
2004-05 Sweet Spot MJ Auto Sells for $13,422
Deep dive on the 2004-05 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red Michael Jordan auto that sold for $13,422 at Goldin on March 15, 2026.

Sold Card
2004-05 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red #SSR-MJ Michael Jordan Signed Card - PSA NM-MT 8, PSA/DNA Authentic - Pop 1
Sale Price
Platform
Goldin2004-05 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red #SSR-MJ Michael Jordan Signed Card Sells for $13,422
On March 15, 2026, Goldin sold a 2004-05 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red #SSR-MJ Michael Jordan autograph, graded PSA NM-MT 8 with a PSA/DNA Authentic autograph designation, for $13,422. For a mid-2000s Jordan auto with a population of just one in this specific configuration, this is a meaningful result for collectors who track MJ’s autograph market.
In this article we’ll walk through what this card is, why it matters, and how this sale fits into recent price context.
The card: a mid-2000s MJ on-card auto with unique aesthetics
Let’s break down the key details:
- Player: Michael Jordan
- Team shown: Chicago Bulls
- Year: 2004-05
- Set: Upper Deck Sweet Spot
- Subset: Signature Shots Red
- Card number: #SSR-MJ
- Type: On-card autograph on a faux-leather basketball panel
- Parallel / variant: "Red" version of Signature Shots
- Rookie card? No – this is a post-playing-days autograph issue, not a rookie
- Grading company: PSA
- Card grade: PSA 8 (NM-MT, Near Mint–Mint)
- Autograph authentication: PSA/DNA Authentic
- Population: Pop 1 in this exact PSA 8, PSA/DNA Authentic configuration (per the auction description)
The 2004-05 Sweet Spot Signature Shots cards are known for their horizontal layout and a signed surface that mimics a basketball. It’s not a patch or jersey card, but it has that “premium insert” feel and is part of the mid-2000s wave of autograph-driven products.
As a non-rookie, non-logoman card, its appeal is driven by three things:
- Jordan’s on-card autograph – collectors consistently pay a premium for on-card (signed directly on the card) versus sticker autos.
- Sweet Spot brand and design – the baseball version of Sweet Spot was especially popular for its signed ball panels; the basketball adaptation taps into that same idea.
- Relative scarcity – this is not a mass-printed base card. While the exact print run isn’t always front-and-center, the combination of a defined insert, on-card auto, and low pop in graded form supports its status as a tougher Jordan autograph to find.
Where this card fits in the Jordan market
Jordan’s autograph market has a wide spectrum:
- Top tier: Exquisite Collection, ultra-low-numbered patches, on-card autos and logo pieces.
- Mid-high tier: Clean on-card autos from respected brands like Upper Deck Ultimate, SP Authentic, Sweet Shot/Sweet Spot, and certain limited inserts.
- Entry-level Jordan autos: Sticker autos, higher-serial issues, memorabilia cards with more copies.
This Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red MJ sits in that mid-high tier: a recognizable Upper Deck product line, attractive design, and a clean on-card signature.
Price context: how does $13,422 compare?
This Goldin sale closed at $13,422.
When looking at price context, collectors often ask for “comps,” short for comparable sales: recent results for the same card or, when those are scarce, closely related versions (different grades or parallels).
For this specific 2004-05 Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red #SSR-MJ in PSA 8 with PSA/DNA Authentic, publicly documented sales are thin, which is consistent with the pop 1 note in the listing. Instead, it’s more useful to compare to:
- Other Jordan Sweet Spot / Signature Shots autos from the mid-2000s in similar grades
- Other on-card MJ autos from reputable Upper Deck-era products around the same time
Recent sales for comparable MJ on-card autos (not this exact parallel, but similar Sweet Spot or mid-2000s Upper Deck autos) tend to fall into a broad band that can range from the mid–four figures to the low–five figures, depending on:
- Whether there is a serial number and how low it is
- The strength and placement of the signature
- Card condition and eye appeal
- Brand and perceived prestige of the specific subset
Within that context, $13,422 places this sale in the upper part of the mid-2000s MJ auto range, but still well below the prices paid for true flagship Exquisite RPAs and ultra-rare patch autos. It reflects:
- The ongoing premium for clean, on-card Jordan autos
- Extra demand for distinctive, well-designed inserts from the peak Upper Deck era
- The appeal of a pop 1 grade line for collectors who care about PSA’s population report
Because verifiable, recent comps for this exact Red #SSR-MJ configuration are limited, it’s more accurate to say this sale sits toward the strong side of the broader MJ Sweet Spot / mid-2000s auto market, rather than calling it a clear record or outlier.
Collector significance: why this card gets attention
1. A snapshot of the Upper Deck Jordan era
By 2004-05, Michael Jordan was long retired, and Upper Deck held a tight grip on his licensed autographs. This era produced many of the hobby’s favorite Jordan autos. Sweet Spot is part of that story:
- Unique, themed signing surfaces (ball-panel style)
- Strong photography and layouts
- Controlled, non-mass-market autograph checklists
For collectors who like the post-playing-days Upper Deck Jordan aesthetic but don’t want to chase six-figure Exquisite monsters, cards like the Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red are appealing mid-range targets.
2. On-card auto and visual appeal
The autograph surface on this card is a main selling point. Collectors routinely pay more for:
- On-card signatures with good ink coverage
- Centered placement of the autograph
- Designs that frame the auto as the focal point
Sweet Spot’s faux-ball panel checks those boxes and has a look that’s very distinct from standard glossy cardstock.
3. Scarcity in graded form
“Pop report” refers to a grading company’s population report: the count of how many copies they have graded at each grade level. A pop 1 in PSA 8 with a PSA/DNA Authentic auto designation doesn’t mean there is only one copy in existence, but it does mean:
- This is the only copy with this exact label and grade currently recorded by PSA.
- Any collector trying to build a PSA-graded run of Jordan autos from this era has very few options at this specific grade line.
Low population often matters most to set builders and player-focused collectors who care about uniformity in slabs.
What this sale may suggest for the MJ auto market
A single sale never defines a market, but a pop 1 Jordan auto closing at $13,422 at a major venue like Goldin on March 15, 2026 offers a few takeaways:
- Healthy demand for mid-2000s on-card Jordan autos: Even outside Exquisite, strong designs from recognized brands continue to attract bidders.
- Design and era still command a premium: Collectors are not just paying for an autograph; they’re paying for the combination of Jordan, Upper Deck, and a distinctive insert line.
- Graded copies remain a focus: PSA and PSA/DNA labeling, combined with a known pop count, continue to be key data points for many buyers.
How collectors might use this information
For newer or returning collectors:
- This sale illustrates how non-rookie, mid-2000s MJ autos can still live in the five-figure range when they check the right boxes: on-card, strong brand, appealing design.
- When researching, look beyond the headline price and pay attention to: set, auto type, grade, and population.
For active hobbyists and small sellers:
- If you’re holding other Sweet Spot or similar-era Upper Deck Jordan autos, this Goldin sale provides one more data point in the mid-2000s MJ auto band.
- Because direct comps are limited, it’s worth cross-referencing:
- Recent sales of other Sweet Spot Signature Shots MJ autos
- Comparable Jordan on-card autos from 2003–2007 Upper Deck products
As always, this result should be considered one piece of evidence in a larger picture rather than a guarantee of future prices. The Jordan autograph market is mature, but it still responds to broader hobby conditions, supply hitting the market at once, and changing collector tastes.
Final thoughts
The 2004-05 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Signature Shots Red #SSR-MJ Michael Jordan auto in PSA 8, PSA/DNA Authentic brings together a premium design, an on-card signature, and low population in graded form. Its $13,422 sale at Goldin on March 15, 2026 reinforces the steady demand for well-presented, mid-2000s Jordan autographs.
For collectors who track the MJ market closely, this card is a useful reference point in understanding where non-Exquisite, on-card Jordan autos are currently landing in the price spectrum.
If you’re cataloging your own Jordan collection or watching the auction space, keeping an eye on sales like this one helps you better understand how era, design, and grading all come together to shape realized prices in today’s hobby.