A historic moment in the world of sports memorabilia occurred recently when a rare basketball card featuring two legendary players, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, was sold for a staggering $3.172 million at a Heritage Auctions event. This sale, which took place on December 19, solidified the card's place as one of the most valuable basketball cards ever sold at auction. The card, a 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection dual Logoman, is a one-of-a-kind piece and was graded a 6 by Professional Sports Authenticator, as reported by ESPN. This sale also marks the card as the seventh-most expensive basketball card ever sold at auction.
What makes this particular card even more special is that it is from the debut year of Upper Deck's dual Logoman series and does not contain autographs, setting it apart from the even more expensive 2007-08 signed Bryant/Jordan dual Logoman card which sold for a whopping $12.932 million back in August. In fact, the 2007-2006 card still holds the record for the most expensive sports card ever sold at auction. It's clear that this particular card, with its unique features and historical significance, was highly coveted by collectors.
In addition to the record-breaking sale of the Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan card, the Heritage auction also saw strong prices for vintage baseball cards. Two 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards were sold for over $850,000 each, with one graded an 8 by Professional Sports Authenticator and selling for a staggering $1.55 million. Another card featuring a high-grade autograph of Mantle fetched an impressive $945,500, as reported by ABC30.
It's no surprise that Kobe Bryant's sports memorabilia continues to command top dollar, even after his untimely passing. Widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, there is a high demand for items once owned by the Lakers legend. In fact, in April 2024, Bryant's 2000 Los Angeles Lakers championship ring was sold for a jaw-dropping $917,000 at auction. This ring holds significant sentimental value as it marks Bryant's first championship win out of the five he would go on to achieve. It was originally gifted to his father, Joe Bryant, at the time of his victory. Interestingly, this ring was previously sold by Kobe's parents, Pam and Joe, in 2013 for $173,000. The new buyer made a sizable profit of over $700,000 when they sold it at the auction.
It's clear that Kobe Bryant's legacy and impact on the world of sports will never be forgotten. His fans and collectors alike continue to honor his memory by investing in pieces of his storied career. As seen in this record-breaking auction, the demand for items related to Bryant remains strong and will likely continue for years to come.
