For nearly two decades, a highly coveted LeBron James 2003-04 Exquisite Collection Basketball Rookie Patch Autograph Parallel #08/23 card resided in a safety deposit box, kept safe since its eBay purchase in 2004 for close to $3,000. The card, part of the Upper Deck Exquisite Collection released on June 4, 2004, boasts an exceptional rookie class with stars like Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony alongside “King” James.
LeBron’s rookie card from this set stands out, especially the #78 RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph), available in two versions – the /99 Level 1 and a rare parallel numbered to his jersey number, 23. With only 23 copies in existence, this card is a true gem. Since July 2020, only one other card from this series has been graded by Beckett.
At the recent Leland’s Summer Classic Auction, this specific LeBron James rookie card stole the spotlight. Graded BGS NM+ 7.5 with an Auto grade of 10, the card exhibits impressive sub-grades of Centering 9.5, Edges 7.5, Corners 7, and Surface 7.5. The bold blue autograph against a white backdrop, coupled with a two-color swatch, adds to the card’s allure. The card’s rarity and significance in the basketball card community drove its final bidding price to a remarkable $351,029.
Another notable piece in the auction was a 2003 Topps Chrome #111 LeBron James rookie card, featuring a black refractor variant. Known for their limited print runs and various refractor versions, LeBron’s 2003 Topps Chrome rookie cards are iconic in NBA history, with the black refractor (/500) being highly sought after.
This black refractor card, graded PSA GEM MINT 10, is exceptionally scarce, with only 21 copies out of the total 500 achieving this grade as per the PSA population report, highlighting its rarity. The black borders make imperfections more visible, making a perfect grade a challenge to attain. Numbered 326 out of 500, this card is a prized possession for any serious LeBron James or NBA collector, fetching a final bid of $126,725 at the auction.
The exceptional prices fetched by these LeBron James rookie cards at the Leland’s Summer Classic Auction underscore the enduring legacy and value of basketball memorabilia, especially when it comes to the iconic rookie cards of true legends like LeBron James.
