The Autographed Relic Jordan Logo 1/1 Gold Foilfracter, arguably the top chase from 2023-24 Topps Mercury: Victor Wembanyama, was pulled 12 hours prior to the official release of the set.
Priced at $8,000 for eight cards, breakers VIP Rips opened a box of the ultra-premium product late Tuesday night, just before the midnight cutoff. Spots were awarded via auction, with user @kevin420 bidding $1,000 for a chance at one of the top chase cards.
“This could be the most important auction of your entire life,” the breaker said as bidding commenced.
Here’s the video of the 1/1 Wemby Jordan Patch Auto being pullled last night on @fanaticslive by VIP RIPS. pic.twitter.com/iRUOoMzD3m
— Will Stern (@Will__Stern) October 9, 2024
It may have proven true as the break spot yielded what could end up being an iconic card.
“That had to have been the worst time to happen,” the breaker remarked.
While multiple 1/1s are found in the set, including others with patches and autographs, this 1/1 featuring Wembanyama’s autograph as well as a unique Jordan patch may be the biggest chase of the entire product — and it was hit before boxes went on sale to the public at 12 p.m. Wednesday.
The card’s back describes the patch as coming from a game-worn jersey used on Dec. 11, 2023 against the Houston Rockets. Wembanyama scored 15 points with 18 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
Though Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs wore Nike jerseys for the majority of the season, the team’s “Statement Edition” jerseys did feature Jordan patches. The team also wore those jerseys during a Nov. 5, 2023 game against the Toronto Raptors — a jersey from the first half of that game was sold for $82,550 at Sotheby’s in February.
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Other than Wembanyama’s NBA debut jersey, which has been embedded into other cards in the product, no other jersey appears to have been purchased at public auction. One of the two jerseys Wembanyama wore during his debut sold at Sotheby’s for $762,000.
Considering this is possibly the most sought-after chase card in the entire product, it’s no doubt less than ideal to see it pulled prior to the wider release. The product does contain dozens of 1/1s, however, including multiple featuring Wembanyama jersey patches, as well as dual autos with players like LeBron James, which will certainly remain in high demand.
Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct.