1996 Finest Kobe Bryant Rookie #74 PSA 8 Lakers

Kobe. Bryant. Few players have struck fear into the hearts of opponents quite like the late Lakers legend. 

And while the card might nod to Bryant's status in 1996 as a rookie (or "Apprentice"), the Black Mamba would quickly establish a reputation for skill and mental fortitude beyond his years. 

The '96 Finest set was split into a 3-tier structure: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Due to the card's numbering (#74), Bryant's rookie was cast in Bronze, hence the card's border. This 1996 Finest Kobe Bryant #74 rookie card is professionally graded as PSA 8, NM-MT, with 676 total cards with the same grade in the PSA population report. 

1996 would be just the first year of many incredible Kobe Bryant cards, including his uber-sleek '98-'99 Fleer Ultra Platinum Medallion.