High-end modern cards and a hobby icon are among the heavy hitters in the new Goldin Auctions catalog but it might be better known as the breakout moment for soccer cards. After bidding opened Friday, the first 48 hours saw two of them take their place among the most active items in the massive online catalog.
Prices for items from soccer stars have soared along with the more traditional trading cards since 2019. The new auction features several highly sought-after soccer cards, including the 1/1 2019-20 Topps Chrome Bundesliga Autographed Superfractor of Erling Haaland– graded BGS 9.5/10. Earlier this month, a Haaland card from the same set sold through Goldin Auctions for $150,000, a record for a modern soccer card.
The auction also features a 2004 PSA 10 Lionel Messi Panini Megacracks rookie card as well as the highest graded rookie card of Argentinian legend Diego Maradona.
“There was a time when it would be hard to believe a modern soccer card would be LOT #1 in one of our premium auctions,” said Goldin. “But today, soccer is one of the hobby’s fastest-growing assets by popularity, in part because of the rapid growth of international enthusiasts.”
Also among the items expected to bring top dollar is a 2003-04 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection LeBron James autographed rookie card (#236/250) carrying a BGS 10 grade that quickly topped the $200,000 plateau and is expected to go much higher before the close of bidding later this month. A PSA 10 version of the same card (#197/250) is also in the auction.
Another James rookie patch autograph (# to 99) from Upper Deck Exquisite was pulled from the catalog after questions arose about the patch on the front of the card was the original one used when the card ws created. Goldin stated via Instagram that it’s believed any potential alteration would have been done prior to 2013 when the consignor acquired it. The card had carried a minimum bid of $400,000.
The auction has multiple Babe Ruth autographed items and a 1928-30 Lou Gehrig Hanna Batrite R2 model bat originally given to the nephew of a sportswriter friend of Gehrig’s.
In all, the auction includes an eye-popping 7,141 lots of vintage and modern singles, unopened boxes and cases, autographs and memorabilia.
A 1961-62 Fleer Basketball unopened wax box and a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded PSA 7 are also on the list of lots attracting strong bids in the early going.
Beyond sports, the auction also features extremely rare trading card game items, including a 1st edition holographic Charizard Pokémon card in GEM MINT 10 condition Earlier this month, Logan Paul wore a similar Charizard card in a chain around his neck ahead of his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather. Paul and Goldin Auctions Founder Ken Goldin also pulled two similar 1st edition Charizard cards in a February live streamed event.
The auction will close over two nights on June 26-27.
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