TOP 5 ROOKIE CARDS
2005-06 Exquisite Collection #46 JSY AU/99 RC ($2,000-$4,000)
While Paul’s most valuable Rookie Card bumped up from $3,000 to $4,000 in value this season, it’s still less than some of the highest-priced RCs of other elite active stars. This is part of the third Exquisite Collection release, numbered to 99, and certainly is the unquestioned top choice of Paul’s cards. The BGS Pop Report shows 17 Mint 9 grades and eight Gem Mint 9.5s. There is just one listing in the PSA Pop Report—a Mint 9.
2005-06 Ultimate Collection #146 AU RC ($400-$800)
This Ultimate Collection on-card autograph RC is a great second-place for collectors who can’t afford the Exquisite Collection, and for 20 percent of the price. There are 250 copies, so it’s a little easier to locate. It has a simple design with plenty of room for the signature. There are 18 listings in the PSA Pop Report with two Mint 9s and 15 Gem Mint 10s. The BGS Pop Report shows 139 grades with 29 Mint 9s, 90 Gem Mint 9.5s, 12 Pristine 10s and one Black Label 10.
2005-06 SP Authentic #94 AU RC ($300-$600)
As we move down the top-five RC list, the print run rises. This SP Authentic, which was one of the top brands of the early 2000s, is numbered to 1299. This is one of Paul’s RCs that didn’t get a bump in value in recent months, so it may have room to catch up. It currently sits at $600 high book value. Unlike other SP Authentic RCs of the era, this does not have a patch swatch, but there is a swatch parallel version. The PSA Pop Reports shows 74 listings with 28 Mint 9s and 37 Gem Mint 10s. BGS shows 276 grades with 107 Mint 9s, 145 Gem Mint 9.5s and three Pristine 10s.
2005-06 SPx #153 JSY AU RC ($150-$400)
Paul’s SPx RC is $200 less than the SP Authentic, has a jersey swatch, and has a much shorter print run at 750. Not technically an on-card autograph, the signature is on the back panel of the card with the front panel revealing the signature in an open die-cut area. You can typically find it for less than $300. There are 58 PSA listings with 17 Mint 9s and 29 Gem Mint 10s. BGS shows
150 listings with 65 Mint 9s, 62 Gem Mint 9.5s and three Pristine 10s.
2005-06 Topps Chrome #168 RC
($125-$300)
Key Topps Chrome RCs of the 2000s are finally getting their respect. Topps Chrome was a popular popular lower-end product with no autograph, memorabilia or serial number. Of course, the print run is much higher than the other four cards here, but the value hovers around $125 to $300. The Refractor parallel is numbered to 899 and tops out at around $800. There are more than 900 total PSA and BGS graded listing of the base RC, with 117 Mint 9s and 236 Gem Mint 9.5s from BGS. PSA shows 252 Mint 9s, 237 Gem Mint 10s.