Top 5 Most Valuable New Orleans Pelicans Basketball Cards of All Time

The New Orleans Pelicans joined the NBA as an expansion team in 2002 after previously existing as the Charlotte Hornets from 1988-2002. They rebranded as the Pelicans in 2013, but despite their relatively brief history, the team has featured several star players with highly coveted basketball cards.

Basketball card collecting has exploded in popularity in recent years. Rare cards of the NBA's biggest stars like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, and Steph Curry can sell for millions of dollars at auction. While no Pelicans cards have reached those lofty values yet, several are worth well into the thousands.

Let's count down the top 5 most expensive New Orleans Pelicans basketball cards of all-time. We'll look at key factors driving each card's value like the player, card condition, print run, and more. Prices are based on actual sales data from auction houses like PWCC Marketplace.

#5 - Anthony Davis 2013-14 Select Silver Prizm Rookie Auto PSA 10 Gem Mint

• Player: Anthony Davis
• Year: 2013-14
• Set: Select Silver Prizm
• Serial Number: Auto (#/99)
• Grade: PSA 10 Gem Mint
• Recent Sale Price: $20,100

Anthony Davis has emerged as one of the NBA's biggest superstars since entering the league as the #1 overall pick in 2012 out of Kentucky. His silver prizm rookie autograph from 2013-14 Select is extremely popular among collectors. This PSA 10 gem mint copy drew over $20k at auction.

Key factors driving value for this Anthony Davis card:

• Davis' status as an elite top-10 NBA player
• Strong rookie year, winning NBA All-Rookie First Team
• Short print autographed insert - numbered to just 99
• High grade PSA 10 example

There are very few PSA 10 Davis silver prizms out there, making this a coveted card for Pelicans collectors. With Davis just entering his prime, prices for his top rookie cards should continue rising.

#4 - Zion Williamson 2019-20 National Treasures Colossal Signature Patch Auto 1/1

• Player: Zion Williamson
• Year: 2019-20
• Set: National Treasures Colossal
• Serial Number: 1/1 (One of One)
• Grade: BGS 9.5 Gem Mint
• Recent Sale Price: $31,200

Zion Williamson captivated basketball fans with his elite athleticism and rim-rattling dunks at Duke before the Pelicans took him #1 overall in 2019. His status as one of the hobby's most exciting rookies kept demand extremely high for Zion's cards in 2019-20 products.

This National Treasures super patch auto features an incredible 5 color patch and on-card auto. As a true 1/1 with a BGS 9.5 gem mint grade, it's about as nice as a Zion rookie patch gets. Only one example exists!

Key value drivers for this card:

• Massive hype surrounding Zion's NBA debut
• True 1/1 rarity
• High-end National Treasures set + premium patch
• Strong BGS grade

If Zion can stay healthy and realize his potential as a superstar, his top rookie cards have enormous growth potential long-term. This 1/1 is about as good as it gets for collectors looking to add a centerpiece Zion to their collection.

#3 - Chris Paul 2005-06 Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Auto Jersey #/99 BGS 9

• Player: Chris Paul
• Year: 2005-06
• Set: Exquisite Collection
• Serial Number: #/99
• Grade: BGS 9 Mint
• Recent Sale Price: $33,600

Before transitioning to "Point God" and future Hall of Famer status with the LA Clippers and Phoenix Suns, Chris Paul started his career as a Hornet after being drafted 4th overall in 2005. His sublime rookie season earned him 2006 Rookie of the Year honors.

Chris Paul's rookie autographs remain in high demand among basketball card collectors. This Exquisite rookie patch auto BGS 9 example sold for over $33k. Limited to just 99 copies, it includes a nice dual color patch swatch.

Key pricing factors on this Chris Paul rookie:

• Elite HOF point guard
• Strong rookie season accolades
• Low print run serial numbered card
• Premium Exquisite brand
• Solid BGS 9 grade

Chris Paul's stellar play and high-profile career have kept interest strong in his top rookie cards like this Exquisite autograph. Investors and CP3 collectors alike are drawn to its limited availability.

#2 - Anthony Davis 2012-13 Flawless Diamond Emerald Rookie Patch Auto 1/1 BGS 9

• Player: Anthony Davis
• Year: 2012-13
• Set: Flawless Diamond
• Serial Number: 1/1
• Grade: BGS 9 Mint
• Recent Sale Price: $36,000

The 2012 NBA Draft class is shaping up as one of the best ever. Anthony Davis was the consensus #1 pick, originally entering the league with the New Orleans Hornets. His Flawless Diamond Emerald rookie card is arguably his most valuable base rookie.

This card has everything collectors covet in a 1/1 Anthony Davis rookie:

• Rare 1 of 1 print run
• Flawless Diamond premium set
• Loaded with gemstones - 1 emerald, 5 diamonds
• Multi color patch + on-card signature
• Strong overall condition BGS 9 grade

Given its unique qualities as a true 1/1 of one of basketball's biggest young stars, this Flawless Davis delivered over $36k at auction.

#1 - Zion Williamson 2019-20 National Treasures Logoman Patch Auto 1/1 BGS 9.5

• Player: Zion Williamson
• Year: 2019-20
• Set: National Treasures Logoman
• Serial Number: 1/1
• Grade: BGS 9.5 Gem Mint
• Recent Sale Price: $51,600

The undisputed most valuable Pelicans basketball card ever sold was this incredible 2019-20 National Treasures Logoman 1/1 rookie autograph of Zion Williamson. It realized an astounding $51.6k at auction in PWCC's May 2022 Premier Auction!

Here's a closer look at why this card commands such an astronomical price:

• Massive hype around Zion's rookie year
• True 1/1 with coveted NBA Logoman patch
• High-end NT set & premium patch relic
• Strong overall grade from BGS at 9.5 gem mint

This card checks every box for the ultimate Zion rookie card chase item. The logoman patch featuring an NBA logo relic propels it above all other Pelicans cards in value right now.

As Zion's career continues evolving, this card stands out as the premier pinnacle piece for his collectors and investors. Given its unparalleled rarity as a 1/1 logoman, values still have substantial room to run.

That does it for our ranking of the top 5 most valuable New Orleans Pelicans basketball cards ever sold to date. From key rookie autographs of Chris Paul, Anthony Davis, and Zion Williamson to ultra rare patch cards, these are the cream of the crop.

The Pelicans may be one of the NBA's newest franchises, but stellar drafts and player development have stocked the team with star talent primed for big things. Key cards of franchise icons like Davis and Williamson figure to only gain value over time.

Whether you're a Pelicans fan looking to collect your favorite players or an investor seeking high-end cards with growth potential, these five examples represent the most coveted options. Rookie autographs from Hall of Fame talents like Paul and future superstars such as Zion and Davis will always command respect in the hobby thanks to their unparalleled rarity and early origins.