The high-end modern sports cards and memorabilia at Goldin’s August Elite Auction did not disappoint, drawing in substantial bids that soared past the six-figure mark. Leading the pack was the PSA 8 1984-85 Star Company Michael Jordan rookie card, commanding an impressive $244,000 and setting a new record for its grade.
The buzz around Jordan’s rookie card continued with a PSA 7 version selling for $62,000 on eBay, indicating the surging interest in this iconic NBA trading card. Not to be outdone, a PSA 6.5 iteration of the card fetched $52,460.
In the realm of baseball, a 1-of-1 2009 Bowman Sterling Red Refractor Autograph card of MLB standout Mike Trout, graded PSA 9, saw strong bidding activity, ultimately selling for $192,030. Despite Trout’s recent injury woes, collectors showed unwavering support for this rare card.
Two more baseball cards made waves with record-breaking sales for their respective players. A 2011 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Bryce Harper #5/5, graded PSA 9, commanded a noteworthy $184,720, while a 2014 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Mookie Betts #3/5, graded PSA 10, earned an impressive $123,220.
The allure of 1-of-1 SuperFractor cards was evident, with the 2024 Topps Chrome Autographed SuperFractor Elly De La Cruz PSA 10 selling for $116,534, and a Jackson Holliday SuperFractor PSA 10 fetching $68,527, setting new benchmarks for these players.
A highlight from the auction was the sale of a dual autograph Ronaldo/Messi SuperFractor from 2023-24 Topps UEFA for $67,100, graded PSA 9. The card, pulled by a breaker in England, made its way to Goldin at the London Card Show, captivating soccer and card collectors alike.
Shifting gears to memorabilia, the spotlight shone on Travis Kelce’s 2020-21 Super Bowl LV jersey, photomatched to the Kansas City Chiefs’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, commanding top honors with a sale price of $52,460. Kelce’s AFC Championship ring from that season also saw a strong bid, selling for $34,404.
Sports memorabilia enthusiasts also clamored for an Aaron Judge 2017 rookie season jersey, photomatched to one of his record-breaking 52 home runs, which exchanged hands for $51,240.
Rounding out the top sales were noteworthy items such as the 2017 National Treasures Patrick Mahomes RPA #77/99 fetching $95,770, the 2018 Bowman Orange Refractor Shohei Ohtani #22/75 graded PSA 9 selling for $74,450, a 1996 Mariano Rivera game-used jersey photomatched to eight trading cards reaching $51,240, and the 1969 Topps Football Series 1 and Series 2 wax boxes selling for $32,940 and $31,721, respectively.
Goldin’s August Elite Auction reaffirmed the enduring appeal of both vintage and modern sports collectibles, with record-breaking sales highlighting the relentless passion of collectors for unique and sought-after items in the sports world.
