Auction Buzz: Some scorchers over at Goldin Auctions

It's looking like it will be another historic record-breaking month over at Goldin Auctions with action on the auction block already relatively intense.

How do we know that? Well, for starters, two iconic modern cards have already topped the million-dollar mark -- with more than nine days remaining -- and a huge third card from the past appears poised to get there with bids soon (it's at a mere $900,000). We'll get to two of those after looking at the hobby heavyweight you see above -- that's a sealed three-box case of 2003-04 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection NBA cards.

That one is the home to LeBron James' biggest Rookie Card and parallels and it's the home of the same for Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh as well as monster cards from Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and other legends. "This singular release inspired a new and fervent, high-end market," the auction simply states -- and one really does have to wonder how many of these might still be in existence as every box has one patch auto, one rookie patch auto and more inside. It's a grail of its own unopened yet the highest of high-rollers just might get rewarded ... if they dared to open it. The current bidding? A cool $485,000 after 11 bids with nine days to go.

Keep reading for a deeper look at a few more items presently up for grabs.

THE GOAT'S BIGGEST ... 
The Item: Tom Brady 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket Autograph (62/100) Rookie Card parallel -- BGS 8.5/10
The Price: $1,050,000 after 17 bids (ends in nine days)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: A BGS 8.5/9 copy of this card sold for $2.3 million in April so this one should make some moves before the dust settles. It's not perfect but that doesn't matter as the card is a monster in any condition -- that other auction price should tell you that -- and Brady hasn't shown signs of slowing down. He'll become the first player in NFL history with 600 career passing TDs as soon as this tonight (at worst, next week) and right now he seems to be only behind Michael Jordan among all-time greats of the modern era of sports. He's as pricey as it gets and as safe as it gets, too, for those in the market for cards like this one.

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LOOK AT THAT JERSEY NUMBER ... AND THEN THAT PRICE
The Item: LeBron James 2003-04 UD Exquisite Collection Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph #78 (23/99) -- BGS 8.5/10
The Price: $1,150,000 after 16 bids (ends in nine days)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: As you know from the case above -- or at least by this price -- this release and this card are kind of a big deal and James is continuing his march toward the top of the NBA record books as an individual and continues to add accolades. He's third in points -- and could end up second this season -- eighth in assists, third in field goals, fifth in free throws, sixth in minutes yet only 20th in games played at age 36. He's No. 1 in the minds of many younger NBA collectors, though, and that's perhaps what matters most here for those who can afford to chase these monster cards these days.

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AS HISTORIC AS IT GETS
The Item: Hank Aaron 1974 Atlanta Braves game-used batting helmet -- matched to career home run No. 714
The Price: $55,000 after seven bids (ends in nine days)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: It's not photo-matched to his record-setting 715th career home run, but it's likely the one -- it just can't be proven without a shadow of a doubt based on images and videos available from that time. What is known is that this one matches photos from April 4, 1974, though it was used after that, too, and has the wear to show for it. (Sorry, MLB Authentication didn't arrive until 2001.) As you can see with the listing, there are a number of matches for it -- some stronger than others as HD video and photos aren't there from 1974, either -- but this one is a huge item that's perhaps being overlooked among today's modern cardboard marvels.

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FUNDAMENTAL FINISH
The Item: Tim Duncan 1997-98 Fleer Ultra Platinum Medallion #131P Rookie Card parallel (5/100) -- PSA 10
The Price: $15,000 after seven bids (ends in nine days)
Why it’s Buzz-worthy: They can't all be Exquisite -- this one comes from a pack in Buzz's ballpark price range back in the day -- but it's a very tough pull in a grade that's just not easy in that release. It's one of three parallels for one of his better RCs visually (others might be more pricey or popular due to the brand) and it's rare. There's a basic card, a Gold Medallion, this one and then a 1/1 Masterpieces parallel. Only eight copies of this one have been graded by PSA and this is the only 10. His basic RC is also a very tough grade with just 17 10s out of 775 slabbed. What's the deal? All that black ink, high gloss and chippy stock -- the Platinum finish seems to help downplay some of that chipping as there are four nines and three eights ... and that's it. There are a lot of bigger and pricier cards up for grabs compared to this one ... check 'em out at the link below.

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>> Click here to see more auctions currently active over at Goldin Auctions

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