CGC-certified Sports Illustrated Classics Realize Thousands of Dollars

Several Sports Illustrated magazines that are graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) sold for thousands of dollars apiece in a recent Heritage Auctions sale. The iconic issues were featured in the auction house’s 2022 Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction, which concluded on August 28, 2022.

The top magazine was a Sports Illustrated #v4 #25 (June 18, 1956; Mickey Mantle cover) graded CGC 9.0 (lot 53465). The words “Year of the Slugger” appear on the cover over the image of Mantle, who that year went on to be American League batting champion, American League homerun leader, American League RBI leader, American League MVP and a World Series champion for the fourth time (of seven total, all with the Yankees). This exemplary issue realized $27,600.

A Sports Illustrated #v4 #25 (June 18, 1956; Mickey Mantle cover) graded CGC 9.0 Realized: $27,600 Click images to enlarge.

Other CGC-certified highlights in the sale included:

• a Sports Illustrated #v18 #23 (June 10, 1963; Cassius Clay / Muhammad Ali cover) graded CGC 9.2 (lot 53537), which realized $13,200
• a Sports Illustrated #v117 #8 (August 27, 2012; Mike Trout cover) graded CGC 9.8 (lot 53466), which realized $9,600
• a Sports Illustrated #v96 #7 (February 18, 2002; LeBron James cover) graded CGC 9.8 (lot 53496), which realized $9,000
• a Sports Illustrated #88 #17 (April 27, 1998; Kobe Bryant cover) graded CGC 9.8 (lot 54242), which realized $7,800
• a Sports Illustrated #v70 #5 (February 6, 1989; Mario Lemieux cover) graded CGC 9.8 (lot 53728), which realized $3,480
• a group of five Green Bay Packers yearbooks (1963-1968) graded CGC 9.2, CGC 9.4, CGC 8.5, CGC 8.5, and CGC 9.0 (lot 54343), which realized $1,110

CGC has certified more than 10 million collectibles, including comic books, trading cards, concert posters, lobby cards and magazines. CGC Magazines uses a 10-point grading scale and a tamper-evident holder made of heavy gauge archival plastic that is transparent. To learn more about CGC Magazines’ services, click here.

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.