Panini Era Basketball Cards That Could Stand the Test of Time
With the hobby booming and Fanatics’ takeover getting closer, collectors have started to ask a pressing question: What will truly matter from the Panini era? The 90s gave us many iconic sets, from PMGs and Star Rubies to Jambalayas and Credentials; many cards from that time period have stood the test of time and shaped the high-end market. As Panini’s run winds down, many are wondering which of its releases might earn a similar level of long-term respect. After digging into the traits that made those 90s sets so enduring, I’ve narrowed down a short list of Panini basketball products that show some real potential to hold their ground in the years to come. For the purpose of this exercise, true 1 of 1 cards will be excluded from consideration.
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5. 2014 Totally Certified Mirror Platinum Die Cut
2014 Mirror Platinum Die-Cuts stand out as one of the few Panini-era die-cuts to build a passionate collector base. They were only made as die-cuts in 2014, and Mirror Platinums in general weren’t included in every Totally Certified release. The fact that many collectors compare their refractor shine to PMGs only adds to the appeal. Try searching for a green /5 or gold /10 of your favorite player. Chances are, it’s not for sale and hard to track down.
4. 2016 Studio From Downtown
It’s no secret that Downtowns have become one of the hottest inserts in the hobby. They move quickly at shows, are easy trade bait, and continue to be a favorite among collectors. All of this started in 2016 with Panini Studio, and it's no stretch to believe that the first year of this set will matter down the road. That said, the population isn't super low, so I wouldn't feel nearly as comfortable with a copy that isn't in gem mint condition. The Kyrie Irving card pictured above captures a moment that still sticks with fans, his Finals-clinching shot in 2016.
3. 2015 Flawless Championship Tag
Starting in the 2014–15 season, the NBA added a small gold tag to the back of every player’s jersey, showing how many championships that team had won. In 2015, Panini Flawless, already one of the brand’s most premium and popular products, began including those tags in cards. Since then, Championship Tags have gained serious traction with collectors. The fact that each one is numbered to just two copies makes them even more appealing, especially for team or player collectors chasing something truly rare.
2. 2018 Kaboom Gold
Kaboom is the undisputed insert of the Panini era. These cards fetch massive prices and are still some of the hottest and most recognizable inserts in the hobby. While this section highlights the 2018 Gold Kabooms, the truth is that a strong case can be made for several Kaboom sets having long-term significance. That said, because there are so many variations, I tend to follow a simple rule: any Green, 2018 Gold, or a 2013 PSA 10. The Greens are one of ones, so finding any copy is tough. 2018 was the first year Kaboom included the hobby-favorite Gold parallel, and while 2013 was the debut year for the insert, the print run is a little higher than I’d like, so I focus on gem mint copies from that set.
1. 2012 Prizm Gold
Last but certainly not least is 2012 Prizm Gold. These cards represent the rarest parallel from the first year of what became the flagship set of the Panini era. Much like Kaboom, there are plenty of Prizm years and parallels that could matter long term, but for now, we'll focus on 2012 Gold. Even as Panini added more and more parallels in later years, the Golds have consistently held their status at the top, and it all started here, with the only numbered parallel in the debut release. The LeBron James card pictured above is the first card in the set and has already become one of the most iconic basketball cards of all time.
Jason is a dedicated basketball card collector who recently transitioned into writing and educating others about the sports card industry. Find him on Instagram @jeancardz