A pack within a pack within a pack was merely a dream not too long ago. That is, until Topps introduced Pristine 2 years ago to a hobby full of open arms and drooling pockets.
Well, when something ain?t broke, don?t fix it. That is precisely what Topps was thinking when they designed the 2003-04 Pristine basketball line.

From their signature uncirculated encased rookie cards to Personal Endorsements certified autographs, Pristine could be the best basketball product to hit the market thus far.


Topps even kicked it up a notch by including uncirculated encased relics and autographs serial-numbered to just 25 each.

And that?s not all, folks. Each box also boasts a box-topper containing a die-cut gold refractor serial-numbered to just 99! WOW!

Here is a quick breakdown of the highlights of a box that we opened: Common rookies (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony), Personal Endorsements (Dwayne Wade), Relics (Tracy McGrady, Ben Wallace, Mike Sweetney, Shaquille O?Neal).

And, here is what you might find in a random hobby box of 2003-04 Topps Pristine basketball:

2003-04 Topps Pristine NBA
5 packs per box (3 packs within each pack)
8 cards per pack (1 encased uncirculated, 1 relic, 6 base cards with some serial-numbered or autographed)

Sequentially Numbered Uncommon Rookie: 1:4
Sequentially Numbered Rare Rookie: 1:7
Sequentially Numbered Veteran Refractor: 1:8
Sequentially Numbered Uncommon Rookie Refractor: 1:7
Sequentially Numbered Rare Rookie Refractor: 1:22
Sequentially Numbered Personal Endorsement Gold Autograph: 1:117
Sequentially Numbered Refractor Relic: 1:34
Relics: Group A 1:4433
Group B 1:41
Group C 1:51
Group D 1:73
Group F 1:9
Group G 1:3
Pristine Press Plates: 1:124
Personal Endorsement Autograph Group A 1:36
Group B 1:156
Group C 1:28
Group D 1:48
Group E 1:9
Minis 1:5
Mini-Autograph 1:990 (Shaquille O?Neal only limited to 100 copies)