In the glittering world of sports card collecting, one regal card has long sat atop the collector’s throne: the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card. It is without a doubt the Holy Grail for any serious collector of basketball memorabilia, holding the crown with its iconic status and, often, its steep price tag. However, behind the rookie’s gleaming spotlight stands its slightly younger and far humbler cousin, the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan card. This piece of cardboard, once considered the wallflower at any collector’s gathering, has recently begun developing a charisma all its own, catching the discerning eye of those who understand the art of a strategic investment.
While this card doesn’t shout from the auction block or set records ablaze in a media frenzy, it’s been achieving something that well resonates with the wise investor—steady, reliable growth. Back in 2021, a pristine PSA 10 example of the 1989 Fleer Jordan card could be added to a collection for a modest $1,001. Cut to June 2025, and the same gem mint quality card now commands a price of approximately $1,200. A respectable 20% increase might not break the internet, but in the world of collectibles, where hype can crash as quickly as it surges, steady often makes for a winning marathon pace.
Statistical records from PSA reveal that there are roughly 1,240 PSA 10 graded cards and over 11,000 PSA 9s of the 1989 iteration flitting about. In the grand cosmos of collectible cards, these numbers aren’t exactly scarce. Yet, the demand keeps on truckin’, a clear signal that collectors have recognized this card’s potential for a growth trajectory minus the fiscal vertigo.
What’s particularly remarkable is the ascent in value of raw, ungraded copies. While one could snag such a card for as little as six dollars in 2022, today’s market has ratcheted their worth up to about twenty bucks a pop. For context, this isn’t the product of some elusive promo variant or fancy limited edition insert. Nope, it’s just a well-loved, base-era Jordan card that had spent years sitting pretty under the radar.
So, what’s stirred the sudden affection for this card? Several confluences might be to blame—to start, the ever-rising grading fees that have nudged collectors towards cards that come pre-slabbed, sparing their wallets from escalating costs. Then there’s the sweet tang of nostalgia, particularly from those who reminisce fondly about late ’80s basketball—a time when Bulls mania was bubbling to an epic brew. Lastly, there lies a simple truth: many ardent basketball lovers just want to own a piece of the Michael Jordan story without the prerequisites of a small fortune.
The 1989 Fleer Jordan doesn’t clad itself in flash or gimmick. It doesn’t parade a gravity-defying dunk over Ewing nor wear a gold foil border with daring ostentation, but therein lies its understated appeal. It captures MJ in the zenith of his powers during Bulls’ rising dominance. It isn’t a card for the headline chasers—it’s for the slow burn appreciators, the ones who understand that sometimes, the real treasure is where few think to look.
For collectors actively seeking value, future potential, and an opportunity to zig where others zag, the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan card merits a thoughtful ponder. Jordan was a maestro on the court without the inaugural ‘rookie’ insignia, and true to form, this card doesn’t need the rookie card spotlight to promise solid appreciation. As it slips past as an ‘ignorably’ overlooked option, it quietly becomes the savvy collector’s choice. With time, it’s proving that not all glory stories are penned with instant dazzles; sometimes, they’re born quietly, growing stronger in the wings before taking their own bow.
In the shifting sands of collectibles, amidst tides of hype and frenzied auctions, the steady haven of the 1989 Fleer Jordan reminds us of an old but essential adage—sometimes, it’s not the loudest, flashiest player on the court, but the one with the stamina and grace to go the distance. And perhaps, that’s the secret allure that makes this card one to watch, hold, and cherish.
