Lamar Jackson Rookie Card Guide
With his emergence as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, the Lamar Jackson Rookie Card lineup is getting plenty of attention. While they were popular in 2018 when they first came out, it’s nothing like the meteoric rise they saw in 2019 when he was not only named Baltimore’s starter but helping them to one of the league’s top records.
Collectors have more than 30 different Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards to choose from. And that’s excluding the many inserts and parallels he also has from his freshman season. While it’s a lot, it also presents collectors with a lot of variety, both in price points and card styles.
Lamar Jackson Rookie Card Guide
Here’s a look at Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards. It includes cards with the RC tag in the Beckett database, not inserts and parallels. A full Lamar Jackson checklist is available here.
2018 Absolute Lamar Jackson RC Auto Triple Mem #167 /75
Compared to other big names in the 2018 draft class, Lamar Jackson didn’t sign as many autographs. This comes through in 2018 Absolute where the quarterback’s Rookie Card has just 75 copies. All other cards in the Rookie Premiere Materials Autographs, which have three different pieces of memorabilia, have print runs of at least 100 (most have 399).
Parallels: Spectrum (/49), Quad (/25), Quad Spectrum (/10), Five (/5), Five Spectrum (1/1)
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2018 Certified Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #203 /99
This is another instance where Lamar Jackson has a much smaller print run than his fellow 2018 rookie peers. While other cards range in numbers from 175 copies all the way up to 499, Jackson has just 99. These smaller numbers carry over to the parallels as well. Besides the small number of copies and autograph, 2018 Certified Football has one of the biggest patch pieces on a Lamar Jackson RC.
Parallels: Mirror Blue (/35), Gold Etch (/25), Mirror Gold (/15), Purple Etch (/10), Mirror Purple (/10), Green Etch (/5), Mirror Green (/5), Black Etch (1/1), Mirror Black (1/1)
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2018 Classics Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #209
An early Lamar Jackson Rookie Card, this is also one of the cheapest. 2018 Classics Football aims for a throwback look and feel — despite the fact that it’s not actually based on a past product. Because of its early release date, Jackson is listed with his college team and not Baltimore.
Parallels: Premium Edition, Red Back (/299), Blue Back (/175), Premium Edition Red Back (/175), Timeless Tributes Gold (/99), Timeless Tributes Premium Edition Gold (/65), Blank Back (/50), Green Back (/40), Premium Edition Blank Back (/35), Timeless Tributes Orange (/25), Timeless Tributes Premium Edition Orange (/15), No Name (/10), Timeless Tributes Blue (/10), Full Name (/5), Premium Edition No Name (/5), Timeless Tributes Premium Edition Blue (/5), Premium Edition Full Name (1/1), Timeless Tributes Black (1/1), Timless Tributes Premium Edition Black (1/1)
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2018 Donruss Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #317
A lot of the appeal for the 2018 Donruss Lamar Jackson Rookie Card comes from tradition. It’s not an overly expensive card, but the brand’s history and Rated Rookie designation bring with it some nostalgia for a lot of longtime collectors. The posed helmetless portrait helps it stand out as well.
Parallels: Aqueous Test, Press Proof Blue, Press Proof Bronze, Press Proof Green, Press Proof Red, Press Proof Silver (/100), Season Stat Line (/99), Press Proof Silver Die-Cut (/75), Press Proof Gold (/50), Press Proof Gold Die-Cut (/25), Press Proof Black (/10), Jersey Number (/6), Press Proof Black Die-Cut (1/1)
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2018 Donruss Optic Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #167
Although 2018 Donruss Optic is a chromium makeover of the main Donruss set, it’s not just the stock that’s different here. Jackson’s Rated Rookie Card comes with a different photo as well. Like all chrome sets, the parallels are popular as is Jackson’s on-card Rated Rookie Autograph in the product.
Parallels: Bronze, Green Velocity, Holo, Pink, Red and Yellow, Teal Velocity, White Sparkle, Aqua (/299), Orange (/199), Blue (/149), Red (/99), Purple (/50), Black Velocity (/25), Purple Stars (/25), Gold (/10), Green (/5), Gold Vinyl (1/1)
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2018 Elite Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #167 /699
For 2018 Elite, Panini kept the foil that has been a brand staple for decades but added more photo space. Numbered to 699, it’s not a particularly rare card but you’re not going to find it in any great quantities, either.
Parallels: Green, Pink, Red (/199), Purple (/99), Aspirations (/92), Orange (/25), Aspirations Die Cut (/24), Status Die Cut (/24), Blue (/10), Status (/8), Gold (/5), Black (1/1)
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2018 Elite Draft Picks Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #104 SP
The 2018 Elite Draft Picks Lamar Jackson takes a collegiate approach. It does so with lots of foil. Although it has no serial number, it’s one of the set’s short prints. There’s also a variation version with the football laces pointing down that comes with all the same parallels as well.
Parallels: Aspirations Orange, Status Die Cut Orange, Aspirations Purple (/99), Status Die Cut Purple (/99), Aspirations Red (/49), Status Die Cut Red (/49), Aspirations Blue (/25), Status Die Cut Blue (/25), Aspirations Gold (/10), Status Die Cut Gold (/10), Aspirations Emerald (/5), Status Die Cut Emerald (/5), Aspirations Teal (1/1), Status Die Cut Teal (1/1)
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2018 Immaculate Collection Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #116 /99
2018 Immaculate Collection is home to one of the most valuable Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards. Not only is there an on-card signature and patch piece, but they’re held together with plastic-like acetate stock. This helps make it stand out a little more both visuall and to the touch. Prices for this card are high but they’re a noticeable step down from the likes of National Treasures.
Parallels: Emerald (/14), Gold (/10), NFL Shield (1/1), Platinum (1/1)
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2018 Limited Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #130 /99
When it comes to top-tier Lamar Jackson Rookies, 2018 Limited might be a bit of a sleeper. It has similar elements to other majors with a small print run, on-card autograph and patch piece. Other than the card stock, it’s pretty much just like Immaculate. However, there is a noticeable price difference here. It’s hard to call it cheap, but it’s definitely cheaper.
Parallels: Silver Spotlight (/75), Gold Spotlight (/50), Ruby Spotlight (/10), Emerald Spotlight (/5), Sapphire Spotlight (1/1)
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2018 Panini Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #309
2018 Panini Football is one of a handful of retail-exclusives to deliver a Lamar Jackson RC. One of his most affordable RCs, it’s not hard to come by on the secondary market. Printed on canvas-style stock, it’s something a little different than most other entry-level cards.
Parallels: Blue Knight, Bronze Knight, Silver Knight (/50), Gold Knight (/20), Black Knight (1/1)
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2018 Panini Contenders Lamar Jackson RC Autograph #112
Lamar Jackson has several on-card autographs from his rookie season. However, his 2018 Panini Contenders Rookie Card comes from a line synonymous with signatures and RCs. As has been the case for two decades, it boasts a design inspired by a ticket theme, further entrenching its sense of tradition. Although the card isn’t numbered, Panini did confirm it’s an SSP with just 90 copies for the base version.
Parallels: Red Zone, Playoff Ticket (/99), Championship Ticket (/49), Cracked Ice (/24), Preview (/24), Clear Ticket (/10), Ticket Stub (/8), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Super Bowl Ticket (1/1)
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2018 Panini Contenders Optic Lamar Jackson RC Autograph #112
2018 Panini Contenders Optic Football takes Jackson’s main Contenders card and makes it chrome. The on-card autograph remains as well. While Optic doesn’t have quite the extensive history yet, this still ranks among the most popular Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards.
Parallels: Red (/60), Purple (/49), Orange (/25), Blue (/15), Gold (/10), Gold Vinyl (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Panini Elements Lamar Jackson RC Autograph #78 /49
With just 49 copies, the 2018 Panini Elements Lamar Jackson is one of his rarest Rookie Cards. Even when you factor in the parallels, there are less than 100 total. But the real standout feature for the autograph card is how it’s printed. It’s done on metal.
Parallels: Gold (/25), Platinum (1/1)
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2018 Panini Flawless Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #106 /20
With just 20 copies, this is one of those cards you simply have to decide whether you’re going to jump at on the rare occasions that they pop up. Instead of autographs and massive patches, the distinguishing mark on the 2018 Panini Flawless Lamar Jackson Rookie Card is the diamond that comes with it.
Parallels: Sapphire (/15), Diamond (/10), Emerald (/5), Chocolate Diamond (/4), Canary Yellow Diamond (/3), Platinum (1/1)
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2018 Panini Gold Standard Lamar Jackson RC Auto Jersey #206
2018 Panini Gold Standard has one of the more affordable Lamar Jackson RCs that just happens to have a signature and a swatch. The jersey piece isn’t big and the autograph is on a sticker, but the reflective gold stock gives it a distinct look. While a lot of rookies in 2018 Gold Standard Football have additional dual, triple and jumbo autograph memorabilia cards that are part of the base set, this is the lone version for Jackson.
Parallels: Prime (/25), Prime Tag (1/1)
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2018 Panini Illusions Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #125 /75
As is the case with several other sets, Lamar Jackson is the toughest of 2018 Illusions‘ First Impressions autograph memorabilia cards. Other marquee names from the set have 99 copies while others go as high as 499. And here’s Jackson with just 75. The card pairs a smallish patch piece with a sticker signature.
Parallels: Blue (/50), Red (/35), Green (/25), Purple (1/1)
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2018 Panini Impeccable Lamar Jackson RC Auto Helmet-Patch #125 /75
Lamar Jackson is part of the Rookie Elegance subset in 2018 Panini Impeccable Football. The card lives up to its name with its modern design that still emphasizes white space alongside its other design elements. But let’s be honest. The big draw here is the on-card autograph, small print run and different take on memorabilia. The card has a pair of pieces — a patch and a helmet. This helps further set it apart from other high-end Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards.
Parallels: Helmet and Nameplate (/25), Helmet and Glove (/15), Dual NFL Logo (1/1)
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2018 Panini Luminance Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #159
This early Lamar Jackson card comes with a unique design. Other sets may use full-bleed action images, but 2018 Luminance adds a filtered effect. Adding to the minimal but distinct design is the font splashing across the front in the nameplate. Although listed with the Ravens, Jackson is pictured in his college threads due to the set’s early June release date.
Parallels: Gold, Orange (/225), Blue (/99), Platinum Blue (/25), Red (/10), Pink (/5), Gun Metal (1/1)
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2018 Panini National Treasures Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #165 /99
While “the best” of something can vary from person to person, the 2018 Panini National Treasures Lamar Jackson is widely considered to be his best Rookie Card. It’s his most valuable, boasting an on-card autograph, jumbo patch piece and a print run of 99 copies. That might not be as low as some of his other cards, but it’s still scarce. Perhaps just as important is the fact that it’s part of the National Treasures line, the go-to brand for super premium RCs since the line was introduced.
Parallels: Holo Silver (/25), Midnight (/20), Stars and Stripes (/15), Holo Gold (/10), Green Jersey Number (/8), Black (/5), Stars and Stripes Premium (/3), Red Brand Logo (/2), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Red (1/1), Red Laundry Tag (1/1), Platinum NFL Shield (1/1)
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2018 Panini Obsidian Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #102 /100
The 2018 Panini Obsidian Lamar Jackson RC does chromium differently. Usually, the shiny stock takes a minimalist approach to showcase the shine. Obsidian blacks out much of the background, opting instead for etching lines that turn out somewhat abstract. They also offer a different kind of pop, especially when you get into the different colored Electric Etch parallels.
Parallels: Electric Etch Purple (/75), Electric Etch Orange (/50), Electric Etch Green (/25), Electric Etch Yellow (/10), Electric Etch Red (/5), Electric Etch White Finite (1/1)
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2018 Panini One Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #16 /49
If you grew up on U2, it’s hard not to get one of their greatest songs running through your head when you think of 2018 Panini One Football. The product centers around the fact that every box has a single card — an on-card autograph. For the Rookie Cards, like this Lamar Jackson, it also means a jumbo patch piece.
Parallels: Blue (/35), Bronze (/25), Red (/15), Gold (/10), Platinum (/5), Black (1/1)
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2018 Panini Origins Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #118
Featuring one of the more distinct looks of the year, the 2018 Panini Origins Lamar Jackson RC features both an autograph and an oversized patch piece. While it’s not serial numbered, that doesn’t mean there are a lot of copies out there. There aren’t. This is a tough card to track down.
Parallels: Red (/25), Blue (/10), Turquoise (/5), Gold (/3), Green (/2), Black (1/1)
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2018 Panini Phoenix Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #112
Another card with plenty of shine, 2018 Panini Phoenix Football features a more complex design than a lot of other similar Lamar Jackson Rookies. There are more lines, both in the background and on the angular border. It’s an affordable card that stands out based on its design.
Parallels: Color Burst, Red (/299), Pink (/199), Purple (/149), Orange (/99), Yellow (/75), Green (/25), Black (/10), Blue (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Panini Plates and Patches Lamar Jackson RC Auto Patch #236 /99
For 2018 Panini Plates and Patches, the quarterback gets a jumbo patch that’s almost as big as the one used for National Treasures. Like NT, it’s also numbered to 99. And while there autograph is on a sticker, it’s there. And yet the price of this card is often a fraction of what National Treasures brings.
Parallels: Blue (/50), Green (/25), Gold (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1)
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2018 Panini Playbook Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #148
For its return in 2018, Playbook switched things up a bit, offering both hobby and retail versions with different features. Lamar Jackson’s RC for the set is only in retail packs. It’s a standard card that doesn’t have any additional high-end elements or numbering.
Parallels: Bronze, Orange, Purple, Platinum (/49), Green (/25), Gold (/10), Red (1/1)
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2018 Panini Prizm Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #212
Prizm has carved out a niche as being a brand collectors gravitate towards in the hunt for Rookie Cards. While not a rare card, it commands noticeably higher prices and demand than a lot of other Lamar Jackson RCs that don’t have an autograph or jersey swatch. The dozens of parallels in 2018 Panini Prizm Football add to the chase as well.
Parallels: Prizms, Blue Prizms, Disco Prizms, Green Prizms, Lazer Prizms, Neon Green Pulsar Prizms, Pink Prizms, Red Prizms, Red/White/Blue Prizms, White Sparkle Prizms, Hyper Prizms (/275), Orange Prizms (/249), Light Blue Prizms (/199), Red Wave Prizms (/149), Blue Scope Prizms (/99), Green Crystal Prizms (/75), Purple Power Prizms (/49), Camo Prizms (/25), Gold Prizms (/10), Blue Shimmer Prizms (/9), Gold Vinyl Prizms (/5), Black Finite Prizms (1/1)
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2018 Panini Spectra Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #132 /99
2018 Panini Spectra takes opti-chrome premium. While much of the checklist centers on autographs and memorabilia cards in bulk, for Lamar Jackson’s Rookie Card, it means higher quality card stock and a small print run of 99 copies. The parallels are a mix of bright colors, die-cuts and patterns. The quarterback also has an autograph patch card that’s numbered as part of the base set but because this one’s the most basic version, it gets the RC tag.
Parallels: Neon Blue (/75), Neon Blue Die-Cut (/35), Neon Green (/30), Neon Green Die-Cut (/25), Neon Pink (/20), Neon Pink Die-Cut (/15), Neon Orange (/10), Neon Orange Die-Cut (/5), Neon Marble (/4), Nebula (/2), Gold (1/1)
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2018 Panini Unparalleled Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #209
The 2018 Panini Unparalleled Lamar Jackson Rookie Card is a throwback of sorts to some of the wild foil patterns that emerged in the late 1990s. Busy would be an understatement in describing the mix of design elements that adorn not only the base version but its many parallels as well.
Parallels: Flight, Galactic, Shine, Astral (/200), Superplaid (/150), Whirl (/100), Impact (/75), Hyper (/25), Fireworks (/5), Burst (1/1)
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2018 Panini Xr Lamar Jackson RC Auto Triple Mem #172 /15
Good luck find one of there. The 2018 Panini Xr Lamar Jackson is his rarest Rookie Card. Just 15 copies exist, all boasting an autograph and three memorabilia swatches. It has lots of one-of-one parallels, each with different pieces of gear. Between the minuscule numbers and the fact that Xr is still a young brand finding its hobby voice, this is a card that flies under the radar.
Parallels: Blue (/10), Orange (/5), Green (/3), Glove (1/1), Hat (1/1), Jacket (1/1), Laundry Tag NFL Shield (1/1), Laundry Tag NFLPA (1/1), Laundry Tag Nike Swoosh (1/1), Prime Football (1/1), Printing Plates Black (1/1), Printing Plates Cyan (1/1), Printing Plates Magenta (1/1), Printing Plates Yellow (1/1), Super Prime (1/1)
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2018 Playoff Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #212
2018 Playoff is an eclectic release when you look at the checklist as a whole. However, it’s not an expensive one. This Lamar Jackson is a solid choice for those on a tighter budget who prefer action shots over posed ones or cards with lots of design elements in the background.
Parallels: Goal Line, Kickoff, Red Zone, 1st Down (/99), 2nd Down (/49), 3rd Down (/25), 4th Down (/10), Touchdown (1/1)
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2018 Prestige Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #279
One of the earliest Lamar Jackson Rookie Cards on the market, 2018 Prestige pictures him in his Lousiville threads. That said, the set’s June release date was late enough that Panini was able get the Ravens included in the nameplate. Part of a retail-only release, this is one of the quarterback’s most affordable cards from his rookie season.
Parallels: Xtra Points Blue, Xtra Points Green, Xtra Points Purple, Xtra Points Red
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2018 Rookies and Stars Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #112
While it does have a hobby version, the focus of 2018 Rookies & Stars is largely on retail. For Lamar Jackson’s card, it’s a fairly basic option that doesn’t offer a lot of pizzazz. And the price tag reflects that. It’s something that definitely leans on the more affordable side.
Parallels: Green, Purple, Red, Longevity (/75), True Blue (/49), Red and Blue (/25), Gold (/10), Black and Blue (/5), Platinum (1/1)
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2018 Score Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #352
Although 2018 Score was the first NFL set out of the gate in 2018, Jackson (and the rest of the rookies) are listed with their schools. As has been the case for decades for the brand, this is an entry-level product that’s more about acccessibility than rarity or value.
Parallels: Black, Gold, Green, Purple, Red, Scorecard, Showcase (/99), Gold Zone (/50), Artist’s Proof (/35), Red Zone (/20), First Down (/10), End Zone (/6), Gem Masters (1/1)
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2018 Select Lamar Jackson Rookie Card #70
The 2018 Select Lamar Jackson Rookie Card is another chromium option. It’s also the most affordable. Jackson has two other cards on the base set’s checklist as part of the Premier Level and Field Level subsets. However, this one’s the most common, giving it the RC tag. Parallels are a popular element in Select sets, offering a variety of colors, some of which aren’t in other sets. One of these, Zebra, isn’t serial numbered but is extremely tough.
Parallels: Prizm Silver, Prizm Zebra, Prizm Tri Color (/199), Prizm Blue (/175), Prizm Maroon (/99), Prizm White (/75), Prizm Orange (/49), Prizm Tie-Dye (/25), Prizm Gold (/10), Prizm Neon Orange Pulsar (/9), Prizm Green (/5), Prizm Black (1/1)
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