🗞️ This Week’s Collectible News

The market didn’t take the week off — from record-setting card sales to major reveals in the toy, gaming, and now Web3 space, here’s everything you need to stay ahead.

$305 M Spent on Trading Cards in June
June 2025 shattered records with $305.7 million spent on trading cards, led by eBay and auction house sales. This marks the biggest single-month spend ever—solid proof the market remains red-hot.

Pokémon Cards Take Over Grading Charts
Pokémon dominated PSA’s grading submissions in H1 2025, accounting for 97 of the top 100 most-graded cards. The “Grey Felt Hat” Pikachu became the most submitted Pokémon card ever (~84K submissions).

NFT Sales Skyrocket as Prices Fall
DappRadar reports NFT trading volume fell 45 % in Q2, but total number of sales jumped 78 %, largely driven by smaller-ticket listings and OpenSea users speculating on its upcoming $SEA token.

Nintendo Switch 2 Breaks Launch Records
Nintendo’s new Switch 2 sold 3.5 million units in its first four days—the fastest console launch in the company’s history. High console demand often boosts related collectible markets.

Hot Toys Drops First Superman (2025) Figure Set
Hot Toys launched a 1/6-scale Superman and inflatable Krypto bundle (based on the upcoming film) at $285. The first official figure for this movie—expect it to sell out quickly.

Mattel’s SDCC Hot Wheels Exclusives Hit Nostalgia
Mattel’s SDCC reveals include “Back to the Future” 40th Anniversary and “Jaws” 50th Anniversary Hot Wheels sets—both $32, both nostalgic recreations poised to be instant collector hits.

Retro Gaming Makes Noise at Auction
A sealed 1994 Sega Mega Drive II console fetched about £280 (~$350) in a UK auction. While modest, it underlines renewed interest in boxed retro gaming gear.

Babe Ruth “Rookie” Card Heads to Auction
Heritage confirmed a 1917 Collins‑McCarthy Babe Ruth card (SGC EX 5, one of ~35 known) is heading to its July auction. This rare blank-back rookie is expected to command six figures.

Web3 Makes a Power Move at SDCC
For the first time ever, Web3 is showing up in full force at San Diego Comic-Con. Companies like VeVe, Todd McFarlane Digital, Odd Key, Droppp, Candy Digital, Futureverse, and DSTLRY Media will all have an official presence through booths, drops, and panels. A 9-brand powerhouse panel will spotlight the future of digital collectibles. This kind of coordinated presence from Web3 leaders signals something bigger: collaboration, evolution, and serious momentum for the space.

Goldin’s Weekly Auction (June 24 – July 3, 2025) wrapped with a mix of modern grails, GOAT autos, and rising star rookies. Let’s break down the top 10 cards — in the exact order they closed:

Kobe Bryant Flawless Emerald Auto Patch /5 – $37,820
From 2012-13 Panini Flawless, this Spokesmen Patches Autographs Emerald card (#2/5) features a premium patch and on-card signature from Kobe. Graded BGS GEM MINT 9.5 with a perfect Beckett 10 auto, and a Pop 1, this card led the auction with 54 bids. High-end Kobe continues to dominate.

Michael Jordan Exquisite Patch Auto /100 – $21,539
A certified classic. This 2006-07 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection card features a game-used patch and MJ’s on-card signature, graded BGS 8 with a 10 auto. Serial #094/100. It pulled in 86 bids — showing that Jordan’s legacy cards are still at the top of the food chain.

Lamine Yamal Sapphire UEFA Auto Black /10 – $12,444
International hype is real. This 2024 Topps Chrome Sapphire UEFA Euro Black Autograph (#08/10) rookie card, graded PSA 9 with a PSA/DNA GEM MT 10 auto, is only a Pop 2. As Lamine Yamal continues his rise, this card will likely age well.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Prizm Nebula 1/1 – $27,451
A 1-of-1 from 2019-20 Panini Prizm Nebula Choice Prizm, graded PSA GEM MT 10. SGA’s top-tier Prizms are entering serious territory — and this sale proves it. Modern collectors recognize the long-term value of these flashy, ultra-rare parallels.

SGA Prizm Tiger Stripe Rookie – $13,420
From 2018-19 Panini Prizm’s Tiger Stripe Choice run, this PSA 10 rookie card brings strong collector demand. Not numbered but notoriously short-printed, this parallel has become a fan-favorite in the SGA rookie chase.

SGA Immaculate Laundry Tag Auto 1/1 – $8,601
This 2020-21 Panini Immaculate Collection Laundry Tag autograph features a game-used patch and on-card auto. Graded BGS MINT 9 with a Beckett 10 auto and stamped 1/1, this is an elite-level modern insert — and a true centerpiece for any SGA collector.

SGA Contenders Optic Blue Auto /49 – $6,101
From 2018-19 Panini Contenders Optic, this Blue Jersey Autograph (#41/49) is graded PSA GEM MT 10. It’s one of the more limited signed rookies from this set, and collectors are paying attention.

SGA Contenders Optic Red Auto /149 – $3,721
Also from Contenders Optic, this Red parallel (#087/149) features a blue jersey variation and a PSA 10 grade. Slightly higher print run, but still clean and well-centered — great mid-tier buy for long-term Shai fans.

SGA Select Gold Prizm Die-Cut /10 – $2,440
From 2018 Panini Select, this Gold Die-Cut rookie (#04/10) graded PSA 9 brings low pop, color match appeal, and short print scarcity. Definitely one of the most undervalued cards in the mix this week.

LeBron James Finite Signatures Rookie Auto /150 – $7,320
From 2003-04 Upper Deck Finite Signatures, this LeBron rookie auto is graded BGS MINT 9 with a Beckett 10 auto. Serial-numbered out of 150, it’s a rock-solid mid-range rookie auto from the King’s debut year.

From GOAT-tier grails to rising rookie heat, this week’s top Panini NFT sales show serious action in the digital sports card arena:

1. Lionel Messi – Gold Prizms Epic (#8/10) — $30,000
The king of football leads the week. This Epic-tier Gold Base Prizm of Messi (serial #8/10) sold for a whopping $30K on July 4. Clean, limited, and GOAT-certified.

2. Trae Young | Luka Doncic | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Triple Logoman Legendary 1/1 — $8,000
A massive crossover 1-of-1 featuring three of the NBA’s brightest stars. This Legendary Triple Logoman was perfectly minted and snatched up for $8K in the early hours of July 4.

3. Lamine Yamal – Field Level White Sparkle Epic (#8/8) — $7,500
Yamal’s rookie hype continues. This 1-of-8 White Sparkle Epic Field Level sold for $7,500 on June 30. Ultra-clean, ultra-limited, and one of the most promising young stars on the planet.

4. Lamine Yamal – Mezzanine White Sparkle Epic (#5/8) — $4,000
Another Yamal, another big sale. This Epic Mezzanine-tier NFT, numbered 5/8, brought in $4,000 on July 2 — further cementing Yamal as Panini’s hottest soccer prospect.

5. LeBron James – Gold Prizms Epic (#10/10) — $3,900
The King always shows up. This Gold Prizm Epic LeBron NFT, serial #10/10, fetched just under $4K. A classic long-term digital hold tied to basketball royalty.

From blockchain-native art to phygital platforms and classic collections, here are the top 10 trending NFT projects based on this week’s floor prices and market momentum:

Courtyard.io — < 0.01 WETH (−8.8%)
The phygital pioneer saw a dip this week, down 8.8%, but still remains a platform to watch as it blends real-world collectibles with blockchain infrastructure. A few high-profile releases are on the horizon.

CryptoPunks — 38.99 ETH (+0.3%)
The original digital collectible shows slight growth this week, proving once again that even in market uncertainty, Punks remain the standard for provenance, history, and prestige.

Deafbeef — 8.70 ETH (+24.5%)
Easily the week’s biggest gainer. Deafbeef’s on-chain generative audio/visual work continues to gain serious traction among high-end collectors, with a massive 24.5% surge in floor price.

Bored Ape Yacht Club — 10.82 ETH (−3.5%)
BAYC dipped slightly, but remains a volume leader. With new narrative shifts forming across the Yuga ecosystem, this could be a short-term breather for one of the most influential projects in NFTs.

Milady Maker — 2.21 ETH (−1.2%)
While down slightly this week, Milady continues to maintain its niche, culture-first appeal. Still one of the most memetically resilient projects in the space.

Otherdeed Expanded — 0.16 ETH (−0.1%)
Flat this week, Otherdeed remains tied to Yuga’s long-term metaverse play. Despite the calm price action, whales continue to accumulate in the background.

Pudgy Penguins — 9.52 ETH (−0.1%)
Barely moved in price, but still seeing strong community support. With toy and IP expansions ongoing, Pudgy remains one of the strongest feel-good brands in Web3.

BEEPLE – Spring/Summer Collection 2021 — 10.26 ETH (−9.9%)
A sharp dip this week, but still an incredibly notable collection from one of the most important digital artists in history. High-end 1-of-1 art often trades in bursts, and Beeple is no exception.

Ringers by Dmitri Cherniak — 9.50 ETH (+3%)
This generative art grail saw a healthy bump this week, up 3%. Supply is scarce and demand is slow but steady—especially from art-focused collectors and fund-backed wallets.

Mutant Ape Yacht Club — 1.70 ETH (−1.9%)
MAYC continues to trade heavy volume despite a slight dip. With new Yuga ecosystem developments on the way, it’s possible the mutants are just in accumulation mode.

It’s a great time to be a reader and a collector. From steam-powered superhero mashups to high-end variants and cinematic tie-ins, this week’s top comics are bursting with lore, hype, and potential value. Here’s what’s moving across the shelves, the charts, and collector feeds:

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – A League for Justice #1 (DC)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $5
The Elseworlds saga continues in Victorian style. This sequel to The Kryptonian Age brings Batman back with a steampunk-flavored Justice League origin story. Alien tech, the Arctic, and the Gilded Age — what more do you want?

Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #1 (IDW)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $5
The cult horror hit is back — and creepier than ever. This follow-up digs into Samantha’s origin and the trauma surrounding her first kill. Don't let the cute woodland setting fool you — this is one of the darkest and most original books on shelves.

Big Rig #1 (Vault Comics)
Low: $0 | Mid: $0 | High: $60
Created by none other than Post Malone, Big Rig is a high-octane holy war on wheels. Think demons, diesel, and divine vengeance — with variants by Peach Momoko and Maria Wolf fueling a collector frenzy. The Gold and Diamond versions are already generating serious buzz.

Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $5
The First Family returns in a new era — and they're scattered across time. This premiere issue promises dinosaur fights, time travel, and a hunt for the Forever Stone. A must for FF fans and a fun entry point for new readers.

Fantastic Four: First Steps #1 (Marvel)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $5
A one-shot retelling of the FF’s origin through a journalistic lens, tying directly into the upcoming film. With Matt Fraction writing and Mark Buckingham on art, this is a cinematic primer with serious collector crossover appeal.

It’s Jeff: Infinity Paws #1 (Marvel)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $7
The fan-favorite Land Shark finally hits print! Originally a digital Infinity comic, Infinity Paws is full of cosmic chaos, Marvel pets, and pure joy. Higher-than-average highs on the secondary market show people are grabbing this one quick.

Marvel Swimsuit: Friends, Foes & Rivals #1 (Marvel)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $6
Yes, it's real — and yes, it’s selling. The unauthorized “Roxxon Comics” angle makes this meta swimsuit special part parody, part pin-up gold. Add multiple variants and splash pages, and you’ve got a summer sleeper hit.

Planet Death #1 (Bad Idea)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $6
From John Wick creator Derek Kolstad comes a brutal sci-fi war story with high-end prestige packaging. 48 pages of non-stop action as a lone soldier battles to finish an invasion mission after everyone else is wiped out. Think Halo meets Saving Private Ryan in deep space.

Predator: Black, White & Blood #1 (Marvel)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $6
This new anthology takes Predator storytelling to gritty, black-and-white extremes. With creators like Joe Kelly and Eliot Rahal contributing, and a story set in the Australian frontier, this is a fresh and brutal entry into the mythos.

Red Hulk #6 (Marvel)
Low: $1 | Mid: $2 | High: $4
This issue introduces the all-new War Wolf, while Thunderbolt Ross finds himself a war criminal inside a top-secret gamma facility. Classic Marvel gamma-fueled mayhem with a twist — and a new character debut to keep an eye on.

Another week packed with major auction wins, red-hot comics, and NFT momentum across the board. Whether you’re flipping, vaulting, or just vibing with the hobby — this space keeps evolving, and we’re glad you’re in it with us.

Thank you for reading this week’s newsletter — whether it’s your first issue or your fiftieth. Your support helps us grow, stay sharp, and keep building a collector-first space where both digital and physical collide.

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Until next week... stay nerdy, stay collecting, and stay golden.

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Nerdcave77

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