Shohei Ohtani 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Sells for $2.44 Million

Shohei Ohtani Red Refractor Autograph Sets New Record

One of the most coveted modern Shohei Ohtani cards has reached a new high-water mark. A 2018 Bowman Chrome Shohei Ohtani Red Refractor Autograph sold for $2.44 million Saturday night, setting a record for the card and underscoring the continued strength of the market for elite modern baseball cards.

The card is one of five Red Refractor Autograph copies from the 2018 Bowman Chrome release. The example sold in Goldin’s 2026 Summer Goldin 100 Auction was graded BGS 9.5 with all 9.5 or 10 subgrades, making it the highest-quality graded copy among the five colored parallels. It drew 42 bids before finishing at the record price.

Goldin’s reported prices include the company’s 22% buyer’s premium.

Why the Ohtani Card Stands Out

The 2018 Bowman Chrome Red Refractor Autograph is one of the key rookie-era Ohtani cards from his first Major League Baseball season. Its combination of rarity, condition, and player demand has made it one of the most closely watched modern baseball cards in the hobby.

While several high-end Ohtani cards have produced strong results in recent years, no other publicly sold 2018 Ohtani Red Refractor has approached a seven-figure price until now. The sale pushes the card into a new tier and reflects the growing appetite for rare modern stars, especially when the card is among the best-known parallels from a landmark rookie year.

Goldin Auction Delivers Multiple Seven-Figure Results

The Ohtani card served as the top sports item in the auction, which produced several major results across basketball, soccer, baseball, and football. The sale came during a night that featured late bidding battles and a number of seven-figure finishes.

Among the highest results was a 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Number Pieces Michael Jordan autograph patch numbered 14 of 23, which sold for $1,464,000. The card was graded PSA 8 with a PSA/DNA 10 autograph grade and attracted 48 bids.

Another Exquisite-era Jordan card, a LeBron James Emblems of Endorsement rookie autograph patch numbered to 15, brought $732,000. The BGS 8.5 card carried a Beckett 10 autograph grade. A more traditional Exquisite LeBron James Rookie Patch Autograph numbered to 99 and graded PSA Authentic sold for $488,000.

Other Top Modern Cards in the Auction

Modern cards also performed strongly outside of baseball. A one-of-one 2026 Panini Prizm World Cup Black Prizm of Lamine Yamal graded PSA 10 reached $702,855. A 2025 Topps Chrome Shohei Ohtani SuperFractor graded PSA 10 sold for $701,500.

That Ohtani SuperFractor matched the result of Kevin Garnett’s photo-matched Boston Celtics jersey from Game 6 of the 2008 NBA Finals. Garnett wore the jersey in the Celtics’ championship-clinching win over the Los Angeles Lakers, and the piece was also matched to Game 2 of the series.

Another notable result came from the baseball card side with a 1958 Editora Aquarela Pelé rookie card graded PSA 8, which sold for $671,000. It was the top vintage sports card in the auction and one of three PSA 8 examples in the PSA population report.

Jordan Memorabilia and Iconic Images Draw Strong Bids

Michael Jordan items continued to be a major theme throughout the sale. A recently discovered original Type I photograph from Nike’s first Air Jordan advertising campaign, taken by photographer Chuck Kuhn in November 1984, sold for $528,937 after 52 bids. The 8-by-10 photo was signed and inscribed by Jordan. Goldin said only two PSA-certified examples are known.

Another Jordan card result came from a 1998-99 Upper Deck Jordan Game Jersey autograph numbered to 23 and graded PSA 9, which sold for $549,000. A PSA 10 1996-97 Flair Showcase Legacy Collection Row 0 Jordan numbered to 150 brought $427,000.

Also setting a record was a CGC 9.8 copy of the December 10, 1984 Sports Illustrated featuring Jordan’s first professional cover. It sold for $378,200, which Goldin said is the most ever paid for a graded magazine.

Football, Basketball, and Other High-End Results

The auction also included major results from football and basketball collectors. An unused redemption for Jaxson Dart’s one-of-one 2025 Topps Chrome Rookie PREM1ERE Patch Autograph sold for $500,200. The card is tied to the jersey Dart wore during his first NFL game.

The result came shortly after Dart’s strong Week 1 performance for the New York Giants, when he completed 23 of 29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a 28-20 win over Dallas. He also rushed for 54 yards. A PSA 10 Dart Topps Chrome rookie SuperFractor sold for $197,640.

In basketball, a one-of-one 2025-26 Bowman Chrome Dylan Harper SuperFractor autograph graded PSA 8 brought $320,860. A PSA 10 Victor Wembanyama 2025-26 Topps Chrome image variation SuperFractor, serial numbered 1/1 and matching his jersey number, sold for $305,000.

Additional Baseball and Football Highlights

Several other major cards crossed the auction block as well. A 2018 Topps Dynasty Ohtani rookie autograph patch numbered to 10 sold for $297,137. A Patrick Mahomes 2017 National Treasures Holo Gold Rookie Patch Autograph numbered to 10 reached $292,800.

One of the most notable hockey results was a signed 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky rookie card graded PSA 8.5 with a PSA/DNA 10 autograph, which brought $274,500.

Non-Sports Cards Also Reach Major Prices

Two non-sports collectibles finished above the Ohtani Red Refractor in the auction’s overall standings. A 1998 Japanese Pokémon Illustrator Pikachu promotional card graded CGC 9 led the entire sale at $2,806,271. One of three PSA 10 examples of the 1993 Magic: The Gathering Alpha Black Lotus sold for $2,208,200.

The auction results show continued strength across the top end of the collectibles market, with rare modern sports cards, vintage icons, and major non-sports cards all drawing strong bidding from collectors.