The recent Goldin Elite Auction showcased the insatiable demand for high-end modern sports cards and memorabilia, setting a new standard for collectible sales. Leading the charge was the PSA 8 1984-85 Star Company Michael Jordan card, which fetched an impressive $244,000, establishing a new record for its grade in the market.
Not far behind was the sale of a PSA 7 Jordan Star Company rookie card on eBay, commanding a cool $62,000 – a clear indicator of the soaring interest in Jordan’s iconic rookie card. Adding to the frenzy, a PSA 6.5 version of the card also found a new home for $52,460, keeping the momentum rolling for this coveted piece of basketball card history.
The auction didn’t stop at basketball nostalgia; baseball enthusiasts also had their fair share of excitement with standout sales like the 1-of-1 2009 Bowman Sterling Red Refractor Autograph card of MLB sensation Mike Trout. Despite Trout’s recent injury setbacks, this graded PSA 9 card raked in an impressive $192,030, showcasing the enduring allure of rare modern baseball cards.
Two more baseball cards made history with record-breaking sales: a 2011 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Bryce Harper #5/5, graded PSA 9, went under the hammer for $184,720, while a 2014 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Mookie Betts #3/5, graded PSA 10, fetched $123,220, setting new benchmarks for their respective players.
The auction was not short on unique finds, with 1-of-1 SuperFractor cards like the 2024 Topps Chrome Autographed SuperFractor Elly De La Cruz PSA 10 commanding $116,534. Another highlight was the Jackson Holliday SuperFractor PSA 10, which sold for $68,527, marking a high point for the player in the public eye.
A dual autograph Ronaldo/Messi SuperFractor from 2023-24 Topps UEFA also made waves, selling for $67,100 following a PSA 9 grading. This rare card, discovered by a breaker in England, found its way to the Goldin auction stage at the London Card Show, captivating soccer fans and collectors alike.
On the memorabilia front, NFL star Travis Kelce’s 2020-21 Super Bowl LV jersey stole the spotlight, selling for $52,460 after being photomatched to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kelce’s AFC Championship ring from the same season also found a new owner for $34,404, further cementing his place in sports memorabilia history.
Noteworthy sales didn’t stop there, as items like an Aaron Judge 2017 rookie season jersey, connected to his record-breaking 52 home runs, fetched an impressive $51,240. Other top sales from the auction included Patrick Mahomes’ 2017 National Treasures RPA #77/99 for $95,770, Shohei Ohtani’s 2018 Bowman Orange Refractor #22/75 PSA 9 for $74,450, a 1996 Mariano Rivera game-used jersey photomatched to eight trading cards for $51,240, and 1969 Topps Football Series 1 and 2 wax boxes selling for $32,940 and $31,721, respectively.
The success of Goldin’s August Elite Auction underscores the enduring appeal of both vintage and modern sports collectibles, with enthusiasts and investors alike flocking to acquire prized items and set new benchmarks in the ever-evolving world of sports memorabilia.
