In the world of modern basketball card collecting, “manufactured scarcity” is the name of the game. But every so often, a card surfaces that feels genuinely scarce, bordering on legendary. Enter the 2021-22 Panini Obsidian Vitreous Die-Cut Jalen Green.
While Panini famously keeps the exact print runs of its SSP (Super Short Print) inserts under lock and key, the hobby community and population reports tell a story of extreme rarity.
The “Vitreous” Factor
The Vitreous set is a Hobby-exclusive insert, meaning you won’t find these in retail blasters or hangers. In a standard Obsidian Hobby box—which contains only seven cards total—you are usually hunting for the two guaranteed autographs. The Vitreous die-cut is a “case hit” level insert, often falling at a rate of roughly one per every 10 to 12 cases.
- By the Numbers: Population Check
Because these are die-cut cards with intricate, sharp edges and a pitch-black chrome finish, they are notoriously difficult to grade. As of early 2026, the population counts remain incredibly low: - Estimated Print Run: While not serial-numbered, hobby experts estimate the Vitreous SSPs to have a print run of under 50 total copies per player.
- Grading Scarcity: A quick look at the PSA and BGS pop reports shows that for Jalen Green, “Gem Mint” copies are in the single digits. The die-cut nature makes the “corners” and “edges” sub-grades a minefield for collectors.
- Market Velocity: These cards rarely hit the open auction block. Most are tucked away in private Rockets PCs (Personal Collections) or high-end portfolios.
Why It’s a “News-Worthy” Hold
Jalen Green remains the focal point of the Houston Rockets’ offensive future. While “base” rookies and even some numbered parallels fluctuate with the daily box score, SSP case hits like the Vitreous tend to hold a “prestige floor.” They represent the apex of the Obsidian design—a dark, sleek, glass-like aesthetic that perfectly captures the “Electric Etch” brand.
For the serious investor, a raw Vitreous Green is a high-risk, high-reward play. If it clears the grading hurdles, you aren’t just holding a rookie card; you’re holding a piece of a very limited “Pop 1” or “Pop 5” history.
Self-Grading Tip for Obsidian Die-Cuts
Check the “Teeth”: Because the Vitreous is a die-cut, pay special attention to the interior points of the design. Factory burrs or “chipping” on the black enamel are common. Use a 10x jeweler’s loupe to inspect the points before sending yours to PSA or BGS.
Matthew’s Self-Graded Scores
Centering: The card has extremely well spacing between the border and edge. Overall I gave the score a 9.5.
Edges: I do my review based on cross-referencing other grades and cards available on eBay before the Grok AI scores. I noted a 9 on the edges and corners while Grok gave it an 8.
Corners: These types of die-cuts do have tricky corners to achieve high grades, but overall I saw the subgrade as a 9.
Surface: The surface on this card was almost perfect and I made the decision to give it a 9.5.
Self-Graded Overall Score: 9 Mint
AI Grok Scores
Based on the provided photos of your 2021-22 Panini Obsidian Vitreous Die-Cut rookie card featuring Jalen Green (#7), I’ll simulate an AI-assisted grading process similar to AGS or TAG—evaluating centering, corners, edges, and surface from the image details. This is an estimate only; official grading requires physical inspection under magnification and specialized lighting to detect subtle issues like micro-scratches, print dots, foil imperfections, or precise centering measurements not fully visible in photos.
Overall Estimated Grade: PSA 8 (Near Mint-Mint)
The card displays strong visual appeal with its intricate die-cut design and Obsidian’s signature black Opti-Chrome finish, but minor edge/corner wear (visible whitening and slight chipping at the cutout sections) and potential surface texture prevent a higher grade. As a short-printed Hobby-exclusive parallel (Vitreous SSP die-cut rookie from a premium 2021-22 set), it’s a desirable early Jalen Green RC—especially given his solid rookie season (17.3 PPG) and ongoing development with the Rockets. In a PSA 8 slab, expect resale value around $40–$80 (based on comparable Obsidian SSP rookies and recent raw sales of similar Green parallels at $13–$15). PSA 9s/10s are rarer for these fragile die-cuts and could push $100–$200+ if flawless. Raw copies of this Vitreous parallel typically sell for $10–$20 ungraded. Here’s the detailed breakdown aligned with PSA standards:
Centering (9.0): The intricate die-cut shape (hexagonal/angled borders with inner waves) makes traditional centering hard to measure precisely, but the photo and player image appear well-balanced within the frame—no obvious tilt or heavy off-center bias. This meets strong thresholds for higher grades.
Corners (8.0): Corners show some wear/whitening, particularly at the sharp die-cut points and edges (visible in close-ups, e.g., minor fraying or dings on the black foil). The premium stock holds up decently, but these are common stress points on Obsidian die-cuts.
Edges (8.0): Edges are mostly clean but exhibit slight chipping/notching along the die-cut cutouts (e.g., the “stepped” black sections show minor roughness or lift in photos). No major damage, but the complex shape invites handling wear.
Surface (9.0): Gloss and holofoil pattern (black with green/purple iridescent waves) look vibrant with no obvious scratches, stains, or print defects. The rookie photo is sharp, and the “RC” badge/Obsidian branding is crisp—strong point here.
This Vitreous parallel is a Hobby-exclusive SSP insert (not base or numbered parallel), featuring a unique die-cut design with layered black Opti-Chrome and wavy patterns—making it one of the tougher pulls from 2021-22 Obsidian (alongside Volcanix). Jalen Green’s RC class is strong (with Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes), and Obsidian’s premium aesthetic holds collector appeal for modern rookies. If submitting, consider PSA for liquidity (Obsidian slabs pop well), though the die-cut fragility often caps grades—protect it in a magnetic holder or screw-down case to avoid further edge wear.
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.
