Best Lebron James Rookie Cards | TOP 18

In sports few items capture the excitement and investment potential of LeBron James rookie cards. LeBron’s entry into the NBA in 2003 not only marked the beginning of a legendary career but also ignited a frenzy among collectors to get their hands on his debut cards.

From the flashy designs by Upper Deck to Topps’ classic offerings, this era saw a remarkable variety of card companies to capture the King’s essence, each contributing to a rich tapestry of memorabilia that appeals to both die-hard fans and savvy investors alike.

Lebron James Rookie Cards

LeBron James rookie cards represent a pivotal moment in basketball history. Released in 2003, his rookie card lineup captures the excitement of a player poised to redefine the sport. The allure of these cards is driven by both LeBron’s extraordinary career trajectory and the nostalgia they invoke for fans who witnessed his meteoric rise.

• 2003 Upper Deck MVP Lebron James RC #201
• 2003 Upper Deck Hardcourt LeBron James RC #132
• 2003 Upper Deck Victory Lebron James RC #101
• 2003 Fleer Tradition Lebron James RC #261
• 2003 Topps Pristine Lebron James RC #101
• 2003 Fleer Showcase Lebron James RC #130
• 2003 Fleer Focus Lebron James RC #137
• 2003 Topps LeBron James RC #221
• 2002 Finest LeBron James Rookie #178
• 2003 Fleer Mystique LeBron James RC #99
• 2003 Bowman Chrome LeBron James RC #123
• 2003 Fleer E-X LeBron James RC #102
• 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James RC #111
• 2003 Finest Lebron James RC #133
• 2003 SPX Lebron James Rookie Patch Auto #151
• 2003 SP Authentic LeBron James RC #148
• 2003 Ultimate Collection LeBron James RC #127
• 2003 Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto #78

2003 Upper Deck MVP Lebron James RC #201

Card Details	#201
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	Goldin Auctions
Date Sold	November 2023
Sale Price	$275

2003 Upper Deck MVP Rookie Card #201 Quick Take

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 3821
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 1689
• PSA 9 (Mint): 1365 and remainings fall into less

PSA 10 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (November 2023): $275

PSA 9 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (November 2023): $90

PSA 8 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (November 2022): $1380

2003 Upper Deck Hardcourt LeBron James RC #132

Card Details	#132
Grade	BGS 9.5
Auction House	Goldin Auctions
Date Sold	August 2023
Sale Price	$452

2003-04 Upper Deck Hardcourt #132 LeBron James RC – Market Analysis

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 183
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 01
• PSA 9 (Mint): 66 and remainings fall into less

PSA 10 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (March 2023): $2162

PSA 9 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (August 2023): $452

PSA 8 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (April 2022): $312

2003 Upper Deck Victory Lebron James RC #101

Card Details	#101
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	February 2023
Sale Price	$ 480

2003 Upper Deck Victory LeBron James RC #101 Market Snapshot

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 1424
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 47
• PSA 9 (Mint): 325 and remaining fall into less

PSA 10 Value:

• PWCC Auctions: $50 to $500
  

PSA 9 Value:

• PWCC Auctions: $75 to $100

2003 Fleer Tradition Lebron James RC #261

Card Details	#261
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	September 2023
Sale Price	$576

Market Analysis: 2003 Fleer Tradition LeBron James Rookie #261

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 2537
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 724
• PSA 9 (Mint): The remaining fall into PSA 9 or less.

PSA 10 Value:

• PWCC Auctions (March 2021): $3100

2003 Topps Pristine Lebron James RC #101

Card Details	#101
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	eBay
Date Sold	October 2023
Sale Price	$ 650

2003 Topps Pristine LeBron James RC #101 – Quick Overview

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 985
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 579
• PSA 9 (Mint): 294

PSA 10 Value:

• Base PSA 10: $600 – $800.
• Refractor PSA 10: $3,000.
• Gold Refractor: $ 3,500 – $45,000.

2003 Fleer Showcase Lebron James RC #130

Card Details	#130
Grade	PSA 9
Auction House	eBay
Date Sold	October 2023
Sale Price	$898

2003 Fleer Showcase LeBron James RC #130 – Investor Snapshot

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 138
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 12
• PSA 9 (Mint): 49 and remaining fall into less.

PSA 9 Value:

• eBay (August 2023): $898

2003 Fleer Focus Lebron James RC #137

Card Details	#137
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	April 2023
Sale Price	$ 1,410

Market Analysis: 2003 Fleer Focus LeBron James Rookie #137

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 88
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 40
• PSA 9 (Mint): 27 and remaining fall into less.

PSA 10 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions (April 2023): $1410

PSA 9 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions(June 2023): $746

2003 Topps LeBron James RC #221

Card Details	#221
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	November 2023
Sale Price	$ 1,500

2003 Topps Basketball LeBron James RC #221 – Market Summary

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 16681
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 2358
• PSA 9 (Mint): 6830 and remaining fall into less.

PSA 10 Value:

• Peak Sale (September 2021):  $5,000 
• Most Recent (November 2023): $1500
• Previous Year (March 2022):  $2880

PSA 9 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions(August 2023): $444

2002 Finest LeBron James Rookie #178

Card Details	XRC #178
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	October 2023
Sale Price	$ 1,620

2002 Finest Basketball LeBron James RC #178 – Market Summary

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 594
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 278
• PSA 9 (Mint): 265 and remaining fall into less.

PSA 10 Value:

• Top Sale (January 2023):  $9300
• High-Grade Value (June 2023):  $1890
• Recent (October 2023): $1620

2003 Fleer Mystique LeBron James RC #99

Card Details	#99
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	May 2023
Sale Price	$ 2,190

Market Analysis: 2003 Fleer Mystique LeBron James Rookie #99

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 238
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 90
• PSA 9 (Mint): The remaining fall into PSA 9 or less.

PSA 10 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions (May 2023): $2190

PSA 9 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions(March 2023): $840

2003 Bowman Chrome LeBron James RC #123

Card Details	#123
Grade	BGS 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	October 2023
Sale Price	$ 3,360

2003 Bowman Chrome LeBron James RC #123 – Market Analysis

Supply:

• Total Graded by Beckett: 3225
• Black Label 10:  03
• Pristine 10:  60
• Gem Mint 9.5:  1,127

BGS 10 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions (October 2023): $3360

BGS 9 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions(October 2023): $420

2003 Fleer E-X LeBron James RC #102

Card Details	#102
Grade	BGS 9.5
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	July 2023
Sale Price	$ 3,480

Market Analysis: 2003 Fleer E-X LeBron James Rookie #102

Supply:

• Total Graded by Beckett: 560
• BGS 10: 18
• Gem Mint 9.5:  182

BGS 10 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions (August 2022): $6300

BGS 9 Value:

•  PWCC Auctions: $870 to $1110

PSA 10 Value:

• October 2022: $8100
• December 2022: $4920
• November 2022: $4800

BGS 9.5 GEM MINT:

• July 2023: $2000

2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James RC #111

Card Details	#111
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	PWCC Auctions
Date Sold	October 2023
Sale Price	$ 4,800

Market Analysis: 2003 Topps Chrome LeBron James Rookie #111

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 8846
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 2264
• PSA 9 (Mint): 3945 and remaining fall into less.

PSA 10 Value:

• October 2023: $4920
• November 2022: $6000
• February 2022: $8700
• June 2021: $18000

2003 Finest Lebron James RC #133

Card Details	#133
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	Goldin Auctions
Date Sold	January 2023
Sale Price	$ 6,150

Market Analysis: 2003 Finest LeBron James Rookie #133

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 188
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 40
• PSA 9 (Mint): 45 remaining fall into less.

PSA 10 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (March 2021): $30100

PSA 9 Value:

•  eBay: $2105

2003 SPX Lebron James Rookie Patch Auto #151

Card Details	Rookie Patch Autograph #151
Grade	BGS 9.5
Auction House	Goldin Auctions
Date Sold	July 2023
Sale Price	$ 9,300

Market Analysis: 2003 SPX LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto #151

Supply:

• Total Graded by Beckett: 458
• BGS 10 (Gem Mint): 15
• BGS 9.5 (Mint): 149 remaining fall into less.

BGS 10 Value:

• PWCC (July 2023): $9300
• January 2022: $57600

2003 SP Authentic LeBron James RC #148

Card Details	Rookie Autograph #148
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	Goldin Auctions
Date Sold	July 2023
Sale Price	$ 36,000

Market Analysis: 2003 SP Authentic LeBron James Rookie Auto #148

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 152
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 49
• PSA 9 (Mint): 43 and remaining fall into less.

PSA 10 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (August 2023): $36000
• May 2021: $96000

2003 Ultimate Collection LeBron James RC #127

Card Details	Rookie Autograph #127
Grade	PSA 10
Auction House	Goldin Auctions
Date Sold	July 2023
Sale Price	$ 52,800

Market Analysis: 2003 Ultimate Collection LeBron James Rookie Auto #127

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 54
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): 15
• PSA 9 (Mint): 16 and remaining fall into less.

PSA 10 Value:

• PWCC Auctions (May 2022): $276000

BGS 10 Black Label Sale:

• Goldin Auctions (February 2022): $660000
• March 2023: $180000

2003 Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Patch Auto #78

Card Details	Rookie Patch Autograph #78
Grade	BGS 9.5
Auction House	Goldin Auctions
Date Sold	July 2023
Sale Price	$ 912,000

Market Analysis: 2003 Exquisite Collection LeBron James Rookie Auto #78

Supply:

• Total Graded by Beckett: 104
• BGS 10 (Gem Mint): None
• BGS 9.5: 12
• BGS 9: 44 and remaining falls into less

Supply:

• Total Graded by PSA: 08
• PSA 10 (Gem Mint): None
• PSA 9 (Mint): None
• PSA 8: 04

BGS 9.5 Value:

• Goldin Auctions (October 2022): $24 00 000

Conclusion

LeBron James rookie cards are piece of basketball history that captures the beginning of the greatest careers in sports. As demand continues to rise and his legacy solidifies, these cards have proven to be both a nostalgic reminder of his early days on the court and a valuable commodity in the trading card market. With various options available—from premium graded versions to unique parallels—there’s something for every type of collector and investor.

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