Lebron James 2003 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor /50, the new "unicorn" vs. Exquisite

[HOFrookies]

Although it won't give us a complete answer: the Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor (same /50) is now up at Goldin.

https://goldinauctions.com/LotDetail...ntoryid=107284

I wonder what indication it will give us vs. the Topps Chrome Gold Refractor.

Last sale was 12/12/20 by Heritage for $288,000.

As of this post; it is already at that price at first day of bidding.

My prediction: $840,000. Maybe up to $960,000 (just short of $1million).

Thoughts?

[GOATcards]

My thought on the Bowman Bron RC/parallels:

"Okay, tilt your head to the right for this photo so that we can stick a big fat brand logo next to it on the card."

[pcptrade]

UD Black Diamond is more iconic than TC. I like its eye appeal better than TC

Good #12/25 by icollector23, on Flickr

[Cal27]

This should be an exciting auction to see: BGS 9.5 Lebron Rookie Topps Chrome Gold Refractor Auction

[regularp]

Originally Posted by Cal27

This should be an exciting auction to see: BGS 9.5 Lebron Rookie Topps Chrome Gold Refractor Auction

How the hell did that get 9.5 for centering?

[Inferno]

The orange-ness of the border is definitely off-putting. If I was investing I’d want one in my portfolio but as a collector I’d rather have the Exq RPA.

[pcptrade]

Originally Posted by regularp

How the hell did that get 9.5 for centering?

Does the centering look better on this scan?

LeBron 2003 TC Gold Refractor by icollector23, on Flickr

[2010GBPackers]

Originally Posted by Inferno

The orange-ness of the border is definitely off-putting. If I was investing I’d want one in my portfolio but as a collector I’d rather have the Exq RPA.

That is my main complaint of 2003 Topps Chrome. It's like an orangish-copper color. To be fair, though, this was Topps Chrome's first year of doing a gold parallel refractor. 2004 was better, but still, a flat, muted gold compared to later years. 2006 was the first year they actually produced a nice, clear, and shiny gold refractor, and they super SP'd it - /25.

[nbahobbyaddict]

Originally Posted by regularp

How the hell did that get 9.5 for centering?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/33426055929...UAAOSwaZphvzpq

The same way this card got a PSA 10.

[nbahobbyaddict]

Double post

[jterp5]

Any price predictions pre-auction? Per OP, the last public auction I'm aware of was ~ 1 year ago. This will be interesting for sure. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see this get close to the Exquisite RPA /99 - we shall see.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by jterp5

Any price predictions pre-auction? Per OP, the last public auction I'm aware of was ~ 1 year ago. This will be interesting for sure. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised to see this get close to the Exquisite RPA /99 - we shall see.

Over $1M. Exquisite is a wild card with that patch, but in a PSA slab.

[mglevy125]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

Over $1M. Exquisite is a wild card with that patch, but in a PSA slab.

Curious as well. The curry 9.5 just sold for over $550K. I’d hope Lebron would far exceed.

[KhalDrogo]

Originally Posted by mglevy125

Curious as well. The curry 9.5 just sold for over $550K. I’d hope Lebron would far exceed.

If a true gem Bron can’t double up a min gem Curry, I’d be very surprised. There are 2003 Brons that are at or close to pre-pandemic pricing. But I don’t think that applies here.

[pcptrade]

Originally Posted by HOFrookies

Thanks to those who gave constructive input.

I will stick my neck out there, and do (hopefully it ages well) my predictions/guesses, as part of why I originally started this thread (and wanted to abandon the other one; as that didn't age well, since the PSA 10 blew well past $1million).

2003 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor /50, Lebron James:

Next public auction, if within the next calendar year:
BGS 9.5 (min gem): $1.88 million
BGS 9.5 (true gem): $2.1 million
PSA 10: $3.8 million

These are big "ifs", as who knows when or if we will see it come to public auction at all...

My belief is that, since pcptrade is very well connected: he may get $2.5million for his BGS 9.5 true gem.

Let's see if your prediction is correct My guess on True Gem is 1 to 1.5 million with BP.

[boxbuster7]

Originally Posted by GOATcards

My thought on the Bowman Bron RC/parallels:

"Okay, tilt your head to the right for this photo so that we can stick a big fat brand logo next to it on the card."

I've looked at the Bowman 100's of times and never realized that. Hilarious.

[pejc300]

That centering is definitely generous and Goldin definitely needs better scans but congrats in advance PCP on cashing out!! I say 900k before BP

[pcptrade]

Originally Posted by pejc300

That centering is definitely generous and Goldin definitely needs better scans but congrats in advance PCP on cashing out!! I say 900k before BP

Thanks! This is the first one up for auction in more than a year. Mike Novaratz said he paid little more than a million for his BGS 9.5 (same subs as mine) in the video below from May. I am curious to see what it fetches amidst current gold parallel craze. Jump to 3:00 in the video

[regularp]

Originally Posted by pcptrade

Does the centering look better on this scan?

LeBron 2003 TC Gold Refractor by icollector23, on Flickr

It does not. That card is clearly off centered and should not be a 9.5.

[pcptrade]

Originally Posted by regularp

It does not. That card is clearly off centered and should not be a 9.5.

Is this a PSA 10 in your opinion? It is probably worth 500K more than a BGS 9.5. Is the centering better on the one in PSA 10 slab? In other words, would you be more surprised if the card in the BGS 9.5 slab was in a PSA 10 slab since PSA is lenient on centering?

TC Gold by icollector23, on Flickr

LeBron 2003 TC Gold Refractor by icollector23, on Flickr

[mc1]

L/R centering was about 53/47. T/B was about 51/49. Yes, I measured them! At worst its 54/46 and 52/48.

Nothing too exact, anyone can try with a better monitor and ruler. Save it and open the file so you can zoom.

[KhalDrogo]

The centering is certainly within 9.5 standards for BGS.

[pcptrade]

Originally Posted by mc1

L/R centering was about 53/47. T/B was about 51/49. Yes, I measured them! At worst its 54/46 and 52/48.

Nothing too exact, anyone can try with a better monitor and ruler. Save it and open the file so you can zoom.

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

The centering is certainly within 9.5 standards for BGS.

Thanks!

[regularp]

Originally Posted by mc1

L/R centering was about 53/47. T/B was about 51/49. Yes, I measured them! At worst its 54/46 and 52/48.

Nothing too exact, anyone can try with a better monitor and ruler. Save it and open the file so you can zoom.

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

The centering is certainly within 9.5 standards for BGS.

Guess I've been proven wrong.

[GOATMJ]

Originally Posted by pcptrade

Thanks!

Hey PCP, good luck with all your cards on Goldin. Definitely some monster cards which should do very well.

I had a question for you if you don't mind sharing us your thought process.

Why are you now deciding to move those cards? Do you see this as the top? At least near/mid term?

I have some big cards I'm sitting on and I'm contemplating if I should move them or not. I've been in the hobby for decades and have NEVER seen values explode like they have these past 2 years. Some of these ultra high end cards have gone parabolic and it's sometime hard to fathom if all of this is sustainable.