We’re in the golden era of sports cards, with some being sold for millions of dollars. Though not as hot a property as some baseball cards, there’s a big market for the basketball stuff too. Per our research, there have been at least 26 sales of NBA cards worth seven figures.
Most of them involve Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. One featuring the Warriors superstar actually tops the list of the most expensive sales ever.
The 2003-04 Upper Deck LeBron James Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autograph is the card sold most times in our list with 12. Other players that collectors are investing in are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic. The trading card industry is booming and still growing, and we’re sure there will be new record sales soon.
For now, this is the all-time ranking:
1. Stephen Curry: $5,900,000
Card: 2009-10 Panini National Treasures Stephen Curry Rookie Logoman Autograph
Serial number: 1/1
Grade:PSA NM-MT 8 / Auto 10
Date of sale:July 6, 2021
Auction house: Private sale
2. LeBron James: $5,200,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 7/23
Grade: BGS MT 9
Date of sale: April 26, 2021
Auction house: PWCC Marketplace
3. Luka Doncic: $4,600,000
Card: 2018 Panini National Treasures 1 of 1 Logoman Autograph
Serial number: 1/1
Grade: Authentic
Date of sale: February 28, 2021
Auction house: Private sale
4. Luka Doncic: $3,120,000
Card: 2018 Panini National Treasures 1 of 1 Logoman Autograph
Serial number: 1/1
Grade: Authentic
Date of sale: November 17, 2022
Auction house: PWCC Marketplace
5. Michael Jordan: $2,700,000
Card: 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Autographs
Serial number: 6/23
Grade: BGS NM-MT 8
Date of sale: October 11, 2021
Auction house: Private sale
6. LeBron James: $2,460,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 23/99
Grade: BGS NM-MT+ 8.5
Date of sale: October 24, 2021
Auction house: Goldin Auctions
7. LeBron James: $2,400,000
Card: 2020 Panini Flawless Triple Logoman Patch
Serial number: 1/1
Grade: Authentic
Date of sale: June 26, 2022
Auction house: Goldin Auctions
8. LeBron James: $2,100,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 12/23
Grade: BGS NM MT+ 8.5
Date of sale: June 26, 2022
Auction house: Goldin Auctions
9. LeBron James: $2,029,500
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 57/99
Grade: BGS NM MT+ 9
Date of sale: August 29, 2021
Auction house: Goldin Auctions
10. Kobe Bryant: $2,000,000
Card: 1997 Metal Universe Precious Metal Gems – Green
Serial number: 4/100
Grade: BGS NM-MT+ 8.5
Date of sale: February 22, 2022
Auction house: Private sale
11. Giannis Antetokounmpo: $1,857,300
Card: 2013-14 Panini National Treasures Logoman Patch Autograph
Serial number: 1/1
Grade: BGS MT 9
Date of sale: September 20, 2020
Auction house: Goldin Auctions
12. LeBron James: $1,845,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 14/23
Grade: BGS GEM MINT 9.5/BGS 10
Date of sale:July 19, 2020
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
13. Kobe Bryant: $1,795,800
Card: 1996-97 Topps Chrome Refractors #138 Rookie Card
Serial number: Not numbered
Grade: BGS PRISTINE/Black Label 10
Date of sale: March 6, 2021
Auction house: Goldin Auctions
14. LeBron James / Michael Jordan / Kobe Bryant: $1,680,000
Card: 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite All-NBA Access Triple Logoman
Serial number: 1/1
Grade: Authentic
Date of sale:August 7, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
15. LeBron James: $1,572,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 30/99
Grade:PSA NM-MT+ 8.5/10
Date of sale:January 8, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
16. LeBron James: $1,537,500
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 32/99
Grade:BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/10
Date of sale:March 6, 2021
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
17. Michael Jordan: $1,440,000
Card: 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Autographs
Serial number: 8/23
Grade:PSA NM 7 / Auto 8
Date of sale:February 4, 2021
Auction house:Heritage Auctions
18. LeBron James: $1,392,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 17/99
Grade:BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/10
Date of sale:January 8, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
19. LeBron James: $1,291,500
Card: 2004-05 Upper Deck Ultimate Signatures Logos #USL-LJ Signed Logoman Card
Serial number: 1/1
Grade:PSA Authentic / Auto 10
Date of sale:March 6, 2021
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
20. LeBron James: $1,200,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 78/99
Grade:BGS NM-MT+ 9
Date of sale:July 28, 2022
Auction house:PWCC Marketplace
20. LeBron James: $1,200,000
Card: 2003 Topps Chrome
Serial number: Not numbered.
Grade:BGS GM-MT 10
Date of sale:August 5, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
22. Giannis Antetokounmpo: $1,140,000
Card: 2013-14 Panini Prizm “Prizms Black Mosaic” #290
Serial number: 1/1
Grade:BGS GM-MT 9.5
Date of sale:December 12, 2020
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
23. LeBron James: $1,092,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 19/99
Grade:BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/10
Date of sale:January 8, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
24. Stephen Curry: $1,080,000
Card: 2009-10 Panini National Treasures “Century Platinum” Rookie Patch Autograph
Serial number: 4/5
Grade: PSA MINT 9, Auto 10
Date of sale:August 6, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
25. LeBron James: $1,062,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 36/99
Grade: BGS MINT 9/BGS 10
Date of sale:April 30, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
26. Anthony Davis: $1,020,000
Card: 2012-13 Panini National Treasures #151 NBA Logoman Rookie Patch Autographs
Serial number: 1/1
Grade:BGS MT 9/10
Date of sale:January 30, 2021
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
27. Michael Jordan: $1,008,000
Card: 1986 Upper Deck signed Fleer #57 Rookie Card
Serial number: 21/23
Grade: BGS NM-MT+ 8.5 / Auto 9
Date of sale:June 14, 2022
Auction house:Christie’s
28. Michael Jordan: $990,000
Card: 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Autographs
Serial number: 9/23
Grade:BGS NM-MT 7
Date of sale:August 7, 2022
Auction house:Private sale
29. Stephen Curry: $960,000
Card: 2009-10 Panini National Treasures “Century Platinum” Rookie Patch Autograph
Serial number: 3/5
Grade: BGS GM-MT 9.5/10
Date of sale: January 30, 2021
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
29. LeBron James: $960,000
Card: 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Patch Autographs #78
Serial number: 72/99
Grade: BGS MINT 8 / Auto 9
Date of sale: March 12, 2022
Auction house:Goldin Auctions
31. Kobe Bryant: $922,500
Card: 2002-03 Upper Deck Autograph Logoman
Serial number: 1/1
Grade: BGS MT 9 / Auto 10
Date of sale: October 24, 2021
Auction house: Goldin Auctions
The surge in sports card values, particularly in basketball, underscores a fascinating convergence of sports fandom, nostalgia, and investment potential. The article you shared delves into the staggering values of NBA trading cards, highlighting key players and their record-breaking sales. My background in sports memorabilia and collectibles, coupled with ongoing research and market analysis, affirms the incredible boom in the trading card industry.
The article touches upon several critical concepts within this realm:
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Players: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Luka Doncic dominate the market due to their iconic status, achievements, and fan following.
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Card Attributes: The specifics of each card, such as autographs, patches, serial numbers (often limited editions like 1/1), and grades from grading companies like PSA and BGS, significantly influence their value.
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Card Sets and Brands: Cards from various collections like Upper Deck Exquisite Collection, Panini National Treasures, Topps Chrome, and more are highly sought after. Specific editions, such as Logoman Autographs or Rookie Patch Autographs, command exceptional value.
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Marketplaces and Auction Houses: The sales occurred across notable auction houses like PWCC Marketplace, Goldin Auctions, Heritage Auctions, and private sales. These platforms play a crucial role in determining the market value.
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Record-breaking Sales: The listed top sales represent milestones in the industry, showcasing the escalating prices of these coveted cards over time.
The prices achieved for these cards, especially the record-breaking sales of Stephen Curry, LeBron James, and others, illustrate the unprecedented heights the trading card market has reached. The rarity, condition, and the particular player's legacy all play integral roles in these valuations, often surpassing millions of dollars.
This article encapsulates the fervor and financial prowess driving the current sports card market, reflecting not only a collector's passion but also an investment opportunity with incredible potential.
