Record-Breaking Auction: Jordan Rookie Card Sets New Highs
A whirlwind of bidding frenzy swept through Goldin’s August Elite Auction, spotlighting the lucrative world of high-end modern sports cards and memorabilia. The star of the show? None other than a PSA 8 1984-85 Star Company Michael Jordan rookie card that smashed records by fetching an impressive $244,000, setting a new benchmark for its grade.
Hot on the heels of this monumental sale was a PSA 7 Jordan Star Company rookie card that netted $62,000 on eBay, proving the relentless momentum of the market for Jordan’s inaugural NBA licensed trading card. Not to be outdone, a PSA 6.5 version of the iconic card also found a new home for $52,460, showing the enduring appeal of basketball’s greatest icon.
Turning to the diamond, a 1-of-1 2009 Bowman Sterling Red Refractor Autograph card featuring MLB sensation Mike Trout, graded PSA 9, commanded a hefty sum of $192,030, defying any doubts prompted by the player’s recent injury setbacks. Baseball enthusiasts also witnessed record-breaking sales with a 2011 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Bryce Harper card #5/5, graded PSA 9, raking in $184,720, while a 2014 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Mookie Betts card #3/5, graded PSA 10, fetched an impressive $123,220.
The allure of exclusivity shone brightly in the form of 1-of-1 SuperFractor cards, as the 2024 Topps Chrome Autographed SuperFractor Elly De La Cruz PSA 10 hit a winning bid of $116,534, alongside a Jackson Holliday SuperFractor PSA 10 that garnered $68,527, setting new highs for these emerging stars.
A showstopper emerged with a dual autograph Ronaldo/Messi SuperFractor from 2023-24 Topps UEFA, scoring a grand total of $67,100 after receiving a PSA 9 grade. This special card, originating from England, captured the hearts of soccer aficionados and collectors alike.
In the realm of memorabilia, Travis Kelce’s 2020-21 Super Bowl LV jersey took center stage, photomatched to the Kansas City Chiefs’ fateful defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, commanding a princely sum of $52,460. Complementing this iconic piece, Kelce’s AFC Championship ring from the same season found a new owner for $34,404, solidifying his legacy in the football memorabilia market.
Rounding out the auction were other noteworthy sales, including coveted items such as the 2017 National Treasures Patrick Mahomes RPA #77/99, clinching a remarkable $95,770, and the 2018 Bowman Orange Refractor Shohei Ohtani #22/75 PSA 9 card, which sold for an impressive $74,450. The auction also featured a piece of baseball history with a 1996 Mariano Rivera game-used jersey, photomatched to eight trading cards, fetching $51,240, and vintage gems in the form of 1969 Topps Football Series 1 and Series 2 wax boxes, realizing prices of $32,940 and $31,721, respectively.
Goldin’s August Elite Auction underscored the enduring allure of both vintage treasures and modern collectibles, showcasing the booming demand for prized sports memorabilia and cards. With record-breaking sales and fervent bidding wars, the event proved that the fervor for sports collectibles remains as vibrant as ever in the hearts of devoted enthusiasts and passionate collectors.