Grading in the collectibles space has seen a resurgence with Victor Wembanyama at the forefront, reminiscent of the mass-produced Junk Wax Era. Victor Wembanyama’s influence on the grading arena is undeniable, with his basketball rookie card dominating the charts and setting new records in the process.
As of PSA’s 2024 data, Victor Wembanyama accounted for six of the top 10 most graded cards of the year, but it’s one particular card that stands out among the rest. The 2023 Prizm Victor Wembanyama RC Base boasts a staggering PSA 10 population count of 24,400 and counting. This feat has officially crowned it as the highest PSA 10 population card in history, a title previously unimaginable in the modern collecting world.
Wembanyama’s rise marks a new era in card grading, reminiscent of the early Luka Dončić craze. Luka’s 2018 Prizm rookie card’s milestone of surpassing 20,000 PSA 10s was groundbreaking at the time. However, Wembanyama has shattered this record within a year, propelling his Prizm rookie card into an exclusive club alongside other high-population cards like those of Zion Williamson and Ja Morant.
The fusion of Panini and Monopoly has only fueled the frenzy surrounding Wembanyama’s cards. A special Prizm card set featuring the young basketball phenom has seen over 10,000 PSA 10s, amplifying his rookie year dominance. When combining the base Prizm rookie with its Monopoly counterpart, the numbers are astonishing, with over 40,000 total graded cards and a significant gem rate resulting in thousands of PSA 10s.
While Wembanyama’s card metrics are impressive, they fall short of the monumental figures seen during Ken Griffey Jr.’s rookie card era in the late ’80s. Griffey’s iconic 1989 Upper Deck rookie card still holds the record with 116,000 graded copies, showcasing the stark contrast between the eras in terms of production and scarcity.
The parallels between Wembanyama’s rising card counts and the Junk Wax Era are evident. While his cards may not be rare in the traditional sense, the emphasis on high-grade PSA 10s mirrors the grading frenzy of the ’90s. Yet, with modern production capabilities and the prevalent use of grading companies, the current market is witnessing submission volumes and gem rates that were unheard of in the past.
The question lingers: could Wembanyama challenge Griffey’s all-time records with the support of Panini’s production capacity? For now, his rookie card has etched its place as a hobby legend, achieving milestones in a fraction of the time it took other cards.
Wembanyama’s ascent in the grading world signifies a mix of thrill and caution for collectors. While his cards exemplify the increasing allure of basketball collectibles and rising stars globally, the surge in graded cards raises concerns about their lasting value, leading some to dub this era as the modern Junk Wax Era.
Collectors are reminded that while Wembanyama’s cards hold historic significance, rarity and condition will determine their enduring value. For now, the hobby revels in the aura of a rookie sensation who has reshaped the landscape of card grading history.
