Product Details

1997 Topps Finest Card Overview: The 1997-98 Topps Finest Kobe Bryant Catalyst (#137) with the protective coating intact is a very collectible and sought-after card. Though it is a second-year card rather than a rookie card, the combination of the iconic 1990s Topps chromium technology, the "Catalyst" insert/uncommon parallel labeling, and an unpeeled factory protective coating makes it quite popular among vintage basketball collectors. Market Value: Ungraded copies with the peel/coating typically sell in the $100 to $180 range. High-grade authenticated versions (such as PSA 9 or PSA 10) command significantly higher prices. The Protective Coating Premium: For Topps Finest cards from this era, having the original protective peel/coating with clean edges underneath is a major plus. It guarantees that the chromium surface underneath is preserved in pristine condition, which heavily appeals to collectors who value untouched factory states.