there are 3 versions all numbered to 150 each. Again the most valuable Kobe rookie is his pristine color chrome refractor and it’s not even close like I said there are a handful in existence. We’re almost 30 years into this card if it hasn’t hulked yet the chances are it will never.

[Hellcat]

Check out these 2 copies of perfect color a base and refractor they do exist!

[Hellcat]

https://ibb.co/ZHmHk71
https://ibb.co/xFD00GS

[mc1]

Those arent perfect. Theyve already started to green. See Cherokee Parks armpit and side of the leg.

[GOATMJ]

The 1996-97 Flair Legacy Row 0 is absolutely a Grail. Especially Kobe's as its his RC.