Grading in the trading card world has resurged in a grand way, evoking memories of the mass production era known as the Junk Wax Era. At the forefront of this resurgence stands Victor Wembanyama. The basketball prodigy has taken the grading world by storm, dominating the charts with an impressive presence. PSA’s latest data for 2024 reveals that Wembanyama holds a remarkable position, with six of the top 10 most graded cards in the year attributed to him. However, one card stands out above the rest, setting a new milestone in the grading realm.
The 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base card has achieved unprecedented heights in the grading world. With a staggering population count of 24,400+ PSA 10s and still rising, this card has clinched the title of the highest PSA 10 population card in history. This feat was previously deemed unattainable in the modern hobby, making Wembanyama a true sensation in the trading card community.
Wembanyama’s remarkable rise marks the beginning of a new era in grading. Those who have witnessed the Luka Dončić frenzy will find familiarity in the rapid ascent of Wembanyama’s Prizm rookie card. Luka’s 2018 Prizm rookie card broke boundaries when its PSA 10 population surpassed 20,000, heralded as a groundbreaking achievement. Fast forward to today, and Wembanyama has shattered that record in less than a year, underscoring his monumental impact on the hobby.
Joining an elite cohort of cards with 20,000+ PSA 10 populations, the Wembanyama Prizm rookie card now stands shoulder to shoulder with iconic names like Luka Dončić, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Juan Soto. Even Fernando Tatís Jr.’s rookie card is on the cusp of entering this exclusive club, underscoring the rarefied air that Wembanyama finds himself in.
The collaboration between Panini and Monopoly has further fueled the frenzy surrounding Wembanyama’s cards. The special Prizm card set featuring another Wembanyama rookie has already garnered over 10,000 PSA 10s, solidifying his dominance in his rookie year. Combining the base 2023 Prizm rookie card with its Monopoly iteration reveals staggering numbers, with a total of over 40,000 graded cards and a gem rate exceeding 60% for PSA 10s.
Despite these impressive figures, they fall short of the legendary Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card dominance from the late ’80s. Griffey’s iconic 1989 Upper Deck rookie card still holds the all-time record with over 116,000 graded copies, showcasing the astounding scale of the vintage era compared to the modern age of grading.
For seasoned collectors, Wembanyama’s ascent might evoke memories of the bygone Junk Wax Era, characterized by excessive card production that flooded the market. While Wembanyama’s cards may not possess rarity, the emphasis on high grades, particularly PSA 10s, mirrors the grading frenzy of the ’90s, albeit with a modern twist propelled by Panini’s production capabilities and collectors’ reliance on grading companies.
Surpassing 40,000 graded cards in just a year, Wembanyama is on track to challenge Griffey’s legendary numbers, provided that Panini’s production volume sustains this momentum. The 2023 Prizm rookie card has rightfully earned its place as a hobby icon, achieving what took other cards years to accomplish in a matter of months.
Wembanyama’s meteoric rise carries both excitement and caution for collectors. While it signifies the growing popularity of basketball and the global appeal of rising stars, the influx of graded cards raises concerns about long-term value, hinting at the dawn of what some refer to as the modern Junk Wax Era. In the midst of this, collectors are reminded that rarity and condition remain pivotal factors in determining long-term value, as they revel in the historic journey of a rookie phenomenon reshaping the grading landscape.
