Best looking cards for less than $20?

WillC · 05-09-2015, 12:43 PM

What do you think are the best looking cards out there for less than $20?

They can be base cards, inserts, game used, autos, vintage.... whatever you like, as long as they are beautifully designed.

I'm really interested to hear what you guys would recommend! Get posting

Here are a couple of my favourites which I think are really beautiful cards despite being dirt cheap.

JMarchand1981 · 05-09-2015, 01:21 PM

That shaq looks amazing. Is that a base set?? I am a huge fan of 99-00 e-xceptional reds. About minus the Kobe could be had for under $20. I also liked the 95-96(?) flair hardwood leaders. You could make damn near the entire set for $20.

Wings · 05-09-2015, 02:03 PM

07 08 UD Premier Lebron James 42 99 Base SP | eBay

WillC · 05-09-2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wings

07 08 UD Premier Lebron James 42 99 Base SP | eBay

Funny you should mention Premier cards - I really like the 2008-09 Premier base.

WillC · 05-09-2015, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMarchand1981

That shaq looks amazing. Is that a base set?? I am a huge fan of 99-00 e-xceptional reds. About minus the Kobe could be had for under $20. I also liked the 95-96(?) flair hardwood leaders. You could make damn near the entire set for $20.

The Shaq is an insert from 2000-01 SP Authentic and can be had for about $1. Possibly the best looking $1 card of all-time, in my opinion.

Those 1999-00 E-X E-Xceptional Red cards are nice - good suggestion

tristan20 · 05-09-2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillC

Funny you should mention Premier cards - I really like the 2008-09 Premier base.

You got that right, they are beautiful in hand
IMO Better than the base in higher end sets and lower numbered as well

JMarchand1981 · 05-09-2015, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillC

The Shaq is an insert from 2000-01 SP Authentic and can be had for about $1. Possibly the best looking $1 card of all-time, in my opinion.

Thank you for the advice. I was not collecting during this time period and am unfamiliar with most of the inserts from that time period.

I picked this up after you made the post that I quoted:

2000-01 SP Authentic Supremacy #S5 - Kobe Bryant
Courtesy of COMC.com

dasiegel · 05-09-2015, 04:13 PM

I think the Art Noveau patches from Court Kings /10 are awesome and they are affordable.

WillC · 05-09-2015, 04:30 PM

Tristan, there is one card in particular from the 2008-09 Premier base set that I'm trying to get hold of. Hopefully I can find it soon. The Kareem and Magic look so good. Such a nice set. I remember seeing one in a shop in Illinois when I was passing through. I wish I'd bought it at the time, as it would have been a nice souvenir. It was the Elgin Baylor base card.

WillC · 05-09-2015, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMarchand1981

Thank you for the advice. I was not collecting during this time period and am unfamiliar with most of the inserts from that time period.

I picked this up after you made the post that I quoted:

2000-01 SP Authentic Supremacy #S5 - Kobe Bryant
Courtesy of COMC.com

I hope you like it when you get it in hand

It looks even better in person...

jj2 · 05-09-2015, 04:56 PM

It's going to be pretty hard to beat those SP inserts.

Pictures don't really do these cards justice but they look great in hand and can be picked up very cheaply:

WillC · 05-09-2015, 04:58 PM

Excellent suggestion, jj2. I owned some of those a few years ago and really liked them. Those are the types of cards I was hoping people would recommend when I started this thread.

JMarchand1981 · 05-09-2015, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj2

It's going to be pretty hard to beat those SP inserts.

Pictures don't really do these cards justice but they look great in hand and can be picked up very cheaply:

GREAT call on these. These look great!

jbrandonw · 05-09-2015, 05:02 PM

I really like some of those past and present inserts. I have quite a few dirks.

CubKings · 05-09-2015, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj2

It's going to be pretty hard to beat those SP inserts.

Pictures don't really do these cards justice but they look great in hand and can be picked up very cheaply:

YES! Love these cards. Here's the 2 I have:

kairi-2008 · 05-09-2015, 09:02 PM

About 1997 EXL, not 100% sure, but they were partly clear. Very nice base cards.

JMarchand1981 · 05-09-2015, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kairi-2008

About 1997 EXL, not 100% sure, but they were partly clear. Very nice base cards.

Forgot about these.

1996-97 e-x base
1997-98 e-x base
1998-99 e-x base

All three look great to me.

AbraCalabro · 05-09-2015, 09:13 PM

These guys, right here:

Just about every single card in this set can be found for 20, or less.

Sorry about the poor quality scan.

muzikandme · 05-09-2015, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tristan20

You got that right, they are beautiful in hand
IMO Better than the base in higher end sets and lower numbered as well

Those look to nice!!!!

Hegotgame15 · 05-09-2015, 09:58 PM

Crazybella8 · 05-09-2015, 11:40 PM

I don't believe jordan inserts should be had for under $20!

WillC · 05-10-2015, 02:45 AM

AbraCalabro, I've got the complete E-Motion set. Such an iconic design! The first 'thick' cards that I can remember. They still feel high quality to this day. The photography was amazing, and the MJ in particular was an iconic card.

Here's another card design from 2000-01 SP Authentic that I really like. The etching and colours look even better in person.

AbraCalabro · 05-10-2015, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazybella8

I don't believe jordan inserts should be had for under $20!

Well, that's the most appropriate user name to post content I've seen thus far.

AbraCalabro · 05-10-2015, 03:49 AM

I'll pay you 20, or less for that same card.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hegotgame15

JMarchand1981 · 05-10-2015, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazybella8

I don't believe jordan inserts should be had for under $20!

Neither of the Jordan's in this thread so far are inserts. The have both been base cards....well-made, beautiful base cards. I love this thread.

05-09-2015, 12:43 PM	#1
WillC Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9,998	Best looking cards for less than $20? What do you think are the best looking cards out there for less than $20? They can be base cards, inserts, game used, autos, vintage.... whatever you like, as long as they are beautifully designed. I'm really interested to hear what you guys would recommend! Get posting Here are a couple of my favourites which I think are really beautiful cards despite being dirt cheap.

05-09-2015, 04:13 PM	#8
dasiegel Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 27,556	I think the Art Noveau patches from Court Kings /10 are awesome and they are affordable. __________________ Board man. Board man gets paid.

05-09-2015, 05:02 PM	#14
jbrandonw Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Arkansas Posts: 5,351 Jbrandonw	I really like some of those past and present inserts. I have quite a few dirks. __________________ I collect mainly Dallas Mavericks. Especially Dirk, Luka, and the 2011 championship guys.

05-09-2015, 09:02 PM	#16
kairi-2008 Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Australia Posts: 2,575 Kairi-2008 Tagged	About 1997 EXL, not 100% sure, but they were partly clear. Very nice base cards. __________________ Tyron Smith Super Collector, 91.3%

05-09-2015, 09:13 PM	#18
AbraCalabro Temporarily Suspended Join Date: May 2013 Location: Believe in Saint Abra. Posts: 10,748	These guys, right here: Just about every single card in this set can be found for 20, or less. Sorry about the poor quality scan. __________________ -FREE TRISTAN- LeBron Exquisite /99 - altered & damaged - A master class in corruption. NEVER FORGET: https://www.blowoutforums.com/showthread.php?t=1255123 Last edited by AbraCalabro; 12-30-2015 at 07:11 PM.

05-09-2015, 01:21 PM	#2
JMarchand1981 Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 34,438	That shaq looks amazing. Is that a base set?? I am a huge fan of 99-00 e-xceptional reds. About minus the Kobe could be had for under $20. I also liked the 95-96(?) flair hardwood leaders. You could make damn near the entire set for $20.

05-09-2015, 02:03 PM	#3
Wings Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Omaha Posts: 5,396	07 08 UD Premier Lebron James 42 99 Base SP \| eBay

05-09-2015, 04:30 PM	#9
WillC Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9,998	Tristan, there is one card in particular from the 2008-09 Premier base set that I'm trying to get hold of. Hopefully I can find it soon. The Kareem and Magic look so good. Such a nice set. I remember seeing one in a shop in Illinois when I was passing through. I wish I'd bought it at the time, as it would have been a nice souvenir. It was the Elgin Baylor base card.

05-09-2015, 04:56 PM	#11
jj2 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 5,005	It's going to be pretty hard to beat those SP inserts. Pictures don't really do these cards justice but they look great in hand and can be picked up very cheaply:

05-09-2015, 04:58 PM	#12
WillC Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9,998	Excellent suggestion, jj2. I owned some of those a few years ago and really liked them. Those are the types of cards I was hoping people would recommend when I started this thread.

05-09-2015, 09:58 PM	#20
Hegotgame15 Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Australia. Posts: 1,764

05-09-2015, 11:40 PM	#21
Crazybella8 Inactive Account Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 2,174	I don't believe jordan inserts should be had for under $20!

05-10-2015, 02:45 AM	#22
WillC Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 9,998	AbraCalabro, I've got the complete E-Motion set. Such an iconic design! The first 'thick' cards that I can remember. They still feel high quality to this day. The photography was amazing, and the MJ in particular was an iconic card. Here's another card design from 2000-01 SP Authentic that I really like. The etching and colours look even better in person.