Michael Jordan card sells for more than $232,000 at auction

NEW YORK — A rare Michael Jordan card from the 1997-98 NBA season sold at an auction in New York City last week for more than $232,000, making it the second most expensive card of the entire auction.

The card is a 1997-98 Michael Jordan Metal Universe Champions Precious Metal Gem Card, graded PSA Grade 8, and sold for $232,846.80.

According to Leyland Auctions, which is selling the rare Jordan card, it is part of a “Golden Age Collection.”

Leland’s says this is the first time since 2020 that a PSA-graded example from the series has been offered at auction, and this time it’s a freshly graded NM-MT 8 example.

The card features a colorful image of Jordan taking a full shot, the ball preparing to leave his right hand, with the Chicago skyline in the background. The back is clean and bright and numbered 25/50.

According to the population report, 7 samples were rated NM-MT 8, with only 4 samples rated higher than NM-MT 8. Lelands said collectors consider the precious metal gem to be the most important basketball liner ever made, with 1997 being the year of its creation.

Jordan released two versions of the Precious Metal Gem during the 1997-98 season; the No. 23 example and this No. 23 Championship example. Another No. 23 edition was printed in a run of 100 copies, with the first 10 copies in green and the remaining 90 in red. However, there is only one version of the Champion Edition, with a print run of 50 copies.

Jordan won his fifth Most Valuable Player Award and sixth Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the 1997-98 season, culminating in his signature crossover jumper that won Game 6 of the NBA Finals against Bayern. Len Russell and the Utah Jazz. The MVP award and NBA championship were the last of his illustrious NBA career.

The most expensive card sold in Leland’s Winter Classic Series was the Roberto Clemente Pittsburgh Pirates World Championship Jersey Card, which sold for $256,714.

Clemente’s game-worn jersey card comes with a full SGC certification. During that historic season, Clement batted .314 with 94 RBIs and led the Pirates to their first World Series in 35 years. This gray vest button-front top is such an important piece that it received an Excellent rating from the SGC, the second highest rating achievable.

Other rare cards and items that fetched high prices at auction include Ted Williams’ game-worn 1942 Boston Red Sox from his first Triple Crown season Photo Matching Jersey ($191,563), 1991 Kentucky Derby Owners Trophy ($165,479), Circa 1920s Original Yankees Photo PSA Double Signed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig Type 1 – Auto 9 ($131,066), baseball signed by Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner ($102,694), and Sidney Crosby 2005 -06 Rookie Year Penguins Game Wear, Photo – Matching Jersey ($86,464).

The auction also includes a signed 1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson No. 50 PSA Authentic Auto 9 ($85,772), a Pete Rose 1976 Reds World Championship signed, game-worn jersey ($41,477), a A Ted Williams 1940 Red Sox game-worn jacket ($40,920) and a Lynn Swann Steelers game-worn jersey, dated November 27, 1978 Match, when he had a season-high 134 yards and two touchdowns ($37,620) A Brian Leetch signed, game-worn Rangers 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs jersey, photo matching jersey ($37,620) and Jerry Lucas 1960-62 Ohio State Buckeyes game worn jersey ($31,676).