The rarest basketball card is generally considered to be the 1952-53 Bill Russell rookie card from the Topps series. While there are other extremely rare and valuable cards, this one stands out due to its significance in basketball history and the limited number of high-grade copies in existence. Bill Russell is one of the most iconic players in NBA history, known for his 11 NBA championships with the Boston Celtics, and his rookie card remains a prized collectible.
Another extremely rare card is the LeBron James 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection rookie patch auto (commonly abbreviated as the “Exquisite” LeBron rookie). This card is one of the most sought-after modern basketball cards, mainly due to its rarity, design, and the status of LeBron James as one of the greatest players of all time. High-grade versions of this card can fetch millions at auction, especially those with a limited print run and the inclusion of an autograph patch.
The value and rarity of a basketball card can be influenced by several factors, including its age, condition, player legacy, print run, and whether it’s a rookie card or features a notable autograph.
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