A rare trading card of Kobe Bryant has sold for $3.15 million, setting a new record for the highest price ever paid for a standalone Bryant card. Reported on April 23, 2026, the sale involved a 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems (PMG) Green card acquired by Alt, led by founder Leore Avidar.
Widely regarded as one of the rarest basketball collectibles, the card belongs to the coveted PMG set, where only the first 10 cards feature the signature green finish. The remaining 90 were produced in red, leaving just 10 green versions of Bryant’s card in existence.
Its scarcity is further underscored by grading data from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Only three of these green Bryant cards have been officially evaluated, and the one sold carries a PSA 5 grade, with just one example graded higher.
“I’d argue this is the best Kobe Bryant card out there,” Avidar said, pointing to its rarity and historical significance.
We got it! @altxyzofficial investment fund got the most expensive Kobe Bryant card ever: $3.15 Million! We now hold all-time price records for Kobe, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. LFG. Congrats, team. pic.twitter.com/zxDbZZxzzW
— Alexis Ohanian 🗽 (@alexisohanian) April 23, 2026
The record-breaking sale surpasses previous benchmarks for Bryant-only cards. A private deal in 2025 valued a Bryant card at $2.4 million, while another version of the same green PMG card fetched $2 million in 2022. This latest transaction firmly establishes a new high for Bryant memorabilia tied to a single card.
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The enduring legacy of Bryant, combined with the extreme scarcity of his early-career collectibles, continues to fuel surging demand at the highest tiers of the trading card market.
High-End NBA Trading Cards Continue To Set Multi-Million Dollar Benchmarks
The $3.15 million sale of the Kobe Bryant card reflects sustained growth in the market for rare basketball cards, where limited supply and star power drive record prices. High-end NBA collectibles tied to iconic players have consistently reached multi-million dollar valuations.
A Bryant card from the 1997 to 1998 season sold for $2.3 million in August 2025, setting a record at the time before being surpassed by the latest sale. Other basketball cards have also reached similar levels. Dual Logoman cards featuring Bryant and Michael Jordan have sold for more than $3 million, placing them among the most valuable basketball cards recorded.
Modern-era players have also entered the high-value tier. Premium cards linked to LeBron James and Stephen Curry have attracted multi-million dollar investments, including rare Logoman and rookie editions.
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The rise in prices accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand for sports collectibles increased significantly. Limited production runs, professional grading, and historical significance continue to influence valuations across the market.
