Juwan Howard
1997-98 Ultra Base Set Gold Medallion #257 G
Card Snapshot: This 1997-98 Fleer Ultra (Base Set) card features Juwan Howard during his tenure with the Washington Wizards. Card number #257 G. This is the coveted Gold Medallion parallel variation.
🔄 Tap Card to Flip
| Technical Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Player | Juwan Howard |
| Season | 1997-98 |
| Team | Washington Wizards |
| Manufacturer | Fleer |
| Brand | Ultra |
| Theme | Base Set |
| Variant | Gold Medallion |
| Card Number | 257 G |
| Serial / Print Run | — |
| Rookie Card | No |
| Memorabilia | No |
| Autograph | No |
📊 Collector Insights & Card Highlights
🏆 Hobby Significance
Fleer Ultra's Medallion parallels (Gold and Platinum) offered a premium foil upgrade. Platinum Medallions, in particular, were heavily short-printed and remain highly collectible. Fleer Ultra was the choice for collectors seeking high-gloss finishes and diverse insert sets. It pushed the boundaries of card coatings and multi-tiered parallel systems. Fleer Ultra Gold Medallion parallels offered one guaranteed parallel per pack in select years, bathing the player photography in luxurious embossed gold foil that elevated the base card into a premium showpiece. The Juwan Howard collection spans multiple decades of basketball history, capturing everything from the high-flying 90s to his championship years with the Miami Heat. Each card represents a unique piece of this journey.
⚒️ Card Technology
Trading Card Manufacturing: Traditional trading card manufacturing involves multiple layers of printing and finishing. Even standard base cards from this era often featured premium UV coatings and high-quality card stock that was revolutionary at the time.
📈 Player Performance & Team
During this era, Juwan was the focal point of the Washington Wizards offense. He shared the court with prime Rod Strickland, who led the league in assists, and a young rookie named Richard Hamilton. Inaugural Wizards MCI Center Era: Served as the franchise cornerstone through the 1997 rebranding, establishing a lethal high-post scoring punch alongside league assist leader Rod Strickland and later teaming with Michael Jordan during MJ's historic Washington comeback.
🏀 NBA Era & Pop Culture
Late 90s Premium Insert Craze: Introduction of high-end parallels (PMG, Rubies, Refractors). In 1997, the NBA was at its cultural peak. Michael Jordan's Bulls were chasing their second three-peat, and the 'Bulls vs. The World' narrative dominated every headline and highlight reel. Turn-of-the-Century Wizards Era: Highlighted by the opening of the state-of-the-art MCI Center in downtown Washington D.C., new teal and bronze colors, and Michael Jordan's front-office tenure and legendary playing return.
🔗 Collector Reference Profiles & History
💎 Related Chase Cards in Collection
Collector Sentiment
Collector FAQs
Why is this 1997-98 Ultra Base Set Gold Medallion card significant?
Produced by Fleer, it stands out as an authentic piece of 1997-98 basketball hobby history in this private collection.
Is this a Juwan Howard Rookie Card?
No, this card was released during the 1997-98 season, which was not Juwan Howard's debut season.