Ray Lewis
Linebacker (Middle Linebacker) · Baltimore Ravens
Panini Mosaic #228
Year & Era
2020 — Current/Chrome Era
Card Type
Base Veteran Card
Grade
8.0 (NM-MT) estimated raw
Rarity
Common; high print run base veteran card from a widely produced mass-market set.
Overall Assessment
A clean, attractive base card of one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, ideal for team or player collectors.
Condition Grade
8.0 (NM-MT) estimated raw
Centering Assessment
Front: Roughly 60/40 Top-to-Bottom. The bottom border appears thicker than the top. Left-to-right appears relatively stable.
Surface Condition
Near Mint; standard Chrome-style surface. No major scratches visible, though light dimpling is common in early Mosaic sets.
Corner Condition
Bottom right corner shows minor whitening/wear; top corners appear relatively sharp.
Edge Condition
Overall clean, though Panini Mosaic cards often suffer from 'burring' or minor factory chippage on the side edges.
Print Quality
High; sharp image resolution and vibrant purple team-color background. The 'Mosaic' texture application is consistent.
Estimated Value
$1.00 - $3.00 (Raw); $15.00 - $25.00 (PSA 10)
Comparison to Known Examples
Standard copy. Many examples of this card exist in high grades (PSA 9/10), making minor flaws like corner wear very impactful.
Authentication Tips
Look for the Panini 'M' logo etched into the card surface and the specific 'piqué' texture that refracts light in a geometric pattern.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading unless for personal collection. The cost of grading exceeds the market value of a base veteran card.
Red Flags
No significant red flags observed; it appears to be a genuine Panini product.
Provenance Notes
Originally distributed in Panini Mosaic Hobby, Retail, and Mega boxes during the 2020 NFL season.
Historical Context
Ray Lewis is a 2-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer. This card was released during the massive COVID-era hobby boom.
Market Trends
Stable. Base veteran cards of Hall of Famers generally hold a low but steady floor.
Investment Potential
Low for a base card. Rare parallels (Golds, Genesis, or 1/1s) of this card are the preferred investment targets.
Similar Cards
2020 Panini Prizm Ray Lewis, 2020 Panini Select Ray Lewis, Ed Reed 2020 Mosaic.
Display & Preservation
Penny sleeve and top loader. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading of the purple ink.
Interesting Facts
The 2020 Mosaic set was the first year Mosaic was released as its own standalone brand rather than a subset of Prizm.