The very rare object, which dates from the 1997-98 NBA season, has become the most expensive card of the former star player of the Los Angeles Lakers.
© AFP / Twitter @PWCCmarketplace
Kobe Bryant in 2020 during a press conference.
PWCC Marketplace, an American company specializing in auctions, announced that a card of basketball player Kobe Bryant was sold this week for 2 million dollars. Dating back to the 1997/98 season, Bryant’s second NBA season, the ‘Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems Emerald’ series card has become the most expensive of the ‘Black Mamba’.
Lakers legend
Died in January 2020 in a helicopter accident at the age of 41, Kobe Bryant notably won five NBA titles during his twenty seasons at the Los Angeles Lakers, and is considered one of the best basketball players of all time.
© Twitter @PWCCmarketplace
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Even if the card does not contain an autograph or a piece of jersey, as is usually the case with such items, it is its rarity that gives it immense value. Indeed, only ten copies of this specific model (with emerald green background instead of red) exist in the world. “The cards from these series are the most sought following in the world. It is extremely rare to find them, and even rarer to find them in good condition, ”detailed Jesse Craig, manager at PWCC Marketplace.
Steph Curry’s record
If this “Precious Metal Gems” card eclipses Kobe Bryant’s previous personal best (with the “Black Label 1996-1997” sold for 1.8 million in March 2021), it is still far from the absolute record held by the Golden player State Warriors Stephen Curry, with a card selling for $5.9 million in July 2021.