LANDOVER, MD – CIRCA 1986: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls dribbles the ball up court against the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1986 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Jordan played for the Bulls from 1984-93 and 1995 – 98. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Jordan
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An “aftermarket” autographed 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card has sold in a private sale for $2.7 million – the all-time highest price paid for a trading card with an aftermarket signature.
Auction house Goldin Auctions, the leading marketplace for trading cards and collectibles, said the card was one of the nine signed by NBA legend Jordan “in private with witnesses” at a signing last year.
The Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) rated it a Mint 9 card grade and Gem-Mint 10 autograph grade.
“Signed rookie cards of greatest-of-all-time athletes, like Michael Jordan, represent the pinnacle of sports collectibles,” Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin, said in a statement, according to ESPN.
“This record-breaking sale is a testament not only to Jordan’s enduring legacy but also to the recognition of aftermarket-signed cards, which are truly elite pieces of memorabilia, especially when in high grade.”
“Aftermarket” signed cards are autographed outside the chain of card production.
This sale surpassed a $2.5 million auction sale of a different 1986 Fleer Jordan autographed rookie card with the same PSA 9/10 grades that took place in June this year through auction house Joopiter.
In August, the 2007-08 Dual Logoman Autographed Kobe Bryant-Michael Jordan card became the highest-selling sports card in history, auctioned off for a little over $12.9 million at Heritage Auctions, as part of its Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction.