“Kobe Bryant rookie card sells for $1.8 million”: Record sale of the Lakers legend’s rookie card among signature sales by Goldin Auctions

Basketball collectibles are soaring in value of late. Joining the likes of Michael Jordan and LeBron James is Kobe Bryant on a burgeoning marketplace.

Collectibles that once belonged to Kobe Bryant are now at an all-time high in auction value. The Lakers legend died in a tragic helicopter crash in January last year, along with 8 other girls. The Mamba is revered as an all-time NBA great, and still has a fanatic following.

Even in a year that ravaged the world with millions of deaths in a pandemic, Kobe’s death reverberated around the world long after his departure.

The All-Star Game played yesterday featured Giannis Antetokounmpo bagging the second Kobe Bryant All-Star Game MVP. Given the going rates for collectibles at this time, this trophy will also be worth a lot in coming years.

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Goldin Auctions sells Kobe Bryant rookie card for $1.8 million

Five trading cards sold for over $1 million each on the first night of Goldin Auctions’ latest major catalog sale. Three of these belonged to basketball superstars.

A 2006-07 Topps Chrome Kobe Bryant rookie card graded BGS 10 (black label) netted $1,795,000, a record price for any Bryant card sold at public auction.  It’s one of only two ever rated at that level by Beckett.

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The other two basketball cards on sale were two LeBron James rookie cards. A 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph graded BGS 8.5 set a record for the grade at over $1.5 million. Another 2004-05 Upper Deck Ultimate Signature Logos 1/1 eventually went under the hammer $1.2 million.

The market for basketball collectibles is reaching a new level. Programs and services like NBA Top Shot are taking full advantage – the platform has handled millions in sold items over the past few months.