Among sports collectibles, LeBron James and Mickey Mantle items are among the most coveted. This weekend, cards of both superstars brought in more than $2 million in an auction.
A 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite rookie card of James, with a serial number of 23/99, was sold for a record $2.46 million during Goldin Auctions’ Elite catalog sale, Sports Collectors Daily reported. The card was graded 8.5 out of 10 by Beckett Grading Services and the serial number matched the Lakers’ star’s jersey number.
The price for this particular rookie card tops the record set in late August when a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch autograph, graded BGS 9, sold for just over $2 million, according to Sports Collectors Daily.
Final Sale Price: $2,029,500 pic.twitter.com/GSc48RXBIk
— Goldin Auctions (@GoldinAuctions) October 24, 2021
For the second time in three months, a 1952 Topps card of Mantle sold for more than $2 million. The card, graded 8 out of 10 by Professional Sports Authenticator, had a winning bid of $2,029,500, according to Bleacher Report.
A similar card with a PSA 9 grade sold for $5.2 million at an auction in January, setting a record price for a sports card.
>> Record price: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle baseball card sells for $5.2M
That 1952 Topps card of Mantle -- one of the most coveted trading cards of the post-World War II era -- was bought for $5.2 million by actor Rob Gough.
That record was tied in April when 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch card parallel, featuring James’ autograph and a swatch of his Cleveland Cavaliers jersey, sold for $5.2 million in a private sale, according to PWCC Marketplace.
All prices reflect a 23% buyer’s premium, Sports Collectors Daily reported. That figure drops to 20% if winning bidders pay on time and do not use a credit card, the website reported.
>> LeBron James rookie card sells for $5.2M, ties record for most valuable sports card
Another popular player in the collectibles world, Tom Brady, also fetched a seven-figure amount for a rookie card. His 2000 Playoff Contenders Rookie Ticket autograph card, graded BGS 8.5, sold for $1,537,500, Sports Collectors Daily reported.
The auction of 506 high-end lots generated nearly $35 million, Goldin Auctions founder Ken Goldin told the website.
The second half of the auction hosted by the New Jersey-based company ends Sunday night.
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