LeBron James 2003-04 Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph Sells for Record-Setting $1.8 Million
It wasn’t a matter of if it would set a record but how high it would go. A 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph sold for $1.8 million on Saturday, July 18, setting the world record for the highest price paid for a modern sports card.
Leading the way in Goldin Auctions‘ Summer Premium Auction, this particular version of the card is the Rookie Parallel of James’ most coveted Rookie Card. It has just 23 copies with this one being numbered 14/23. It’s graded Gem Mint 9.5 by Beckett Grading.
The final hammer price on the card was $1.5 million. Factoring in the 20 percent buyer’s premium brings the final price to $1.8 million.
According to Darren Rovell, the winning bidder is Leore Avidar, CEO and co-founder of Lob.
This LeBron James card just sold at @GoldinAuctions for $1.8 million, the record for a modern day card.
Winner is @LeoreAvidar, who says purchase is part of strategy to “bring something big to the collectibles and alternative asset business in the coming months.” pic.twitter.com/rN9lepvVpE
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 19, 2020
The previous high for a modern sports card was a 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Trout Red Refractor Autograph, which sold for $922,500 in May. It was also through a Goldin Auctions sale.
Other Big Modern Sports Card Sales
Goldin’s Summer Premium Auction had two other LeBron James Upper Deck Exquisite Basketball cards reach six figures. A one-of-one 2004-05 Exquisite Patch Parallel Autograph reached $240,000 with the buyer’s premium. It has a grade of NM-MT+ 8.5 by BGS.
A 2003-04 Exquisite Number Piece Autograph (09/23) closed at $115,200. The card has an ‘Authentic’ designation by PSA.
Other top card sales during the Goldin event include a 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Trout Orange Refractor Autograph (09/25) netting $336,000 and a one-of-one 2004-05 Exquisite Patch Parallel Autograph Michael Jordan reaching $180,000.
