A basketball trading card featuring Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant recently sold for a staggering $12.93 million, setting a new record for the most expensive sports card ever sold. This one-of-a-kind card, known as the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs, exceeded the previous record of $12.6 million held by a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card.
To put this in perspective, only one card can claim the title of this particular Jordan and Bryant piece. It’s the second-most valuable sports collectible, following Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series jersey, which sold for $24.12 million last year.
Chris Ivy, the director of sports auctions at Heritage Auctions, reminisced about when Upper Deck first launched the Exquisite line. At the time, a five-card pack cost $500. Now, that set has become iconic, leading to remarkable sales like a $5.2 million LeBron James rookie card.
Ivy pointed out that Exquisite was groundbreaking. “It tapped into a unique group of collectors who wanted the best without gimmicks,” he said. They introduced innovative features, such as jersey patches and signatures, changing how collectors viewed sports cards.
Even though the Jordan/Bryant card received a Grade 6 from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), its rarity as a one-of-a-kind item far outweighed the significance of its grade. A typical 1986 Fleer Jordan card graded at a 6 sells for around a couple of thousand dollars, while a grade 10 can reach nearly $200,000. For unique cards like this, its singularity enhances its value.
Interestingly, Ivy revealed that the card was kept by its previous owner for over a decade. Despite receiving high seven-figure private offers, they chose to auction it, believing it could break records. The pre-auction estimate was $6 million.
Due to the ongoing Brett Lemieux memorabilia scandal, which questioned the authenticity of various items after his claims of flooding the market with fake Kobe gear, this Jordan-Bryant card’s authenticity is revered. Upper Deck’s long history with both athletes added credibility, making the card even more enticing for collectors.
It’s been an eventful time for Bryant collectibles. Recently, a collector under the social media handle “Shyne” shared that he spent $4 million on separate signed Panini Flawless Logoman cards, making headlines just days before this auction.
As history shows, the sports card market continues to evolve, driven by fan passion and unique items, reflecting changing collector interests. For context, in 2022 alone, sports card sales reached over $6 billion, illustrating the growing desire for rare memorabilia.
This remarkable sale highlights not only the card’s uniqueness but also the lasting impact of legends like Jordan and Bryant. As the sports memorabilia world shifts, so too does the way fans celebrate their favorite athletes. For many, owning a piece of that legacy, like the Jordan-Bryant card, represents more than just a financial investment; it signifies a connection to the joy and excitement these players brought to the game.
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