The Ultimate Peyton Manning Football Card Guide
Summary & Career Highlights
Rookie Year: 1998-99
Iconic Rookie Card: 1998-99 Topps Chrome #165
Highest Public Sale: 1998 Metal Universe #189 Precious Metal Gems /50 for $100k in August 2024 on Fanatics Vault
Similar Career Players: Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Matt Ryan, Dan Marino, Russell Wilson, Ben Roethlisberger
Players with Similar Cards to Check Out: Tom Brady, Randy Moss, Charles Woodson, Ryan Leaf, Brett Favre
Career Highlights
Hall of Fame
2x Super Bowl Champion (2006, 2015)
Super Bowl MVP (2006)
MVP (2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013)
2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2004, 2013)
7x First Team All Pro
3x Second Team All Pro
14x Pro Bowl Selections
NFL 2000's All-Decade Team
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Iconic Cards
Icon Key
Prospective Card Cost:
💰 - Under $250
💰💰- Under $1,000
💰💰💰- Under $5,000
💰💰💰💰- Under $15,000
💰💰💰💰💰- Over $15,000
Rarity:
💎 - Common & High Serial Number
💎💎- Serial Numbered or Pop Under 200
💎💎💎 - Serial Numbered or Pop Under 100
💎💎💎💎 - Serial Number or Pop Under 50
💎💎💎💎💎 - Does this card even exist? Serial Number or Pop under 10
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1998-99 Bowman Chrome
#1 Refractor
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Bowman Chrome has a rich legacy, and the 1998-99 set stands out as one of the most memorable releases of the '90s. The 220-card checklist includes five different parallels, each appealing to a different type of collector. The base and interstate refractors, which are non-numbered, provide an accessible option for collectors seeking a shiny Peyton Manning rookie. For those interested in a more elusive chase, the set also features Golden Anniversary parallels, with versions numbered to 50 and an ultra-rare Golden Anniversary Refractor numbered to just 5 copies.
1998-99 Bowman's Best
#112 Atomic Refractor /100
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Bowman's Best is like the wild, older step-sibling of Bowman Chrome—loud, bold, and unforgettable. While Peyton Manning appears prominently across the set's inserts, the standout card is his Atomic Refractor parallel, serial-numbered to 100. Bowman’s Best first introduced the Atomic Refractor in the 1996-97 release, but the 1998-99 version, featuring a cracked-ice design, has become the favorite among collectors. For those seeking a more accessible option, the set also includes a refractor parallel limited to 400 copies.
1998-99 Finest
#121 Refractor
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎
About the Card: While not as iconic as his Bowman Chrome or Topps Chrome cards, Peyton Manning’s 1998 Topps Finest offers collectors a unique Peyton rookie card. The high-quality chromium card leverages embossing around Manning to give a sense of depth and visual appeal. The 1998 Finest base cards were originally released with a protective film, often referred to as “Peel.” There were also “Non-Peel” parallels released for both the base and refractor versions. Refractors that have avoided “greening” over time are exceptionally rare and command a premium when they appear on the market.
1998-99 Flair Showcase
#3 Row 0 Legacy Collection /100
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎
About the Card: Peyton Manning’s 1998 Flair Showcase ticks many boxes for collectors: rookie card, significant set, multiple variations to chase, and stunning designs. The set's four-tier configuration (Rows 0, 1, 2, and 3) offers collectors a choice of unique designs. However, the standout feature is its parallels. The Legacy Collection parallels, limited to just 100 copies, and the 1-of-1 Masterpieces bring an added level of rarity to these already exquisite cards. One important caution: watch out for backdoor copies. The easiest way to verify authenticity is to check for the player’s name in blue foil on the back of the card—a key distinguishing feature of legitimate copies.
1998-99 Fleer Brilliants
#120 24KT Gold /24
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Few one-and-done sets have achieved the lasting legacy of 1998-99 Fleer Brilliants and its iconic 24KT Gold parallel. Widely regarded as one of the finest examples of a gold refractor from the 1990s, this card's allure is amplified by its extreme scarcity, with only 24 serial-numbered copies in existence. Public sales are rare, often occurring only once every few years, as most of Peyton Manning’s copies are securely held in private collections. As a Peyton Manning rookie card, it ranks among the most coveted cards in his entire catalog.
1998-99 Metal Universe
#189 Precious Metal Gems /50
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Peyton Manning’s 1998-99 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems (PMG) /50 card holds the record for the highest public sale of any Peyton Manning card and the highest football card sale from the set. While this marked the second year of the Precious Metal Gems parallel, it was the first PMG issued for Manning. The all-foil “Scope” design gained cult-like popularity among collectors in the late '90s, celebrated for its unique look, scarcity, and nostalgic appeal. As with all rookies in the set, Manning is shown in his college uniform, adding to its charm. The 1998-99 Metal Universe set is also home to Manning’s Gem Masters 1-of-1 parallel, widely regarded as one of the finest cards in his catalog.
1998-99 Playoff Contenders
#87 Rookie Ticket Auto /200
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎
About the Card: Peyton Manning’s 1998 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket autograph is his most expensive and sought-after pack-issued rookie autograph. Rookie Ticket autographs were not individually numbered, but the card manufacturer, Playoff, announced print runs of 200, 300, 400, or 500 copies depending on the player. Only two players were short printed to 200 copies: Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, the two most highly-touted quarterbacks of the 1998 draft, with Leaf now infamous for his career struggles. While the card itself is not considered rare, copies with streak-free autographs are scarce and command a significant premium.
1998-99 Skybox E-X2001
#54 Essential Credentials Future /7
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Peyton Manning’s 1998 E-X 2001 Essential Credentials Future /7 holds the record for the most expensive Peyton Manning sale, transacting privately in July 2024 for $125,000. This card epitomizes the bold and innovative designs of the 1990s. Its design combines acetate card stock, silver foil, and layered depth to create a visually stunning masterpiece The card also introduced the “Mirrored” serial numbering system. The “Essential Credentials Now” cards were numbered to a player’s position in the base checklist (e.g., /54 for Peyton), while the “Essential Credentials Future” cards were numbered based on their distance from the bottom of the checklist (e.g., /7 for Peyton).
1998-99 Skybox Premium
#231 Star Rubies /50
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎
About the Card: The 1998 Skybox Premium design was shared across its football, basketball, and baseball releases and remains one of the most recognizable sets of the late 90s. While the iconic Star Rubies parallel was limited to 50 copies in basketball and baseball, the football version was even rarer, with just 35 copies produced. Manning was also featured in the iconic 'Intimidation Nation' insert set, a favorite among collectors seeking a more affordable alternative to Star Rubies.
1998-99 SP Authentic
#14 Future Watch /2000
Prospective Card Cost: 💰-💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: All SP Authentic rookie cards carry the 'Future Watch' designation. First introduced in 1997, the Future Watch tag has been a staple of SP Authentic football, baseball, basketball, and hockey releases. Numbered to 2,000 copies, Peyton’s Future Watch rookie card is already scarce. Its foil design makes it prone to chipping, making well-preserved copies even harder to find. For collectors seeking an even rarer option, there’s a die-cut version limited to 500 copies.
1998-99 SPx Finite
#351 Finite Spectrum /25
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: SPx Finite football debuted in 1998 as a premium extension of the SPx brand. Released in two series, the 370-card set featured multiple subsets corresponding to the rarity of its two parallels: Radiance and Spectrum. Peyton had one card in Series 1 and three cards in Series 2. Each is collectable in their own right, but the rarest was card #351 in the "Sixth Sense" subset. His Radiance parallel was numbered to 900, while the Spectrum parallel was limited to just 25 copies.
1998-99 Topps Chrome
#165 Refractor
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰-💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎
About the Card: Peyton Manning’s 1998 Topps Chrome card is his most recognizable rookie. The clean gold borders frame a young Manning mid-dropback, creating the illusion of him floating backward—funky, yet unforgettable. The 1998 Topps Chrome set featured just one parallel: an unnumbered refractor. Don’t be fooled by the lack of numbering; these refractors are rare and even harder to find in good condition, free of greening—a discoloration issue common to cards from the era.
2002-03 Finest
#1 Gold Refractor /25
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: Manning was featured in every Topps Finest release from 1998 to 2015. So what makes 2002 stand out? The 2002 Finest release is notable for containing some of Manning’s rarest early Finest cards. The set included three parallels: a Refractor numbered to 250, a Gold Refractor numbered to 25, and an X-Fractor numbered to 20. Its collectability is further elevated as it marks the first Finest appearance of Tom Brady.
2012-13 Prizm
#60 Gold Prizm /10
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: When 2012 Prizm was released, the brand's success was far from guaranteed. It took years before any Panini products were embraced at the same level as Topps Chrome or Finest. By 2018, Topps Chrome and Finest had begun to feel like relics of the past, while Prizm had firmly captured collectors’ adoration. As the inaugural release, the 2012 Prizm set—and Manning's card, in particular—remain highly significant for collectors of the modern and ultra-modern eras. The Gold Prizm /10, the rarest of the three parallels introduced that year, stands out as a key piece of this groundbreaking product and a cornerstone of the Prizm brand’s legacy.
2013-14 Select
#38 Gold Prizm /10
Prospective Card Cost: 💰💰💰-💰💰💰💰
Rarity: 💎💎💎💎💎
About the Card: In their second year with the (then) non-exclusive license, Panini introduced Select football to expand their product lineup. Before the era of countless parallels, levels, and product dilution, Select football featured a straightforward 250-card checklist with just four parallels: the non-numbered Silver Prizm, Prizm Green (/15), Prizm Gold (/10), and Prizm Black (1/1). The Prizm Gold, with its vibrant shine, stands out among the set’s parallels and remains a collector favorite.
A Few of My Favorites
Peyton Manning played in an era that was so favorable for collectors. He has cards at the end of the Skybox era, containing some of the greatest parallels and inserts in the hobby. His peak was during a dominant Topps run with some Upper Deck innovation thrown in. And he finished his career when Panini was coming into the market. The cards below are some of my favorite from across all three eras.
1998-99 Stadium Club
#CO9 Co-Signers Manning/Marino
Why It's a Favorite: By 1998, Dan Marino was widely regarded as a top-five quarterback of all time. Entering his 15th season, he held the all-time records for passing yards and touchdown passes and was often hailed as the greatest pure passer in NFL history. It was a big deal, then, when Topps paired Marino with rookie Peyton Manning in Stadium Club’s Co-Signers dual autograph. The hobby is full of dual autographs pairing all-time greats with prospects who never lived up to the hype. This card is not one of them—a timeless piece featuring two of the top 10 quarterbacks to ever play the game.
1998-99 Ultra
#5 Exclamation Points
Why It's a Favorite: Exclamation Points was a 15-card insert set in the 1998 Ultra Series 2 product. Alongside Canton Classics inserts, Exclamation Points were the rarest insert, with pack odds of 1 of every 288 packs. With a total graded population of just over 100 copies, this rare insert is often overlooked compared to the more iconic inserts of the era. The acetate card stock and gold accents, which use the same pattern as the 1998 Star Rubies parallel, give the design a mesmerizing feel.
1999-00 Metal Universe
#77 Precious Metal Gems /50
Why It's a Favorite: When I think of Peyton Manning, I picture him in an Indianapolis Colts uniform. While his 1998-99 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems (PMG) card continues to set new price records as a rookie card, I can’t get past the fact that he’s shown in a Tennessee Volunteers jersey. Personally, I’d prefer Peyton’s 1999-00 Metal Universe PMG. The grungy sheet metal design may not have been for everyone, but it suits Peyton perfectly. The gold foil material makes this card exceptionally condition-sensitive, making high-grade examples incredibly hard to come by.
2003-04 Ultimate
#UJSPM Game Jersey Auto /25
Why It's a Favorite: Upper Deck delivered collectors a plethora of high-end cards with the debut of Ultimate Collection in 2003. Autograph collectors had impressive checklists to chase with the 'Ultimate Signatures' and 'Dual Ultimate Signatures' sets, while memorabilia collectors pursued the 'Ultimate Game Jersey' cards. However, my favorite in the set was the 'Ultimate Game Jersey Signature' cards. The modest 6-card set, all serial-numbered to 25 copies, featured a can’t-miss lineup of NFL legends: Peyton Manning, Bart Starr, Dan Marino, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, and Michael Vick.
2008-09 Ultimate Collection
#UDI-6 Inscriptions Dual Peyton/Eli /15
Why It's a Favorite: There have been approximately 400 sets of brothers who have played in the NFL. But who’s the best? Travis and Jason Kelce? JJ and TJ Watt? Nick and Joey Bosa? While each of these duos is exceptional, no brothers have matched the success of Peyton and Eli Manning. With a combined four Super Bowl titles and 18 Pro Bowl appearances, their achievements are nearly untouchable. I had to include at least one dual autograph card of the pair on this list, and I settled on this stunning card from the 2008-09 Ultimate Collection. Serial numbered to 25 copies and inscriptions acknowledging their SuperBowl MVP's, it's an exceptional card.
Honorable Mentions
1998-99 Fleer Brilliants #9 Shining Stars Pulsar
1998-99 Leaf Rookies & Stars #66 Red Crusade /25
1998-99 Skybox Thunder #239 Super Rave /25
1998-99 Topps Gold Label #20 Class 2 Red Label /50
1998-99 Ultra #201P Platinum Medallion /100
2000-01 Leaf Certified #121 2-Star Mirror Gold /25
2002-03 Finest #1 X-Fractor /20
2004-04 Ultimate Collection #PM Game Jersey Auto /25
2005-06 Finest #120 Gold X-Fractor /10
2006-07 Finest #120 Gold X-Fractor /10
2009-10 Finest #60 Gold Pigskin Refractor /25
2010-11 Finest #10 Mosaic Refractor /10
2011-12 Finest #80 Mosaic Refractor /10
2011-12 Topps Chrome #110 Crystal Atomic Refractor /139
2012-13 Prizm #60 Pylon 1/1
Huge thanks to @carlson_cards for letting us use some pictures from his incredible collection. Make sure to check his IG profile out if you'd like to some great Peyton cards and an incredible 2013 Select Gold Run!
Have another card you think deserves an honorable mention? Let us know on IG @TheSmarterCollector!