Definitive List of Panini Inserts plus my Top-20 Ranking

[Pathora]

I love this thread, it gives a good look at a lot of the more underrated cards/sets out there that people either disregarded or don't even know about.

[GeechQuest]

Originally Posted by smalltown

I'm going to 100% disagree and i'm going to go into detail about it since this should fit nicely with the threads goal of chronicling inserts.

The 2013-14 Kabooms are the ones to own. They're the only Kabooms based on real artwork. An illustrator, Gyula Nemeth, created these. Where as future releases have been canned Photoshop filters and not true "art". There's a Panini blog piece on the original Kabooms. Blog Link

Absolutely awesome piece of information that I didn't actually know. This makes me feel more secure about 13/14 Kaboom in my Top-5, as I know they've fallen out of favor in recent years.

Originally Posted by yiguiri2002

Completely agree. 13-14 Kaboom! were the first one, and regardless of people liking them or not, more iconic.

I would say Crusades have to be in there too as well as Aurora. I don't know what year but I feel like they both deserve to be in the Top 20. About the list, I feel like Knights of the Round and Closing Statements should be higher - they're pretty good looking cards.

Finally, a big shoutout to Geech. I can't imagine the amount of hours you've spent listing the inserts, rating them and doing your rankings. Props and thanks for the thread!

I thought about including the 1st year Crusades, and in retrospect I probably will edit the list in a few days to include them.

Aurora was part of my 1st cut. I love them but I felt like they didn't quite encompass what I wanted my Top-20 to include. I did have them as the 3rd best insert from 15-16 though, so I definitely recognize them as a great insert.

[theLUCKYshow]

Originally Posted by smalltown

I'm going to 100% disagree and i'm going to go into detail about it since this should fit nicely with the threads goal of chronicling inserts.

The 2013-14 Kabooms are the ones to own. They're the only Kabooms based on real artwork. An illustrator, Gyula Nemeth, created these. Where as future releases have been canned Photoshop filters and not true "art". There's a Panini blog piece on the original Kabooms. Blog Link

That is very cool and definitely adds to the 2013 Kaboom argument.

However look at the going prices for Lebron and Steph Kabooms from 2013 and 2015. The 2015s go for twice as much, and are much harder to find. Doesnt that mean the 2015s are more collectible?

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[jj2]

Awesome thread!

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by theLUCKYshow

However look at the going prices for Lebron and Steph Kabooms from 2013 and 2015. The 2015s go for twice as much, and are much harder to find. Doesnt that mean the 2015s are more collectible?

Not necessarily. There's a bounce that year got from including Wiggins RC cards and a larger checklist that hits a wider array of collectors. Which was a good follow up move. It's the whole High Tide lifts them all scenario. I suspect over time this will level out.

I also think as with many of the inserts GeechQuest has listed prices will climb as collectors begin to learn the histories of said inserts.

[Earvin32]

Great thread. I love the thought you put into this. Great Job!!

I have always loved this insert from 2013 gold standard, in the platinum version. One of the first times these 2 guys appeared on the same card together before KD headed west. There are lots of good players in this set.

Again, the platinum version pops more for me


I thought the laser cutting was more detailed in these 2012 threads century stars.


2012 Panini Base POY was also a nice, rare hit


I will be following this thread. Thanks for putting it together.

[GeechQuest]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

Great thread. I love the thought you put into this. Great Job!!

I have always loved this insert from 2013 gold standard, in the platinum version. One of the first times these 2 guys appeared on the same card together before KD headed west. There are lots of good players in this set.

Again, the platinum version pops more for me


I thought the laser cutting was more detailed in these 2012 threads century stars.


2012 Panini Base POY was also a nice, rare hit


I will be following this thread. Thanks for putting it together.

All nice editions. The Panini Threads Century Stars insert is criminally underrated because of the product it comes out of (I’m likely underrating it too by the way).

I prefer the base Gold Standard Finals MVP solely because of the Gold and the Trophy, but the Platinum Claim to Fame is a great set as well. Unfortunately it’s a parallel so it couldn’t be included.

I will say that while I was compiling this list I came across 25-35 cards I’d never seen before that I really enjoyed. Also, it made me appreciate the low-end side of things more, since that’s where the bulk of inserts come from. Obviously high-end is as such because the autographs and memorabilia cost more, but man could you imagine if Noir or Impeccable has a rare 1:10 case base insert that was unnumbered? Those are the types of cards that people will hunt in the future.

[Earvin32]

2016 Noir has some cool /25 metal banded cards with no parallels. Where did you see that these are considered part of the set?

[CubKings]

This is gonna be a cool thread.

Also, just want to say you forgot to add the Knights of the Round in 14-15 Excalibur. They are one of my favorite Panini inserts and the best looking of the KOTR, IMO.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

2016 Noir has some cool /25 metal banded cards with no parallels. Where did you see that these are considered part of the set?

Panini actually lists them as a Base set, not an insert - "Base Metal Frame Set"

[GeechQuest]

Originally Posted by Earvin32

2016 Noir has some cool /25 metal banded cards with no parallels. Where did you see that these are considered part of the set?

That Dunn is card #264 of the base set.

Metal Vets and RCs, Curtain Calls, Encore, and my favorite, Vintage Art, all encompass cards 231-330 of the 2016/17 Noir Base set.

[smalltown]

I think this one fits the list criteria.

One of my favorite inserts - 2014-15 Spectra Global Icons. No numbers, no parallels.

[GeechQuest]

Originally Posted by CubKings

This is gonna be a cool thread.

Also, just want to say you forgot to add the Knights of the Round in 14-15 Excalibur. They are one of my favorite Panini inserts and the best looking of the KOTR, IMO.

Thanks for pointing that out! I agree though, that’s probably a better overall design than 15/16, I just gave the nod for 15/16 based on KAT and Porzingis.

I’m probably missing a few inserts and will add as they’re pointed out.

[GeechQuest]

Originally Posted by smalltown

I think this one fits the list criteria.

One of my favorite inserts - 2014-15 Spectra Global Icons. No numbers, no parallels.

Missed this as well. Tomorrow at work this is going in the Top-20. Rare, 130 point chromium insert. Hits all the boxes.

[Incetardis]

Thank you for this thread! When Panini lost their hockey license I knew we were losing a ton of creativity in the insert realm. It seems they've even took things to another level in the following years in basketball sets. I love reading the forums over here and watching breaks.
I know UD's higher end is super nostalgic on this side of the hobby but their insert game has been absolutely abysmal the past few years.

Really great job and good call on the Titanium 22! cool concept

[era41]

Very interesting thread!


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[Reignmanprice]

i miss 17-18 Liftoff! or Liftoff! Cubic and 17-18 Contenders Superstar Die Cuts Cracked Ice /25

[Chain]

The 2016-17 Hoops Champions Trophy Portraits is one of the best insert sets Panini has produced.

[OzCrafty]

Great thread, nice work. Also 15-16 spectra city limits

[theLUCKYshow]

It's pretty crazy how little attention has been paid to inserts over the last decade as patches and autos have flooded the market. I can't even decide on a Top 3 yet but OP's work helps a lot.

Not quite sold on Kobe's All-Rookie Team being in the top 20. I know it's the hardest to pull of the inserts in Essentials but I think License to Dominate will be the one people will remember and collect years down the line.

Lastly, is Spotlight Signatures not considered an insert?

[bigsmooth]

What about the inserts from the 2014-15 Panini Hoops International set? Most notably the super rare High Honors Limited Edition insert set.

[smalltown]

Originally Posted by theLUCKYshow

It's pretty crazy how little attention has been paid to inserts over the last decade as patches and autos have flooded the market.

I think savvy collectors are starting to take notice. I'd rather have a nice insert/case hit than a sticker auto or junk jersey and in many cases more than an auto or patch. I know there's quite a few guys on here who are picking up great rare pieces while others are fighting over and bidding up RPAs and overproduced chrome.

Originally Posted by theLUCKYshow

Not quite sold on Kobe's All-Rookie Team being in the top 20.

I agree. It's nice. But probably not top 20 IMO.

[theLUCKYshow]

Just picked this up for $175 after ebay $25 off (Assist goes to OP). Gonna flip it in 10 years for a killing.

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[theLUCKYshow]

Originally Posted by smalltown

I think savvy collectors are starting to take notice. I'd rather have a nice insert/case hit than a sticker auto or junk jersey and in many cases more than an auto or patch. I know there's quite a few guys on here who are picking up great rare pieces while others are fighting over and bidding up RPAs and overproduced chrome.

Totally agree, although I still get caught up in the other stuff too. For pure aesthetics, inserts are tops in my book.

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[Earvin32]

I would make an argument for the Essentials License to Dominate insert. The design looks like a state issued license with a holofoil autograph on the front and the back has a printed mag strip. I don't think Panini has done a set like this before with basketball.