This LeBron James NBA Card Could Become Most Expensive Ever Sold At Auction
Bidding for King James’ “holy grail” trading card is expected to surpass $6.6 million.
King James is poised to set a new record off the court.
Expert collectors believe that a flawless, one-of-a-kind Panini Triple Logoman LeBron James Patch Card become the most expensive ever sold by surpassing a $6.6 million 3-grade T206 Honus Wagner at a Goldin collectibles auction.
It wouldn’t even be the first time that a James card has held the record, as his 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph) Parallel tied with Mickey Mantle’s for the most valuable trading card ever in 2021, before the Honus Wagner usurped them both.
But what makes this piece of NBA memorabilia such a prize are patches from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers—the three teams James has led to championships and won MVPs during his nearly two decades in the league.
According to Robb Report, it’s one of five Triple Logoman cards produced for Panini’s 2020-2021 “Flawless” collection, but the only one of the bunch featuring patches from a single player.
Hype exploded through the hobby when news of the James Triple Logoman broke last year, igniting a fervor among collectors and well-heeled enthusiasts. Drake reportedly bought up 10 $2,750 cases of 10 randomly assorted cards in his unsuccessful search attempt, while streamers broadcast unboxings with the hopes of striking gold.
USA Today reports that Whatnot, an online community marketplace for collectors, promised that anyone who “pulled” the James Triple Logoman on the platform would be gifted a Lamborghini Huracan. A user named JMo ultimately turned up with the “holy grail.” It’s currently collectively owned by three Whatnot users who’ve decided to sell their stakes in the card.
“The LeBron James Triple Logoman card is the undisputed holy grail of modern cards,” Goldin founder Ken Goldin said in a statement. “For months, collectors have clamored to claim this uniquely alluring masterpiece and for card collectors, there have been a small handful of cards that are considered the pièce de résistance of the hobby.”
Bidding is for the Triple Logoman LeBron James Patch Card had reached $1.2 million at the time of publication. The auction closes on June 25.