Top 10 Most Valuable Sixers Basketball Cards of All Time

October 25, 2023
5
min read

The Philadelphia 76ers, known colloquially as the Sixers, are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. Having been around since 1963, they've had some of the greatest players in league history suit up for them over the years. Naturally, Sixers basketball cards of these legendary players are highly sought-after by collectors.

Let's count down the top 10 most valuable Sixers basketball cards of all time. You may just have one of these prized cards sitting in an old shoebox!

#10 - 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Charles Barkley XRC

  • This rookie card of Sixers legend Charles Barkley shows him in an iconic pose driving to the basket.
  • It's his most popular rookie card and a must-have for Sixers fans.
  • A mint copy once sold for $8,500 at auction.

Sir Charles only played with the Sixers for 8 seasons, but he left a huge imprint on the franchise. This iconic rookie card depicts the power forward doing what he did best - attacking the rim with authority. It's his flagship rookie and a very valuable card.

#9 - 1997-98 Flair Showcase Legacy Row 1 Allen Iverson

  • This early Iverson inserts remains popular with collectors.
  • It pictures him close up wearing his signature arm sleeve and cornrows.
  • Gem mint copies have sold for as much as $10,000.

Iverson, better known by his initials "A.I.," spent over a decade thrilling Sixers fans. He was known for his cultural impact and lightning-quick speed. This insert from Flair Showcase is arguably his coolest looking card. The Row 1 Legacy parallels are very condition sensitive and command big premiums when graded flawlessly.

#8 - 2012-13 National Treasures Logoman Autograph Joel Embiid 1/1

  • This card contains a sizable patch and large on-card autograph of Embiid.
  • As a 1/1, it's the only one of its kind.
  • It last sold in 2016 for $12,000.

Joel "The Process" Embiid has revitalized the Sixers franchise in recent years. While injuries have hampered him, his talent and charisma are undeniable. This National Treasures autograph is extra special, containing a piece of an Embiid game-worn jersey and his ink. With one-of-one exclusivity, it understandably commands a high price.

#7 - 1965 Topps #123 Wilt Chamberlain

  • Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain played his first 3 seasons with the Sixers.
  • He was a legend of the game who once scored 100 points in a single game.
  • A PSA 10 Gem Mint copy has an auction high of $50,000.

Wilt Chamberlain was an absolute force of nature, both in Philadelphia and elsewhere. This 1965 Topps card pictures "The Big Dipper" in his early Sixers days. It's by far his most popular vintage card. High grade copies approach six figures, especially when graded perfectly by PSA.

#6 - 2021-22 Flawless Joel Embiid Shield Auto 1/5

  • This card contains a huge patch and on-card autograph.
  • It's numbered to only 5 copies.
  • The last PSA 10 sold for $65,000 in early 2023.

Joel Embiid cards continue to be hot commodities in the modern hobby. This Shield autographed relic from 2021-22 Flawless has it all - on-card auto, game-used patch, and very limited print run. With Embiid's emergence as a genuine NBA superstar, watch for this card to keep climbing.

#5 - 2007 Exquisite Collection Dual Jerseys Allen Iverson/Kobe Bryant 4/10

  • This card contains jerseys worn by A.I. and Kobe.
  • It's serial numbered 4/10.
  • A PSA 10 copy once realized $102,000 at auction!

This card combines two NBA legends in Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant. Exquisite Collection made some truly outstanding pieces during the 2000s, like this Dual Jerseys patch card. With swatches from both players and single digit serial numbering, it's easy to see how it crossed into 6-figure territory.

#4 - 2013-14 Flawless RPA Allen Iverson Autograph 1/1

  • This card has Iverson's autograph and a piece of game-used ball.
  • As a 1/1, it's utterly unique.
  • It sold for $150,000 in a 2022 Goldin auction.

Here's the crème de la crème when it comes to Iverson cards - his one-of-a-kind RPA from 2013-14 Flawless Basketball. Featuring prime patches and a perfect, on-card autograph, it's little wonder why this card broke into the top sales of all time for modern basketball cards. As A.I.'s iconic status grows, so too will this card's value.

#3 - 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Allen Iverson BGS 10

  • This is Iverson's landmark rookie card in coveted Topps Chrome Refractor form.
  • It's graded a perfect BGS 10 pristine.
  • A 2022 auction saw it hammer for $264,000!

No Sixers card has appreciated more than Iverson's 1996-97 Topps Chrome rookie. The Refractor version might just be the most iconic basketball card of the '90s. This BGS 10 example in perfect top-to-bottom condition realized over a quarter million at auction. As one of the few gems around in this condition, it's a true modern masterpiece.

#2 - 1957 Topps #77 Bill Sharman PSA 8

  • Bill Sharman was a Hall of Famer known for his deadly jumpshot.
  • 1957 Topps basketball cards are the stuff of legends.
  • This PSA 8 copy sold for $408,000 in September 2022.

Vintage cards continue to realize incredible sale prices. This 1957 Topps basketball card of Celtics/Sixers Hall of Famer Bill Sharman is certainly no exception. Graded highly by PSA, it displays the basketball pioneer during his Philadelphia days. It hammered for over $400k at auction, proving vintage basketball cards are hot commodities.

#1 - 1969-70 Topps #1 Lew Alcindor PSA 8

  • Lew Alcindor, later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is on the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
  • He was Rookie of the Year in Philadelphia before becoming a Lakers legend.
  • This iconic rookie card sold for a bonkers $492,000 in early 2023!

Easily the most valuable Sixers card of all time is Lew Alcindor's rookie from 1969-70 Topps Basketball. Before adopting the name Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he started his NBA career with the Sixers. This #1 card of the league's all-time scoring leader is utterly iconic. In high grade, it's worth nearly half a million dollars. Talk about an amazing NBA rookie card!

And there you have it - the top 10 most valuable Sixers basketball cards of all time. From legends like Wilt, Dr. J and A.I to current stars like Embiid, Sixers cards have always been popular with collectors. If you have any vintage Sixers cards in your collection, get them graded - they could be worth a fortune!