Panini’s National Treasures product burst onto the high-end hoops collecting scene in 2009-10, just as Upper Deck’s Exquisite Collection was wrapping up its initial era that redefined high-end sports cards. And much like 2003-04 Exquisite Collection's LeBron James rookie patches and other legendary inserts are associated with the birth of that classic UD offering, Stephen Curry’s /99 base Rookie Patch Autograph from the 2009-10 Playoff National Treasures set has become synonymous with the launch of the beloved product. The rookie card remains one of the landmark printings of 21st-century basketball collecting.
Though only a fresh-faced 21-year-old at the time, Stephen Curry helped make Panini’s push into super-premium high-end basketball cards a success. As the seventh overall selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, Curry landed among the 38 rookies in the first slate of National Treasures /99 RPAs. Featuring oversized—and often intricate—patches and hard-signed signatures, the first-year NT RPAs provided a sizzling start for what became the industry’s most coveted Rookie Patch Auto each year. This month’s Premier Auction gives you a chance to secure a foundational piece of modern basketball collecting. This NM-MT BGS 8 example stamped 41/99 flashes 9.5 subgrades for Centering and Edges, and a glorious three-color swatch of Warriors jersey reminiscent of Curry’s first forays into stardom.
Learn more about the all-time great’s most notable appearances in our Guide to Stephen Curry’s Basketball Cards: https://www.fanaticscollect.com/definitive-guides/a-guide-to-stephen-currys-basketball-cards
The certification number on this card has been checked against the third-party grader's online database and is active as of 12/10/2025.