Tom Brady
Quarterback · Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Donruss (Panini) - Press Proof Yellow Laser ##223
Year & Era
2021 — Modern Chrome Era
Card Type
Parallel - Press Proof Yellow Laser
Grade
7.5 - 8.5 (Near Mint - NM/MT) estimated
Rarity
Unnumbered Retail Parallel; relatively common but desired due to the Laser finish and player popularity.
Overall Assessment
A visually striking mid-tier parallel of the greatest QB in history. Its value is driven primarily by the player and the aesthetically pleasing 'Laser' effect.
Condition Grade
7.5 - 8.5 (Near Mint - NM/MT) estimated
Centering Assessment
Front centering appears slightly heavy to the right (approx 60/40); top-to-bottom appears relatively balanced.
Surface Condition
Surface appears glossy with significant reflection; many of the visible scratches/scuffs appear to be on the magnetic one-touch holder rather than the card itself.
Corner Condition
Bottom-left corner shows slight softening; top corners appear relatively sharp through the holder.
Edge Condition
Bottom edge shows minor white chipping against the maroon border, typical for Donruss card stock.
Print Quality
High color saturation with typical Panini refractive quality; image sharpness is consistent with 2021 production standards.
Estimated Value
$25 - $60 USD (Raw to PSA 9 range)
Comparison to Known Examples
Centering is slightly below average for this print run, as many 2021 Donruss cards featured near-perfect 50/50 centering on the front borders.
Authentication Tips
Verify the 'Donruss 21' logo and 'QB' designation icons; authentic copies have a distinct card stock thickness and specific light-refraction patterns common to Laser parallels.
Grading Recommendation
PSA is recommended for maximum liquidity. Only pursue grading if the surface is confirmed scratch-free after removal from the holder.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; the scuffs on the plastic one-touch holder should not be mistaken for card damage.
Provenance Notes
Distributed primarily through retail Mega Boxes or Blasters in 2021; typical of the 'Yellow Laser' set found in retail-specific formats.
Historical Context
Features Brady following his 7th Super Bowl win (his first with Tampa Bay), capturing his final peak years in the NFL.
Market Trends
Stable. As the Greatest of All Time, Brady's late-career Buccaneers cards have a lower ceiling than Patriots rookies but maintain high floor demand.
Investment Potential
Medium. While not a rookie card, Brady parallels from his championship seasons in Tampa Bay are key collectibles for completionists.
Similar Cards
2021 Panini Prizm Silver Prizm Tom Brady, 2021 Optic Holo Tom Brady.
Display & Preservation
The current magnetic one-touch is excellent; ensure a penny sleeve is used inside if the fit allows, to prevent surface scratching.
Interesting Facts
The 2021 Donruss set is a favorite among collectors for its 'Rated Rookie' design, but veteran parallels like this Yellow Laser are highly popular for 'Rainbow' set builders.