So, you’ve got a 1996 Kobe Bryant card with a "Press Pass" logo on it. Maybe you found it in a dusty shoe box or saw one for twenty bucks on eBay and wondered if you just struck gold.
Honestly, the kobe bryant press pass rookie card is one of the most misunderstood pieces of cardboard from that legendary 1996 draft class. It isn't a "true" NBA rookie card in the eyes of some purists because Kobe is wearing his Lower Merion High School jersey instead of Lakers purple and gold. But here’s the thing: while the hobby snobs might obsess over Topps Chrome, the Press Pass stuff has a soul that those corporate flagship cards just can't match.
It captures the literal moment a kid from Philly skipped college to take on the world.
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The Weird History of the 1996 Press Pass Set
Back in 1996, Press Pass was the "draft pick" king. They didn't have the NBA license, so they couldn't show team logos. This is why you see Kobe in that maroon-and-white high school gear.
Most people think there's just one version. Wrong. There are actually several distinct variations of the kobe bryant press pass rookie card that look almost identical at a glance but have massive gaps in value.
The Base Card (#13)
This is the workhorse. It features Kobe mid-dribble, looking incredibly young. In the current 2026 market, you can snag an ungraded copy of the standard #13 card for about $20 to $40. It’s the "people’s rookie."
The Net Burners (NB13)
Then you have the inserts. The Net Burners version has a distinct design, and if you find the "Die-Cut" version with the gold foil, you're looking at something much scarcer. I’ve seen these go for double or triple the price of the base card if the corners aren't peeling.
The Pandemonium (#PM3)
This is another favorite. The design is very 90s—lots of loud graphics and "Draft Pick" branding. It’s technically an insert, but collectors treat it as a secondary rookie.
Why Condition Is a Nightmare for This Card
If you’re thinking about grading your kobe bryant press pass rookie card, be ready for a headache. These cards weren't printed on the high-end chromium stock that Topps used. They used a softer paper stock that loves to chip.
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- Edges: The dark borders on some variations show every tiny speck of white.
- Surface: Because they weren't protected by a "coating" like Finest cards, they get light scratches just from being moved in a plastic sleeve.
- The "Peel" Factor: On the die-cut versions, the gold foil tends to lift at the sharp corners. PSA is notoriously brutal on this.
A PSA 10 of the base #13 is surprisingly hard to find. As of early 2026, a Gem Mint 10 can still fetch over $400, while a PSA 9 drops significantly to under $60. That's a huge "cliff" in value.
The "Holy Grail" Press Pass Autograph
If you want to talk about real money, we have to talk about the 1996 Press Pass Autographs.
Kobe actually signed cards for this set. They aren't stickers; they are "on-card" autos from when he was 17 or 18 years old. These are incredibly rare. A BGS 9 with a 10-rated signature recently moved for over $2,100. Compared to his later Lakers autographs, which are everywhere, these high school signatures feel incredibly personal.
Wait. Be careful. There are a lot of "facsimile" signatures out there. These are pre-printed on the card and aren't worth much. If the signature looks perfectly flat and exactly like every other one you see on Google, it's probably a facsimile. Real ink has a slight "depth" or "sheen" when you tilt it under a light.
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What Really Matters: Investment or Nostalgia?
Let's be real. If you want a card that's going to outpace the S&P 500, you're probably looking for a Topps Chrome Refractor. But if you want a piece of history that tells a story? The kobe bryant press pass rookie card is it.
It represents the transition. It's the bridge between a high school phenom and the Black Mamba.
Actionable Next Steps for Collectors:
- Check the Number: Look at the back. Is it #13 (Base), #NB13 (Net Burner), or #PM3 (Pandemonium)? This determines your starting price point.
- Inspect the Foil: If you have a Die-Cut version, look at the corners under a 10x loupe. If you see even a tiny bit of gold foil lifting, don't bother sending it to PSA; it won't get a 10.
- Authentication over Grade: If you're buying a signed version, don't buy it raw. Only buy ones already authenticated by PSA, DNA, or Beckett. The risk of fakes is too high for a card this iconic.
- The "Hidden" Gem: Keep an eye out for the "Netpro" or "All Sport" variations. They are often lumped in with Press Pass but have different print runs and values.
Ultimately, the Press Pass Kobe isn't just a card; it's a timestamp. It’s the last time we saw Kobe Bryant before he became a global icon.