A rare trading card of NBA great LeBron James' 2003-04 rookie campaign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, one of only 23 manufactured, fetched 1.84 million U.S. dollars at an auction over the weekend.

Bidding for the Upper Deck card, signed by the 35-year-old who now plays for Los Angeles Lakers, began at 150,000 U.S. dollars before it became the most expensive basketball card purchased in the modern era - those produced in 1980 or later.

The Cavaliers selected the highly touted James with the first pick in the 2003 NBA draft.

The Akron, Ohio, native scored 25 points on 12-of-20 shooting with nine rebounds, six assists and four steals in his debut against the Sacramento Kings. 

He posted 20.9 points, 5.9 assists and 5.5 rebounds to win the Rookie of the Year award. 

Now a 16-time All-Star, three-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, James was averaging 25.7 points per game, 10.6 assists and 7.9 rebounds when the NBA season was halted amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

He has led the Lakers to first place in the Western Conference with the league preparing to resume action on July 31. 

The previous record for most expensive modern day sports trading card belonged to Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout. 

In May, one of Trout's cards sold for 923,000 U.S. dollars. 

(With input from agencies)