A near set, holding 77 examples from the 78-card 2003-04 UD "Exquisite Collection" Basketball Cards "Base" cards production, is presented. Five cards have been graded by BGS. The fabulous array is missing only #78 LeBron James for completion. Upper Deck's "Exquisite Collection" – of which the 2003-04 masterpiece represented a much-anticipated inauguration – is famous for its creative and beautifully designed, low-mintage rarities. But, sometimes overlooked in these glamorous, special cards' glory, is the fact that the EC "Base" cards are stellar in their own right. Truly, the lowest-rung EC cards put most other manufacturers' so-called "premium" issues to shame with their visual appeal, highest standard of quality and unrivaled value. Among the 78 "Base" cards comprising a full set, 72 are serial-numbered in limited editions of just 225 pieces. Six of the "High Number," top-tier Rookie Cards, however, are serial-numbered to just "99." Thirty-six cards (including the six "/99" entries) carry on-card autographs as well as outstanding multi-color, player-worn jersey patch relics. Highlights and graded cards in this once-in-a-lifetime gallery include: #'s 3 Michael Jordan (BGS NM-MT+ 8.5, #222/225), 6 Dirk Nowitzki, 7 Steve Nash, 12 Yao Ming, 15 Kobe Bryant (BGS NM-MT+ 8.5, #156/225), 17 Shaquille O'Neal, 29 Allen Iverson, 39 Vince Carter, 43 Udonis Haslem (/99), 74 Dwyane Wade (BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/BGS 9, #33/99), 75 Chris Bosh (BGS MINT 9/BGS 10, #35/99), 76 Carmelo Anthony (BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/BGS 10, #54/99) and 77 Darko Milicic (/99). Generally NM/MT to MT or finer throughout!