Batman #1 and Black Lotus Lead Goldin’s CGC-certified Auction Wins

Comic books and cards that are certified by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) achieved impressive results in Goldin Auctions’ July Pop Culture Elite Auction on August 2, 2025, and July Elite Auction on August 9, 2025.

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Leading the auction series was a Batman #1 is graded CGC 3.5 (lot 1), which realized $207,400. Published in 1940 by DC Comics following the character’s Golden Age debut in Detective Comics a year earlier, Batman #1 has the first appearance of the Joker and Catwoman. The CGC Census lists 317 examples of this book, but fewer than half are in Universal grade.

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Additionally, a Black Lotus, Magic: The Gathering (1993) Limited Edition Alpha graded CGC 9 (lot 4) realized $138,402, becoming the second-highest selling CGC-certified collectible in the sale. As of August 2025, this is the highest-selling Alpha Black Lotus certified by CGC on the Goldin auction platform, easily surpassing the previous result of $66,000! Out of the 51 examples of Alpha Black Lotus in the CGC Cards Population Report, only 9 are graded higher than this example of the coveted Power 9 powerhouse.

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And from the wide world of sports cards, a 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle - Type 2 certified as CGC Authentic (lot 222) realized $13,685. The 1952 Topps Baseball set is one of the most revered groups of sports cards ever issued, revolutionizing the hobby with its unique images, bright colors and increase in size, quality and quantity. The set paved the way for modern sports cards but was underappreciated in the hobby during its day. Released in six separate series, the high-numbered cards like the #311 Mickey Mantle were overlooked upon release. Only around 2,000 of the #311 cards are believed to survive today, and competition is fierce for them.

Other CGC-certified comics sold in this auction include:

• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 6.5 (lot 2), which realized $81,740
• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 5.5 Restored (lot 56), which realized $15,860
• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 2.0 (lot 55), which realized $14,640
• a Crime SuspenStories #22 graded CGC 6.0 (lot 54), which realized $10,370
• an X-Men #1 graded CGC 5.5 (lot 53), which realized $10,370

Other CGC-certified cards sold in this auction include:

• a Charizard, Pokémon (2021) Japanese Creatures Deck: Corp. History graded CGC Pristine 10 and graded by CGC Signature Series as Auto 10 and signed by Mitsuhiro Arita (lot 31) that realized $56,120
• a Charizard, Pokémon (2002) Legendary Collection Reverse Holo graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 27) that realized $10,492
• a Charizard // Nidoking, Pokémon (1996) Japanese Base Set - Test Print Holo - No Opaque Layer graded CGC 9 (lot 499) that realized $7,000
• an Alakazam // Zapdos, Pokemon (1996) Japanese Base Set - Test Print - No Opaque Layer graded CGC Gem Mint 10 (lot 24) that realized $6,100

Prices realized include a buyer’s premium.

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.