For nearly two decades, a valued LeBron James 2003-04 Exquisite Collection Basketball Rookie Patch Autograph Parallel #08/23 had been safeguarded in a safety deposit box. Acquired in November 2004 for just under $3,000 on eBay, the owner had the foresight to preserve it for the 20th anniversary of the product’s launch. Launched on June 4, 2004, the Upper Deck Exquisite Collection is deemed one of the most significant basketball card releases, showcasing an extraordinary rookie class featuring LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony.
Among these rookies, LeBron’s #78 RPA (Rookie Patch Autograph) from the set stands out as iconic. Offered in two versions—the /99 Level 1 and a rare parallel numbered to his jersey number 23—this card is remarkably scarce, with only 23 copies in existence. Since July 2020, only one other card from this series has been graded by Beckett.
The card up for auction, graded BGS NM+ 7.5 with an Auto grade of 10, boasts sub-grades of Centering 9.5, Edges 7.5, Corners 7, and Surface 7.5. Its pristine autograph in blue against a white backdrop, accompanied by a two-color swatch, adds to its appeal. The card’s “hobby fresh” charm and its significance in the basketball card community contributed to its remarkable final bid of $351,029.
Another highlight of the auction was a 2003 Topps Chrome #111 LeBron James rookie card, featuring a black refractor variant. LeBron’s 2003 Topps Chrome rookie cards are celebrated in NBA history for their limited print runs and diverse refractor versions, including the unnumbered refractor, black refractor (/500), X-Fractor (/220), and gold refractor (/50).
The black refractor card in this auction, graded PSA GEM MINT 10, is notably rare, with only 21 copies (4% of the print run) attaining this grade per the PSA population report. The black borders of the card make any flaws more conspicuous, adding to the challenge of obtaining a flawless grade. Numbered 326 out of 500, this specific card is a pivotal piece for any esteemed LeBron James or NBA collector and commanded a final price of $126,725.
The exceptional sales at the Leland’s Summer Classic Auction underscore the lasting impact and value of LeBron James’ rookie cards in the realm of sports memorabilia.
