Peyton Manning Rookie Cards: Which to Buy and What They're Worth
From a $2,499.99 listing for the Bowman Chrome Refractor to an affordable Fleer Tradition rookie that recently sold raw for $4.25, here is how Peyton Manning's 1998 rookie class breaks down and which card fits your budget.
What is Peyton Manning's rookie card?
Peyton Manning's rookie cards all come from 1998, the year the Indianapolis Colts took him first overall in the draft. There is no single "the" rookie card: every major brand put out its own Manning rookie that year, so collectors choose among a dozen of them. The most chased are the Bowman Chrome #1, the Topps Chrome #165 and the Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket autograph.
- 1998 Bowman Chrome #1: the shiny chrome version of the Bowman rookie, and the card most people picture first.
- 1998 Topps Chrome #165: Topps' chrome rookie, with Refractor versions that are much scarcer.
- 1998 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket Autograph #87: his only signed rookie card, numbered to 200.
- 1998 Topps #360, Upper Deck #1 and Fleer Tradition #235: the everyday paper rookies that cost far less.
Two different 1998 Bowman cards share the number #1: the plain Bowman card and the Bowman Chrome card. Check that a listing says Chrome if you want the chrome version.
The Bowman Chrome #1: the card most people mean
The 1998 Bowman Chrome #1 is the benchmark Manning rookie. It is a chrome card, which means it has a glossy, reflective finish that shows scratches and chipped corners easily, so condition matters a lot. On October 16, 2026, an eBay listing for it was priced at $139, and an ungraded copy sold at auction for $61 on October 7 after 19 bids.
- 1998 Bowman Chrome
Bowman Chrome
The base Bowman Chrome rookie — one of the most iconic and widely-collected Manning rookies, and a high-grade favorite.
last sold $61 from $139
The Refractor version is much harder to find. It carries a rainbow-like shine and was inserted in far fewer packs, and an eBay listing for it on October 16, 2026 was priced at $2,499.99.
- 1998 Bowman Chrome
Refractor
The Bowman Chrome Refractor rookie — the premier non-autographed chrome rookie, far scarcer than the base version and a blue-chip grail.
from $2,499.99
What's realistic at different budgets
Listing prices below are single eBay listings from October 16, 2026. They can be for graded or ungraded copies, so compare the same grade before you buy.
- Under $50: the 1998 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 (listed at $40.50) and the Fleer Tradition #235 (listed at $30). A Fleer Tradition sold ungraded for $4.25 on October 9.
- $50 to $250: the Topps Finest #121 (listed at $56; an ungraded copy sold for $41 on October 4), the Leaf Rookies & Stars #233 (listed at $52), the Bowman Chrome #1 ($139) and the SP Authentic #14 ($200).
- $250 and up: the Topps Chrome #165 (listed at $365) and the Refractor versions of the Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome cards, which were listed at $6,250 and $2,499.99.
- 1998 Upper Deck
Star Rookie
The 1998 Upper Deck Star Rookie, card #1 in the set. A classic, widely collected Manning rookie; PSA 10 copies have recently sold in the $500 to $750 range.
from $40.50
The Upper Deck Star Rookie is the easiest way in
It is a true 1998 Manning rookie from a major brand and was listed at $40.50 on October 16, 2026, a small fraction of the chrome cards. It will not carry the demand of the Bowman Chrome, so buy it because you want a Manning rookie, not to flip.
About: 1998 Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 · #7 on our Peyton Manning list
- 1998 Topps Chrome
Topps Chrome
The base Topps Chrome rookie — a widely-recognized chrome rookie and a more accessible step below the refractor.
from $365
The Bowman Chrome #1 is the best all-round pick if you want the famous one
It is the chrome rookie most collectors look for first, and a listing at $139 on October 16, 2026 is well below the Refractor tier. Grade drives the price, so check recent sold prices for the exact grade before you pay.
About: 1998 Bowman Chrome #1 · #3 on our Peyton Manning list
Graded or ungraded?
Raw (ungraded) copies are cheap, but chrome cards from 1998 are easy to find with surface scratches or soft corners. Graded copies come sealed with a condition score from PSA, BGS or SGC, so you know what you are getting. The price gap between a 9 and a perfect 10 can be large, so look up recent sold prices for the exact grade rather than relying on asking prices.
For the budget cards, such as the Upper Deck and Fleer rookies, buying ungraded is usually fine. For the Chrome and Refractor cards, a graded copy is the safer buy. Our guide to PSA, BGS and SGC explains how the companies differ.
How to avoid a wrong or fake listing
- Match the card number and brand exactly: Bowman Chrome #1, Topps Chrome #165 and Upper Deck #1 are different cards from Bowman #1, Topps #360 and so on.
- For Refractors, look for the rainbow shine on the card front. If a seller's photo shows a plain chrome card with no shine, it is the base version, not the Refractor.
- For the Rookie Ticket autograph, remember it is numbered to 200 and is his only signed rookie card. Be wary of any listing that does not show the serial number.
- Buy graded for expensive cards, and check the certificate number on the PSA, BGS or SGC website.
Skip a base card priced like a Refractor
Sellers sometimes list plain base cards with a Refractor price and a vague title. Compare the exact card, number and grade against recent sales, not the seller's asking price.
Quick answers
- What is Peyton Manning's rookie card?
- His rookie cards are from 1998, when the Colts drafted him first overall. The most popular are the Bowman Chrome #1, the Topps Chrome #165 and the Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket autograph #87.
- What is Peyton Manning's most valuable rookie card?
- The one-of-one 1998 SkyBox Metal Universe Gem Masters rookie drew a $340,000 winning bid at Heritage Auctions, or $414,800 with the buyer's premium, according to Yahoo Sports. Among his standard rookies, the Topps Chrome and Bowman Chrome Refractors are the priciest.
- How much is a Peyton Manning rookie card worth?
- It depends on the card and grade. On October 16, 2026, eBay listings ranged from $30 for the Fleer Tradition rookie to $2,499.99 for the Bowman Chrome Refractor, and an ungraded Fleer Tradition sold for $4.25 on October 9.
- What is the cheapest Peyton Manning rookie card?
- The Fleer Tradition #235 and the Upper Deck Star Rookie #1 are the most affordable, listed at $30 and $40.50 on October 16, 2026.
- Is the Bowman Chrome or Topps Chrome the better Manning rookie?
- Both are widely chased. The Bowman Chrome #1 was listed at $139 and the Topps Chrome #165 at $365 on October 16, 2026, so the Bowman Chrome is the cheaper way to own a chrome Manning rookie.
Where this comes from
Prices shown come from eBay listings and refresh daily, so they may be up to a day old. Sports cards are collectibles, not investments — this guide is for research and enjoyment, not financial advice.