Essential Credentials vs. Star Rubies vs. Precious Metal Gems

[hobbytime]

These are the big 3 Fleer/Skybox parallels from the late 90's.

Which of these 3 is the one you prefer? We know based on market pricing most prefer the PMG's and PMG's by far.

Do the other two have a chance to catch up to the PMG's in pricing in the future?

Most Essential Credentials and Star Rubies are produced lower then the Red PMG's /90, coming it at under /90 at most for the credentials and /50 for Star Rubies.

What is your personal favorite of the 3?

[Stackfan]

I dont go for these, as most of the star players are out of my range.... but for me:


PMG's, Credentials, and then Rubies.

They are all great; iconic sets.

[Shaz]

I know im the minority but I never got the appeal of credentials so im going with PMG, Rubies and then credentials.

[Kobe101]

The Champ PMG is my favorite of all of these. Not a huge fan of the big red and green PMGS.

I would personally rank the rubies and credentials above the red/green pmgs.

[Dame]

Originally Posted by Kobe101

The Champ PMG is my favorite of all of these. Not a huge fan of the big red and green PMGS.

I would personally rank the rubies and credentials above the red/green pmgs.

Feel the same way. I love the Champ PMG’s followed by the Rubies.

[rimshaqer34]

When talking about PMG, people often forgot about PMG Champs, in my book PMG Champs was way more desirable with less print run. My next fave would be Credentials then Rubies...

[hermanotarjeta]

1. Pmg
2. Essentials credentials
.
.
.
.
10. Rubies

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

1. Pmg
2. Essentials credentials
.
.
.
.
10. Rubies

Yes.

I think the first rubies were just red Skybox symbols and they were loose in the box. It’s been so long that might be wrong.

[hermanotarjeta]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Yes.

I think the first rubies were just red Skybox symbols and they were loose in the box. It’s been so long that might be wrong.

You are correct, and that first year was horrible. They would be considered prestige football retail parallels today. The next several years were an improvement, but the damage had already been done to their reputation.

I personally love the flair showcase parallels and ultra platinum medallions better.

[duron]

Star Rubies. Just too much variety, wins out clearly for me.

“Amoeba” design of 97-98, chain mail looking/ultimate victory/pmg masters design of 98-99, spx radiance design of 98-99, and the pokemon holo/baseball credentials design of 99-00.

Even if we singled out one specific design id rank the 97-98 version #1. My runner up would be the champ pmg.

I think essential credentials (Future especially) are cool but I honestly prefer the original credentials more.

[nbahobbyaddict]

Originally Posted by Shaz

I know im the minority but I never got the appeal of credentials

Then I guess I’m in the minority with you.

[Hellcat]

Essential Credentials easily the best designed card of the 90s truly a work of art!

[pejc300]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Yes.

I think the first rubies were just red Skybox symbols and they were loose in the box. It’s been so long that might be wrong.

They were just sitting loose in boxes and not in packs?

[oldgoldy97]

Originally Posted by pejc300

They were just sitting loose in boxes and not in packs?

If I remember correctly. Like box toppers.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

If I remember correctly. Like box toppers.

Yes. Hobby boxes only.

Guess it depends on the player for me. For Kobe Id prefer the Rookie Year Essentials Credentials. For Jordan, the Red PMG. For Duncan probably the Championship PMG.

[bjho852]

No love for Flair Legacy's (including Masterpieces)?

Among these 3 types, I only pulled a Credentials myself (1997-98 Now, non-star player before you ask), but the PMG Champs look really nice.

So.... PMG Champs take the cake, without accounting the Legacy's. The Rubies starting from 1997-98 are great too, more like 1a and 1b to me in terms of preference, and can easily flip-flop the order.

[phdbeckett]

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

Yes.

I think the first rubies were just red Skybox symbols and they were loose in the box. It’s been so long that might be wrong.

Not quite a fair comparison. The timeline you said for Rubies is not the same for the OP. If you notice, 1996-97 are Rubies, not Star Rubies, just as 1996-97 Precious Metal, because Precious Metal Gems the next year. Not to forget 1996-97 are Credentials, but 1997-98 became Essential Credentials (Now/Future).

[Harper]

Ultra platinum #1
PMG #2
Legacy #3
Rubies #4
Credentials #5
Rave #6

[mindcycle]

If we’re comparing those 3 parallels only this would be my list..

1. 97 champ PMGs
2. 97 Star Rubies
3. 98 PMGs
3. 98 Essential Credentials
4. 98 Star Rubies
5. 97 Essential Credentials
6. 99 Essential Credentials
7. 99 Star Rubies
8. 97 red/green PMGs

[oldgoldy97]

Edit.

[duron]

Originally Posted by bjho852

No love for Flair Legacy's (including Masterpieces)?

Among these 3 types, I only pulled a Credentials myself (1997-98 Now, non-star player before you ask), but the PMG Champs look really nice.

So.... PMG Champs take the cake, without accounting the Legacy's. The Rubies starting from 1997-98 are great too, more like 1a and 1b to me in terms of preference, and can easily flip-flop the order.

The 96-97 Legacies poop on the other years just because the lettering is blue holofoil as opposed to flat foil.

[8collector34]

96-97 Rubies was the best Ruby.
96-97 Flair Showcase was the first #'d parallel set, and since it is Kobe's rookie year, I would take that over a PMG any day.
98-99 PMG is the best looking.
97-98 Super Rave is the best 90s parallel (because I pulled one, lol).

[CubKings]

Originally Posted by pejc300

They were just sitting loose in boxes and not in packs?

Originally Posted by oldgoldy97

If I remember correctly. Like box toppers.

Yep. I remember back then my friend opened a box, and he got the ROO Derek Fisher Ruby. I eventually got it from him and traded it years ago. I was more impressed he pulled a Muggsy Autographics haha I also have the Marbury ROO Ruby. I also remember taking some cheap base and a red marker to see if they could all become Rubies haha

But they can't be faked like that that easily, cause I'm also pretty sure they are made on slightly thicker stock than the regular cards.

[HoustOM]

Not sure how to rank them, but if the Rubies and PMG Champ ever catch up the prices of the Red PMGs I will be a wealthier man.

[daviswr7]

Originally Posted by bjho852

No love for Flair Legacy's (including Masterpieces)?

Among these 3 types, I only pulled a Credentials myself (1997-98 Now, non-star player before you ask), but the PMG Champs look really nice.

So.... PMG Champs take the cake, without accounting the Legacy's. The Rubies starting from 1997-98 are great too, more like 1a and 1b to me in terms of preference, and can easily flip-flop the order.

B-E-A-UTIFUL IMO….






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