Goldin
Acquired12 known investors
Buy, sell, and trade rare, culturally and historically significant collactibles
Also known as Goldin Auctions · Goldin Co
Founders & leadership
Investors · 12
Also in the syndicate · 8
Company profile
researched Aug 2026Goldin (Goldin Auctions) is an auction house specializing in rare and high-value collectibles, including sports memorabilia, trading cards, historical artifacts and pop-culture items. It was founded in 2012 by Ken Goldin, a longtime collectibles dealer who previously co-founded The Score Board, Inc. with his father in 1986 and later supplied sports collectibles to TV shopping channels such as QVC and HSN between 1998 and 2011.
The company operates a digital-first auction platform and is described as one of the largest sports auction houses. It is known for early emphasis on modern trading cards and for record-setting sales, including a Mike Trout rookie card that sold for $3.9 million in August 2021 (then an all-time card record), a Giannis Antetokounmpo card at $1.1 million, and Michael Jordan PSA 10 rookie cards at $738,000 each. Over his career Ken Goldin has sold more than $2 billion of memorabilia, including through Goldin Auctions.
Ownership has changed several times: The Chernin Group led a $40 million investment in 2021; the company was sold in 2021 to Collectors Holdings, a group owned by Steve Cohen, Nat Turner and Dan Sundheim; and in April 2024 eBay agreed to acquire Goldin from Collectors Holdings. Ken Goldin continues as founder and CEO, and the business operates independently within eBay.
Founding story
Ken Goldin began collecting baseball cards as a child in the Philadelphia area and started selling them in 1978. After building and later leaving The Score Board, Inc. and a period supplying collectibles to TV shopping channels, he established Goldin Auctions in 2012.
Business model
Goldin operates as an auction house, listing and selling consigned rare and high-value collectibles to collectors and investors through auctions, primarily online.
Traction
The company grossed more than $100 million in sales in 2020 and was reported to be worth $102 million that year. Sales of $200 million were reported as of May 2021, and Ken Goldin reported more than $300 million in sales for 2022. Record sales include a $3.9 million Mike Trout rookie card, a $1.1 million Giannis Antetokounmpo card and Michael Jordan PSA 10 rookie cards at $738,000 each.
Latest developments
In June 2025 Goldin acquired Studio Auctions, a rare movie props auction house, to expand into Hollywood and entertainment memorabilia. In August 2025 Ken Goldin stated a goal of a $10 million sale for a single modern card and auctioned a signed bat from a viral Little Leaguer with proceeds donated to the Haddonfield Little League.
▸Full profile — market position, go-to-market, geography, history
Market position
Described as one of the major sports auction houses and, at the time of its 2021 funding, as the largest sports auction house; it gained attention as the auction house that first shifted focus to modern cards.
Goldin moved into modern trading cards ahead of competing auction houses, pursued a digital-first approach to high-value memorabilia, emphasized authentication, and built consumer awareness through mainstream television, including a Netflix series.
Go-to-market
The company reaches collectors through online auctions and heavy media exposure, including founder Ken Goldin's appearances on Fox Business, CNBC, Bloomberg TV and ESPN and the Netflix series "King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch," which premiered April 28, 2023 and returned for a second season on June 12, 2024.
Collectors and investors in sports memorabilia, trading cards, historical artifacts and entertainment/pop-culture collectibles, ranging from hobbyists to high-value buyers internationally.
Geography
Headquartered in the United States, with buyers drawn from markets including Australia, China, Japan and the Philippines. The company staged its first major public showcase in Japan, presenting high-end sports memorabilia to collectors.
History
Ken Goldin formed The Score Board, Inc. with his father in 1986; that company went public in 1987. He left in 1997 and supplied sports collectibles to TV shopping outlets from 1998 to 2011. He established Goldin Auctions in 2012. In 2021 the company raised $40 million from The Chernin Group and a group of athlete and executive investors, with Ken Goldin moving to chairman and Ross Hoffman joining as CEO; the same year it was sold to Collectors Holdings. In April 2024 eBay announced its acquisition of Goldin from Collectors Holdings, with Ken Goldin remaining founder and CEO. In June 2025 Goldin acquired Studio Auctions, a rare movie props auction house.
Compiled by commissioned research from 5 cited public sources — announcements, filings, and press listed under research sources below.
Key figures
latest reportedCompany-reported or press-reported figures, each dated to when it was claimed — not independently audited.
Timeline · 7
launches, deals, and filingsGoldin Auctions acquired Studio Auctions, a rare movie props auction house, to expand into Hollywood and entertainment memorabilia.
Goldin Auctions staged its first major public showcase in Japan, presenting high-end sports memorabilia to collectors.
eBay agreed to acquire Goldin Auctions from Collectors Holdings as part of a series of transactions between the two companies; financial terms were not disclosed and the deal was expected to close in Q2 2024. Ken Goldin remained CEO and founder and the company continued to operate independently. Centerview Partners advised eBay; Allen & Company and Sullivan and Cromwell advised Collectors Holdings.
The Netflix series featuring Ken Goldin and Goldin Auctions debuted on April 28, 2023; a second season debuted June 12, 2024. The show peaked at No. 4 in the United States and No. 20 worldwide.
Goldin Auctions announced a $40 million capital infusion from The Chernin Group, with participation from athletes and technology executives. Proceeds were earmarked for building the auction house, including updated technology.
$40M source ↗
Alongside the $40 million investment, founder Ken Goldin moved to chairman and Ross Hoffman, previously an executive at Twitter and Headspace, was named CEO.
Goldin Auctions was sold in 2021 to Collectors Holdings, a group owned by Steve Cohen, Nat Turner and Dan Sundheim.
Dated company events from announcements, filings, and press; legal rows summarize public dockets and regulator releases.
In the news
▸Research sources · 5
primary sources listed
- Ken Goldin - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org · web
5 public sources were cited for this profile; the first-party ones are listed here.
Frequently asked questions
- What does Goldin do?
- Auction house for high-value sports, historical and pop-culture collectibles, founded in 2012 and acquired by eBay in 2024.
- Who founded Goldin?
- Goldin was founded by Ken Goldin.
- Who are Goldin's investors?
- Goldin's investors include Aurum Venture Partners, LightShed Ventures, The Chernin Group (TCG Crypto), 75 & Sunny.