A card featuring US athlete Kobe Bryant sold for $2 million, making it one of the best-selling basketball cards of all time, PWCC Marketplace said on Thursday.
The 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald Kobe Bryant card was a private sale to an undisclosed buyer through the PWCC Marketplace, a card trading marketplace.
Bryant, one of the most popular players in the NBA, 18-time All-Star and five-time NBA champion, died in a helicopter crash in January 2020 that killed his daughter and seven others.
“This is probably Kobe’s best card in existence,” said Jesse Craig, PWCC Director of Business Development.
“Even more desirable than a Kobe Bryant rookie card or a Kobe Bryant autograph.
The buyer here only recruits the best players, and that price comes from both the quality of the card and the respect for Kobe Bryant.”
The Kobe Gemstones issue is one of the most sought after issues of all time as there are only 10 of each number.
Add-on cards are different from what is considered a base card set.
Basic sets have high printing operations with single cards in the tens of thousands and higher.
The inserts contain much more challenging and unique design elements – including different artwork, autographs and sometimes in-game memorabilia embedded in the card.