The fan appeal of Jimothy — the short-tailed Seattle raccoon who became a local celebrity — has taken on a very tangible monetary value. A unique golden Seattle Mariners card featuring his image sold for $20,100 on eBay Sunday evening.
The card was discovered by Abby, an incoming eighth grader, among 20,000 collectible cards distributed to spectators during the Mariners’ Jimothy-themed game against the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 5 at T-Mobile Park. Buyers offered the family money during the game, but Abby’s mother, Jessie Nino, decided to keep the find. Realizing the card could be worth a great deal, the family put it up for auction, hoping to use the proceeds for their daughter’s future education or to buy a home.
By the time the auction ended, the card had received 100 bids. Other Jimothy cards are also selling on eBay for tens or hundreds of dollars. Abby’s sale set a new record among promotional cards distributed at stadiums; the previous high was held by a Dodgers “One Piece”-themed card that sold for $19,800. For $20,100, you could buy an inexpensive new car, open a mobile coffee shop or purchase about 6,700 large brewed coffees at Starbucks.
Based on: Golden Jimothy Mariners card sells for $20,100 on eBay