Owning a piece of a hometown King will cost you a princely sum.
What is being billed as the “world’s rarest and most valuable” LeBron James basketball trading card is up for auction. With the clock winding down, some predict it could fetch up to $200,000 or more by the time the final buzzer sounds.
With just eight bidders as of late Friday afternoon, the bid was at $85,000. But like an NBA game, the action is expected pick up as the clock ticks down to the final seconds on Saturday.
Before you start rummaging through the shoebox full of sports memorabilia for your own James treasure, this is not your typical trading card. This is a one-of-a-kind autographed rookie card from Upper Deck’s 2003/04 Ultimate Collection series.
The card, which features a picture of a young James taking a shot and a swath of the NBA logo from his game uniform, was placed randomly into a pack of cards more than a decade ago. (To see the card, visit www.goldinauctions.com/2003_2004_Upper_Deck_Ultimate_Collection_LeBron_Ja-LOT24755.aspx )
Folks from Goldin Auctions say the seller, whose identity has not been disclosed, has kept the card in a safe place for more than a decade and now is ready to sell it as the Cavs and James get ready to defend their NBA title.
With the minimum $50,000 bid met, the card will be sold by New Jersey-based Goldin Auctions when the auction ends.
Graded a “MINT 9” by Professional Sports Authenticator group, the card “reflects an untouched, impeccable appearance.”
While coveted, James has yet to reach the collector’s status of another NBA baller — a fellow by the name of George Mikan.
Never heard of George Mikan? Dubbed “Mr. Basketball,” he is credited with bringing popularity to the sport in its early professional years.
His 1948 Bowman #69 card is often described as the “Honus Wagner” of basketball cards. A mint condition of the card fetched $403,664 in 2015.
James has a few more years to catch up with that record.
Craig Webb, who once found a crumpled Orlando Cepeda rookie baseball card in a wall while remodeling his kitchen, can be reached at cwebb@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3547.