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Set Review · 2017 Panini

2017 Donruss Optic: Mahomes' Chromium Rated Rookie

2017 Donruss Optic is the chromium companion to Prizm — the other core Patrick Mahomes rookie family, led by the Rated Rookie and its Holo parallel. Here's what makes it matter and how to buy it safely.

2017 Donruss Optic is the chromium companion to Prizm — the other core Patrick Mahomes rookie family. Optic is the chrome finish applied to the classic Donruss design, and Mahomes’ card carries the Rated Rookie designation, the logo collectors instantly recognize. If Prizm is the flagship, Optic is the card most Mahomes collectors chase right alongside it.

Why this set matters for Mahomes collectors

  • It delivered a chromium Rated Rookie during Mahomes’ 2017 rookie season — the accessible chrome alternative to Prizm.
  • The Holo parallel is the flagship chase, playing a role similar to Prizm’s Silver, with a rainbow of numbered colored parallels (Purple, Blue, Red, Pink, Orange, Gold and more) above it.
  • The premium tiers top out at Gold Vinyl and a Black 1-of-1, the crown jewels of the Optic rainbow.
  • High-grade copies command premiums — the chrome surface is tough to keep flawless, so PSA 10 / BGS 9.5 examples stand out.

We don’t publish print runs or fixed prices — the live eBay links across the site show exactly what these cards are trading for right now.

Optic vs. Prizm — which to buy

Both are Panini chromium rookies from the same 2017 season, so it comes down to look and budget. Prizm is the flagship name and usually carries the strongest premium; Optic delivers the same chrome finish on the Donruss design with the Rated Rookie logo, often at a friendlier entry point. Serious collectors tend to own both. For a full breakdown of how the Holo and colored parallels stack up, see the Prizm & Optic parallels guide. And note the finish trap: Optic is chrome, while the paper version is base Donruss — the more affordable Rated Rookie covered in the 2017 Donruss review.

Buying it safely

Mahomes chrome rookies — Optic included — are heavily counterfeited. For anything beyond a low-grade raw base copy, buy graded so both authenticity and condition are guaranteed. When comparing prices, look at sold comps rather than asking prices.

Use the live eBay rail below to open current listings for the base Rated Rookie, the Holo parallel, the colored rainbow, and PSA 10 graded copies — then compare sold comps before you buy. For the chrome flagship, see the 2017 Panini Prizm review; for the tiered chrome family, the 2017 Panini Select review; for every 2017 brand, the rookie card checklist; and to weigh Optic against the whole 2017 class, the Mahomes rookie cards list.

Find these cards on eBay

The singles and parallels from this set trade on eBay, not Amazon — these open live listings for each one. Buy graded (PSA or SGC) for anything above a raw base copy.

Base Rated Rookie Holo parallel Colored parallels PSA 10 graded

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2017 Donruss Optic Mahomes a true rookie card?
Yes. 2017 was Mahomes' rookie year, and his Donruss Optic card carries the Rated Rookie designation, so it's a rookie-year card. Optic is the chromium version of Donruss, which is why collectors treat it as the second core Mahomes rookie family after Prizm.
How is Optic different from Prizm?
Both are chromium rookies made by Panini. Prizm is the flagship chrome brand; Donruss Optic is the chrome finish applied to the Donruss design and carries the Rated Rookie logo. Optic's flagship parallel is the Holo, which plays a similar role to Prizm's Silver. Many collectors own both; Optic is usually the more accessible of the two.
Base Rated Rookie or the Holo parallel?
The base Rated Rookie is the more accessible buy; the Holo is the scarcer chase parallel and commands a premium, with numbered colored parallels above it. Check live eBay sold comps for each tier, and buy graded at higher grades.