Kobe Bryant Zuperman Card (1997-98 Skybox Z-Force #195): Value, Prices & Complete Collector’s Guide
A Kobe Bryant Zuperman card can sell for about $10, or for nearly $10,000. The gap comes down to two things: the grade, and whether you own the regular card or its numbered Rave version. Raw copies sold for roughly $10 to $38 in early September 2026, while a numbered Rave copy in PSA 9 sold for $9,988 in August 2026.
This guide explains what the card is, what it is worth by grade, how rare it really is, and whether grading makes sense. It also covers how to buy and sell without getting burned.
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Quick answer: A raw Kobe Bryant Zuperman card (1997-98 Skybox Z-Force #195) sells for about $10 to $38 in September 2026. A PSA 9 has a guide value near $156, and a PSA 10 sits near $680. The numbered Rave parallel (/399) is a different card worth hundreds to thousands.
Key takeaways
- It is a second-year card, not a rookie card.
- Grade drives price: PSA 10 is worth about 4x a PSA 9.
- PSA 10 prices more than doubled between fall 2025 and summer 2026.
- Compare sold prices, not asking prices.
- Only send in a card with sharp corners, clean surfaces and good centering.
Top 1 Kobe Bryant Zuperman Card
- 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force #195 Kobe Bryant PSA 9 Graded Card NBA Zupermen Z-Force – Unsigned Basketball Cards
1. 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force #195 Kobe Bryant PSA 9 Graded Card NBA Zupermen Z-Force – Unsigned Basketball Cards
#Paid Links
This 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force #195 Kobe Bryant Zuperman card is a PSA 9 graded piece from the iconic Zupermen ZForce insert set, capturing Kobe Bryant during his early days with the Los Angeles Lakers.
As a rookie-era release, this card holds strong appeal among collectors who follow the basketball card market and track Kobe Bryant card values over time.
The card has been professionally authenticated and graded by PSA, confirming its excellent condition and giving buyers confidence in its quality.
It is unsigned, meaning no autograph or hologram is included, and it falls under the unsigned basketball cards category.
Priced at $490.99, this Kobe Bryant Zuperman card represents a piece of Lakers memorabilia that fits well into any serious basketball card collection.
Image Credit: amazon.com
Key Features
- PSA 9 graded rating for excellent condition
- From the 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force Zupermen ZForce set, card #195
- Features Kobe Bryant during his rookie years with the Los Angeles Lakers
- Unsigned basketball card, no autograph or hologram included
- Authenticity and grading provided by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA)
- Manufactured and sold through Sports Memorabilia
- Item weight of 1 pound, suitable for safe handling and display
- Falls under the NBA and Los Angeles Lakers memorabilia category
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| PSA 9 grading ensures excellent, verified condition | Priced higher than ungraded or lower-grade cards |
| Features Kobe Bryant in his early Lakers career | No autograph included, which may not suit signature collectors |
| Part of a recognized Zupermen ZForce insert set | Availability may be limited due to its rookie-era status |
| Backed by trusted PSA authentication |
My Opinion
I lean toward this Kobe Bryant Zuperman card because it combines strong grading, historical significance, and genuine Lakers memorabilia value in one package.
The PSA 9 rating stands out to me since it reflects a level of care and preservation that many older basketball cards simply don’t have.
I also appreciate that it comes from the Zupermen ZForce set, which gives it a distinct identity within the broader world of Kobe Bryant card values and rookie-era releases.
For anyone building a basketball card collection with an eye on long-term value, a graded card like this feels like a smart addition rather than just a nostalgic purchase.
What is the Kobe Bryant Zuperman card?
The Kobe Bryant Zuperman card is card #195 in the 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force basketball set. It belongs to the Zupermen subset in Series 2 and shows Kobe in his second NBA season with the Lakers. It is a base-set card, not an insert. It also exists as numbered Rave and Super Rave parallels.
The full set has 210 base cards, with Rave parallels numbered to 399 and Super Rave parallels numbered to 50. Series One covers cards 1 to 110 and Series Two covers 111 to 210. The 1997-98 design is borderless, with bright swirling colors and back-of-card text written in SkyBox’s storytelling style.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Set | 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force |
| Card number | #195 |
| Subset | Zupermen (Series 2) |
| Base set size | 210 cards |
| Parallels | Rave (/399), Super Rave (/50) |
| Kobe’s other base card in the set | #88 (Series 1) |
| Rookie card? | No, second-year card |
| Print run of base #195 | Not published (I found no reliable figure) |
Zuperman or Zupermen?
The subset is called Zupermen, but most buyers and sellers write “Zuperman.” Search both. Some sellers even mistype it, and one eBay listing spelled it “Zippermen.” Searching odd spellings can surface listings other buyers miss.
Is it a Kobe Bryant rookie card?
No. Kobe was picked 13th in the 1996 draft, so his rookie season was 1996-97. This 1997-98 card is his second-year card. Cardboard Connection’s guide to the 1996-97 Z-Force set lists Kobe among that set’s top rookies. If a listing calls #195 a rookie, treat that as a red flag about the seller’s care.
Which Kobe card is which?
Kobe has two base cards in this set. The Series One card is #88, and the Zupermen card is #195. Don’t mix their prices when checking comps.
Kobe Bryant Zuperman card value in 2026
The card’s value depends mostly on grade. Here is where the market stood in mid-September 2026.
| Grade | Guide value | Recent sold range | Sales pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw (ungraded) | $20.62 | $10 to $37.76 (Sept 2026) | about 2 per day |
| PSA 7 | $29.33 | $26.50 to $48 (Jun to Aug 2026) | about 1 per month |
| PSA 8 | $69.00 | $22.50 to $101 (Jun to Sept 2026) | about 2 per week |
| PSA 9 | $156.33 | $74.50 to $250 (Jul to Sept 2026) | about 1 per day |
| PSA 10 | $678.70 | $630 to $760 (Jun to Aug 2026) | about 2 per month |
Notes: the guide’s “Grade 9” tab blends several graders, so PSA-only sales are shown in the range column. Best-offer sales use the accepted price.
Raw card price
An ungraded copy is cheap. Most sold between $10 and $25 in September 2026. A clean, sharp-looking raw card is the most affordable way to own a Kobe Zupermen.
PSA 10 price and trend
A PSA 10 has climbed fast. PSA’s own data shows a PSA 10 selling for $295 at auction in September 2025. SportsCardsPro recorded PSA 10 sales between $630 and $760 in June through August 2026.
| Period | Recorded PSA 10 sold prices |
|---|---|
| Sept to Nov 2025 | about $285 to $360 |
| Dec 2025 | about $360 to $382 |
| Feb 2026 | about $315 to $395 |
| Mar to Apr 2026 | about $365 to $494 |
| Jun 2026 | about $630 |
| Jul 2026 | about $708 to $725 |
| Aug 2026 | about $630 to $760 |
I could not find one documented cause for the jump. Because the PSA 10 market is thin (roughly two sales a month), a few buyers can move the average.
Designer note: turn this table into a simple line chart, September 2025 to September 2026.
PSA 9, 8 and 7
PSA 9 is the “sweet spot” for many buyers. It looks nearly perfect and costs a fraction of a PSA 10. Prices ranged widely, from about $75 to $250 in recent sales, so patience pays. PSA 8 and PSA 7 sit much lower, and PSA 7 sold near $27 to $48.
Asking price vs sold price
Always check sold listings. SportsMemorabilia.com lists a PSA 9 at $490.99. Recent PSA 9 sales were far lower, roughly $75 to $250. A high asking price does not mean the card is worth it.
How rare is the Kobe Zuperman card?
The base card is not rare, but a PSA 10 is scarce. PSA lists 150 copies in PSA 10, 683 in PSA 9 and 491 in PSA 8, out of roughly 1,720 graded cards.
| PSA grade | Population | Share of graded copies |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 150 | about 8.7% |
| 9 | 683 | about 39.7% |
| 8 | 491 | about 28.5% |
| 7 | 170 | about 9.9% |
Two cautions. First, pop reports change as cards get graded, so check the live count at psacard.com/pop. Second, thousands of raw copies exist, so the card is common overall.
Rave and Super Rave versions
The Rave is a separate, far scarcer card. The Rave has silver foil lettering and is numbered to 399, while the Super Rave uses gold and copper sparkle lettering and is numbered to 50. Rave cards carry a stamped serial number, and listings show numbers like “349/399.”
| Version | Recent examples |
|---|---|
| Rave, ungraded | $700 and $850 (June 2026); $1,500 accepted offer on a listing asking $2,998.97 (July 2026) |
| Rave, PSA 7 | $1,500 (Nov 2025) |
| Rave, grade 8 | $1,289 (SGC 8) and $1,749.99 (BGS 8), Feb 2026 |
| Rave, grade 9 | $3,179.97 (BGS 9, Jan 2026); $3,900 (BGS 9, Apr 2026); $9,988 (PSA 9, Aug 2026) |
| Super Rave /50 | Copies appear at auction, including a BGS 9, but I found no reliable price guide |
Listings of “Rave” cards near $10 are likely base cards mislabeled by sellers. Don’t count on a bargain. Because sales of Rave cards are so infrequent, treat each sale as a single data point, not a price.
What drives the price
- Grade and grader: PSA grades tend to sell higher. In recent sales, SGC 9 copies sold around $44 to $110, and a BGS 9 sold near $98.
- Centering and eye appeal: two cards with the same grade can sell for different prices.
- Base vs parallel: the Rave is a different price tier entirely.
- Market timing: thin markets swing on a few sales. Some collectors watch August 24 (Kobe Bryant Day), but I found no data proving a seasonal pattern.
- Sold vs asking: trust sold comps only.
Should you grade your Zuperman card?
Grade only a clean copy. Sharp corners, clean surface, good centering. Here is a rough example using PSA’s population mix and guide values.
| Grade | Chance (pop-based) | Guide value | Weighted value |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | 8.7% | $678.70 | about $59 |
| PSA 9 | 39.7% | $156.33 | about $62 |
| PSA 8 | 28.5% | $69.00 | about $20 |
| PSA 7 or lower | about 23% | about $25 (assumed) | about $6 |
| Total | about $145 |
Subtract your all-in cost (grading fee, shipping, insurance) and selling fees. If your total costs are about $40, a clean copy could beat the roughly $21 raw value on paper. But this math is generous. Collectors mostly send in their best cards, so the chance for a random raw copy is lower than the pop report suggests. Check PSA’s current fee schedule, since it changes by service level.
Quick decision tree
- Are the corners sharp, the surface clean and the centering good? No: sell it raw.
- Yes: can you handle costs, waiting time and the risk of a 7 or 8? No: sell raw.
- Yes: grade with PSA, since it has sold best in recent data.
Pre-grading checklist
- View corners and edges under bright light (borderless cards show edge chipping quickly).
- Check the surface for scratches or print lines.
- Compare centering front and back.
- Use a soft sleeve and a rigid holder for shipping.
How to buy a Kobe Bryant Zuperman card safely
- Confirm the card: #195, Zupermen, 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force (not #88).
- Set a grade and budget: raw for a collector copy, PSA 9 for value, PSA 10 for a showpiece.
- Check sold comps: PSA Auction Prices, SportsCardsPro and eBay sold filters.
- Verify the slab: enter the cert number at psacard.com/cert and match the card photo.
- Inspect the listing: clear photos, return policy, seller history. For a Rave, confirm the serial number.
Common mistakes
- Trusting asking prices.
- Mixing up #88 and #195, or base and Rave.
- Paying PSA 10 money for a card in a cracked or unverified slab.
- Buying a “rookie” that is really a second-year card.
How to sell your card
Sell high grades on eBay or through a reputable marketplace, using sold comps to set your price. Recent PSA 10 sales often closed below the listed price through best offers, so leave room to negotiate. Use sharp photos, insured shipping and a clear description. Raw copies do fine in small lots or as inexpensive singles.
Is it a good investment?
It depends on your goals. This is educational, not financial advice.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Kobe remains one of the most collected players | Not a rookie card, so it lacks a rookie premium |
| Low entry price for raw and mid grades | PSA 10 market is thin and can swing |
| Strong recent price momentum | Sharp rises can reverse |
| Clear grade ladder | Grading costs and risk of a lower grade |
Myth vs fact
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| It is Kobe’s rookie card. | It is a second-year card. |
| All Z-Force Kobe cards are the same. | #88 (base) and #195 (Zupermen) are different cards. |
| PSA 10 is just a bit better than PSA 9. | The guide value is about 4x higher. |
| The asking price is the value. | Sold prices are the value. |
Timeline
- 1996: Kobe drafted 13th and traded to the Lakers.
- 1996-97: Rookie season.
- 1997-98: Z-Force issued; Kobe earns the first of 18 All-Star selections in 1998.
- Feb 2021: A PSA 10 sells for $1,000 through a best offer.
- Sept 2025: PSA 10 auction at $295.
- Aug 2026: PSA 10 sales of $630 to $760.
You May Also Like to Read:
- Kobe Bryant Z-Force Cards: Value, Rarity and a Collector’s Guide
- NBA Hoops Kobe Bryant Cards: Prices, Rarities, and the Full Buying Guide
FAQs
What is the Kobe Bryant Zuperman card?
It is card #195 in the 1997-98 Skybox Z-Force set. It is part of the Zupermen subset in Series 2.
Is the Kobe Zuperman card a rookie card?
No. It is Kobe’s second-year card. His rookie season was 1996-97.
How much is a Kobe Bryant Zuperman card worth?
Raw copies sell for about $10 to $38. PSA 9 guide value is around $156, and PSA 10 is around $680 (September 2026).
How much is a PSA 10 Kobe Zuperman worth?
Recent PSA 10 sales ran roughly $630 to $760 from June to August 2026.
Is the Kobe Zuperman card rare?
The base card is common overall, but a PSA 10 is scarce. PSA lists 150 in PSA 10 out of roughly 1,720 graded.
What is the Kobe Zuperman Rave card?
It is a parallel numbered to 399 with silver foil lettering. Recent sales ranged from hundreds to nearly $10,000 depending on grade.
Is it worth grading?
Only for a clean, sharp copy. The upside comes from a PSA 9 or 10, but costs and lower-grade risk are real.
What is the difference between Zuperman and Zupermen?
Zupermen is the subset name. “Zuperman” is a common shorthand. Both refer to the same card.
Where can I buy one?
Try eBay, Fanatics Collect and reputable card shops. Compare against sold listings before paying.
How do I sell it?
List it with clear photos and a price backed by sold comps. Allow room for best offers.
How can I tell if a graded copy is real?
Verify the cert number on the grader’s website and match the card and label to the photo.
Is it a good investment?
It may suit collectors who like a low entry price, but it is not a rookie card and high grades can swing. It is not financial advice.
What is the difference between Kobe #88 and #195?
#88 is the Series One base card. #195 is the Series Two Zupermen card.
How many PSA 10 copies exist?
PSA’s population lists 150 at the time I checked. Check the live count before buying.
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