CGC-certified Sports Illustrated Starring Michael Jordan Realizes Record $126,000
Posted on 8/29/2023
Even in retirement, Michael Jordan continues to shatter records! A 1984 copy of Sports Illustrated that is certified by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) and features the NBA Hall of Famer on the cover claimed a new record sales price of $126,000 in Heritage Auctions’ Summer Platinum Night Sports Auction on August 20, 2023.
The new champion is a Sports Illustrated #v61 #26, December 10, 1984 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 80666), featuring Michael Jordan’s first appearance on the cover as an NBA star. This example is one of only three graded CGC 9.8, and this sale more than doubles the previous Sports Illustrated sales record of $60,000 for a Sports Illustrated #v15 #18, October 30, 1961, graded CGC 9.4. (That magazine, which was sold in April 2023, has Wilt Chamberlain on the cover.)
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Universally regarded as one of the greatest basketball players in history, Jordan cemented his legacy as a global sports icon during his illustrious career, leading the Chicago Bulls to six championships in the 1990s. He will forever be known as a prolific scorer and a transformative figure in the sport.
Other CGC-certified magazines in this auction included:
- a Sports Illustrated #v52 #9, March 3, 1980, graded CGC 9.6 (lot 80718) that realized $25,200
- a Sports Illustrated #v55 #16, October 12, 1981, graded CGC 9.4 (lot 81261) that realized $24,000
- a Sports Illustrated #v88 #23, June 8, 1998, graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81164) that realized $8,100
- a New York Yankees Official Program and Score Card #nn, June 13, 1948, graded CGC 3.0 (lot 81004) that realized $4,200
- a Sports Illustrated #v101 #9, September 6, 2004 graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81211) that realized $3,720
- a Sports Illustrated #v88 #6, February 16, 1998, graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81165) that realized $3,240
- a The Ring #v65 #1, February 1986, graded CGC 9.4 (lot 81273) that realized $2,640
- a Sports Illustrated #v42 #25, June 23, 1975, graded CGC 9.2 (lot 81285) that realized $2,520
- a Sports Illustrated #v117 #8, August 27, 2012, graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81005) that realized $2,400
- a Sports Illustrated #v96 #7, February 18, 2002, graded CGC 9.8 (lot 81166) that realized $1,980
Sports Illustrated was one of the first magazines for which CGC offered authentication, grading and encapsulation when it launched the service in 2003. Since then, CGC has expanded its magazine certification services to many popular titles, from Newsweek to Nintendo Power, as well as oversized comics. In 2023, CGC introduced a new state-of-the-art holder for magazines that boasts crystal-clear optics for vibrant display as well as advanced security features.
Prices realized include a buyer’s premium.
About CGC
Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for many other types of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for TCGs, sports cards and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. The newest division of CGC, CGC Home Video, provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes.
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