BREAKING NEWS: A signed 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card has just set a record, selling for an astonishing $2.7 million in a private sale conducted by Goldin Auctions. This marks the highest price ever paid for a card with an “aftermarket” signature, underscoring the intense demand for sports collectibles.
The sale, confirmed by Goldin Auctions, highlights the growing market for signed memorabilia. The card, graded a PSA Mint 9 with a perfect 10 autograph grade, is one of only nine cards signed by Jordan “in private with witnesses” during a signing event in 2024. According to Goldin Auctions founder Ken Goldin, this card is not merely a reselling of the $2.5 million card sold at Joopiter—Pharell Williams’ auction house—earlier this year.
Goldin expressed the significance of this sale, stating, “Signed rookie cards of greatest-of-all-time athletes, like Michael Jordan, represent the pinnacle of sports collectibles.” He further noted that this record-breaking sale not only reflects Jordan’s enduring legacy but also the rising recognition of aftermarket-signed cards.
For years, signed Jordan rookie cards were scarce due to his exclusive partnership with Upper Deck, limiting availability to just 23 copies signed for a 2006 promotion. However, with Jordan now conducting private signings, the rarity and value of these cards have surged, making them highly sought after by collectors worldwide.
This latest sale follows closely behind the $2.5 million transaction of another card from the same signing, which sold in late June 2023. The landscape of sports memorabilia is rapidly changing, and collectors are eager to secure a piece of history.
Expect more developments as the collectibles market continues to evolve. The impact of these sales is felt not just among avid collectors but also within the broader sports community, showcasing how the legacy of icons like Michael Jordan resonates through generations.
Stay tuned for updates as more records are likely to be set in this booming market!
