---
title: "1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball Kobe Bryant #138 price, verified sales and population"
url: https://cardvolume.com/sports/basketball/1996-topps-chrome-kobe-bryant-138/
category: Sports cards
updated: 2026-09-28
as_of: 2026-11-11
source: CardVolume (https://cardvolume.com)
---

# 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball Kobe Bryant #138: price, verified sales and population

> The 1996-97 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant #138 is a widely searched modern basketball rookie card. Collectors search both the base Chrome card and the Refractor, but those are separate markets with different populations and sales histories.

## Key facts

- CardVolume lists 25 verified sales of the 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball Kobe Bryant #138 as of November 11, 2026.
- The Base PSA 9 market price is $4,200, the median of 5 verified sales between September 14, 2026 and September 25, 2026.
- The highest verified sale on record is $500,000 for a Refractor PSA 10 on February 3, 2021 at eBay.
- The graded market value of tracked grades (market price × graded population) is $17,787,000.

## Market price by version and grade

Market price = median of at least 5 verified sales in the last 90 days for that exact version, grader and grade. "—" means not enough verified sales.

| Version | Grade | Market price | Sales in window | Last verified sale | Record sale | Population |
|---|---|---:|---:|---|---|---:|
| Base | PSA 10 | — | 0 | $8,988 (2026-04-27) | $10,600 (2025-12-16) | 840 |
| Base | PSA 9 | $4,200 | 5 | $3,500 (2026-09-25) | $6,000 (2026-09-19) | 4,235 |
| Refractor | PSA 10 | — | 0 | $152,500 (2026-06-29) | $500,000 (2021-02-03) | 63 |
| Base | PSA 8 | — | 0 | $1,600 (2026-04-16) | $1,600 (2026-04-16) | — |
| Base | PSA 7 | — | 0 | $1,600 (2026-07-27) | $1,600 (2026-07-27) | — |
| Refractor | PSA 9 | — | 0 | $30,100 (2026-06-23) | $118,080 (2021-03-07) | 288 |
| Refractor | PSA 8 | — | 0 | $33,156 (2021-03-16) | $33,156 (2021-03-16) | — |
| Refractor | PSA 7 | — | 0 | $30,000 (2021-04-04) | $30,000 (2021-04-04) | — |

## Verified sales

Each sale was confirmed on the linked page by an automated check or an independent second pass.

| Date | Version | Grade | Price (USD) | Buyer's premium | Venue | Source |
|---|---|---|---:|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-25 | Base | PSA 9 | $3,500 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cert/01070308/psa) |
| 2026-09-21 | Base | PSA 9 | $4,200 | not stated | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cert/01070308/psa) |
| 2026-09-19 | Base | PSA 9 | $5,000 | not stated | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cert/01070308/psa) |
| 2026-09-19 | Base | PSA 9 | $6,000 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cert/01070308/psa) |
| 2026-09-14 | Base | PSA 9 | $4,080 | not stated | Fanatics Collect | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cert/01070308/psa) |
| 2026-07-27 | Base | PSA 7 | $1,600 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2026-06-29 | Refractor | PSA 10 | $152,500 | included | Goldin Auctions | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cert/21041692/psa) |
| 2026-06-29 | Base | PSA 9 | $2,650 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2026-06-23 | Refractor | PSA 9 | $30,100 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cert/27840962/psa) |
| 2026-04-27 | Base | PSA 10 | $8,988 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2026-04-16 | Base | PSA 8 | $1,600 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2026-03-30 | Base | PSA 9 | $2,659 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2026-03-02 | Base | PSA 8 | $1,341 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2026-01-26 | Base | PSA 10 | $9,780 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2025-12-17 | Base | PSA 9 | $1,496 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2025-12-16 | Base | PSA 10 | $10,600 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) |
| 2023-04-26 | Refractor | PSA 10 | $102,000 | excluded | Goldin Auctions | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2022-08-28 | Refractor | PSA 10 | $156,000 | excluded | Heritage Auctions | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2022-05-21 | Refractor | PSA 10 | $156,000 | not stated | Goldin Auctions | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2021-08-11 | Refractor | PSA 10 | $134,400 | not stated | Goldin Auctions | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2021-06-29 | Refractor | PSA 10 | $135,300 | not stated | Goldin Auctions | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2021-04-04 | Refractor | PSA 7 | $30,000 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2021-03-16 | Refractor | PSA 8 | $33,156 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2021-03-07 | Refractor | PSA 9 | $118,080 | included | Goldin Auctions | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |
| 2021-02-03 | Refractor | PSA 10 | $500,000 | excluded | eBay | [link](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) |

## How to identify each version

- **Base**: Standard 1996 Topps Chrome #138 Kobe Bryant with no Refractor finish.
- **Refractor**: Refractor parallel of the same #138 card; PSA catalogs it separately from the base Topps Chrome card.

**Identity note:** Seed identity was accurate; keep base Topps Chrome and Refractor separate, and do not merge with paper Topps #138.

## Why this card matters

PSA cert data identifies the base issue as 1996 Topps Chrome #138 Kobe Bryant, and PSA CardFacts separately catalogs the Refractor version. The card is searched because it is one of Bryant’s most recognizable rookie-year Chrome issues, with both base and Refractor demand. The Refractor’s high-grade market is materially different from the base card; PSA CardFacts shows only 63 PSA 10 Refractors compared with 840 PSA 10 base examples on the opened pages.

## Identifying the exact version

Identify whether the card is paper Topps, Topps Chrome base, or Topps Chrome Refractor before using any comp. For this page the target is Chrome #138, not paper Topps #138. PSA’s base cert page lists year 1996, brand Topps Chrome, subject Kobe Bryant, and card number 138. PSA CardFacts for the Refractor uses a separate card page and population table. That separation is the minimum standard before comparing PSA 9, PSA 10, BGS Pristine, or raw listings.

## What moves the price between versions and grades

The sourced base PSA CardFacts page shows base PSA 10 sales of $8,988 on April 27, 2026 and $9,780 on January 26, 2026, while the base PSA 9 cert page shows September 2026 PSA 9 sales between $3,499.84 and $6,000. The Refractor page shows a PSA 10 Refractor sale of $156,000 on August 28, 2022 and a PSA 10 Refractor price table entry of $102,000. Base and Refractor should not be blended.

## Authenticity checks

Compare the card to the exact Topps Chrome or Topps Chrome Refractor reference, including front finish, back text, card number, color, stock, corners, edges, and surface. Early Chrome cards can have condition issues visible only under angled light, so photos should include front, back, corners, and reflective surfaces. For slabs, match the cert, grade, label, and holder details, but do not assume a copied cert proves the item. Avoid destructive tests and never clean, recolor, trim, or press a card being represented as original.

## Common misconceptions

- **Myth:** The paper Topps Kobe #138 and Topps Chrome #138 are the same comp. **What the evidence says:** They are different products and must be priced separately under ch09 and ch03.
- **Myth:** Every Chrome #138 is a Refractor. **What the evidence says:** PSA catalogs base Chrome and Refractor on separate pages with different populations and sales histories.
- **Myth:** A high Refractor record proves the base card has the same value path. **What the evidence says:** The Refractor is a separate variant with lower graded population; ch10 warns against broad claims from one spectacular sale.

## FAQ

### How much is a PSA 10 1996 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant #138 base worth?

Opened PSA CardFacts sales show base PSA 10 sales of $8,988 on April 27, 2026 and $9,780 on January 26, 2026. [source_ids: 3]

### How much is a PSA 9 base worth?

The PSA cert page shows recent PSA 9 base sales from $3,499.84 to $6,000 in September 2026. [source_ids: 1]

### How many PSA 10 base copies exist?

PSA CardFacts showed 840 PSA 10 base copies when accessed on September 26, 2026. [source_ids: 3]

### How many PSA 10 Refractors exist?

PSA CardFacts showed 63 PSA 10 Refractors when accessed on September 26, 2026. [source_ids: 2]

### What is a sourced Refractor PSA 10 sale?

PSA CardFacts records a Refractor PSA 10 sale of $156,000 at Heritage Auctions on August 28, 2022. [source_ids: 2]

## Sources

1. [PSA Cert Verification 01070308: 1996 Topps Chrome #138 Kobe Bryant](https://www.psacard.com/cert/01070308/psa) (PSA)
2. [1996 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant Refractor #138 PSA CardFacts](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-refractor-138/5447) (PSA)
3. [1996 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant #138 PSA CardFacts](https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/basketball-cards/1996-topps-chrome/kobe-bryant-138/5446) (PSA)
4. [Goldin Auctions Posts Largest Ever Sports Memorabilia & Collectibles Auction with $45.2 Million in Sales](https://www.auctionreport.com/goldin-auctions-posts-largest-ever-sports-memorabilia-collectibles-auction-with-45-2-million-in-sales/) (Auction Report)

## How to cite

> 1996-97 Topps Chrome Basketball Kobe Bryant #138. CardVolume, https://cardvolume.com/sports/basketball/1996-topps-chrome-kobe-bryant-138/ (accessed 2026-11-11).

Machine-readable: https://cardvolume.com/api/v1/cards/sports--basketball--1996-topps-chrome-kobe-bryant-138.json · Method: https://cardvolume.com/methodology/