A Guide to LeBron James Rookie Cards

Here are LeBron James’ best rookie cards to add to your collection.

There will always be debate about whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan is the NBA’s GOAT, but everyone agrees that LeBron James rookie cards are a worthy addition to every basketball card collection. James is a 21-time All-Star, 4-time MVP Award winner, and is the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. His rookie cards are found in 2003-04 basketball card sets, the same year he won the Rookie of the Year Award. Here are the best LeBron James rookie cards to add to your collection.

The Classic LeBron James Rookie Cards

James has 62 official rookie cards, but a select few stand alone as his most recognizable rookie cards.

2003-04 Topps LeBron James #221

Of all the LeBron James rookie cards, his flagship Topps card is one of the most widely recognizable. He’s pictured in his draft day suit, holding his #23 Cleveland Cavaliers jersey. Unlike many of the base paper rookie cards we see during the ultra-modern collecting era, James’ base paper rookie card carries a high price tag. At the beginning of 2026, an ungraded copy sells for about $300. PSA 10 copies are worth about $2,500.

2003-04 Topps Chrome LeBron James #111

The card design for James’ Topps Chrome rookie card is the same as his flagship Topps card, but the photo is swapped for one showing him shooting a jump shot. Depending on the condition of the individual card, ungraded copies sell for anywhere between $750 to $2,000. PSA 10 copies are worth around $7,000.

2003-04 Bowman LeBron James #123

James has both paper and Chrome versions in 2003-04 Bowman. The photo and design are the same for both versions, the only difference being that the Chrome finish is worth a bit more than the paper one. Ungraded copies of the regular Bowman card are worth about $200, while the Chrome version is worth about $300.

Affordable Rookie Cards of LeBron James

You won’t find any LeBron James rookie cards in the dollar bin, but there are a few cards that are more affordable than the rest.

2003-04 Upper Deck Rookie Exclusives LeBron James #1

This is one of the cheapest LeBron James rookie cards you can find. He’s pictured going up for a dunk in a white Cavaliers jersey. The card has a two-toned border with “Star Rookie” on both sides of James. Ungraded copies run about $25 while a PSA 10 is worth about $400.

2003-04 Bazooka LeBron James #223 & #276

Bazooka is a low-end release from Topps. James has two rookie cards in the set, the main one being #223. It comes in two versions, one with him in a white jersey and one in a red jersey. Each card has mini and gold variations. #276 shows James with Bazooka cartoon characters in the background. It also has mini and gold variations. Base and mini versions of both cards can run between $50 and $100. Gold versions are usually between $150 and $250.

2003-04 Topps Rookie Matrix LeBron James/Dwyane Wade/Chris Bosh

Although not a traditional rookie card in the sense that it highlights a single player, this is a unique rookie card that doesn’t break the bank. This card is actually comprised of three mini cards featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. They are perforated but have not been taken apart, showing Miami’s future “Big 3” as rookies. James also shares Rookie Matrix cards with other players, including Carmelo Anthony. You can usually find this card for around $50 if ungraded, and graded copies are also pretty affordable.

2003-04 Fleer Tradition LeBron James #261

This card is on the higher end of affordable LeBron James rookie cards. It’s a portrait shot of James in a red jersey holding a basketball. The rookie subset is a bit rarer than the veteran one, going in one of every three packs. Ungraded copies run about $100. If you like the card design and want a rarer chase, there’s a Draft Day Rookie copy limited to 375 copies.

High-End LeBron James Rookie Autographs

Everyone loves on-card rookie autographs, and James has a few that command big money. If you’re looking for a rare piece of history and have no budget, consider these cards.

2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection LeBron James #78 Rookie Patch Autograph /99

Not only is this James’ most iconic card, but it’s also one of the hobby’s most iconic cards. Upper Deck debuted the ultra-high-end Exquisite Collection in 2003-04. Each box held 5 cards and cost $500, a price tag that was unheard of at the time. The card features a multicolored patch, an on-card autograph, and is limited to 99 copies. A BGS 8.5 copy sold for $2.4 million at Goldin Auctions in 2021. There’s also an even rarer version limited to just 23 copies. A BGS 9 copy of the /23 card holds the record for James’ most expensive card ever sold – $5.2 million at PWCC in 2021.

2003-04 Ultimate Collection LeBron James #127 Autograph /250

This card also comes from the 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection debut edition. It features an on-card autograph and is limited to 250 copies. A perfectly graded BGS Black Label 10 Auto 10 copy sold for $660,000 at Goldin in 2022.

2003-04 SP Authentic LeBron James #148 Autograph /500

Although not on the level of Exquisite Collection, SP Authentic is another popular Upper Deck product. The autograph is on-card and limited to 500 copies. A PSA 10 Auto 10 copy sold for $103,200 at Goldin Auctions in 2021. An even rarer PSA 10 Auto 10 version with just 50 copies sold for $216,000 at Goldin Auctions in 2022.

Add LeBron James to Your Collection

Ready to add one of the best basketball players of all time to your collection? Check out the AA Mint Cards online store for LeBron James rookie cards and more!