A record-breaking $12.93 million! Jordan and Kobe dual-signed card sells for a staggering price: the only one of its kind worldwide

As reported by ESPN on August 24th Beijing time, a Jordan and Kobe autographed star card fetched $12.932 million, breaking the record for the most expensive star card sale.

This card is from the 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite series “dual-signed card,” graded EX-MT6 by PSA, and numbered 1/1 (the only one in the world). Its sale price surpassed the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card, which sold for $12.6 million in late August 2022. The Jordan-Kobe card was auctioned by Heritage Auctions, with the buyer’s identity remaining undisclosed.

This Jordan and Kobe star card ranks as the second most expensive sports collectible ever, trailing only Babe Ruth’s 1932 World Series “called shot” jersey, which sold for $24.12 million a year ago.

Chris Ivy, Sports Auction Director at Heritage Auctions, stated that the consignment of this card began in February. The previous owner held the card for over a decade and declined private offers in the high seven figures, opting instead for a public auction. Heritage Auctions initially expected the sale price to surpass $6 million.

Ivy said, “The pre-auction estimate was over $6 million, so having such a unique item appear at auction really helps. It brings new collectors or encourages participation from those willing to pay a higher price.”

Notably, the card’s sale coincided with what would have been Kobe’s 47th birthday. In January 2020, Kobe and his daughter Gianna tragically died in a helicopter crash in California, which claimed nine lives in total.

Michael Jordan won six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and was named regular season MVP five times. He first retired in 1993, then returned twice more, retiring for the final time after two seasons with the Washington Wizards in 2003.