An Important Reminder About the 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes Rookie Card
The 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes is one of the quarterback’s most popular Rookie Cards. Outside of his autographs and a couple of high-end releases, it doesn’t have many equals. This shouldn’t be a surprise given how popular Prizm has become. And with his Super Bowl win, prices have soared even higher in a hurry.
But there does seem to be some confusion surrounding the RC. It is actually a Silver Prizm. The base version of the card, along with all of the Rookie Cards in 2017 Panini Prizm Football, are done the way parallels typically are. This means that the base set has two “looks.” Veterans have the traditional darker chromium background. Rookies have the rainbow finish when held under bright light.
2017 Prizm Football Base Veteran
2017 Prizm Football Base Rookie
So when it comes to parallels, vets have Silver Prizms. For first-year players, they don’t as they’re the base cards.
It’s a switch that Panini Prizm also did in 2016. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott Prizm RCs also look like Silver Prizms. There’s a much earlier precedent as well. In 2001 Bowman Chrome Baseball, all rookies are Refractors while veterans are not.
What it comes down to is that if you’re looking at a 2017 Panini Prizm Patrick Mahomes RC (or any Prizm Football RC from 2016 or 2017), it’s a Silver Prizm. Likewise, if you’re looking for the Silver Prizm, it’s a base card and not a parallel.
As someone who has recently returned to the hobby after a long hiatus, I’ve found the whole refractor thing quite confusing at times lol….but I’m sure I’ll figure it out eventually. I really enjoy a lot of modern day additions to collecting though, like autos and numbered parallels. Makes the chase all the more fun! It’s come a long way since the eighties. :)
Good informative reminder, thank you.
I thought the reminder was actually going to be about that notorious dimple or bubble that appears next to Mahomes’ right shoulder on this card. It seems to be on a lot of them. I’d be curious to know approximately what percentage of them have that defect.
A lot of cards I see don’t have the word “prizm” printed in the upper left of card on the back. Mine does. What does that mean? I’m almost afraid to ask.
@Brian – Prizm refers to the rainbow finish on the front. Usually it indicates a parallel but for the “Silver” rookies in 2016 and 2017 (like Mahomes), the base versions are Prizms.
I’m looking at a 2017 Prizm Mahomes base RC on Ebay…i see no refractor shimmer and the back of the card does NOT say PRIZM. Is that a counterfeit? First one I’ve seen that doesn’t have the Prizm on back….
Patrick Mahomes “The Rookies” card #7. How do you know if it’s a refractor?
@David – Prizms will have a bright rainbow background when held under light. They usually say “Prizm” on the back by the card number as well.