1997-98
Toppsbasketball
1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball Hobby Box
What are these options?
- Retail Box
- A full box of the individual packs sold loose at big-box stores, often 24 of them. Same base set as the hobby version, with fewer or no guaranteed hits.
| Format | In USAUSD | In CanadaCAD | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Box |  |
$1,550 | ||
These are the best prices we could find for this product across the 3 retailers we follow for 1997-98 Topps Chrome, checked daily. Prices move constantly and stock sells out; always confirm on the retailer’s own page before buying.
Checking eBay for sealed boxes…
Other releases of Topps Chrome
Frequently asked
What are the key rookies in 1997-98 Topps Chrome?
Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady are the marquee rookies. Duncan's #115 is the most valuable rookie card from the set. Other notable rookies include Keith Van Horn, Ron Mercer, Chauncey Billups, Derek Anderson, and Tim Thomas.
What makes the refractors so important in this set?
Refractors pull at 1:12 packs and were the defining parallel of 1997-98 Chrome. They established the chromium refractor template that became standard across the hobby for decades. A Tracy McGrady refractor can fetch $300, while a Tim Duncan refractor runs around $120.
How many cards come in a box?
Each box contains 24 packs with 4 cards per pack, for a total of 96 cards per box.
What insert sets should I hunt for?
The main inserts are Topps 40 (1:6 packs), Season's Best (1:8 packs), and Destiny (1:12 packs). Destiny is the toughest pull with refractor versions at 1:48 packs. All inserts have refractor parallels that are significantly scarcer than the base versions.
Is this set worth opening today?
At current market prices, boxes are expensive and mostly driven by the Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady rookie demand. Unless you're specifically hunting those two rookies or high-end refractors, the value proposition is tight. Most collectors treat sealed boxes as investments rather than rip-for-value products.
How does 1997-98 Chrome compare to other basketball sets from that era?
Topps Chrome was one of the first chromium basketball products and helped establish the refractor parallel as a collecting standard. While Finest came out three years earlier, Chrome's connection to Topps' main line and the strength of the 1997 rookie class made it hugely popular and it remains one of the most sought-after basketball sets from the 1990s.
When did 1997-98 Topps Chrome come out?
It dropped January 1, 1997.
What's in a 1997-98 Topps Chrome hobby box?
24 packs per box, 4 cards per pack
Where can I buy 1997-98 Topps Chrome?
We track listings across the major North American card shops and surface the best price up top. The Buy on eBay links go through the eBay Partner Network.
1997-98 Topps Chrome Basketball
1997-98 Topps Chrome is a chromium basketball set built around the rookie class of Tim Duncan and Tracy McGrady, with refractor parallels that became the template for modern chase cards.
Inserts to watch
- Refractors 1 in 12 packs The chromium parallel that defined the set and became the template for modern refractor chases.
- Topps 40 1 in 6 packs Insert subset celebrating Topps' 40th anniversary, with refractor versions at 1:18.
- Season's Best 1 in 8 packs Highlight insert featuring standout performances, with refractor parallels at 1:24.
- Destiny 1 in 12 packs Short-print insert with refractor versions at 1:48, one of the toughest pulls in the set.
Fast facts
- Released
- January 1, 1997
- Box config
- 24 packs per box, 4 cards per pack