A collector has purchased Kobe Bryant’s most expensive trading card ever for $2.3 million in a private sale, according to Fanatics Collect.
The sale surpasses the previous record for a Bryant card, set in 2022 when a 1997-98 Precious Metal Gems Emerald edition sold for $2 million.
While details of the buyer’s identity have not been disclosed, the transaction marks a new high point in the Lakers legend’s card market.
Fanatics Collect confirmed that the card now stands as the most valuable Kobe Bryant collectible on record.
Bryant, who played 20 seasons with Los Angeles, remains one of the most sought-after figures in the sports memorabilia industry.
His five NBA championships, two Finals MVP awards, and 18 All-Star selections have made his cards a premium asset for investors and collectors.
The private nature of the sale reflects a growing trend in high-end sports memorabilia, where the most significant deals often occur outside public auctions.
For comparison, Bryant’s previous record-setting card in 2022 was one of just 10 known Precious Metal Gems Emerald copies, a set widely regarded as one of the most important in basketball card history.
