If there was ever a doubt about who is currently sitting on the hobby’s iron throne, the 2025 Mantel Hobby Awards put it to rest.
Ken Goldin and his eponymous auction house didn’t just show up to the awards; they cleared the shelf. In a night celebrating the artists, breakers, and innovators driving the industry, the “King of Collectibles” walked away with a hat trick of victories that underscored a massive year of expansion, record-breaking sales, and mainstream dominance.
It was a sweep for the man who has become the face of high-end collecting. Here is a look at the three major categories Goldin conquered and why the voters handed him the hardware.
Collectibles Executive of the Year
This award recognizes the visionaries shaping the industry, and in 2025, no one shaped the landscape quite like Ken Goldin.
The founder and CEO of Goldin has been a force for decades, personally responsible for more than $2 billion in memorabilia transactions over his career. But this past year was different. Goldin orchestrated the monumental sale of his company to eBay, a move that combined the reach of a global marketplace with the curation and prestige of his boutique operation.
He didn’t stop there. He expanded his empire into Hollywood memorabilia with the acquisition of Studio Auctions, ensuring his footprint extends beyond the diamond and the court. And, of course, there is the Netflix factor. King of Collectibles: The Goldin Touch continues to be the hobby’s biggest recruiting tool, introducing millions of mainstream viewers to the world of high-stakes trading cards. This win wasn’t just about business acumen; it was about cultural impact.
Best Auction House
You can’t win Executive of the Year without the machine behind you firing on all cylinders. Goldin Auctions took home the title of Best Auction House, cementing its status as the premier stage for the hobby’s biggest moments.
Founded in 2012, the house has surpassed $1 billion in total sales, but it’s the quality of those sales that defines them. Now an eBay company, Goldin has become the go-to destination for history-making assets, from Michael Jordan Logoman cards to T206 Honus Wagners.
Beyond the hammer prices, the voters recognized the company’s institutional authority. As the official auction partner of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, Goldin has effectively bridged the gap between a modern card marketplace and a legitimate museum curator.
Best Sold Memorabilia Item
Winner: Shohei Ohtani 50/50 Home Run Ball ($4.392 Million)
Every great year needs a crown jewel, and for Goldin, this was it.
On September 19, 2024, Shohei Ohtani did the impossible, becoming the first player in MLB history to join the 50/50 club (50 homers, 50 steals). The ball from that defining moment didn’t just end up on a mantle; it ended up at Goldin.
The sale of the Ohtani 50/50 ball for $4.392 million set a new world record for the highest price ever paid for any ball in any sport. It was the perfect storm of modern athletic brilliance and high-end collecting mania. Securing the consignment and executing a record-shattering sale for the most transcendent active athlete on the planet was the mic drop moment of the year for the auction house.
The Verdict
Three nominations, three wins.
Whether it was through boardroom acquisitions, reality TV stardom, or seven-figure hammer prices, Ken Goldin made 2025 his own. The Mantel Hobby Awards confirmed what the market has been saying all year: It’s Ken’s world, we’re just collecting in it.
You can check the whole Hobby Awards stream here.
Your collection deserves a community, join Mantel today!
