The world of collectibles has a new shining star, and it’s not just any star—it’s a perfectly graded 9.9 issue of Sports Illustrated featuring the one and only Kylian Mbappé. As the market for graded magazines continues to gain momentum, with a particular focus on Sports Illustrated editions, all eyes are on this exceptional piece of sports history hitting the auction block.

Certified Collectibles Group (CGC) is at the forefront of this trend, having graded over 28,000 issues of Sports Illustrated over the past 15 years. The allure of these encapsulated treasures lies in their ability to preserve iconic moments in sports through the lens of esteemed photographers, creating a convergence of sports fans and photography enthusiasts alike.

In the realm of graded magazines, one issue stands out among the rest—the December 2022 edition of Sports Illustrated featuring the remarkable Mbappé just before the 2022 World Cup. This magazine, submitted by a dedicated collector from the Midwest, made history by becoming the first ever SI issue to receive a perfect 9.9 grade from CGC. Its rarity and significance have stirred up a bidding frenzy at Goldin, with the current highest bid for the Mbappé cover soaring to $1,708 and counting.

But the auction doesn’t stop there. Alongside this groundbreaking issue, collectors and enthusiasts can feast their eyes on a variety of other prized items, including a 1965 Topps Mickey Mantle card graded at 8.5, a unique 1956 Floyd Patterson card graded at 9.0, a 1989 SI for Kids featuring Michael Jordan graded at 9.6, and a signed Muhammad Ali cover from 1967. These items not only represent moments in sports history but also serve as valuable investments in the world of memorabilia.

While platforms like eBay have seen a boom in the sale of graded magazines, with over 6,000 listings available, dedicated auctions have proven to be a hotbed for high-profile sales. Recent auctions have seen a CGC 9.6 graded issue featuring the legendary Pele from 1975 fetch $25,000 and a 1986 Mike Tyson cover graded at 9.0 command over $11,000. Interestingly, Michael Jordan reigns supreme in the realm of graded SIs, with four of the top six highest-selling issues on eBay in the past year bearing his iconic image.

The surge in interest in graded magazines underscores the diverse tastes of collectors and the expanding landscape of sports memorabilia as a lucrative investment opportunity. As the auction for the dazzling 9.9 Mbappé issue unfolds, it sets a new standard for the graded magazine market, beckoning both seasoned collectors and newcomers to partake in the excitement of preserving sports history in pristine condition.

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