Phil Masturzo / USA TODAY NETWORK

Private Sale Sees LeBron James Card Fetch a Staggering $4,250,000

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Angelo Guinhawa | Last updated Aug 24, 2025 7:21 AM ET

LeBron James is widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time, and there's a case to be made that he's the best ever. With that said, it's not surprising that any memorabilia related to him fetches quite a price in the market.

A four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP and 21-time All-Star, the Los Angeles Lakers star has nothing left to prove in his career. That being said, there's massive interest in his sports card and other memorabilia.

That much was made clear once again after a rare rookie card of the NBA great was sold in a private sale for a staggering price.

LeBron James Card Was Sold for How Much?!

According to a report by Ben Burrows of CLLCT Media, a 2003-04 Exquisite Collection LeBron James Gold Rookie Patch Autograph was sold in a private sale for $4.25 million. The sale was confirmed on Card Ladder — a card analytics and value estimations tool — through screenshots of the wire transfer and invoice.

The card is graded PSA 9, with a perfect grade 10 for the autograph. The PSA 9 label means the card is in "superb condition" with just one minor flaw.

The item is numbered out of 23 — meaning there are only 23 of similar cards in existence. It features a three-color patch of the Cleveland Cavaliers' colors (white, maroon and gold). James was drafted by the Cavs in 2003 and spent the first seven years of his career with the team before returning for another stint in 2014.

JUST IN: A 2003-04 Exquisite Collection LeBron James Gold RPA /23 PSA 9/Auto 10 sold for $4.25 million in a private sale Thursday.

Sold through Secure, a new invitation-only collectibles platform.

Sale confirmed to @CardLadder with screenshots of wire transfer and invoice. pic.twitter.com/sZeiCfmQvL
— Ben Burrows (@BenMBurrows) August 22, 2025

What Is the Most Expensive Basketball Card?

Despite the massive sale, though, the PSA 9 LeBron James Exquisite RPA is only the fourth-most expensive basketball card ever.

For context, a new record for a sports card was made on Sunday (Eastern Time) after a 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Michael Jordan-Kobe Bryant Dual Logoman Autographs card that is graded PSA 6 was sold for a staggering $12.932 million.

It is interesting to note that a similar LeBron James Exquisite RPA card that is graded BGS 9 was sold for $5.2 million back in 2021.