PWCC Marketplace's November Premier Auction has witnessed another Michael Jordan card achieving a record-breaking sale, with a 1998 Skybox Premium Stars Rubies edition being snapped up for an impressive six-figure sum.
The highly sought-after 1998 Skybox Premium Stars Rubies card featuring basketball legend Michael Jordan was claimed for $216,000, setting a new record for this particular /50 parallel card. It now ranks as the second most expensive Star Rubies card ever sold. This card series, known for introducing serial-numbered cards to collectors, has been pivotal in creating rarity within the hobby, with the Star Rubies and the likes of Skybox’s Precious Metal Gems leading the way.
The 1998 release holds a special place as it was the final Skybox set to showcase Jordan prior to his 1998 retirement, making cards from this set especially valuable. The cards' intricate foil details and edge-to-edge design make them especially prone to wear, adding to their rarity. The record-setting Jordan card, which received a PSA 7 grade, is a Pop 4—meaning only four cards of this type have received this grade, with a mere five others graded higher.
The auction also reached new heights with other collectibles, such as a PSA 1 (MC) graded 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 card, which went for $35,400, despite its less-than-perfect condition. A record was also set for a Kobe Bryant 1999 Upper Deck Game Jerseys patch auto card, which sold for $32,700, and a 2020 Topps Dynasty F1 card featuring Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, which garnered $20,400.