Upper Deck’s landmark 2003-04 Exquisite Collection delivered what are now considered the top LeBron James rookie cards but there were some other notable names in the product. Now, a group of 30 individually graded Exquisite cards featuring autographed rookie patch cards and special limited editions from James, Michael Jordan and Dwyane Wade are up for bids at Goldin Auctions. Many are among a single-digit population of highest graded examples on the PSA or BGS population reports.
The top card in the auction is the Rookie Patch Parallel #78 James card (#16/23) graded BGS NM-MT+ 8.5/BGS 10. As of Thursday afternoon, with nine days left in the auction, bidding had reached $166,000. A Number Pieces #LJ rookie (#02/23) graded BGS 8.5 had reached $36,000.
In 2016, Goldin Auctions sold a 2003-04 Ultimate Collection James rookie graded PSA 9 for $312,000. At the time, it was the most expensive signed trading card ever sold.
In all, there are four 2003/04 James and four Jordan Exquisite cards in the current auction. A Number Pieces #MJ Jordan auto (#02/23) graded BGS 9 was at $33,000. A “Scripted Swatches” Jordan (#02/25) graded BGS 9.5 was at $20,000.
The auction also includes Exquisite cards of Kobe Bryant, Bill Russell, Julius Erving, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Yao Ming, Allen Iverson and others.
Bidding is set to continue through October 19.
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