Ohtani rookie card — one of one worldwide — sells for record $2.56M at auction

A one-of-a-kind rookie card of Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani sold at public auction for nearly 4 billion won ($2.59 million), setting a record for the player's cards on the open market.

MLB.com reported Tuesday (Korean Standard Time) that the card — issued during Ohtani's 2018 MLB debut season — fetched $2,562,229, or about 3.97 billion won, at public auction.

The card is a "Superfractor," the rarest tier in the premium Topps Chrome line produced by American sports card maker Topps. It features a gold-toned special reflective pattern and was manufactured as a true 1-of-1, meaning only one exists in the world.

The Ohtani card received a grade of 9.5 out of a possible 10 from a professional grading service.

Auction house Goldin said the sale price is the highest ever recorded for an Ohtani rookie card in a public transaction.

Ohtani made his major league debut in 2018 wearing a Los Angeles Angels uniform. In that first season, he batted .285 with 22 home runs and 61 RBIs, and on the mound went 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA, earning American League Rookie of the Year honors.

Since then, Ohtani has grown into one of MLB's defining superstars, and the prices commanded by his limited-edition collectibles have soared alongside his fame.

This season, Ohtani is hitting .294 with 17 home runs and 47 RBIs as a batter, while posting an 8-2 record and a 1.58 ERA as a pitcher.