One of the defining characteristics of Panini Prizm is its ever-growing lineup of colorful and patterned parallels. While the original 2012-13 release featured just a three parallels, the most recent release features over 27 times as many variations. This may add more intrigue for collectors when opening packs, but it can make assessing secondary market value of specific cards quite confusing. This guide will serve as a reference point to how much Prizm parallel counts and print runs have grown over the years. It will also help collectors determine the best cards to buy with their specific goals in mind.
YOY Growth in Parallels
Release Year | Number of Parallels | YOY Change (%) |
2012-13 | 3 | N/A |
2013-14 | 11 | +266.7% |
2014-15 | 17 | +54.5% |
2015-16 | 14 | -17.6% |
2016-17 | 13 | -7.1% |
2017-18 | 25 | +92.3% |
2018-19 | 36 | +44.0% |
2019-20 | 40 | +11.1% |
2020-21 | 44 | +10% |
2021-22 | 58 | +31.8% |
2022-23 | 52 | -10.3% |
2023-24 | 63 | +21.2% |
2024-25 | 82 | +30.2% |
Collector Insight: The Parallel Explosion
Increased Options, Increased Complexity: Collectors are now faced with a vast array of choices when chasing cards of their favorite players. This has led to a divergence in value between retail and hobby parallels.
Retail vs. Hobby Parallels: With the introduction of exclusive parallels for specific retail chains (e.g., Target, Walmart, Fanatics), collectors must be aware of the differences in desirability and print run.
Scarcity vs. Accessibility: Early Prizm releases had fewer parallels, making some of the older numbered versions (like Gold /10 from 2012-13) significantly more valuable due to lower supply.
Investment Tip: While ultra-rare parallels like Gold /10 and Black 1/1 remain top-tier, some high-numbered parallels have diluted the long-term value of others. Collectors should focus on lower-numbered variations for sustained demand.
In addition, the number of PSA 10-graded rookie cards has skyrocketed, reflecting both higher production numbers and an increase in grading submissions.
Silver Prizm PSA 10 Population Growth for Key Rookies
Year | Player | PSA 10 Population |
2012-13 | Anthony Davis | 34 |
2013-14 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | 86 |
2015-16 | Nikola Jokic | 180 |
2017-18 | Jayson Tatum | 914 |
2019-20 | Zion Williamson | 1,837 |
2021-22 | Cade Cunningham | 1,437 |
2023-24 | Victor Wembanyama | 4,359 |
Collector Insight: The PSA 10 Boom
Increased Print Runs: As seen in the Zion Williamson and Victor Wembanyama years, the number of PSA 10s skyrocketed. This suggests higher production volumes from Panini and increased submissions due to hobby speculation.
Supply vs. Demand: Older PSA 10 rookie cards (such as Giannis and Jokic) are more valuable because fewer exist. In contrast, ultra-modern cards like Wembanyama’s have far more PSA 10s in circulation, impacting overall resale value.
The Grading Curve: In earlier years, fewer people were grading cards. As grading services expanded and awareness grew, the number of submissions increased.
Investment Strategy: Collectors looking for long-term value should focus on:
Lower population PSA 10s from earlier Prizm sets (Giannis, Davis).
Short-print parallels rather than base/Silver PSA 10s in overproduced years (Zion, LaMelo).
Key Takeaways for Collectors
1. Print Runs Are Growing, So Be Selective
Prizm cards from 2012-15 were printed in much lower quantities compared to 2018-present.
If investing in modern Prizm, focus on numbered parallels over base or high-print retail versions.
2. PSA 10 Populations Impact Scarcity
Older rookie cards hold higher value due to their limited supply.
Modern Prizm rookies (Luka, Zion, Wembanyama) have significantly higher PSA 10 counts, making them less rare.
Consider alternatives like lower-pop autos or patch autos for differentiation.
3. The Parallel Explosion Creates Opportunities
Not all parallels hold the same value—gold, black, and color-matched versions tend to be more desirable.
Some retail-exclusive parallels may be overprinted, leading to lower long-term value.
Focus on hobby-exclusives and numbered parallels for sustained collector demand.
Final Thoughts
Panini Prizm remains a flagship product in the sports card world, but collectors need to be mindful of increasing print runs, grading trends, and parallel saturation. While base PSA 10s may have lost their exclusivity in modern years, rare parallels and earlier-year Prizms continue to provide strong long-term investment opportunities.
For serious collectors and investors, understanding these shifts will be key to navigating the evolving landscape of Prizm cards.