Rare LeBron James rookie card auction surpasses $1 million

Good luck getting your hands on a rare LeBron James rookie card, it'll cost you the big bucks.

A rare signed James rookie card featuring a piece of his game-worn jersey has passed the $1 million mark at auction and, according to TMZ, the number could double before the bidding is done.

The card is from the 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite collection and is one of only 23 cards produced. The quality of the card is "encapsulated and graded GEM MINT 9.5 by BGS, with signature graded "10" by Beckett," according to the Goldin Auctions website. 

The card's rarity and near-perfect quality make it a perfect collector's item. It's listed via Goldin Auctions and has 22 bids so far with 15 days remaining.

With the card surpassing the $1 million mark, it's now the most expensive modern-era card of all-time, surpassing a Mike Trout card that sold for $900,000.

Here's a little snippet of the card's information provided by Goldin Auctions:

"The incomparable superstar has penned a vivid blue ink signature on the obverse of this ultra-premium collectible. Its cardfront presentation also incorporates an exceptional, tri-color James-worn jersey patch relic. The card's BGS condition report: Centering: 9.5, Corners: 9, Edges: 9.5, Surface: 9.5. A congratulatory statement on the card's back attests to the authenticity of the signature and genuineness of the patch component, and serves as Upper Deck’s COA. The limited-edition piece is serial-numbered "14/23." Gem Mint condition."

It's no surprise this card has garnered so much attention from sports cards collectors around the globe. James is among the best players in the NBA, and very well could lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a title in 2020. 

James' rookie campaign also was one of the best the league has ever seen. He won the Rookie of the Year Award after averaging 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers while shooting 41.7% from the field and 29% from beyond the arc.