In the often fast-paced and headline-chasing world of sports card collecting, the buzz usually surrounds big-name rookie cards and rare collector’s editions. Yet, underneath that glammed-up, shiny surface bubbling with anticipation and expectations, lies an arguably understated gem from the past: the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan card. It exists in the relative obscurity of the trading groupies, overshadowed by its star-cousin, the 1986 Fleer rookie card. And while the latter might hog the spotlight, the former has begun a quiet rise in value that makes it worth the attention of savvy collectors.
Sure, the 1986 Fleer has long been touted as the crown jewel of His Airness’s cards, despite coming at a royal cost. It’s the piece de resistance, the talk of the collector’s corner, known globally as the must-have entry ticket to MJ’s cardboard kingdom. But, in a twist worthy of an assist from Pippen himself, the 1989 Fleer #21 card is carving out its own niche, tiptoeing onto the court with subtle pizzazz, quietly appreciated by those with a keen eye—and perhaps a slightly more modest budget.
Imagine this: back in 2021, a grand PSA 10 of the 1989 Fleer Jordan was priced around the tidy sum of $1,001. Fast forward to June 2025, and the same flawless slice of nostalgia leaps to $1,200. A 20% increase might not earn shouts of Bravo! from the rooftops, but for collectors familiar with the volatile ebbs and flows of the market, such reliable increments are worth their weight in proverbial gold. It’s a gentle crescendo on the investment scale, feeding on slow-burning stability rather than explosive hype.
Let’s wander through some numbers, because if the sports card world were a high-stakes poker game, figures would be its chips. Currently, PSA lists about 1,240 PSA 10 graded examples alongside over 11,000 PSA 9s for the 1989 Fleer. Those stats might suggest abundance, but demand hasn’t mirrored those figures. It seems a wider circle of enthusiasts has latched onto the notion that owning a slice of Jordan history doesn’t necessitate remortgaging the house.
Now, let’s shift focus slightly to the raw, ungraded copies of the card. Venture back to the simpler days of 2022, and a raw piece of this Jordan lore could be fetched for a mere six bucks. A time traveler from that era, however, would need three times that amount today, as these cards now go for around $20. It’s a more than threefold ascend, devoid of any glittery garnitures or buttery promo layers. Just pure, unadulterated ’80s basketball reminiscence that was once shrugged off.
So, why this surge? It’s not exactly space science. Rather, it’s an intriguing blend of factors playing out in the collectors’ sphere. Ramped-up slabbing fees nudge aficionados towards cards pre-packaged and ready for display. There’s a blossoming nostalgia for those simpler, neon-lit, hairspray-scented late ’80s basketball beats. And let’s not dismiss the slowly dawning realization that one doesn’t need to hand over a small fortune to possess a slice of Jordan’s legend.
The 1989 Fleer isn’t the jazziest card you’ll find—it won’t be adorned with fire-breathing dragons or embossed with rare elemental metals. You won’t spot Jordan leaping above a fumed-up Ewing or indulging in flashy frame enhancements. Nope. What you see is MJ in the apex of his prime, basking in the warm glow of the Bulls’ ascent into cultural folklore. It’s swiftly becoming a thinking collector’s choice—housed in collections where subtlety sings louder than volume.
For those prowling for value with a promise, and perhaps a temporary respite from the mainstream, the 1989 Fleer warrants a thoughtful glance. It tells us Jordan didn’t require a rookie seal on his forehead, dribbling his trajectory across courts and onto history’s pages. Likewise, his 1989 Fleer card doesn’t jostle for limelight to pay dividends. It speaks to those who, much like MJ himself, appreciate the journey as much as the achievement.
