Grading in the modern card collecting world is experiencing a resurgence, reminiscent of the mass production days of the Junk Wax Era, and at the center of this resurgence stands the towering figure of Victor Wembanyama. The basketball sensation has taken the grading world by storm, with the release of his rookie card shattering records and setting new standards in the hobby.
The 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base card has become a monumental figure in the grading community, boasting a staggering population count of over 24,400 PSA 10 grades. This number continues to climb, solidifying Wembanyama’s card as the highest PSA 10 population card of all time, a feat previously thought unattainable in the modern card collecting landscape.
Wembanyama’s rapid rise in the world of grading draws parallels to the frenzy surrounding Luka Dončić in previous years. When Dončić’s 2018 Prizm rookie card surpassed 20,000 PSA 10 grades, it was regarded as a groundbreaking achievement. However, Wembanyama has managed to surpass this milestone in under a year, firmly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with in the hobby.
The elite group of cards with 20,000+ PSA 10 populations now welcomes Wembanyama’s Prizm rookie card, joining the likes of 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, highlighting the rarity and desirability of such high-grade cards.
Panini’s collaboration with Monopoly to produce a special Prizm card set featuring Wembanyama further fueled the grading frenzy surrounding the young star. The Monopoly version of his rookie card has already amassed over 10,000 PSA 10 grades, adding to the overall dominance of Wembanyama’s rookie year in the collecting community.
When combining the base 2023 Prizm rookie card with its Monopoly counterpart, the numbers are truly astonishing. With over 40,000 total graded cards and a substantial gem rate, Wembanyama’s cards are making waves in the hobby. While these figures are impressive, they still fall short of the monumental dominance of Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie cards from the late ’80s, with his 1989 Upper Deck card leading the pack.
The parallels between Wembanyama’s grading phenomenon and the Junk Wax Era of the past are hard to ignore. While his cards may not be scarce, the emphasis on high grades, particularly PSA 10s, harkens back to the grading crazes of the ’90s. However, with modern production capabilities and collectors’ reliance on grading companies, the market is experiencing unprecedented submission volumes and gem rates.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether Wembanyama will surpass Griffey’s all-time records with his cards. With the pace at which his cards are being graded, there is a possibility that he could challenge the legendary numbers set by Griffey—if Panini’s production levels can sustain the demand. Wembanyama has already cemented his place in hobby folklore with his rookie card achieving feats that took other cards years to accomplish.
The meteoric rise of Wembanyama in the grading world signifies both excitement and caution for collectors. While his cards signify the increasing popularity of basketball and the global appeal of emerging stars, the sheer volume of graded cards raises concerns about long-term value, leading some to dub this era as the modern Junk Wax Era. Despite the historic nature of Wembanyama’s cards, the significance of rarity and condition will continue to be the deciding factors in determining their lasting value, as collectors navigate through this new chapter in the hobby.
