$ 5.2 Million 2003-04 Exquisite LeBron James Matches Sports Card World Record
When it comes to highest prices, King James is king of basketball cards. t For now, he shares the throne for all sports cards as well. A pair of 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite LeBron James cards have broken some loy records in separate sales within a couple days of each other. One of them, a $5.2 million sale, not only sets the record for the most ever paid for a basketball card but matches the highest ever for all sports cards.
On April 26, PWCC announced they’d brokered a private sale for a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Rookie Parallel LeBron James for $5.2 million. It’s not only the highest ever for a basketball card, but it ties the world record for all sports cards.
e parallel has a print run of 23 copies, matching James’ jersey number. is particular card is 07/23. It’s also graded a BGS 9 with subgrades of 10 for centering and surface, 9.5 for edges and 8.5 for corners.
e $5.2 million matches the price paid for a PSA 9 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in January. at was also a private sale through PWCC.
e previous high for a basketball card was $4.6 million for the one-of-one 2018-19 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph Logoman Luka Doncic. at record was set less than two months ago in a private sale.
In July, 2020, a BGS 9.5 copy of the James Exquisite parallel went for $1.8 million. On April 24, a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite LeBron James Rookie Card sold for $1,722,000 through Goldin Auctions. is is a record price for this particular card, easily James’ most prestigious Rookie Card.
Graded BGS 9, it’s the base version with the RC tag that’s numbered to 09/99. Subgrades include 9.5 for centering and edges, 9 for surface and 8.5 for corners. e autograph has a grade of 10.