Panini Obsidian | Web Design and Content Marketing

If the sports card market had a "power index," Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) would be sitting at the absolute summit. While collectors often flock to his 2018 rookie issues, savvy investors are currently pivoting toward his 2022-23 Obsidian parallels. eBay Iisting: https://ebay.us/m/RyfImC Why? Because the 2022-23 season was the exact moment SGA evolved from an "All-Star talent" to a "First-Team All-NBA lock," averaging over 31 points per game. This card, the Orange Electric Etch (#39), is a physical artifact of that breakout year. The Anatomy of a High-Tier Parallel The Numbering (13/50): Number 13 holds a special "unlucky for the opponent" charm, but more importantly, the /50 print run strikes the sweet spot between "rare enough to hold value" and "attainable enough to have a liquid market." The Aesthetic: Obsidian is known for its pitch-black chrome finish. When you pair that with the Orange Electric Etch, the neon-orange highlights pop against the dark background like lightning in a midnight sky—perfectly on-brand for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The "Pop" Scarcity: While 50 copies exist, finding one that hasn't suffered from the "Obsidian Scratch" is the real challenge. Matthew's Self-Grading Scores Grading an Obsidian card is notoriously difficult. The dark, high-gloss surface acts like a mirror for every microscopic flaw. Here is our internal checklist for evaluating the 13/50 SGA: 1. The "Obsidian Surface" Scrutiny Dark-bordered cards are the final boss of grading. The Check: Hold the card under a bright lamp and tilt it slowly. You are looking for "spider-web" scratches or hairline abrasions that only appear at certain angles. The Crescent Vale Rule: If you see any surface lines without a loupe, the card is likely a PSA 8 or 9. Only a pristine, "glass-smooth" surface should be submitted for a 10. This card was noted with a 9.5 subgrade. 2. Edge Chipping (The Silvering Effect) The edges of Obsidian cards are painted black. If the cutting blade at the factory was even slightly dull, you’ll see "silvering" where the underlying chrome peaks through. The Check: Run your eyes along the vertical edges. Do you see tiny white or silver specks? Pro Tip: These are common on /50 parallels. A tiny amount is often acceptable for a PSA 9, but for a 10, the edges must be a solid, unbroken black. The card received a 9.5 subgrade. 3. Centering the "Etch" Obsidians have a geometric "etched" border. The Check: Look at the thin orange lines on the left vs. the right. The Standard: Panini centering can be "top-heavy." Measure the distance from the player’s feet to the bottom edge vs. the head to the top edge. Obsidian is more forgiving on centering than Prizm, but 50/50 is still the gold standard. The centering measurements brought the score to a 8.5. 4. Corner Sharpness The corners on Obsidian cards are surprisingly sturdy due to the thicker stock, but they are prone to "blunting." The Check: Use your 10x loupe. The corner should come to a perfect point with no "mushrooming" or white fuzz. Crescent Vale Investment Verdict: SGA is the "safe harbor" of the NBA market right now. With the Thunder positioned for a deep 2026 playoff run, a PSA 10 copy of an Orange /50 parallel is a "blue chip" asset. Even a high-grade "Raw" copy is a centerpiece for any OKC collection. The subgrade came to a 9.5. Overall Self-Graded Score: 9 Mint AI Grok Scores Based on the provided photos of your 2022-23 Panini Obsidian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander card (numbered 13/50, Orange Electric Etch parallel), 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; professional grading requires physical inspection under magnification and controlled lighting to detect subtle defects (e.g., micro-scratches on the holofoil, print lines, or precise centering measurements) not fully visible in photos. Overall Estimated Grade: PSA 9 (Mint) The card looks strong overall—vibrant Orange Electric Etch parallel with excellent holofoil pop (rainbow refractor effect), sharp action shot of SGA driving, and clean eye appeal typical of Obsidian's premium black Opti-Chrome designs. Minor edge/corner whitening (visible at bottom-left and along some foil edges) and slight surface texture (possible light handling marks or foil inconsistencies) prevent a perfect 10. This is a short-printed Hobby-exclusive parallel (/50) from 2022-23 Obsidian, featuring a unique geometric holo pattern with orange accents—highly desirable for SGA collectors given his MVP-caliber rise (averaging 31+ PPG recently and leading the Thunder to contention).In a PSA 9 slab, expect resale value around $150–$300+ (based on comparable Obsidian numbered parallels for SGA—similar /50 or low-numbered Electric Etch cards often hit $200–$400 graded 9/10, with raw sales in the $80–$150 range for clean examples). PSA 10s are rarer due to the foil's fragility and can exceed $500–$800. Raw copies of this specific Orange /50 parallel typically sell for $80–$150 ungraded, depending on perceived condition. Here's the detailed breakdown aligned with PSA standards: Centering (9.5): The complex geometric holofoil design (layered triangles/hexagons with orange borders) makes traditional centering tricky, but the player image, nameplate, and Thunder logo appear well-balanced (near 50/50 horizontally/vertically) with no heavy off-center bias visible in full views. Corners (9.0): Corners are mostly sharp, but there's minor whitening/fraying at the bottom-left and slight wear along the foil edges (common on Obsidian parallels due to the layered holo stock). No major dings or rounding. Edges (9.0): Edges look smooth overall with strong foil integrity—no major chipping or notching—but subtle roughness/whitening appears along the bottom and right sides in close-ups, likely from light handling or factory cut. Surface (9.0): Holofoil pattern (orange Electric Etch refractor) is vibrant and clean with no obvious scratches, stains, or print defects. The photo is crisp, and the black/orange color pop is excellent—strong gloss retention, though minor surface texture (possible light marks or foil inconsistencies) can't be fully ruled out from angles/lighting. This Orange Electric Etch parallel is a Hobby-exclusive SSP insert (not base or numbered base parallel), part of Obsidian's premium lineup with low serial numbers and intricate foil work—highly sought after for SGA's breakout stardom (from overlooked prospect to All-NBA candidate). The set's foil-heavy cards can cap grades due to handling sensitivity, so protect it in a magnetic/screw-down holder to avoid further edge wear. If submitting, PSA or BGS would maximize resale (Obsidian slabs showcase the holo brilliantly). 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.

Self-Graded Sports Cards: 2022-23 Panini Obsidian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

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