News
Holy grail Jordan/LeBron auto card draws 98 bids, big dollars
In 2007, Upper Deck coordinated an insert card that’s become a holy grail: a dual-signed issue featuring the autographs of Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
At the time, Jordan had been retired for five seasons, having wrapped up his otherworldly career with six championships and per-game averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists.
James, meanwhile, had only four seasons under his belt as the 2007-08 season started. But he was already established as the game’s biggest draw. By now, at age 39 and in his 21st season, he’s a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame and belongs in any conversation about the NBA’s best player ever, having averaged 27 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game as the 2023-24 season unfolded.
Back to the insert card in question: It’s a classy-looking piece, with Jordan’s and James’s signatures inked in silver on a black background and accompanied by small photographs. It was limited to an edition of 25, so on the rare occasion when one surfaces, it draws a crowd. In this case, 98 bids pushed it to $19,500. There’s probably nowhere to go but up for this rarity.
Here’s our full Top 10 chart (through Nov. 6), followed by the next 10:
TOP 10 CHART
1. $61,100 on 39 bids: 1996 Topps Finest Mickey Mantle 1955 Bowman reprint, unpeeled Refractor (SGC 8)
2. $40,100 on 73 bids: 1981 Topps Joe Montana (PSA 10)
3. $30,200 on 61 bids: 2003-04 Topps Chrome LeBron James Black Refractor, #58/500 (BGS 9.5)
4. $27,789 on 71 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (BGS 9.5)
5. $27,420 on 79 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (BGS 9.5)
6. $24,555 on 48 bids: 2019 Topps Chrome (soccer) Erling Haaland Orange Refractor, #17/25, auto (PSA 10)
7. $23,769 on 68 bids: 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky (PSA 8.5)
8. $22,947 on 59 bids: Upper Deck SP Authentic Tiger Woods, #61/900, auto (PSA 10)
9. $22,189 on 64 bids: 2000-01 Upper Deck Kobe Bryant, #6/8, auto patch (SGC 7)
10. $20,412 on 62 bids: 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle (SGC 4)
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
• $20,099 on 67 bids: 2019-20 Panini National Treasures Zion Williamson, #89/99, auto patch (BGS 8.5, auto 10)
• $19,623 on 60 bids: 1997-98 Fleer Ultra Stars Michael Jordan Gold (PSA 8.5)
• $19,510 on 48 bids: 2009-10 Topps Chrome Stephen Curry Refractor, #362/500 (BGS 9.5)
• $19,500 on 98 bids: 2007-08 Upper Deck Black Dual Michael Jordan/LeBron James, #7/25, auto (ungraded)
• $19,459 on 61 bids: 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson (PSA 5)
• $19,320 on 48 bids: 1975 Topps Bob Gibson (PSA 10)
• $18,850 on 29 bids: 2022 Panini Flawless Emerald Brock Purdy NFL Laundry Tag, #3/5, auto patch (ungraded)
• $18,400 on 84 bids: 1984-85 Star Michael Jordan (BGS 8)
• $17,465 on 34 bids: 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan (PSA 9)
• $17,255 on 43 bids: 1996-97 Skybox E-X2000 Kobe Bryant (PSA 10)
