Not every hit inside a pack of cards has to be autographed to be a hit with collectors. Case in point are what’s become a fairly long-running line with the goofy name. In fact, Panini Kaboom! cards have been…well…pretty explosive in recent years.
Generally released as short printed inserts–typically about one per case–Kaboom! has its roots as a basketball insert back in 2013. The moniker sort of fits that sport, with powerful dunks eliciting that kind of response. Since then, though, Panini has taken the brand to its football, soccer and baseball lines as well.
Panini used them in a variety of brands during Kaboom’s debut in 2013-14 including Innovation, Excalibur and Crown Royale. They were met with a mixed response back then, but interest quietly grew and some of the newer collectors and investors entering the space have really embraced them.
In 2018, Kaboom! was brought to Panini’s NFL line through Absolute. Panini brought them to soccer, too. In 2021, 20 different players were part of the first Kaboom! baseball card set. The nature of the cards’ design has made Panini’s lack of an MLB licensing issues a bit less important.
The cards are little works of comic art. It’s the combination of scarcity and grade that has generated some of the highest prices for Kaboom! inserts. Rookies and iconic players have appeared on Kaboom! cards over the years. High-grade colored parallels with low serial numbers are the most sought after.
Forty-six Kaboom! inserts have sold for $13,000 or more on eBay alone over the last 12 months with other auction sites selling off some of the biggest names. A 2018-19 Giannis Antetokounmpo Green 1/1 parallel sold for $97,200 via Goldin Auctions while a Gold numbered to 10 netted $46,800. A 2020 Justin Herbert 1/1 Green rookie card went for $79,200. Kobe Bryant sales have included a 1/1 Green parallel from 2018 Prizm for $59,999 and a PSA 10 from 2013 Innovation for $22,325. Last month a Gold Tom Brady from 2021 Absolute (#9/10) went for $33,200.
We’ve created a real-time list of the most watched Panini Kaboom! cards for sale via eBay auctions below. To see all Kaboom! inserts being offered, click here.
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