Juwan Howard
1996-97 Topps Chrome Base Set Refractor #137R
Card Snapshot: This 1996-97 Topps Topps Chrome (Base Set) card features Juwan Howard during his tenure with the Washington Bullets. Card number #137R. This is the coveted Refractor parallel variation.
🔄 Tap Card to Flip
| Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Player | Juwan Howard |
| Season | 1996-97 |
| Team | Washington Bullets |
| Manufacturer | Topps |
| Brand | Topps Chrome |
| Theme | Base Set |
| Variant | Refractor |
| Card Number | 137R |
| Serial / Print Run | — |
| Rookie Card | No |
| Memorabilia | No |
| Autograph | No |
📈 Market Value & Price History
Confirmed sales (eBay / PSA / Fanatics / Self-Purchase)
| Date | Grade | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-02-14 | Raw | $5.00 | eBay |
📊 Collector Insights & Card Highlights
🏆 Hobby Significance
Topps Chrome is the gold standard for modern chromium cards. Since its debut in 1996, it has become the most desired brand for rookie card parallels and high-end refractors. The Juwan Howard collection spans multiple decades of basketball history, capturing everything from the high-flying 90s to his championship years with the Miami Heat. Each card represents a unique piece of this journey.
⚒️ Card Technology
Chromium Refractor: Chromium technology revolutionized the hobby by adding a rainbow light-diffracting coating to the card surface. The specific color (Gold, Sapphire, Ruby, etc.) designates its exact scarcity tier in the set. Trading Card Manufacturing: Traditional trading card manufacturing involves multiple layers of printing and finishing. Even standard base cards from this era often featured premium UV coatings and high-quality card stock that was revolutionary at the time.
📈 Player Performance & Team
During this era, Juwan was the focal point of the Washington Wizards offense. He shared the court with prime Rod Strickland, who led the league in assists, and a young rookie named Richard Hamilton. Capital Centre Bullets Era: Formed one of the Eastern Conference's most potent young frontcourts alongside Michigan teammate Chris Webber and 7'7" center Gheorghe Mureșan, earning 1996 NBA All-Star and All-NBA Third Team honors.
🏀 NBA Era & Pop Culture
Late 90s Premium Insert Craze: Introduction of high-end parallels (PMG, Rubies, Refractors). The 1996-97 season celebrated the NBA's 50th Anniversary (noted by gold NBA logos on many cards). It also marked the arrival of the legendary 1996 Draft Class (Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Steve Nash), which drove the sports card hobby into a frenzy of innovation. 1990s Washington Bullets Era: Defined by fierce Atlantic Division rivalries, classic uniforms, and intense physical play at the Capital Centre before the franchise's transition to the modern Wizards era.
🔗 Collector Reference Profiles & History
💎 Related Chase Cards in Collection
Collector Sentiment
Collector FAQs
Why is this 1996-97 Topps Chrome Base Set Refractor card significant?
Utilizing Topps's iconic Chromium technology, the light-diffracting coating gives this card a stunning rainbow sheen under direct light.
Is this a Juwan Howard Rookie Card?
No, this card was released during the 1996-97 season, which was not Juwan Howard's debut season.