A rare trading card of NBA great LeBron James' 2003-04 rookie campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers fetched $US1.84 million ($A2.63 million) at auction over the weekend, the league has said.
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Bidding for the Upper Deck card, signed by the 35-year-old Los Angeles Lakers' player, began at $US150,000 ($A215,000) before it became the most-expensive basketball card purchased in the modern era - those produced in 1980 or later.
"Only 23 versions of the Patch Autograph Parallel collection for James were ever produced. The rare card received a 9.5 mint gem grading from Beckett grading service," the NBA said.
"Numbered 14 of 23, the card attracted 34 bids over the course of the 26-day auction."
Darren Rovell of sports media company Action Network said the winning bidder was Leore Avidar, the CEO and co-founder of a San Francisco-based company.
James is a three-time NBA champion (2012, 2013, 2016) and twice Olympic gold medallist (2008, 2012). He has won the NBA's Most Valuable Player award on four occasions.
In May, Michael Jordan's autographed game-worn sneakers from his rookie season attracted $US560,000 ($A801,000) in an online auction.
Australian Associated Press
