NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers poses for a portrait during the 2003 NBA Rookie Shoot on September 10, 2003 in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement Copyright 2003 NBAE

LeBron rookie card auctioned off for $1.8M

6 years ago

Jesse D. Garrabrant / National Basketball Association / Getty

A rare autographed LeBron James rookie basketball card sold for $1.8 million at auction Saturday night.

The LBJ 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite card - one of only 23 produced - had already set a new record for the most expensive modern-day card with a $960,000 bid in June. The previous record belonged to a Mike Trout rookie card that sold for $922,500 in May.

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 card was one of several notable items up for grabs in Goldin Auctions' Summer Premium Auction. A pair of Michael Jordan's game-worn and signed Air Jordan sneakers from his rookie season fetched $369,000, while a 2000 Los Angeles Lakers championship ring gifted by Kobe Bryant to his father sold for $162,360.