Since the turn of the year, Goldin Auctions has been holding record breaking sales, and this month was no exception. At $45.2 million, this has been their biggest auction yet, and it is all due to exceptional rookie cards from iconic players.
The jaw-dropping prices in the collectable sports card market continue, and it would seem that basketball lots were once again among the top sales.
Here are some of the top lots worth mentioning:
- Lot #1: 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Kobe Bryant Rookie Card – BGS PRISTINE/Black Label 10 - $1,752,000
- Lot #4: 2003-04 UD "Exquisite Collection" Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) #78 LeBron James Signed Patch Rookie Card (#32/99) – BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/BGS 10 -$1,537,500
- Lot #6: 2004-05 Upper Deck "Ultimate Signatures Logos" #USL-LJ LeBron James Signed Logoman Game Used Patch Card (#1/1) – PSA Authentic, PSA/DNA 10 -$1,291,500
- Lot #2: 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card – PSA NM-MT 8 – $1,353,000
- Lot #3: 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card – PSA MINT 9 - $1,107,000
- Honorable Mentions
Lot #1: 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Kobe Bryant Rookie Card – BGS PRISTINE/Black Label 10 - $1,752,000
A true pristine card, graded with a Black Label 10 by BGS; this Koby Bryant rookie card is as good as they come. Everything about the card is a perfect 10 including edges, corners, centering, and surface. Well deserving of the jaw-dropping price tag of $1,752,000, and most expensive lot of this auction.
This card’s value though does not only stem from its pristine condition. The offered card stands as a super-premium, highest-tier memorial to Kobe Bryant’s greatness and character.
Lot #4: 2003-04 UD "Exquisite Collection" Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph (RPA) #78 LeBron James Signed Patch Rookie Card (#32/99) – BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/BGS 10 -$1,537,500
Lot #4 presented one of the most important LeBron James rookies ever to be printed. The Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph #78 LeBron James Signed Patch Rookie card is not only rare, with a print run of just 99 cards, it is also the first "Exquisite Collection" Rookie Card of LeBron James that was ever produced. The card also features a game-worn jersey by the 16-time NBA All-Star, and a vivid blue ink signature graded as a “10” by Beckett. Such an iconic card was expected to yield top dollar. At $1,537,500, this LeBron James rookie card was the second most valuable item Goldin had to offer in this auction.
Lot #6: 2004-05 Upper Deck "Ultimate Signatures Logos" #USL-LJ LeBron James Signed Logoman Game Used Patch Card (#1/1) – PSA Authentic, PSA/DNA 10 -$1,291,500
This truly unique 1/1, limited edition LeBron James rookie card projects an essentially untouched display quality is well deserving of the $1,291,500 price tag. The (undoubtedly) future Hall of Famer is depicted in his sophomore year, alongside a game worn jersey patch Logoman, and a PSA/DNA 10 autograph. Speaking of autographs, the back of the card features Upper Deck’s warranty for the authenticity of the signature and patch relic, serving as the card’s COA. The card itself has been given an “Authentic” grading by PSA
Lot #2: 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card – PSA NM-MT 8 – $1,353,000
Over the past few years, the world of sports cards has seen a staggering and consistent trend toward rising prices for this particular Mickey Mantle rookie card. Three years ago, a PSA NM-MT 8 copy sold for nearly $700,000 at auction. Just a year later, a PSA MINT 9 yielded $2.88 million. This year, in mid-January, 2021, another PSA 9 closed at $5.2 million. A truly jaw dropping increase in pricing.
Most recently, another PSA NM-MT 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card was featured during Goldins “Goldin Elite" January sale which exceeded $1.56 million (January 30, 2021, Lot #2). The rate and direction of this card's value trajectory are clear, and Lot #2 further cements this observation. At PSA 8, it is the first example of its grade level to reach $1,353,000.
Lot #3: 1955 Topps #164 Roberto Clemente Rookie Card – PSA MINT 9 - $1,107,000
With almost 5,700 1955 Topps Roberto Clemente rookies copies graded, only 11 were PSA 9. Belonging to the harder to find “high numbers”, along with good centering, almost perfect corners and edges, and vibrant surfaces; cards like these are really hard to find. The rarity, condition, and depiction of one of the sport’s most beloved athletes rightfully lead the value of this Roberto Clemente rookie to break the $1 million mark, yielding $1,107,000.
Honorable Mentions:
- Lot #71: 1952 Topps #312 Jackie Robinson – PSA MINT 9 - $ 984,000.
- Lot #18: 2007/08 UD “Exquisite Collection” Rookie Parallel #94 Kevin Durant Signed Patch Rookie Card (#23/35) – BGS MINT 9/BGS 10 - $799,500.
- Lot #67: 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card – PSA NM-MT 8 - $615,000.
- Lot #10: 1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan Rookie Card – PSA GEM MT 10 - $615,000.
- Lot #20: 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Patch Autograph (RPA) #127 Luka Doncic Signed Patch Rookie Card (#83/99) - PSA GEM MT 10, PSA/DNA 10 "1 of 3!" - $584,250.
Finally, for those interested in other niches as well we have some another jaw-dropping price for one of the most sought after Pokemon Cards; a first edition holographic Charizard:
- Lot #23: 1999 Pokemon Game #4 Charizard - Holo, 1st Edition – PSA GEM MT 10 - $399,750.
Did you take part in this auction? Where there any notable items you saw that should make our list? Let us know in the comments bellow.
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