In this week’s edition of The Curator we highlight a selection of LeBron James cards from the upcoming PWCC Premier auction, along with cards from a variety of sports and eras. Today’s list includes a baseball card from the 1800s, all the way up to football cards from 2020. With that being said, let’s jump right into the headliners:
2003 Topps Chrome Refractor LeBron James Rookie PSA 10
A gem mint copy of LeBron James’s signature rookie card. Perhaps the most iconic basketball card of the modern era, this card combines an all-time great rookie card with an all-time great card set. A classic photo of rookie LeBron James shooting a fadeaway shot against a faded crowd backdrop. In PSA 10 condition, this card is part of a population of 2,207.
2003 Topps Chrome Xfractor LeBron James Rookie /220 PSA 9
A step up from the un-numbered refractor rookie, the Xfractor is limited to 220 copies. PSA has graded 76 of the total 220, and only 7 have achieved a higher grade than this. In PSA 9 condition, this card has only publicly sold 3 times in the past year, making this a rare opportunity to obtain a major key LeBron James rookie.
2003 SP Signature Edition LeBron James Rookie Autograph PSA 10
It doesn’t get much better than an on-card rookie autograph of one of the greatest basketball players of all time. LeBron has not signed many cards following his rookie season, which have helped protect the rarity and prestige of cards like this. In PSA 10 condition, this card is part of a population of 57.
2003 Upper Deck Sweet Shot Signature Shots LeBron James Rookie Autograph BGS 8.5
Here’s a unique LeBron James rookie autograph card. The 2003 Upper Deck Sweet Shot product featured “on-basketball” autographs as one of the chase hits. None were a bigger chase than this LeBron James, which features a BGS 10 graded autograph.
2018 Panini Prizm Blue Prizms Luka Doncic Rookie /199 PSA 10
Luka Doncic continues to trailblaze the NBA record books in his young career. In his latest feat, he became the first player since Wilt Chamberlain to score at least 30 points in the first 7 games of the season. This blue Prizm limited to 199 copies is one of his most sought-after rookie cards, featuring the popular Prizm brand and a beautiful blue uniform color match.
2013 Panini Prizm Silver Prizms Giannis Antetokounmpo Rookie BGS 9.5
The 2013 Prizm set was not nearly as popular in its release year than it is today. In fact, it was not uncommon for the product to sit on shelves for months, and Giannis cards like this silver Prizm could be had for less than $25. Only 123 copies have been graded by BGS in 9.5 condition, making this card a staple of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s card market.
1888 N162 Goodwin Champions Cap Anson PSA 4 (PWCC-E)
It doesn’t get much more vintage than this 1888 cigarette card. Cap Anson was one of the most dominant hitters of the era, winning eight RBI titles, four batting titles, and sporting a lifetime batting average of .334. He was also the first player to ever record 3,000 hits. In striking PSA 4 condition, this card is part of a population of just 13 with 18 graded higher.
1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle SGC 5 (PWCC-E)
One of Mickey Mantle’s earliest and most eye appealing issues. A classic portrait shot of the Yankees legend featuring a facsimile autograph. This gorgeous copy received an SGC 5 “excellent” grade, and was given the PWCC “exceptional” eye appeal rating, placing it in the top 15% of the grade.
2018 Panini Eminence White Box Cristiano Ronaldo Patch Autograph 1/1
It’s not everyday you see a 1/1 Cristiano Ronaldo card hit the auction block. This 1/1 patch autograph card comes from the Panini White Box program, which is used when redemptions go unfulfilled. In this case, this Cristiano Ronaldo card was made for the 2018 Panini Eminence set, and then went unreleased before making an appearance as a White Box 1/1.
2018 Panini Eminence White Box Lionel Messi Patch Autograph 1/1
The White Box 1/1 Lionel Messi patch autograph can also be found in this same auction. Like with the Ronaldo, this card was also produced for the 2018 Panini Eminence set, before being held back and used for the White Box program. One difference to note between the two is that the Ronaldo patch is “match-worn” whereas this Messi patch is “player-worn”.
2020 Panini Select Concourse Tiger Prizm Joe Burrow Rookie PSA 10
Is there a more fitting parallel than this Tiger Prizm rookie card for Bengals QB Joe Burrow? The pattern perfectly matches the Bengals helmet and striping on the white uniform. Tiger Prizms are super short prints in the Panini Select set, and this card is only one of four to receive a PSA 10 grade.
2020 National Treasures Jalen Hurts Rookie Patch Autograph /99 BGS 8
Following their win over the Texans on Thursday Night Football, the Eagles moved to an NFL best 8-0 on the year. Their success has been thanks in large part to NFL MVP candidate Jalen Hurts, who appears to have taken the leap to superstardom in his 3rd season. This National Treasures rookie patch autograph limited to 99 copies is one of his very best rookie cards.