We had another record-breaking sale of a LeBron James Rookie card this week. His 2003-04 Exquisite Collection #78 LeBron James Signed Parallel Rookie Card (#14/23) sold at Goldin Auctions for an astounding final price of $1,845,000. This is a record for a modern era sports card. It beats out the $922,500 a Mike Trout Rookie Card sold for earlier in the year.

The card was graded Gem Mint 9.5 by Beckett Grading Services and features an Autograph that received a 10 grade. The sub grades on the card are 9.5 Centering, 9.5 Surface, 9.5 Edges and 9 on Corners. The card is numbers 14/23 and features a three-color patch in the card.

The market for high end sports cards seems to be growing by the day. Some even feel that the card and memorabilia markets may be the beginning stages of becoming a valid alternative investment option much like what the art market provided. Many wealthy investors see these ultra-rare, high dollar cards as a way to diversify their portfolio of investments and get in on the “ground floor”.