An "aftermarket" signed 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card has sold in a private sale via Goldin Auctions for $2.7 million. According to the auction house, it's a record paid for a card with an "aftermarket" signature. "Aftermarket" signed cards are autographed outside the chain of card production; physically autographed cards are either hard signed directly onto the surface, signed onto a hologram sticker which is later placed onto the card's surface, or embedded as cut signatures -- autographs cut from documents such as checks.
A 2004-05 Panini Mega Cracks Lionel Messi rookie card -- assessed a perfect 10 by card grader Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) -- has sold for $1.5 million through Fanatics Collect's fledgling private sales network. It's the most ever paid for a soccer card, surpassing the $1.33 million paid for a 1958 Alfiabolaget Pele card in a private sale in 2022.