The Golden Auctions’ latest April Elite sale was a whirlwind of excitement for sports memorabilia enthusiasts, with items associated with NBA rising stars Anthony Edwards and Victor Wembanyama fetching record prices. The auction coincided with a standout playoff performance from Anthony Edwards, further fueling the frenzy surrounding his memorabilia.
A notable highlight of the sale was an early NBA jersey worn by Anthony Edwards during his fourth career game, which commanded a jaw-dropping price of $118,978. This sale set a new record for the highest price paid for any Anthony Edwards jersey in public auctions. The jersey, authenticated by MeiGray/NBA and featuring photographic evidence to match, had seen Edwards achieve a career milestone by recording his first block and scoring 12 points in the same game. The young talent solidified his rising star status during the 2024 playoffs by becoming one of the youngest players to score over 40 points in consecutive postseason games, a feat only achieved by legends like Kobe Bryant.
Another highlight was the sale of an Anthony Edwards 2020-21 Panini National Treasures Rookie Patch Autograph card, graded BGS GEM MINT 9.5 with a Beckett 10 for autographs, which fetched an impressive $85,550 at the auction, showcasing the high demand for his memorabilia.
Victor Wembanyama, a promising basketball player, also saw a surge in interest in his memorabilia, particularly his rookie cards. A 2023-24 Panini Prizm Green Shimmer First Off The Line rookie card, numbered 1 of 5 and graded PSA 10, became the center of attention as it sold for $113,460. Additionally, a rare Gold Shimmer rookie card numbered 7/10 was sold for $49,410, highlighting the appeal of Wembanyama’s collectibles in the sports memorabilia market.
The auction extended its reach beyond basketball, with items like a 1996-97 Kobe Bryant Topps Chrome Refractor rookie card fetching an impressive $92,720. Similarly, a 2018 Panini Prizm World Cup Gold Power Prizm Kylian Mbappe rookie card, graded BGS MINT 9, commanded a price of $92,190, showcasing the enduring allure of collectibles featuring iconic sports figures.
Former Duke star Cherokee Parks’ NCAA Championship ring was also part of the auction, with his 1994 Championship ring selling for $44,320, adding a touch of nostalgia for collectors.
The auction also featured photographs capturing pivotal moments in the early careers of basketball legends like Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, which were sold for $15,982 and $14,640, respectively, appealing to enthusiasts seeking iconic memorabilia pieces.
Among the variety of items offered, a jersey from Fernando Tatis’s early MLB days, worn during his first career road game, fetched $10,098, showcasing the diverse range of sports collectibles that resonate with fans across generations and sports disciplines. The auction was a testament to the enduring appeal of sports memorabilia and the passion it ignites among collectors around the world.
