Massive graded Michael Jordan card stash hits auction block via Heritage

By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor

A massive haul of professionally graded Michael Jordan rarities and high-condition cards could heat things up on the auction block through Heritage Auctions with the final buzzer set to sound on Friday here in Dallas.

It’s not often that modern graded cards have such a presence through major auction houses — that’s often the domain of vintage graded baseball and other memorabilia — but nearly 50 lots of MJ cards, each professionally graded by Beckett Grading Services or PSA, are up for grabs right now. (Need an MJ-only checklist or OPG? Click here.)

The leader in the clubhouse as part of the Internet bidding thus far is a BGS 9.5 copy of Jordan’s 1997-98 Metal Universe Precious Metals Gems Red, a card (above) that is limited to just 90 copies and is the highest grade of its kind, according to the BGS Population Report. It’s already attracted 17 bids and sits at $13,145 including the buyer’s premium — with plenty of time to go before it closes.

But that’s not all that’s apparently grabbing the attention of Jordan collectors, who have been paying record amounts for MJ items of late. Among the highlights? A mere 24 cards with BGS 10 grades for starters. Here are a few more notables from the bidding so far:

 — A 1998-99 Upper Deck Jordan Jersey Autographs card, one of just 23 copies overall but one that’s a BGS 9.5/10 grade, presently sits at $7,767.50 with plenty of time to go. (All remaining references are for auctions that are still open.)

— A pair of PSA 10 1997 Ultra Stars (regular and gold) is at $4,182.50.

— A grouping of 25 Jordans, all BGS 9.5s, is at $1,792.50 with time to go. (A second grouping of 25 actually has higher bidding so far.)

—

— The highest-graded copy, a BGS 9.5, of MJ’s 1996-97 E-X2000 A Cut Above insert is at $1,314.50 with time to go.

—

— A PSA 9 1986-87 Fleer Rookie Card is at $1,314.50 with time remaining.

—

— A BGS 10 1985 Nike card is at $1,217.71 with time remaining.

To see the rest, visit Heritage Auctions before the final buzzer sounds and check out our gallery of even more card images from their auctions below.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.