High-end modern sports cards and memorabilia took center stage at Goldin’s August Elite Auction, where enthusiastic collectors eagerly placed substantial bids on some of the most coveted items in the sports memorabilia world. The auction showcased a remarkable array of pieces, with several surpassing the six-figure mark and setting new records.
The star of the show was undoubtedly the PSA 8 1984-85 Star Company Michael Jordan rookie card, which stole the spotlight by fetching an impressive $244,000. This sale not only exceeded expectations but also set a new record for that particular grade, solidifying Jordan’s enduring popularity among collectors and fans alike.
Hot on the heels of the Jordan card frenzy was the sale of a PSA 7 Jordan Star Company rookie card on eBay, which commanded a noteworthy $62,000, further demonstrating the surging demand for Jordan’s inaugural NBA licensed trading card. Additionally, a PSA 6.5 version of the card was sold for $52,460, showcasing the strength of the market for Jordan memorabilia.
The auction also saw baseball superstar Mike Trout shine with a 1-of-1 2009 Bowman Sterling Red Refractor Autograph card, graded PSA 9, which brought in an impressive $192,030, despite Trout facing injury challenges in recent years. Two other modern baseball cards broke records for their respective players, with a 2011 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Bryce Harper #5/5, graded PSA 9, selling for $184,720, and a 2014 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Mookie Betts #3/5, graded PSA 10, fetching $123,220.
Among the standout cards were the 1-of-1 SuperFractors, with the 2024 Topps Chrome Autographed SuperFractor Elly De La Cruz PSA 10 commanding $116,534, and a Jackson Holliday SuperFractor PSA 10 selling for $68,527, both setting new public price records for these rising stars.
The auction also featured a dual autograph Ronaldo/Messi SuperFractor from 2023-24 Topps UEFA, which was graded PSA 9 and sold for $67,100. The card, pulled by a breaker in England and consigned to Goldin at the London Card Show, captured the attention of soccer fans and collectors alike.
Turning to memorabilia, Travis Kelce’s 2020-21 Super Bowl LV jersey, photomatched to the Kansas City Chiefs’ championship game, emerged as a top seller, commanding $52,460. Additionally, Kelce’s AFC Championship ring from the same season was also a hit, selling for $34,404, showcasing the enduring appeal of championship memorabilia.
Notable memorabilia sales also included an Aaron Judge 2017 rookie season jersey, photomatched to his 52 home runs that season, which fetched $51,240, further highlighting the demand for items linked to popular players and milestone moments.
Rounding out the top sales were coveted items such as the 2017 National Treasures Patrick Mahomes RPA #77/99, which sold for $95,770, the 2018 Bowman Orange Refractor Shohei Ohtani #22/75 PSA 9, which fetched $74,450, a 1996 Mariano Rivera game-used jersey photomatched to eight trading cards, which went for $51,240, and rare 1969 Topps Football Series 1 and 2 wax boxes, selling for $32,940 and $31,721 respectively.
Goldin’s August Elite Auction once again underscored the enduring appeal and strong market for both vintage and modern sports collectibles, with record-breaking sales highlighting the continued fascination and enthusiasm of collectors for rare and iconic items in the sports world.
