A rare, one-of-a-kind gold rookie card featuring "Jimothy," a raccoon known for his appearances in Seattle, has sold for $21,100 on eBay. The card was obtained by a 13-year-old fan during a Seattle Mariners promotion.
The auction concluded Sunday night with 100 bids, significantly exceeding its opening price of 99 cents. The fan, identified only as Abby, received the coveted card as part of a special giveaway event held by the Mariners on August 5. The team had announced a "Jimothy is taking over" promotion, with the first 20,000 fans receiving a Jimothy rookie card. Among these were several rarer "chase cards," including the unique gold version that Abby obtained.
Jimothy, a raccoon believed to have a rare condition called Short Spine Syndrome, gained viral fame in July after videos circulated online showing him in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. His distinctive appearance quickly made him a local celebrity.
The Mariners integrated the raccoon's popularity into their ballpark promotions. In addition to the card giveaway, a special ticket package was available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Ballard Food Bank.
Reports suggest that the proceeds from the sale of the gold Jimothy card are intended for Abby's college fund. The sale highlights the unexpected value that can emerge from unique promotional items and viral internet sensations.