Auction Action: Winter Goldin Elite Auction Preview

Goldin Auction Preview

This weekend, Goldin closes their 2022 Winter Elite Auction that is expected to close with multiple million-dollar sales and plenty of six figure prices. Altan Insights will complete a full review of the event next week.

Lots to Watch 

Below is a list of auction lots that Reg-A investors should follow.

Lot #2: 2000 Playoff Contenders "Championship Ticket" #144 Tom Brady Signed Rookie Card (BGS 8)

The first major Tom Brady sale after his official retirement announcement will occur this weekend at Goldin and it should provide valuable insight into the current state of the TB12 market. Goldin has a BGS 8 graded Championship Ticket card that is currently priced at $1.17 million through 36 bids. Recent prices have hovered around $1-1.2 million but could this sale establish a new level for Brady cards? Collectable has a BGS 8.5 graded example that is trading at a $2 million market cap and has climbed 22% this week. 

Lot #3: 2003-04 UD "Exquisite Collection" Exquisite LeBron James RPA #78 (BGS 8.5)

Goldin last sold a BGS 8.5 graded example for $1.3 million in October, and the auction house will be looking to replicate that result this weekend. The October sale was a strong rebound for this LeBron rookie after prices dipped under seven figures in the summer. Collectable has a BGS 8.5 as well and their card is currently trading at a $1.16 million market cap while the Goldin card has attracted 21 bids and sits at a $1.15 million price tag. 

Lot #20

1986-87 Fleer #57 Michael Jordan Rookie Card (PSA 10)

Will Michael Jordan rookie card sales return to glory in 2022? After prices peaking well above $500,000 in the late winter months of 2021, valuations have stumbled and there has not been a sale above $400,000 since August. Collectable has a PSA 10 graded MJ card that has gained 229% since IPO and is trading at a $329,000 market cap, which falls in line with recent sales. The Fleer at Goldin will need to find some momentum as it carries a current bid of $288,000. 

Lot #672: 2003-04 Ultimate Collection Autograph #127 LeBron James Signed Rookie Card /250 (PSA 10)

Although this is not a direct comp to the BGS 9.5 on Collectable, this card will give investors an update on the high-end LeBron market. When a PSA 10 last sold at Goldin, the hammer price was $369,000 on May 23, 2021. With a population of only 16, this is one of the rarest blue-chip LeBron cards on the market and finding indirect comps for the fractional card on Collectable is difficult. The Collectable card is trading at a $140,818 market cap and BGS 9.5 graded copies historically sell at a 2.5-2.8x discount. The Goldin card has a high bid of $216,000 heading into the weekend.

Lot #22: 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Sealed Unopened Wax Box

How will the recent BBCE-Logan Paul news impact prices of BBCE certified wax? Collectable and Rally both have boxes trading on their platforms at $191,100 and $167,475 market caps respectively. The Goldin box has allured a handful of early bids and is nearing $200,000 with less than 48 hours remaining. 

Fractional Wish List

This section highlights assets that would fit in the fractional world but have not been offered as of publication. 

Lot #24: 1965 Muhammad Ali Weigh In Worn Walkout Robe

Among the most iconic name changes in the history of sports, Lew Alcindor becoming Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is surpassed by only Cassius Clay changing to Muhammad Ali. When Sonny Liston lost in 1964 in the WBC Heavyweight Championship, he lost to a man named Cassius Clay. When Sonny lost in that bout the following year, he lost to the same man, but this time, that man named Muhammad Ali. Mr. Clay became Mr. Ali soon after the 1964 fight but the change was not accepted or appreciated by the majority of boxing media around the country. Never one to back down from outside pressure, Ali made it clear that although he carried a near name, he was still the same world-class boxer. This weekend, Goldin combines historic significance with one-of-one rarity as they will sell the robe worn by Ali in his first public appearance donning his new name. The robe carries a letter of authenticity, and letter of provenance to back its iconic story. This offering has already reached $216,000 with buyer’s premium. While there have been Ali cards and other memorabilia offering on fractional platforms, including a WBC title belt that is currently priced at a $310,000 market cap on Collectable. This robe pre-dates the belt and not only highlights the successes of Ali, but also a pivotal moment in his career as his identity evolved and the boxer became a more impactful public figure outside of the boxing ring. 

Lot #23: 1957 Balas Futebol #11 Pele Rookie Card

‘Wow’ is probably the only word that fits this card. The relationship that this card has to both Pelé and his home country of Brazil provide an exceptionally rare one-two punch. It is nearly impossible to find these cards, let alone to find them encapsulated and graded. This particular card is the highest graded example and the only one in SGC’s database. There is one copy at PSA that carries a 1.5 grade, which further exemplifies the rarity of these cards. The Balas Futebol set was produced in Brazil and is one of the earliest Pelé cards ever produced. This card is currently priced at $270,000 heading into the weekend and has already attracted 22 bids. Currently, the highest sale price ever is $900,000 via a private transaction but this Pelé could push past prices for PSA 8/8.5 graded 1958 Alifabolaget cards which have sold for over $350,000. 

Lot #3022: 2021 Cooper Kupp Game Used Jersey and Gloves

Cooper Kupp’s 2021 regular season might have been the greatest single season for a wide receiver ever. Cooper Kupp’s 2021-22 postseason might have been the greatest single postseason ever. First and foremost, bear in mind that this was the first 17-game season. With that said, Kupp easily led the league in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. His 145 receptions is the second highest total all-time and his 1,947 receiving yards trail only Calvin Johnson’s record-breaking 2012. In three games this post-season, Kupp caught 25 passes for 386 yards and 4 touchdowns. Kupp and his talents will be on display for the world to see next weekend as the Rams face-off against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Goldin has one lot dedicated to Kupp and it includes a game worn jersey and gloves from two games this season. The jersey/gloves were worn on November 7th and 15th and in those games Kupp racked up a combined 22 receptions for 217 yards. The memorabilia has already garnered 47 bids and is priced at $13,200 with over three days remaining as this lot does not close until February 7th. There have not been any Kupp cards IPOs on a fractional platform and while those prices might be lagging, game worn memorabilia from a historic season could be a unique add to a portfolio. 

Cards with Catalysts

This feature includes assets with an upcoming event that could impact the short-term value of the card or collectible. 

Thanks to the biggest game in sports occurring in one week, this one is pretty easy. There are plenty of talented players such as Ja’Marr Chase, Cooper Kupp, Odell Beckham Jr., and Joe Mixon that will next the field next weekend. In terms of what cards will move markets long-term though, there is only one matchup that matters: Matthew Stafford vs Joe Burrow. There are 33 lots at this event that feature Joe Burrow cards and three that feature Matthew Stafford. There are multiple Burrow cards within striking distance of six figures and two cards that will battle for the highest sale price. The presumed front-runner is a 2020 Panini National Treasures Red Brand Logo Signed Nike Patch Card that is one of two and is graded BGS 9. 

That card has already reached $90,284 with less than three days remaining in the event. The other Burrow card that will easily clear $100K is a 2020 Panini National Treasures ‘Stars & Stripes’ from a print run of 20. That card sits at $86,065 through 28 bids. Watch for some late bidding wars to emerge as collectors rush to pick up blue-chip Burrow cards before Super Sunday.

On the other side of the field, Matthew Stafford will lead the Detroi.. I mean.. Los Angeles Rams to their fourth Super Bowl in franchise history. Stafford cards have never displayed much appreciation throughout his career and many of his base cards are still selling for less than five-figures. Stafford is no longer a Detroit Lion though. That should be obvious since he is playing football and not golf in February. That could also help propel his card value, even if they still lag behind other quarterbacks. There is one card in particular that is already attracting some attention at Goldin. The 2009 Topps Chrome RPA /25 is graded BGS 9.5 and has 6 bids with a current price of $1,800. 

It might seem trivial to call a card priced less than $2,000 a ‘card with a catalyst’, but this is the biggest stage of Stafford's career and imagine what a Super Bowl MVP could do? He still has a few years left and will have the privilege to play in Sean McVay’s offense alongside Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods. There could be potential for a late career surge that may finally allow his cards to see some deserved appreciation. 

Attainable Auctions

This feature includes cards and/or memorabilia that we find particularly interesting and are still available at an affordable price. 

While the Cooper Kupp jersey might fall outside of your budget, Goldin has multiple jerseys that should settle for affordable prices. There are jersey’s of players who have displayed impressive performances during the postseason including A’Shawn Robinson who completely dominated the San Francisco 49ers offensive line during the NFC Championship Game. The Robinson jersey is currently priced at $360 through seven bids. 

There are also gloves from some of the top defensive players on the Rams including game worn pairs from Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. While Donald is arguably the best defensive player in the league right now, Ramsey has established a reputation as a lockdown corner who will have plenty of opportunities against the Bengals receiving core to make statement plays. 

Looking to add some tickets to your portfolio? Goldin has the full ticket from a 2001 game between the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots. This was not just any game though as it would be the first that Tom Brady would throw an interception. Brady would actually throw four interceptions in the 31-20 loss as the Patriots fell to 3-4 on the season.

At the time this ticket was purchased, no one could have imaged what the next 20 years would bring for Brady and the Patriots organization. The ticket at Goldin is still looking for its first bid which needs to be at least $1,000.

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