PICK ONE: 1996 EX-2000 Kobe PSA 9 or 1996 Topps 50th Kobe PSA 9
 

Both sell for about the same right now. Both two of the most condition sensitive AND popular Kobe RCs to find in PSA 9 form. This one is literally 50/50 for me.

But gun to my head, I would probably lean towards Topps 50th because of the foil and it's the same design as his most popular card, the Topps Chrome. But I also LOVE the look of the EX-2000.

EX 2000 all day for me.

Yu kray fo diz wun Reggie

That's why I said it's 50/50 for me. But pop report, EX-2000 (716) and 50th (342). But ratio wise, EX-2000 is tougher. But it also proves the 50th is more rarer too. I love the foil and how easily it chips of the 50th, which makes it that much nicer in PSA 9 form. But the EX-2000 also chips easily too.

It's literally like 51/49 for me. I don't have an EX-2000 but looking to add one too.

Nah I hear you. But I think it’s more likely the case that people just haven’t sent in 50ths over the years at nearly the rate of the EX. I could be wrong in this case, but I’ve noticed an increasing trend of people really misinterpreting pops in this way.

Like you mention I think the condition sensitivity difference is negligible even if the EX wins out in that area.

I just always defer to aesthetics and they are 2 different universes to me.

I'm going E-X2000. Really didn't have to think long about it.

For those of you saying EX-2000 easily, can you elaborate? Just curious. Is it because they were far more popular for the vast majority of time until recently, where 50th seemed to close the gap (maybe Topps Chrome all greening?) Something else?

[QUOTE=duron;17891207]Nah I hear you. But I think it’s more likely the case that people just haven’t sent in 50ths over the years at nearly the rate of the EX. I could be wrong in this case, but I’ve noticed an increasing trend of people really misinterpreting pops in this way.

Like you mention I think the condition sensitivity difference is negligible even if the EX wins out in that area.

I just always defer to aesthetics and they are 2 different universes to me.[/QUOTE]

Yup, the more popular card will always have a heavier pop but 4,200 to 1,200 is not close. 50th is much rarer.

[QUOTE=ReggieBush22;17891248]For those of you saying EX-2000 easily, can you elaborate? Just curious. Is it because they were far more popular for the vast majority of time until recently, where 50th seemed to close the gap (maybe Topps Chrome all greening?) Something else?[/QUOTE]

Again, it’s mostly all aesthetics for me. The 50th just always looked cheap, I still remember hating them when I was pulling them at release.

Etched holofoil, acetate, and die cut vs. flat foil. Super easy call.

[QUOTE=duron;17891268]Again, it’s mostly all aesthetics for me. The 50th just always looked cheap, I still remember hating them when I was pulling them at release.

Etched holofoil, acetate, and die cut vs. flat foil. Super easy call.[/QUOTE]

I get it. But you're also kind of proving my point in that they weren't that popular until recently because they seemed cheap and unimpressive while EX-2000 was eye popping from the get go. But at the same time, that cheap looking quality made it very condition sensitive with the cheap foil look and finding ones in PSA 9 is tough for the 50th.

This is not an argument. Just trying to involve all points for both sides. I love the EX-2000 too.

[QUOTE=ReggieBush22;17891288]I get it. But you're also kind of proving my point in that they weren't that popular until recently because they seemed cheap and unimpressive while EX-2000 was eye popping from the get go. But at the same time, that cheap looking quality made it very condition sensitive with the cheap foil look and finding ones in PSA 9 is tough for the 50th.

This is not an argument. Just trying to involve all points for both sides. I love the EX-2000 too.[/QUOTE]

Oh totally, no argument here either just giving my perspective. But I also see its newfound popularity as a bit contrived. It took his death for people to finally look for alternatives to the greening of the Chrome. Will be interesting to see the pops catch up (or not). I know there were 12 foils per jumbo but forget odds on the regular 36 pack boxes. Set was about 100 players big.

EX.

I think it’s one of the best looking cards of all time.

I also like the 50th anniversary parallel.

I am still a fan of the "Benjamin Franklin dollar bill" TSC R12, Kobe's first ever in a Laker's uniform. That is to me is a portrait of raw determination, ready to prove himself on the court.

50th looks decent in person but terrible on scans, ex always looks spectacular

I am not arguing against EX card design wise... I have a mint raw Canby Credentials and it's one of the cleanest looking cards ever made. Impossible to gem. And 50th Anniversary... it's real, it's raw, it doesn't green. Though I would not place it above a patina'd Apprentices.

I’m pretty sure the 50th in high grade would make the All Kobe Death Merchant 1st Team.

Weren’t 10s going for like 20k at some point? Rofl.

Ask yourself, do you prefer base rc card or rookie parallel card? The EX-2000 is one of the top Kobe rc base card, while the 50th Topps card might not even considered, price-wise, top ten rc parallel card.

Some points for each:

E-X2000s are nearly impossible to find in PSA 10. Only 15-16% of all graded PSA copies are 9s. Thats a percentage about the same or worse as many of the gem rates for Kobe RCs. Similar to Bowmans Best and worse than Finest Gem rate.

The NBA at 50 foil parallels were inserted 1:3 packs for regular 11-card packs and 1 every jumbo pack. The base has anywhere from 30-40x the print run of the parallels. So if the base has a PR of 100k, we can estimate each 50th at a range 2500-3250. Im just guessing on the actual base PR. Its probably more than 100k base cards.:)!

Even BGS 9.5 are extremely rare (Pop 26)

E-X on this one for sure.

[QUOTE=duron;17891434]I’m pretty sure the 50th in high grade would make the All Kobe Death Merchant 1st Team.
[/QUOTE]

Make this a thread. Add a poll.

#BeTheChangeYouWantToSee

[QUOTE=GeechQuest;17891519]Make this a thread. Add a poll.

#BeTheChangeYouWantToSee[/QUOTE]

Might have to, it’s up there with Star Date and Topps paper.

The jams were really pumped. Watching that thread in real-time was surreal.
[IMG]https://beckett-www.s3.amazonaws.com/news/news-content/uploads/2018/01/1998-99-SkyBox-Premium-Thats-Jam-14-Kobe-Bryant.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=duron;17891434]I’m pretty sure the 50th in high grade would make the All Kobe Death Merchant 1st Team.

Weren’t 10s going for like 20k at some point? Rofl.[/QUOTE]

Supposedly peak sales at 35-38k.

Only down to 11-14k.

EX (like duh?)

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EX

A few people on BO have been trying hard to pump the 50th. It is just not a very attractive card.