None of these prices for modern cards makes any sense, without there being an underhanded catalyst involved. Here's my take: a card dealer owns multiples of a very low production serial#'d card of a "hot" player. The dealer consigns one of these super-rare super-hot cards through a major auction house and, either by himself or with the help of his associates/employees/family members, shills up the auction from multiple bidder accounts and then essentially buys the card from himself. After the smoke and mirrors show is produced for the collecting/investing public, no money has actually traded hands. The market is now primed for the next auction of this super-rare super-hot card from a different seller (or, so we're led to believe). The same dealer has another one of his super-rare super-hot cards consigned, this time by a family member, friend, or possibly even a fellow shady dealer who takes a pre-negotiated cut of the final sale price. And yes, unfortunately, there are plenty of trust fund dimwits out there foaming at the mouth to be the next high roller / "baller" who spends record bucks on that card.
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