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Allen Iverson (06/07/75) is a two-time All-Star game MVP award winner who retired from basketball in 2013.
Whether you love him or hate him, ‘The Answer’ was undeniably one of the best players of his era, from being named the Rookie of the Year in 1997 to the NBA MVP award he received in 2001.
A controversial figure during his decade with the 76ers, he appeared for the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and the Memphis Grizzlies, respectively, ending his career with Besiktas in Turkey.
Here’s the lowdown on Iverson’s various rookie cards, including a checklist and an investment report for a trio of his best versions.
Here are three of the best AI rookie cards for investment purposes.
1996 Allen Iverson Topps RC #171
The key Allen Iverson RC, the 1996 Topps is glossy, while there’s a valuable foil NBA edition (/50) which is often mislabelled as a Chrome card. It’s a good entry-level piece. There’s also the Topps Chrome, which is typically more valuable. They all have the same number (#171) but the Chrome is rarer and has a Refractor parallel.
Centering issues hold the majority back from higher grades, while the image sees Iverson in a typically emotive display. The quote on the back reads;
“Allen’s stats say plenty, but not as much as this nod from Princeton Coach Pete Gillen; “This kid is ridiculous. He’s lightning in a bottle. At times he looks like Gretzky (Read: Wayne Gretzky Rookie Cards) on ice. He could go through a keyhole and not even get his hair messed up. It’s a joke.”
1996 Allen Iverson Rookie Card Upper Deck Rookie Exclusives #R1
With a background that mimics the color, feel and shape of a basketball, the 1996 Upper Deck Rookie Exclusives is a unique entry-level card.
The image shows Iverson mid-dribble, although his Sixers jersey clash with the background.
The quote on the reverse has a couple of questions and some basic info;
“Iverson enters the league as the number one overall pick of the 1996 NBA Draft. We tossed a few questions his way during the second week and this was his response;
Q. Is anyone serving as a special mentor to you in your rookie season? A. Working with “Mo” Cheeks has been great. He has been through this before. Everything Maurice tells me on the court, nine times out of ten it works. It’s just been great working with him.
Q. Which four NBA players would you pick to run with in a pick-up game? A. Jerry Stackhouse, Derrick Coleman, Clarence Weatherspoon and Mark Davies.”
1996 Allen Iverson E-X2000 RC #53
If you’re in the market for a mid-range option, a PSA 10 grade (Read: Beckett vs PSA) of the base E-X2000 should be on your radar. It’s cheap when you factor in the multi-layered design, which includes a foil border and blue skies in the background.
While there’s no quote on the reverse, there is a white Credentials parallel numbered to 499, as well as various Insert options. The Credentials card is up there in terms of rarity and expensiveness and can sell for over four figures.
The range of editions, rarity, and design of the E-X2000 make it one of the more interesting Iverson rookie cards on the market and a decent prospect if you’re hoping to invest in his rookie cards.
Checklist
- 1996-97 Bowman’s Best Allen Iverson RC #R1
- 1996-97 E-X2000 Allen Iverson RC #53
- 1996-97 Finest Allen Iverson RC #69, 240, 280
- 1996-97 Flair Showcase Allen Iverson RC #3 (Row 2, 1, 0)
- 1996-97 Fleer Allen Iverson RC #235
- 1996-97 Fleer Rookie Sensations Allen Iverson RC #7
- 1996-97 Fleer Metal Allen Iverson RC #201
- 1996-97 Fleer Thrill Seekers Allen Iverson RC #5
- 1996-97 Fleer Ultra Allen Iverson RC #82
- 1996-97 NBA Hoops Allen Iverson RC #295
- 1996-97 Skybox Premium Allen Iverson RC #85
- 1996-97 Skybox Z-Force Allen Iverson RC #151
- 1996-97 SP Allen Iverson RC #141
- 1996-97 Topps Allen Iverson RC #171
- 1996-97 Topps Chrome Allen Iverson RC #171
- 1996-97 UD Collector’s Choice Allen Iverson RC #301
- 1996-97 UD3 Allen Iverson RC #14
- 1996-97 Upper Deck Allen Iverson RC #91
Allen Iverson Rookie Card Value
The value of his cards should steadily rise along with all high-end NBA rookie cards as the NBA card market is set to explode.
If you would like an estimated value of any of your Allen Iverson RC please send us at minimum two photos (front and back) to value@goldcardauctions.com.
Investment Report
AI was always destined for greatness from the moment he first joined the NBA. A star quarterback and point guard in his youth, he was named as the Rookie of the Year in 1997, and never looked back.
His natural athleticism and shooting abilities were amazing, though he was accused of selfishness during the majority of his early career. Nevertheless, a spot in the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame beckoned in 2016, and he’s seen as a prototype for many modern players. Even LeBron (Read: The Best LeBron James Rookie Card) admits he’s “pound for pound, the greatest player ever.”
A case of what if, ‘The Answer’ is sadly lacking regarding NBA Championship wins. He’s still a Philly icon, and he very nearly dragged his team all the way across the finish line in 2001. In the end, he had to settle for being named as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in the same year.
We’ve listed a pair of high-end Fleer options that undoubtedly make for a good investment, although we’d advise to look for PSA 10 copies of the Rookie Sensations. As well as being some of his most popular RCs, they’re also amazing to look at, as late 1990’s cards took liberties with designs that went all out with crazy colors.
The Topps Chrome and E-X2000 are also great investments if you’d prefer a more traditional card, with the former preferred if you’re aiming for the best ROI over the next few years. After all, his cards are relatively underpriced considering his talent, profile and achievements.
Investment Rating: Moderate BUY