1996-97 Upper Deck SPX #45 Gary Payton (Seattle SuperSonics) – die-cut perimeter holographic card. This is the scarce Gold version (approximately 1:7 pack odds) of the base SPX die-cut hologram set. The design features an oval holographic player photo with green border framing, gold SPx foil stamp at top, red nameplate banner with the “G” parallel indicator at bottom, and the distinctive irregular/die-cut card shape with four mounting holes. The back confirms the 1995-96 season bio and Upper Deck SPx hologram trademarks.

Crescent Vale Self-Graded Scores

Centering: The centering is excellent and received a 9.5.

Edges: The edges had slight wear on the top back edge and resulted in an 8.5.

Corners: The corners are near perfect and scored a 9.5.

Surface: The surface is near perfect and received a 9.5 subgrade.

Crescent Vale Self-Graded Overall Score: 9.5 Mint+

Grok AI Scores

This raw card presents in exceptional condition for a 1996 holographic die-cut issue. The holographic surface is bright and undisturbed, the die-cut edges/holes are factory-sharp, and there are no visible handling marks, whitening, or manufacturing defects in the provided images. These cards are notoriously difficult to grade high because the foil readily shows micro-scratches, haze, or fingerprints, and the complex perimeter die-cut is prone to edge chipping or corner wear.BGS Subgrades (with reasoning based on the attached images):Centering: 9.5/10

The oval player photo is perfectly balanced within the green border. Left/right and top/bottom alignment of the design elements (including the gold SPx stamp and red banner) is excellent. No noticeable bias.

Corners: 9.5/10

All die-cut corners and points (including the irregular card shape and areas around the four holes) are razor-sharp with no rounding, dings, fraying, or whitening. The close-up views confirm pristine factory edges.

Edges: 9.5/10

The perimeter die-cut is clean and uniform with no chipping, notching, or discoloration. The four holes are perfectly round and undamaged—original to the design, not post-production alterations. No edge wear visible even under the angled lighting in the photos.

Surface: 9.5/10

The holographic foil is brilliant and undistorted. Close-ups (bottom red banner and top gold stamp areas) show no scratches, clouding, haze, fingerprints, or print defects. The player image (jersey #20, ball, and action pose) remains crisp and vibrant. Minor holographic reflections are normal and do not indicate damage.

Grok AI Overall Grade Prediction: 9.5 Mint+

This is a premium example that would sit at the top of the population for the Gold parallel. The combination of flawless surface and pristine die-cut execution is rare for these cards.

PSA Equivalent Grade Prediction: PSA 9 (Mint) with strong potential for PSA 10 (Gem Mint)

PSA is historically stricter on holographic surfaces and die-cut tolerances than BGS. This card has no obvious disqualifiers for a 10 (no corner wear, no edge issues, no major surface flaws), but the holographic nature of 1990s SPx cards frequently caps at PSA 9. A clean submission would be a coin-flip between 9 and 10.

This is a strong candidate for a high-grade submission (BGS 9.5 or PSA 9–10). It exhibits none of the typical issues that plague 1996 SPx holograms (surface scratches, edge wear on the die-cut, or centering problems). The Gold parallel designation adds extra desirability. If submitting, I would recommend BGS for the subgrades (which highlight the card’s strengths) or PSA for the single-grade simplicity. Clean the card gently with a microfiber cloth before submission to remove any latent oils, but no major conservation is needed based on the images.

Please Note: This card is housed in a custom display slab for superior protection and presentation. While the label may include descriptive details, this is not a grade from a third-party professional service (such as PSA, BGS, or SGC). The card is being sold as Raw/Ungraded. Please review the high-resolution photos provided to make your own assessment of the card’s condition before bidding or purchasing.