Top 10 Most Valuable Cards: 2019 Obsidian Basketball

The 2019 release of Obsidian basketball features some of the strongest recent buys, as it not only includes the rookie class of Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, but solid second\-year inserts of guys like Luka Doncic, Jalen Brunson, and the chaseable “Electric Etch” inserts from vets like Jayson Tatum and Steph Curry. There’s something about the slick black design, intertwined with a silver diagonal shaped backdrop that has made Obsidian connect with most hobbyists.

The 2019 hobby boxes were the second year of Obsidian, but featured two autos instead of one the inaugural year of 2018. Here’s a look at the top 10 most valuable sales over the last 90 days.

Note: Sales data is based on the last 90 days of eBay Sales.

Ja Morant 2019-20 Panini Obsidian Electric Etch Green #167 /25 PSA 10 – Sold for $739 on 4/3/23

So far in his young career, Morant is the top rookie in this class, which also includes Zion Williamson, RJ Barrett, Darius Garland and Jordan Poole. He’s battled off-the-court issues this season to have the Grizzlies yet again in prime position to make a deep playoff run. The hobby anticipates this happening, as Morant’s beautiful 2019-20 Obsidian Electric Etch Green /25 rookie PSA 10 had 33 bidders in spite of his recent issues, ending at a high selling price for a non-auto.

Zion Williamson 2019-20 Panini Obsidian Auto /75 SP RC #RAZWL PSA 9 Mint – Sold for $700 3/28/23

He’s played just 29 games this season, and 114 since he joined the league four seasons ago, yet the 22-year old phenom sells in spite of teetering on the fringe of bust territory. However, his cards still sell at a high price point in anticipation of him putting it all together for a full season, or longer. He shoots 60% from the field and averages 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists per game when healthy. This slick Obsidian Rookie Auto /75 PSA 9 (one above his jersey number – 2/75) flew off the virtual shelves, being snagged for $699.99 in a buy it now format for full asking price.

Jayson Tatum 2019-20 Panini Obsidian 1/1 Galaxy Auto Electric Etch White Mojo BGS 9.5 – Sold for $610 on 4/19/23

Many think Tatum has one if not several NBA championships in his future. The Celtics are the No. 2 seed in the 2023 NBA Playoffs and have recently dominated top teams like the Bucks in the regular season, so it makes sense that this gorgeous Obsidian 1 of 1 Galaxy Auto Electric Etch White Mojo of Tatum sold for a commanding $610 even though it’s a third-year card. In BGS 9.5 Gem Mint condition and a 9 auto grade due to the signature running off of the sticker, this card has high potential to increase in value.

Zion Williamson 2019-20 Panini Obsidian Auto /75 BGS 9 MINT – Sold for $569 3/29/23

The Pelicans were back in the NBA Play-In battle in spite of Williamson basically missing an entire second season in a row, and this version of the same card above (16/75) sold just a day later in BGS 9 for only $31 less on 21 bids.

Zion Williamson 2019-20 Panini Obsidian Orange Rookie Jersey Patch Auto /25 – Sold for $562 4/1/23

Featuring a horizontal layout, Zion’s Rookie Jersey Patch Auto Orange /25 features an orange color overlay shine with a near Pelicans color match, a player-worn jersey swatch and a sticker auto – this unique card sold raw for $562 on 20 bids on April Fool’s Day, but it looks like it wasn’t a prank.

2019-20 Jalen Brunson Panini Obsidian Electric Etch White Mojo Auto 1/1 Volcanic Signature – Sold for $479 3/22/2023

Look carefully at this card, and realize that this gorgeous 1/1 auto is actually his second-year card, and not a rookie card, as he was the 33rd overall pick in 2018. He’s a sneaky play in the sports card flipping game overall, as he has helped the Knicks get their act together while averaging 24 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists, but is facing competition on his own team as guards Quentin Grimes and Immanuel Quickly have also been lighting it up while he’s been managing the injury bug.

2019-20 Stephen Curry Panini Obsidian Electric Etch Green /25 PSA 10 – Sold for $305 on 3/23/23

The GOAT three-point shooter always sells well, and this Electric Etch /25 green auto PSA 10 sold for $305 on 15 bids on March 23. The slick black design with silver/green etching in the back makes the action shot of Curry pop off the card, and it doesn’t need an auto to be desirable.

2019-20 Tyler Herro Panini Obsidian Red Electric Etch /5 PSA 10 – Sold for $260 on 3/15/023

Miami hasn’t been as dominant this season, and the hype around Tyler Herro has worn off quite a bit since being part of the Heat’s run to the NBA Finals his rookie season. However, his individual performances have only improved since then, and he’s become a legit NBA player. This /5 Red Electric Etch Rookie is a non-auto, but an amazing color match in a PSA 10 Gem Mint grade.

2019-20 Luka Doncic Panini Obsidian Tunnel Vision Electric Etch Green /25 PSA 10 – Sold for $191 on 3/22/23

This second-year Doncic is a rounded die-cut Tunnel Vision insert (kind of an appropriate name for his playing style, to be honest). The Electric Etch Green Insert /25 is a Mavs color match and an interesting snag in PSA 10.

2019-20 Charles Barkley Panini Obsidian Electric Etch Red Lightning Strike Auto /5 PSA 9 – Sold for $160 on 3/20/23

Legends like Sir Charles don’t typically move well in ultra-modern sets, unless it’s a card like this, an out of five red color match (he’s in his Rockets uniform) auto. It’s likely that a Barkley in a 76ers or Suns uniform could have sold for more, since he didn’t exactly light the world on fire at the end of his career in Houston, but as a living legend still in the media and one of the best players of all time, it’s a great card.

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Paul Hickey is a regular contributor to Sports Card Investor, the creator of the Sports Card Investment Report at NoOffseason.com, and the host of the Sports Card Strategy Show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. He can be found on Instagram at @sportscardstrategy and on Twitter @nooffseasoncard.