This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 9/7/2012.
Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen was a four-time NBA Champion with the Minneapolis Lakers (‘50, ‘52, ‘53, ‘54). In April of 2002, the Los Angeles Lakers honored Vern Mikkelsen and his former teammates with a halftime ceremony during a game with the Minnesota Timberwolves. When the Lakers won the NBA Championship later that season, they honored the Lakers of the 50s once again by presenting them with championship rings identical to the ones received by the 2001-02 squad. This magnificent size 14, 14k gold ring weighs 71 grams. The top panel reads “LAKERS WORLD CHAMPIONS” with 14 round-cut diamonds around the perimeter (.60-carats). The face of the ring is made up of 44 yellow diamonds (.50-carats). The center of the face features a trillion-cut purple amethyst with “BACK” in relief on all three sides, along with three, .40-carat trillion-cut diamonds commemorating the Lakers’ back-to-back-to-back NBA Championships. The left panel reads “MIKKELSEN” in relief, along with “15” and “4”, the Lakers’ playoff record; along with “58” and “24”, the Lakers’ regular season record; and the official NBA logo. The right panel features the Lakers logo in relief along with ”SLAM DUNK”, “2002” and a microphone that reads “CHICK”, in honor of Chick Hearn, L.A.’s long-time play-by-play announcer who passed away that year. The inside of the ring is stamped “14K”. The ring is in NRMT condition with light wear and is accompanied by a LOA from Vern Mikkelsen.
Lots 15–21 presented in this auction catalog are consigned to us directly from Minneapolis Lakers All-Time Great & NBA Hall of Famer Vern Mikkelsen. These treasures are absolutely fantastic and truly represent what the game of basketball used to be. Vern and his family have been a pleasure to work with and we are honored to present his personal collection at this year’s Hall of Fame Induction Auction.