The Most Expensive Shaq Cards of All-Time

Since its inception, the Precious Metal Gems (PMG) insert has been a favorite of many modern basketball collectors. The inaugural 1997 set has become iconic in sports card collecting, with many of its cards reaching record prices.

This Shaquille O’Neal PMG shows the young Lakers star posterizing Arvydas Sabonis. It notched an impressive BGS 9 grade and sold for just shy of $40,000 in September 2022, and is the current leader in the clubhouse on the "most expensive Shaq cards ever sold" list.

We began seeing serial-numbered 1/1s for the first time in the late 90s, so these “masterpieces” have become iconic staples within the Hobby. This Shaq ‘99 Flair Showcase is a true grail for any high-end collector of The Big Diesel. Just like the PMG shown above, it last sold in 2022 during a Goldin auction.

We are willing to wager that you cannot find a more aesthetically pleasing card than this one. The bright yellow Lakers jersey fuses perfectly with the gold backdrop, and the old-school “19 OF 40” stenciled numbering is super neat. These cards are metallic and nearly 25 years old, so they just don’t earn high grades often. Seeing this in a PSA 9 holder is a real treat, and it’s a phenomenal card from one of the best sets of the 1990s.

Shaq and Kobe are likely the greatest duo in NBA history, as the two combined for three straight Finals victories in 2000-2002. In turn, the pair have become some of the most revered Lakers of all time. They also have very few dual autographs together, so that makes this stunner from National Treasures even more appealing. If you’re a lifelong Lakers fan, we doubt this is one you’d easily let go from your collection.

Here is another PMG from the late-90s, and this one features a close-up of Shaq at the rim. The backdrop from this PSA 7 copy showcases a glimpse of the Los Angeles skyline, and it’s one of the most uniquely designed cards ever. It last sold in August 2022 during a Goldin auction.

The NBA Logoman has become one of the most desired memorabilia pieces in the hobby, so this patch autograph commands both striking appeal and a big price tag. The patch is an embroidered NBA logo from a game-worn Shaq jersey, and there aren’t too many of those lying around. The 2012 Panini National Treasures set is loaded with valuable autographs, and this one would make any fan’s day if they pulled it from a box. It last sold for $26,400 in November 2022.

This is the last PMG on our list, and it features a shot of the big man duking it out against his former team, the Orlando Magic. While the 1998 PMG set doesn’t typically hold as much value as the iconic 97-98 cards, they are still passionately collected by fans and hobbyists all over the world. This PSA 8 copy is no exception to the rule, and it traded for just under $25,000 in May of 2022.

The Skybox E-X Century sets were some of the most futuristic and avant-garde sports cards ever produced. Brandishing an acetate finish and colorful design, this Shaq “Credentials” parallel is limited to just 24 copies. Because these cards are printed on a thick, clear stock, it is very easy for them to yellow over time. However, this copy has held its shine over time, and it’s worth well over $20,000 today.

Here is another Logoman patch autograph that comes from the Panini Immaculate product. Panini does a commendable job of fusing previous generations with new rookies in their high-end products. Just think: you would probably open this 2017-18 box looking for Jayson Tatum or Donovan Mitchell. Pulling this card would be a happy surprise, and it would seem to pay for the box and then some.

This is yet another elusive Logoman card, but it was pulled from a 20-year-old Topps box. The card boasts a patch from a game-worn road jersey, so Shaq donned this one while dominating the paint in enemy territory. We’re not sure if Topps knew how popular these patches would be in 2023; nonetheless, this is still a remarkable card for any collection.

Shaq and Yao Ming were two of the most dominant big men during the 2000s, and Andrew Bynum had some promising young seasons as well. While the trio may not be the most likely combo, it is one of the few times we will see a triple Logoman of three seven-foot giants. It sold just shy of $20,000 in 2022 and remains one of the most unique basketball cards we have ever highlighted.

Few modern sets have rivaled the relevancy and importance of 2012-13 Prizm Basketball. The product generated rookies of stars Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler and Kyrie Irving, all while introducing a now-iconic set design. In turn, the silver and gold Prizms have become a mainstay in card collecting. This Shaq Prizm Gold blends well with the purple and gold Lakers uniform, and it is undoubtedly one of his best modern cards.

This is O’Neal’s final Logoman card on the list, but it contains what may be his earliest game-worn logo patch to date. Shaq only played for the Magic from 1992-1996, so securing a game-used jersey from this era is no easy task. This card encapsulates an iconic piece of sports memorabilia that won’t be resurfacing very often.

At #14, we have the only Shaq rookie card on this list. The “Beam Team” insert from Topps Stadium Club was rolled out in 1992 (O’Neal’s rookie year), and it is still iconic and beloved today. The “Members Only” variant was reminiscent of Topps Tiffany parallels from the late 80s, making this card even more exclusive. This PSA 10 is one of 58 in existence, and it has sold for over $16,000 during a 2021 PWCC auction.

To round our list of most expensive Shaq cards off, we have this Jambalaya insert. This was yet another innovative byproduct of Skybox’s designs, and it’s one of the most sought-after die-cuts in all of sports cards. The black border and rounded edges make this card extremely condition sensitive, so a PSA 10 grade is nearly impossible. In fact, this is one of seven known Gem Mint 10s, and it is one of the most visually striking cards you will see.