Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (2024)

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (1)

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links to eBay, Amazon, and other platforms within the content, sidebar ads, and in other areas. As I am part of the eBay Partner Network and other affiliate programs, if you follow these links and make a purchase, I will receive a commission. Likewise, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Note: I’m in the middle of revamping this post for 2023! More info, more choices, more images. Hang with me for a few, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions in the mean time.

I feel like I repeat something like this in every blog post, but it’s really worth saying in this one. “Best” is a relative term—just like I think my favorite team is the best, or a particular food, song, or movie, you might have different opinions. And, in the end, we can both be right.

When it comes to cards, it’s a similar thought process, but I also understand you’re probably in the market to make a purchase, and thus it’s not only which Panini cards are best for any reason, but perhaps are most valuable?

Or, maybe you are truly wondering about best value of a pack? Or best looking? Not to mention this could vary across different sports!

Which Panini Cards are Best?

So, all that said, here is my best shot at answering the question for you. From Prizm to Select, and many more, here are what could be considered the best Panini cards for a number of different reasons.

Best of the Best: Prizm

A favorite in the hearts and collections of many, Prizm can be thought of as the best of the Panini card brands. Thus, it’s also typically the most valuable, and yes highly sought after.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (2)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (3)

What makes it great? Besides the fact that it has simply been crowned so by the card community, here are a few other thoughts.

One, everyone loves a shiny card. Just like Topps Chrome will outshine (pun intended) flagship in most occasions, Prizm is a favorite because of its heavier stock and shiny finish.

Second, there are a ton of variations—and not just your everyday silver and different colored prizms, but animal prints like tiger stripe and more.

Third, the design? Actually, I’m not quite sure about that, as I personally have never really loved the design, but many probably do.

As with most Panini products, we are mostly talking about football and basketball, as Panini is to those sports as Topps is to baseball.

In terms of releases across the different sports, here is what we know right now:

  • 3/15/2023 2022 Panini Prizm Football
  • 4/12/2023 2022-23 Panini Prizm Basketball
  • 4/28/2023 2022-23 Panini Prizm Basketball Fast Break Edition

Best for All-Around Fun: Donruss

OK, no matter what I put here there was bound to be some disagreement, but hear me out.

One, I wanted to pick a line that was applicable to all three major sports (football, basketball, and baseball). Which, with that said, most Panini products could check that box, but there is just something about the relationship between Donruss and baseball that transcends the others.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (4)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (5)

Secondly, fun comes in a variety of forms—some find it by spending thousands of dollars on a case or special box and seeing what big hit they’re going to walk away with, while others find fun down different avenues.

Me personally? I’m a different avenue kind of guy, with fun having a much greater chance of showing up to the party if I’m not worried about making my money back in the process.

Last, on to the cards themselves, there is just a lot of entertainment for the dollar spent with Donruss. Here are some examples.

Baseball

First, starting with baseball – because it’s not typically associated with Panini like basketball and football are – there is a lot to like.

Retro designs patterned after classic Donruss baseball of the 80s, of which I and many others grew up with and fond of.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (6)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (7)

And while Donruss cards are now missing logos, the “Whammy” insert, MLB license or not, is the epitome of fun.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (8)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (9)

Not to mention that over the last few years, general insert designs have become way, way cooler, with “Unleashed” leading the way. (More on these in a bit.)

Football

With football, Donruss offers a lot of the same fun and retro feel as mentioned above, and there are fun inserts like “Crunch Time,” fashioned after a box of cereal.

Grabbed 2 Donruss blasters and 2 loose packs of Series 1! Can someone explain to me how rare these Crunch Time Galatics are? I pulled 2 in 2 blasters but I’m seeing that they are case hits/SPs??? 🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/gf9uM9GsMW

— bthawks (@bthawks) March 9, 2023

One of the main draws is the collector-favorite “Downtown” inserts, though in 2022 we were treated to “Super Bowl Downtown” with cards that feature where players starred during a Super Bowl performance.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (10)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (11)

Basketball

Like the other sports, Donruss is a fun one for the familiar “rated rookie” logo, providing an affordable option for some of the game’s biggest stars.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (12)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (13)

Best for Nostalgia (and Variety): Chronicles

The reason I say this about Chronicles is well, one, it’s in the name—a “chronicle” is an account of a historical event, right? So, when you open a pack, you can expect to find designs that are reminiscent of yesteryear, or perhaps not even that far into the past, but across different product lines including Select, Score, and more as is the case with Chronicles Draft.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (14)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (15)

Looking at Panini Chronicles across the different sports, here are a few examples of what I mean. One, you’re going to have a new base set every year, but in addition, you’re going to have a “rehash” or spin on an existing brand. In this case, you see Prizm Black, which is of course a branch off of the Prizm brand.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (16)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (17)

In addition, the 2021 checklist features these familiar brands:

  • Clear Vision
  • Crown Royale
  • Flux
  • Gridiron Kings
  • Panini
  • Playoff Momentum
  • Timeless Treasures

With basketball, it follows the same pattern. But, I like the way Beckett references the set in their checlist breakdown:

“As has been in the past, Chronicles allows Panini to dig into its banks and provide cards for brands that don’t have their own standalone release this year or bring others over from different sports.”

Thus, you’ll see all of these:

  • Cornerstones
  • Elements
  • Gala
  • Gold Standard
  • Limited
  • Luminance
  • Phoenix
  • Plates & Patches
  • Timeless Treasures
  • Titanium
  • XR

Best Prizm Alternative: Select

Basically, for all the reasons people crown Prizm the best, you can name Select the best Prizm alternative. Simply, you have the shine on the thick card stock, the many parallels, and just an all-around similar look and feel.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (18)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (19)

One thing that sets Select apart from other brands is its tiered checklist. Meaning, rather than having, say, 400 “base” cards, Select has different “levels” including Concourse, Premier Level, Club Level and Field Level. That list is in order of most common to most rare, and the cards themselves have slightly different designs between them.

It’s the same for basketball, but there are only three different levels, and they include Concourse, Premier Level and Courtside.

Best “Just Not for Me” Mosaic

This is just personal preference, really, but I don’t see the appeal of Mosaic, which is odd, because I’m a huge fan of shiny, in-your-face flash, and everything that Mosaic stands for. Really, and it sounds even weirder when typing it out, I think it comes down to the fact that Mosaic card photos don’t have natural backgrounds.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (20)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (21)

That is, when you think of a sports card, you think of an athlete in their element—on the court, on the field, etc. But, Mosaic removes all of that and just features a player on top of a design. I don’t know, not a great reason, but the best reason I can come up with for now.

But, enough about me! Others love Mosaic, and here are a couple of reasons why.

Well, the design of course! For all of the reasons I don’t love the Mosaic design, others really enjoy it. Thus, parallels become even that much cooler with honeycomb, peaco*ck, and nebula, and with so many colors, team color matches galore.

Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (22)Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (23)

Football TBD:

  • Score
  • Absolute
  • Optic
  • Prestige
  • Illusions

Basketball TBD:

  • Hoops
  • Court Kings
Which Panini Cards are the Best? [Updated for 2023] (2024)

FAQs

What are the best NBA cards to buy for 2023? ›

High-value cards to invest in for 2023 include the 1985 Michael Jordan Nike Promo, 1986 Michael Jordan Fleer RC #57, 1996 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome RC #138, and 2018 Luka Doncic Panini Prizm RC #280.

What is the highest rated Panini card? ›

Best of the Best: Prizm

A favorite in the hearts and collections of many, Prizm can be thought of as the best of the Panini card brands. Thus, it's also typically the most valuable, and yes highly sought after. What makes it great?

What prizm colors are worth the most? ›

The limited number creates scarcity and makes the silver prizms sell for significantly more. Then, compare the 1,000 silver prizms to, say, a /199 blue prizm. The blue prizm would be 5x more rare than the silver, meaning it will sell for even more.

What sports cards will be worth money in the future? ›

What are the best sports cards to invest in 2022?
  • Mickey Mantle cards. Chart tracking price of assets similar to SGC 7 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle card. ...
  • Honus Wagner cards. Chart tracking price of assets similar to Authentic Honus Wagner T206 card. ...
  • Luka Dončić rookie cards. ...
  • Mike Trout cards. ...
  • Ronald Acuna Jr.

What rookie cards to look for in 2023? ›

Last year's NL Rookie of the Year, Michael Harris, headlines the Topps rookie class at the start of the 2023 season. He is joined by Gunnar Henderson, Riley Greene, Adley Rustchman, Christopher Morel, Gabriel Moreno, Bret Baty and JJ Bleday.

What NBA cards to invest in now? ›

The most valuable basketball cards to invest in would be those featuring basketball royalty like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. Michael Jordan's red-hot 1986-87 Fleer rookie card sold for $840,000 in July 2021 while Kobe's 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch sold for $900,000.

What are the best cards to pull from Panini? ›

Panini National Treasures is considered by many in the hobby as the GOAT of premium football cards. The Rookie Patch Autograph cards, which are usually numbered /99 with some additional parallels, include a jumbo patch and are usually the most valuable RPA cards in the hobby.

What is the rarest card in Panini? ›

Sold for $1.1M. Holding the distinction of the most valuable unsigned modern era trading card, the one-of-one Giannis Antetokounmpo Panini Prizm #290 Black Mosaic also has the honor of the second Antetokounmpo card to top $1 million.

What is the most rare Panini card? ›

On March 21, 2017, Panini released 2017 National Treasures as a premium football card product, highlighting Patrick Mahomes' NFL Shield Rookie Patch Autograph card as the most valuable football card in the hobby.

Is Prizm better than polarized? ›

Prizm lenses offer UV protection even if they are not polarized. They handle UV light differently from other kinds of sunglasses, which simply stop radiation from entering your lenses. Still, the new process that Prizm lenses rely on keeps UV light from damaging your eyes and causing cancer and other diseases.

What's the difference between Prizm polarized and Prizm? ›

So, Prizm lenses don't mean polarized—it's an entirely different lens technology. Whereas polarized lenses block glare from reflected light, Prizm lenses amplify what you're seeing.

What is the difference between prizm and prizm black? ›

Everyday. Your eyes deserve the best. Prizm™ Black Polarized is a grey base lens that gives colors more natural appearance and Prizm™ Tungsten Polarized is a bronze base lens that gives a warmer appearance to colors both make the environment appear more vibrant.

Do Panini cards hold value? ›

They do not hold their value. To keep it short and sweet, it's fair to say that Panini is flooding the market with way too many new products and overprinted quantities of all of them because a) they don't have any long-term skin in the game and b) people were buying as much as they could print, at least for a while.

What is the best sports card to collect? ›

Best Overall: Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps Rookie Card

It was his PSA 9 version 1952 Topps Rookie card that caught the eye of collectors, eventually selling for $5.2 million in January 2021.

What is the most profitable sports card? ›

While Honus Wagner's card is generally seen as the holy grail for baseball card fans, it's Mantle's rookie that takes the top spot. On August 28 of 2022, a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps Card sold for $12.6 million to an anonymous buyer.

Who are the top rookies in 2023 Topps? ›

Reigning National League Rookie of the Year, Michael Harris II is one of the top 2023 Topps Baseball Rookie Cards. Others with the RC logo badge include Gunnar Henderson, Riley Greene, Adley Rutschman (who also has a base card in 2021 Bowman's Best), Christopher Morel, Gabriel Moreno, Bret Baty and JJ Bleday.

Are Panini Illusions worth it? ›

The hits are also rare, with only one auto of each hobby box, so it can feel like you're paying good money for a lot of common cards. The biggest downside with a product like Illusions – one with minimal rookies and hits – is that you will probably have to heavily rely on parallels to get your money back.

What basketball cards to collect? ›

10 Basketball Cards Most Likely to Rise in Value in the Next 3 Years
  • 2022 Panini Instant Draft Night Jaden Ivey RC. ...
  • 1970-71 Topps #123 Pete Maravich RC. ...
  • 1989-90 Hoops #310 David Robinson RC. ...
  • 2003-04 Topps Photo Shoot Carmelo Anthony RC Auto. ...
  • 1996-97 Topps Chrome #138 Kobe Bryant RC.
Feb 6, 2023

Are Panini contenders basketball worth anything? ›

About Panini 2022-23 Contenders Basketball

That price is on par with a few recent eBay auctions that have ended around $375.

What is the hardest Panini sticker to get? ›

The hardest sticker to find is that of Argentina's ace player Lionel Messi, who will reportedly be playing his last World Cup at the Qatar games. Marc R Stanley, the US ambassador to Argentina, posted an ecstatic Twitter video of himself opening up his sticker packages. “Oh holy crap, I got Messi, I can't believe it.

How fast do Panini boxes sell out? ›

Most series sell out within minutes as some collectors feel the price at the “ceiling” is the “true value” for the boxes. Most are willing to overpay for the chance of getting exclusive cards.

How rare is a Purple card Panini? ›

USA PARALLELS: Gold (Online only), Blue (1:2), Red (1:26), Purple (1:205), Green (1:1,445), Black 1/1. Parallels only apply to non-foil cards.

What are the different tiers of Panini cards? ›

The different levels of Select football cards include Concourse, Premier Level, Club Level, and Field Level. Just like the seating at a football game, the “concourse” is most common or least desirable, and “field level” is going to be rare and more desirable.

How rare are Panini extra stickers? ›

They are an additional content that is part of the Panini product dedicated to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. They are extra collection stickers and are randomly inserted, on average, in every 100 packets.

How rare are black Panini stickers? ›

There is a one-of-one Black Parallel made of each of the (over 600) stickers in the set. Needless to say, the Black Parallels are extremely rare.

What is the rarest football card right now? ›

Currently, this honor belongs to a Patrick Mahomes card, graded 8.5 by BGS, which sold for over $4 million in 2021 (more details in this article). Three 2000 cards featuring Tom Brady round up the list of NFL cards to sell for $1 million or more.

How can you tell if a Panini Prizm card is silver? ›

One way to identify a silver prizm is to look on the back of the card for the bold, italicized “PRIZM” in all caps. Another way is to look for the “refractor” rainbow-like lighting on the front of the card.

Which is better Iridium or polarized? ›

While Iridium lenses are similar to polarized lenses, they are not the same. Polarized lenses cut glare from reflective surfaces, such as water, snow, or slick roads. Iridium lenses also cut glare, but provide UV-light reduction while improving color contrast and depth perception.

Are Prizm polarized worth it? ›

The use of lenses technology PRIZM polarized lenses are the best for driving because the polarized filter will reduce glare bouncing off car bumpers and windshields, making driving easier. Prizm lenses from Oakley are an excellent choice for a line of goggles intended for snow skiing and snowboarding.

Why are Oakley Prizm not suitable for driving? ›

Lenses that only react to UV light are not suitable for driving because car windscreens filter out UV, slowing and limiting the reaction of the lenses.

Do Prizm lenses cut glare? ›

Prizm ™ Shallow water lenses are polarized to reduce glare, making it easier to distinguish sparkling fish and flies on the surface. With these glasses, it is the green and copper tints that will be amplified to better identify the shadows of the fish.

What are the benefits of Prizm lenses? ›

Prizm™ Trail enhances browns and reds making greens pop so riders can spot transitions between dirt in different light conditions. Engineered to always help you tread through the best line and identify hazards and obstacles, Prizm™ Trail lens technology was born for seamless rides.

What are the rarest Prizm cards? ›

SportsCardsPro Index: 2021 Panini Prizm
CardUngraded ▼Grade 9
Jonathan Kuminga [Black Gold Prizm] #307 /5$6,070.06
Franz Wagner [Green Choice Prizm] #310 /8$5,000.00
Cameron Thomas [Green Choice Prizm] #297 /8$4,505.00$6,153.28
Ja Morant [Gold Prizm] #194 /10$3,472.49
47 more rows

What is 24K Iridium? ›

About. A moderate-contrast, bronze base lens with a mirrored finish that's ideal for everyday use. 24K Iridium eliminates 77% of ambient light and blocks 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC light. Oakley's HD Polarized lenses block harmful glare without compromising clarity.

What is black iridium? ›

A neutral, gray base lens with a mirrored finish that's ideal for everyday use. Black Iridium eliminates 90% of ambient light and blocks 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC light.

Is fanatics taking over Panini? ›

Montreal, QC - In a bold move that promises to revolutionize the sports card collecting industry, Fanatics has acquired both Topps and will soon acquire Panini, two of the most iconic and well-established brands in the space.

What will happen to Panini in 2026? ›

The league license gives Topps the permission to use NBA logos and the players license gives them permission to produce cards of players. This agreement will take effect in 2026, the year in which Panini's existing deal with the NBA will end.

How do you store Panini cards? ›

Cardboard boxes are the cheapest way to store your cards. Your hobby shop should have them in a variety of sizes ranging from 100 all the way up to several thousand. Even the biggest custom cardboard boxes made specifically for sports cards are affordable when you factor in how many they can hold.

What are the top selling sports cards? ›

Most Expensive Sports Trading Card Sales to Date
PlayerCardPrice
1. Mickey Mantle1952 Topps SGC 9.5$12.6 million
2. Honus WagnerT206 SGC 2$7.25 million
3. Honus WagnerT206 SGC 3$6.6 million
T4. Mickey Mantle1952 Topps PSA 9$5.2 million
6 more rows

Are sport cards a good investment? ›

Collecting sports cards can be a great investment for card enthusiasts. Not only does it provide a fun hobby, it can also be an excellent way to make a profit. While the value of individual cards depends on the rarity and condition, some rare cards can be worth thousands of dollars.

Do rookie cards increase in value? ›

A rookie card is a player's first official entry into the hobby. The excessive demand for rookie cards leads to the cards having more value than any later-year issues for a player. The first card issued for a player is also their oldest card, which collectors tend to associate as 'more valuable' over time.

What baseball card is worth $1 million? ›

The T206 Honus Wagner was produced in 1909 by the American Tobacco Company. The card features Honus Wagner, a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates and one of the greatest players in baseball history. The card's value comes from its rarity, as it is estimated that only around 60 to 200 copies were ever produced.

Can you make a lot of money off sports cards? ›

Many people these days are seeing the potential value in sports cards as an alternative investment. So, can you make money buying and selling sports cards? The short answer is yes you can, but it's important to be aware of a few things. In this article we take a look at how you can make money with sports cards.

How much is a Michael Jordan rookie card worth? ›

It's a cornerstone of any Michael Jordan collection, and can sell for tens of thousands of dollars. In the current market, and at grade 9, this rookie card ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. 1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan graded CSG 1.

Who is the best NBA prospect 2023? ›

Victor Wembanyama

What is the most expensive basketball card 2023? ›

Sold for $5.9M. Daniel Maltzman “National Treasures Stephen Curry Card” Signed & Numbered Artist Proof. Sold for $1,100 via Weatherham Estate Treasures (February 2023). Alongside his raft of accolades, Stephen Curry can also add the most expensive basketball card ever sold to his list of honors.

What is the best NBA sports card to buy? ›

Arguably the most well-known premium sports card brand is Panini National Treasures. Many in the hobby consider National Treasures to be the top and most important premium Basketball card brand. The Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) cards, in-particular, carry the highest premium.

Who will win Rookie of the Year NBA 2023? ›

Paolo Banchero has won the 2022-23 NBA Rookie of the Year award, the NBA announced on Tuesday.

Who is most likely to win MVP NBA 2023? ›

No joke – Denver's Nikola Jokić is the heavy favorite to be named NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.

Which Thompson twin is better? ›

Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson are identical twin brothers and two of the top prospects in next month's NBA Draft. While Amen is the brother who most members of the media forecast as the better of the two, Ausar is the one who has won a clean sweep of MVP awards over the last two years at Overtime Elite.

What NBA players cards are hot right now? ›

Hottest Basketball Rookie Cards 2023 Countdown
  • #5 – Jabari Smith Rookie Card.
  • #4 – Keegan Murray Rookie Card.
  • #3- Jaden Ivey Rookie Card.
  • #2 Bennedict Mathurin Rookie Card.
  • #1 Paolo Banchero Rookie Card.
  • Hottest Basketball Rookie Cards 2023 Honorable Mentions.
May 23, 2023

Are Panini cards good? ›

With all factors considered, Panini Prizm is the best all-round football card set, in my opinion. Card designs are generally nice, with chrome finish.

What is the holy grail of basketball cards? ›

1980 Topps - Larry Bird/Magic Johnson RC (#6)

The holy grail of basketball cards, the Larry Bird Magic Johnson rookie card is a must-have card for all basketball card collectors. Plagued by printing errors, off-cuts, and because many kids were tearing these apart, the card is very tough to find in Mint condition.

Is Panini Donruss good? ›

Better-looking NBA card inserts

With the recent release of 2022-23 Panini Donruss hobby boxes to the public, sports card enthusiasts are seeing how good these inserts look. Offerings, such as Net Marvels, Unleashed, Night Moves, and Animation, all look good especially when they're collected as a set.

What sports card is worth the most money? ›

While Honus Wagner's card is generally seen as the holy grail for baseball card fans, it's Mantle's rookie that takes the top spot. On August 28 of 2022, a Mickey Mantle 1952 Topps Card sold for $12.6 million to an anonymous buyer. Are you surprised by any of these entries on the list?

What trading card brands are worth the most? ›

The most valuable brand of baseball card can vary depending on the specific card, however, Topps is generally the most constantly valuable baseball card brand. Topps is considered the leader of the industry, and rookie cards produced by Topps are often very highly sought after.

What is the best baseball card to buy 2023? ›

Best Baseball Cards To Buy 2023 are the 2009 Bowman Mike Trout and Spencer Strider Rookie Card. Topps Series 1 is one of the best baseball card packs right now.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Trent Wehner

Last Updated:

Views: 6129

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Trent Wehner

Birthday: 1993-03-14

Address: 872 Kevin Squares, New Codyville, AK 01785-0416

Phone: +18698800304764

Job: Senior Farming Developer

Hobby: Paintball, Calligraphy, Hunting, Flying disc, Lapidary, Rafting, Inline skating

Introduction: My name is Trent Wehner, I am a talented, brainy, zealous, light, funny, gleaming, attractive person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.