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Earliest known Nike Air Ship, worn and signed by Michael Jordan -

Before the Air Jordan 1 came out, Number 23 wore these Nike Air Ships during his rookie season. The pair sold at auction for US$1.47 million.

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The Olympic Games Manifesto -

The original Olympic Games Manifesto, written by Frenchman Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the International Olympic Committee, sold at auction for US$8.8 million in 2019.

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Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" jersey -

Diego Maradona's "The Hand of God" and "Goal of the Century" 1986 World Cup match jersey fetched US$9.28 million at auction in 2022.

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Babe Ruth's 1932 "Called Shot" jersey -

The jersey Babe Ruth wore when he called his shot in Game 3 of the 1932 World Series sold for US$24.12 million at auction in August 2024. This is the most expensive sports collectible ever sold at auction.

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Lionel Messi's set of six 2022 World Cup jerseys -

This set of six Argentina jerseys worn by Lionel Messi during the 2022 FIFA World Cup sold for US$7.8 million in 2023.

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Michael Jordan's 1998 Chicago Bulls "Last Dance" jersey -

Michael Jordan's 1998 Chicago Bulls "The Last Dance" jersey from Game 1 of the NBA finals fetched a whopping US$10.09 million at auction in 2022.

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Honus Wagner T-206 1909-1911 baseball card -

With only about 60 in the whole world, this rare baseball card is often referred to as the holy grail of sports cards. It sold for US$7.25 million in 2023.

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Topps Mickey Mantle 1952 baseball card -

Speaking of rare and expensive baseball cards, Mickey Mantle's sold at auction in August 2022 for a record US$12.6 million.

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James Naismith's 1891 'Rules of Basketball' -

James Naismith's 1891 'Rules of Basketball' consists of two pages setting out the original 13 rules of basketball. It was sold for US$4.3 million in 2010.

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Paul Henderson's 1972 jersey -

The Canadian ice hockey player's iconic No. 19 jersey was sold for US$1.27 million in 2010.

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Kobe Bryant's 2007-2008 Lakers jersey -

The Lakers jersey worn in 25 games by Kobe Bryant during his 'MVP' season sold for US$5.84 million in 2023.

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The Jules Rimet Trophy replica -

A replica Jules Rimet trophy, presented to Pelé when Brazil won the World Cup in 1970, sold for £395,000 (approximately US$519,444 ) at an auction in 2016.

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Wayne Gretzky's final Edmonton Oilers game jersey -

The Canadian ice hockey player's final Oilers jersey, last worn in Game 4 of the 1988 Stanley Cup finals, sold for US$1.45 million.

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Muhammad Ali's WBC "Rumble in the Jungle" belt -

"The Rumble in the Jungle" was a 1974 boxing match between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. The belt won by Ali fetched US$6.18 million in 2022. The winning bid came from NFL owner Jim Irsay.

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Tiger Woods' "Tiger Slam" irons -

Between 2000 and 2001, the golf star won four consecutive major championship titles. The "Tiger Slam" irons and wedges were sold at auction for US$5.15 million in 2022.

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Mickey Mantle's 1958 New York Yankees jersey -

The jersey worn by the Yankees player is one of the most expensive ones sold at auction. It sold for US$4.68 million in 2023.

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Kobe Bryant’s 1999-2000 NBA Championship ring -

The ring was awarded to the late NBA star after the Lakers won against the Pacers. The ring features 40 diamonds and the number eight, (Bryant's number during his early years). It sold for US$1.43 million in 2024.

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Babe Ruth's 1928-30 jersey -

Babe Ruth's Yankees road jersey is among the most expensive pieces of sports memorabilia ever sold at auction. The Bambino's jersey fetched US$5.64 million at auction.

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The FA Cup -

The Football Association Challenge Cup, aka the FA Cup, is an iconic trophy in English soccer. This specific version of the trophy, which was awarded from 1896 to 1910, sold for £760,000 (nearly US$1 million) in 2020. 

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Joe Montana’s 1985/1989 jersey -

The jersey worn by Joe Montana in two San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl victories sold for US$1.21 million in 2023. 

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The 'Dynasty Collection' of Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan six championship sneakers -

The Dynasty Collection is a set of 6 individual Air Jordan sneakers. Each has been worn by MJ throughout six NBA championships. In 2024, it sold for US$8 million at auction. 

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Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball -

Mark McGwire’s 70th home run was a great achievement in 1998. This piece of baseball memorabilia sold for US$3 million in 1999.

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Michael Jordan's "Shattered Backboard" Air Jordan 1s -

A pair of Air Jordan 1s were sold in 2020 for US$615,000. The pair had been worn by Michael Jordan when he shattered the backboard in Italy during a pre-season game.

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LeBron James' 2013 NBA Finals Miami Heat jersey -

The Miami Heat jersey worn by LeBron James on Game 7 of the 2013 NBA Finals sold for US$3.68 million in 2023.

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Muhammad Ali’s gloves from the "Fight of the Century" -

The gloves worn by the boxing legend during his 1971 fight against Joe Frazier, aka the "Fight of the Century," sold for US$606,375.

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Shane Warne's Baggy Green test cap -

Australia’s greatest spinner auctioned off his cap to raise money during the 2019 bushfires. Warne's Baggy Green test cap sold for just over AUD$1 million (around US$672,329). 

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Jackie Robinson's 1947 rookie jersey -

The iconic Brooklyn Dodgers jersey worn by Jackie Robinson was sold for US$2.05 million in 2017.

Sources: (ESPN) (GQ) (Sportico) (Altan Insights)

See also: Weirdest and rarest celebrity memorabilia ever auctioned

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