For nearly two decades, a LeBron James 2003-04 Exquisite Collection Basketball Rookie Patch Autograph Parallel #08/23 card was hidden away, waiting for its moment to shine. Acquired in 2004 for around $3,000, this gem was carefully stored in a safety deposit box until the 20th anniversary of its release. The Upper Deck Exquisite Collection, launched in June 2004, is revered as one of the most significant basketball card releases, showcasing a stellar rookie class including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony.
Known for its scarcity, LeBron’s rookie card from this set, especially the #78 RPA, holds iconic status. With two versions available – the /99 Level 1 and a rare parallel numbered to his jersey number 23 – this card is extremely limited, with only 23 copies in existence. Since July 2020, just one other card from this series has been graded by Beckett.
The card up for auction, graded BGS NM+ 7.5 with a pristine Auto grade of 10, boasts impressive sub-grades of Centering 9.5, Edges 7.5, Corners 7, and Surface 7.5. Featuring a bold blue autograph on a white backdrop, alongside a two-color swatch, this card’s “hobby fresh” appeal and significance in the basketball card community led to a jaw-dropping final bid of $351,029.
Another star of the show was a 2003 Topps Chrome #111 LeBron James rookie card, showcasing a black refractor variant. LeBron’s 2003 Topps Chrome rookie cards are revered in NBA history for their limited print runs and diverse refractor versions such as the unnumbered refractor, black refractor (/500), X-Fractor (/220), and gold refractor (/50).
The black refractor card on offer, graded PSA GEM MINT 10, is notably rare, with only 21 copies (4% of the print run) achieving this pristine grade according to the PSA population report. The black borders of the card make imperfections more prominent, adding to the challenge of securing a perfect grade. Numbered 326 out of 500, this specific card is a must-have for any serious LeBron James or NBA memorabilia collector, fetching an impressive $126,725 in the auction.
The exceptional results from the Leland’s Summer Classic Auction underscore the enduring value and appeal of LeBron James’ rookie cards in the realm of sports memorabilia.