Remember when “they” said the sports card industry was dead after its run in the 1980s and 1990s? For those of us who grew up collecting cards, the predictions of this industry’s demise hit home hard.
Apparently, said predictions were also extremely premature. Take this Giannis Antetokounmpo 2013-14 Panini America rookie card as an example. The card is up for auction and could net a whole heck of a lot.
Giannis Antetokounmpo rookie cards could net $2 million in auction
“Encapsulated and graded MINT 9 by BGS, with signature graded “10” by Beckett,” Goldin Auctions noted. “This collectible’s glorious obverse design is centered around a stunning and full-color, game-action image of the ‘Greek Wonder.’ A coveted cloth ‘Logoman’ NBA-symbol patch, taken from an event-worn Antetokounmpo jersey, dominates. To the right is the athlete’s full and rich, blue ink signature. Finally, gracing the area beneath the star’s image, is the ‘One of One’ limited edition serial number, formally confirming that the card is truly unique.”
Apparently, the person who initially pulled the card from a pack ended up selling it to another collector. After changing hands several times, Goldin Auctions got its hands on the super rare card.
Ken Goldin, who runs Goldin Auctions, said that the card could end up netting $2 million once bidding ends on Sept. 20.
This is the latest example of the sports trading card market taking off in recent years. It was just recently that a 2009 Topps Mike Trout card sold for a record $3.93 million.
Those of us who held on to Sammy Sosa’s 1990 Upper Deck rookie card are crying into our dirt poor checking accounts. That’s for sure.