The History of 1/1 Cards in Basketball

Basketball trading cards have long celebrated star players with special parallels, but the ultimate collectible is a one-of-one (1/1), a card printed just once. The first true 1/1 basketball cards appeared in the late 1990s as “Masterpiece” parallels in in the 1997 productions of Flair Showcase and Fleer Ultra. In the early 2000s, the concept expanded into premium sets. Upper Deck’s 2002-03 NBA Logo Mania introduced Logoman patch cards (each featuring an NBA jersey logo) and, shortly after, their Upper Deck took 1/1 cards to the next level with their Exquisite & Ultimate Collection sets, featuring high-end autographed patch & Logoman cards. These early releases set the stage for ever-more-extravagant 1/1 inserts.

Evolution by Era

Late 1990s – 2000s: 

• High-end sets pioneered 1/1 parallels. Fleer Ultra’s 1997 Masterpiece parallels included the first true 1/1 basketball card. Upper Deck’s early 2000s autograph sets (Ultimate Collection/Exquisite) added more 1/1s, including dual Logoman patch autographs (Magic & Bird, Kobe & MJ, etc.) and press plates in card packs. Printing plates also occasionally appeared (originally from Pinnacle’s 1997 sets in baseball, and later in basketball).

2010s Boom: 

• The Panini era ushered in an explosion of parallels. With sports card values soaring, nearly every product offered numbered parallels down to 10, 5, even 1/1. Breakout stars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James saw multiple 1/1 cards (Logomans, patch autographs, inserts) in sets such as Prizm, Flawless, National Treasures, and Immaculate. Eventually Panini’s flagship Prizm brand expanded its rarity tier and added additional 1/1s (Black Shimmer, Choice Nebula, etc.) Other brands promptly followed suit as collectors were willing to pay big for even the new generation 1/1s.)

COVID-era Boom (2019–2021): 

• With the pandemic locking people at home, trading cards saw unprecedented demand. Live “box breaks” on YouTube drew thousands of viewers, and hobby retailers saw sales jump ~25% during early 2020. In this environment, 1/1 cards became major events. Collectors chased 1/1s of both established stars and top rookies. The Luka Dončić 2018 National Treasures Logoman RPA 1/1 exemplifies this era: it was offered in auction and sold for $3.12 million (with a reported private sale of $4.6M before) in late 2022. Record prices were also realized for Stephen Curry and LeBron cards (see below). Meanwhile, new rookies like LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson and later Victor Wembanyama generated huge buzz for their 1/1s. The market’s voracious appetite for 1/1s during COVID years showed how 24/7 online connectivity and heavy speculation could drive prices sky-high.

Current Trends (2022–Present): 

• The market has leveled a bit, but premium 1/1s remain a highlight. Panini’s NBA license is scheduled to end after the 2024–25 season, so current Panini issues may become the “last of their kind.” Fanatics will take over NBA card production in 2025-26, potentially reshaping the 1/1 landscape. Superfractors and NBA Debut Patch Autographs will likely become the most coveted 1/1s in basketball that Topps produces.

Historic 1/1 Basketball Card Sales

Key sales of one-of-one basketball cards have shaped the hobby:

• Stephen Curry (2009-10 Panini National Treasures Rookie Logoman Auto 1/1) – Sold privately for $5.9 million in July 2021.This became the most expensive basketball card ever, surpassing LeBron’s record.

• Luka Dončić (2018-19 Panini National Treasures RPA Logoman 1/1) – Sold for $3.12 million in a PWCC auction on Nov 18, 2022. That same card had reportedly traded privately for $4.6M in early 2021.

• Michael Jordan (2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Logoman Autograph 1/1) – A Jersey Autograph Logoman patch card sold for over $2.9 million in June 2024. This marks a record sale for any Michael Jordan card

These benchmark sales illustrate how top-tier players’ 1/1 cards can reach astronomical values, setting market expectations. Each new record tends to boost interest in 1/1s across the hobby.

Collector Psychology and Investment Value

One-of-one cards occupy a special place in collecting and investment. They embody extreme scarcity, and when demand far exceeds supply, the potential for high prices is strong. Card makers deliberately manufacture scarcity – printing just one of a card – knowing that serious collectors will pay big premiums for that uniqueness. In practice, a 1/1 card of a superstar often feels like a “holy grail”: it carries aura, bragging rights, and the guarantee that no one else in the world can claim that exact card.

For investors, 1/1s are a double-edged sword. On one hand, they can offer outsized returns (as seen in the sales above). Long-term holds on proven superstars have generally appreciated well. On the other hand, 1/1s are illiquid and risky. A 1/1 of a future prospect may be worth little if the player doesn’t pan out; conversely, a 1/1 of a player who transforms into a superstar will expontential rise in value. Collectors also derive emotional value from owning the only card of its kind, which can fuel competition and bidding wars. In short, 1/1s carry the ultimate supply-side advantage in sports cards, and that persistent imbalance with demand underlies their high price potential.