LeBron James: Ultra-rare basketball trading card sold for $ 5.2 million

LeBron James (2006)

Photo: MARK DUNCAN / AP

Just last weekend, a nearly identical card for 1.72 million US dollars changed hands.

But even this considerable sum seems almost manageable compared to the sale that PWCC Marketplace has now announced.

The trading card expert claims to have sold a basketball player LeBron James card for $ 5.2 million.

This not only means a record for basketball trading cards, but also draws the most expensive trading card ever.

A copy of the baseball legend Mickey Mantle also sold for $ 5.2 million in January.

The cardboard card dates from 1952.

The copy that has now been sold is not that old.

It is a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph.

The card contains a piece of jersey from the athlete who was then employed by the Cleveland Cavaliers, as well as his autograph.

According to the seller, there are only 23 copies (based on James' shirt number).

It is not known who has indulged in the sinfully expensive card.

Cards from the first season attract collectors

In the past few years, trading cards have developed from a niche to a speculative object.

More and more extremely wealthy collectors are buying the cards at increasingly horrific prices.

The so-called rookie cards, i.e. cards from the first season of the respective star, are particularly popular in the sports sector.

That month, a card from footballer Tom Brady went for $ 2.25 million, and a rookie card from Kobe Bryant, the late Los Angeles Lakers star, went for just under $ 1.8 million in March.

LeBron James is considered one of the best basketball players in the history of the North American professional league.

After his time with the Cavaliers, he played for Miami, then again in Cleveland and now with the Los Angeles Lakers.

So far he has won the championship four times and has been named the most valuable player in the league four times.

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