Stephen Curry Basketball Cards You Should Know About
Summary & Career Highlights
Rookie Year: 2009-10
Iconic Rookie Card: 2009-10 Topps #321
Highest Public Sale: 2009-10 National Treasures Autograph Jersey Platinum #206 /5 on Goldin Auctions in August 2022 for $1.1M
Similar Career Players: Ray Allen, Magic Johnson, James Harden, Jerry West, Kobe Bryant, Clyde Drexler, Dwayne Wade, Gary Payton, Chauncey Billups
Players with Similar Cards to Check Out: LeBron James, James Harden, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook
Career Highlights
4x NBA Champion (2015, 2017, 2018, 2022)
2x MVP (2014-15, 2015-16)
All-Time Leader in 3-Pt FGs
Finals MVP (2021-22)
11x All Star
10x All-NBA (4 x 1st Team, 4 x 2nd Team, 2 x 3rd Team)
2x Scoring Champ (2015-16, 2020-21)
NBA 75th Anniversary Team
Iconic Cards
Icon Key
Prospective Card Cost:
💰 - Under $250
💰💰- Under $1,000
💰💰💰- Under $5,000
💰💰💰💰- Under $15,000
💰💰💰💰💰- Over $15,000
Rarity:
💎 - Common & High Serial Number
💎💎- Serial Numbered or Pop Under 200
💎💎💎 - Serial Numbered or Pop Under 100
💎💎💎💎 - Serial Number or Pop Under 50
💎💎💎💎💎 - Does this card even exist? Serial Number or Pop under 10
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2009-10 Absolute Memorabilia
#144 Signature Materials Auto /499
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: If you're looking for a relatively affordable Stephen Curry rookie patch auto, Absolute Memorabilia is a great option. The set features Curry's Signature Materials RPA, numbered to 499, with an event-worn patch displayed in an 'NBA' window design. A sticker autograph sits at the bottom of the card. With its relatively high print run and sticker auto, this card remains significantly more affordable than some of Curry’s premium RPAs. Collectors who enjoy Absolute but are looking for rarer cards should also explore his Star Gazing insert autographs.
2009-10 Bowman '48
#106 Black /48
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Bowman '48 was one of two products Topps released during the 2009-10 season, paying tribute to the iconic 1948 Bowman set. Its throwback design featured a clean, minimalist aesthetic with a solid color background, staying true to the vintage look. Topps kept things simple with Curry’s as well, choosing to a straightforward free-throw pose while he was at Davidson. The set included three parallels: Blue numbered to /1948, black numbered to /48, and a red 1/1. Both the base card and its parallels are notoriously condition-sensitive, with gem rates in the single digits—making high-grade copies especially desirable.
2009-10 Certified
#176 Mirror Gold Jersey Auto /25
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Certified isn’t typically the first brand that comes to mind for rookie jersey or patch autos, but Stephen Curry’s 2009-10 Certified cards are an exception. His patch autographs, despite being sticker autographs, are among the most coveted in the set. The card is a part of the Freshman Fabric subset within the base checklist and was released in a variety of parallels. For collectors chasing a high-end Curry rookie rainbow, the set included Mirror Red (#/100), Blue (#/50), Gold (#/25) Emerald (#/5), and Black (1/1) parallels.
2009-10 Exquisite
#72 Autograph /225
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Stephen Curry’s rookie card from Upper Deck’s legendary Exquisite collection is highly revered for its on-card autograph and premium brand pedigree. Limited to 225 copies, the card exudes elegance, featuring Curry in his Davidson uniform (Upper Deck didn't have an NBA license in 2009). Its minimalist design—a white backdrop, small action photo, and bold blue signature—has been celebrated in countless tribute sets by Upper Deck since its debut. While it may not match the prestige of Exquisite’s early-year releases, it has cemented its place in hobby history as the final Exquisite basketball set ever produced.
2009-10 National Treasures
#206 /99
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Eight of Curry’s ten highest sales have been this card or a variation of it. The 2009-10 National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph is widely regarded as the holy grail of Stephen Curry cards. Numbered to just 99 copies, it marked Panini’s debut in the high-end basketball market, featuring a clean design and a prominent patch window showcasing an event-worn swatch. Aside from his Topps Chrome rookie, this is his most recognizable card and has cemented its place as one of the greatest basketball cards of all time.
2009-10 Panini
#SCU Next Day Signatures
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: An exceptionally rare on-card autograph, Steph Curry’s Next Day Signatures was produced immediately after the rookie photoshoot, making it the first autographed card to feature him in a Warriors uniform. The design is simple yet striking—a full-bleed photo of a young Curry posing, paired with a bold blue signature. However, what truly sets this card apart is its near-mythical scarcity. With fewer than 20 known copies and just over 10 recorded sales since its debut, it remains one of the rarest and most coveted cards in Curry’s catalog.
2009-10 Panini Crown Royale
#103 Auto /399
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: While Crown Royale might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it has a loyal following, thanks to its roots in ’90s Pacific cards. Known for its die-cut crown shape and regal gold foil accents, the brand delivers a distinct, retro charm. Curry’s rookie autograph in the set is part of the base checklist, serial-numbered to 399. And while that might seem like a higher print run compared to some of his other rookie autos, it stands out for a different reason: it has no parallels—and collectors love that it doesn’t really need any. With a design this unique, it stands apart in Curry’s rookie catalog.
2009-10 Topps Chrome
#101 Refractor /500
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Steph Curry’s 2009 Topps Chrome rookie is seen by many as the key non-auto rookie to own. The simple profile shot of Curry in a plain white tee shirt and big smile has become one of his most recognizable cards, thanks to the popularity of the Topps Chrome brand. Unlike previous years, 2009-10 Topps Chrome wasn’t a stand-alone set, but was included as inserts to 2009-10 Topps. In addition to his base chrome card, Curry had three chrome parallels: a refractor serial to 500, gold refractor numbered to 50, and a one-of-one superfractor. Important hobby note: The one-of-one superfractor has not yet surfaced publicly.
2012-13 Flawless
#23 Inscriptions /20
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Stephen Curry’s 2012-13 Flawless Inscriptions autograph is at the top of the want-list for many collectors of high-end Panini brands given it came from the inaugural year of Flawless. Numbered to just 20 copies, this card features an on-card signature, thick card stock, and tasteful silver foil accents, giving it an elegant, high-end feel. The card was also released with Ruby (#/15), Gold (#/10), Emerald (#/5), and Platinum (1/1) parallels. For those looking for more Curry on-card autographs from 2012 Flawless, he is also featured in the Signatures and Benchmarks insert autos.
2012-13 Immaculate Collection
#68 Premium Patch Auto /50
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: When Immaculate debuted in 2012-13, it needed to stand out among Panini’s high-end brands. Flawless was the ultra-premium option, and National Treasures housed the iconic 'True RPA' /99. Immaculate carved its niche by offering a Flawless-like experience at a third of the price. For collectors eyeing a Curry Immaculate card, his 2012 Premium Patch Autograph (#/50) is an excellent choice. It’s more affordable than his NT RPA or veteran Flawless autos, yet just as compelling
2012-13 Prizm
#72 Gold Prizm /10
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Continuing the run of notable 2012 Panini firsts is 2012 Prizm—a set that was once dismissed as 'just another release' but has since ascended to legendary status in the modern hobby. At the heart of this rise is the Gold Prizm, a card that has become the definitive parallel of the era. Limited to just 10 copies, this radiant gold parallel of Curry’s base card in the inaugural Prizm set is often viewed as the 'new-age' equivalent of Topps Chrome. Its appeal? Scarcity and sheer visual impact—after all, who can resist the iconic gold refractor shine?
2013-14 Innovation
#5 Kaboom
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎
About the Card: The 'Kaboom!' insert from 2013-14 Panini Innovation introduced the now-iconic comic book art style to basketball cards, with Curry’s Kaboom! standing out as one of the headliners. Featuring a dynamic cartoon illustration of Curry in action against a bold 'Kaboom!' explosion background, this case-hit insert is not serial-numbered but remains extremely rare. Despite its polarizing horizontal design, it ranks as the third most popular card in the set, trailing only Kobe and LeBron's versions. While later releases introduced gold 1/1 parallels that have surpassed it in value, this card was the one that started it all.
2015-16 Revolution
#47 Galactic
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Revolution is known for its mesmerizing designs and bold parallels, but nothing tops the rarity and aesthetics of the Galactic parallel from the set’s 2015 debut. These unnumbered case-hit parallels feature a swirling holographic foil background that shifts and flashes in different patterns depending on the viewing angle. If you’re looking for something a bit more attainable, consider Curry’s numbered parallels like Cosmic (#/100), Sunburst (#/25), and Futura (#/25), or explore other unnumbered Revolution parallels to find a design that speaks to you.
2016-17 Optic
#94 Optic Preview
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: In 2016, Panini introduced Donruss Optic, a chromium-stock counterpart to the traditional paper-based Donruss set. To build hype for its release, Panini inserted 'Optic Preview' cards into 2016 Donruss, giving collectors an early look at the new design. These super short-printed promotional cards aren’t serial-numbered, but they are rumored to be limited to around 15-20 copies. To identify one, check the back of the card—'Preview' appears next to the card number, distinguishing it from the standard base Optic set released later on in the year.
2019-20 Spectra
#12 Color Blast
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Curry’s 2019-20 Spectra Color Blast is a stunning case-hit insert, featuring a full-bleed image of Curry set against a swirling rainbow 'blast' of color. First introduced in 2019-20 Spectra, Color Blasts are highly sought-after case hits. Though their exact print run remains unknown, the total graded population hovers around 50 copies, reinforcing its scarcity. Collectors should be cautious though when considering Color Blasts from more recent releases—starting in 2021-22 Spectra, Panini dramatically increased the print run, with the total graded population ballooning to nearly 20 times that of the original release.
A Few of My Favorites
Our five favorite Curry cards span from his rookie year to some of his most recent releases, each offering a unique appeal for different types of collectors. From a rare case hit to a common yet beloved insert, a rookie autograph to a signature that tells the story of his career, there’s something for everyone.
And don’t forget to check out the honorable mentions—this list could have easily been twice or even three times as long!
2009-10 National Treasures
#5 Timeline /30
Why It's a Favorite: While Curry’s base RPA from 2009-10 National Treasures gets most of the attention, a lesser-known insert from the set offers just as much appeal. The Timeline insert features jersey swatches displayed behind patch windows, spelling out either 'Warriors' or 'Curry', depending on whether it's the Custom Team Nickname Signature or Custom Name Signature version.
Each variation is serial-numbered to just 30 copies, making it a significantly rarer alternative to his RPA. While it won't come cheap, its more affordable than his base RPA if you don’t mind a sticker autograph.
2017-18 Court Kings
#8 Blank Slate
Why It's a Favorite: The Blank Slate insert from Court Kings is celebrated for its ultra-clean, minimalist design and extremely limited print run as a case-hit. With fewer than 50 graded copies in circulation, it remains a tough find. Curry’s Blank Slate stands out with its stark white canvas, featuring only a subtle image of him and minimal text—a striking contrast to the vibrant, busy designs of most modern cards. Its simplicity is its charm, evoking the feel of a modern art piece. The back of the card designed to look like the back of a Canvas is also an excellent touch.
2019-20 Donruss
#12 Crunch Time
Why It's a Favorite: I’m a sucker for any card that finds a way to incorporate food. Arena Design’s ‘Dunk N’ Go Nuts’ and ‘That’s Jam’ from the ‘90s kicked off my obsession, and ‘Crunch Time’ has carried on the tradition in the best way possible. Modeled after a cereal box design, this playful insert debuted in 2019 Donruss. It’s not particularly rare, but the little details—like the nutrition facts on the back listing Curry’s stats—make it a fun binder addition and a perfect entry-level chase set. And if you’re the kind of collector who loves a good display, this card pairs beautifully with a championship Wheaties box in your sports cave. Just saying.
2019-20 One and One
#TM-SCY Timeless Moments Auto /25
Why It's a Favorite: Basketball cards are time capsules, capturing moments in sports and players’ legacies. While most do this implicitly, Panini’s 'Timeless Moments' insert from One and One is designed specifically to honor these iconic memories. I love the idea of collecting cards that chronicle career-defining moments, and this 2019 One and One Curry card does just that. It commemorates one of his most iconic images—posing with the Larry O’Brien Trophy after the 2018 Finals sweep of the Cavaliers. The base version (Shown here) is numbered to 25, with additional Gold (#/10), Green (#/5), and Black (1/1) parallels.
2024 Topps Now
#27SP Olympics
Why It's a Favorite: Steph Curry has won four championships, back-to-back MVPs, and—let’s be real—changed the game of basketball forever with his three-point shooting. But until 2024, one thing was missing from his resume: Olympic gold. Years of deep playoff runs left Curry with few chances to represent Team USA on the world stage. That finally changed in Paris 2024, and this Topps Now card commemorates his epic gold medal game performance against France, where he buried four threes in the final two minutes to complete a stunning comeback. The short print (SP) version is shown here, while the base version features Curry hitting his signature 'Good night' pose."