In the illustrious world of sports card collecting, there are some heavy hitters that are impossible to ignore. Among those giants stands the 1986 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card, the undisputed champion in the realm of collecting anything-and-everything basketball-related that bears the great Michael Jordan’s image. Yet, as time has marched on, another contender is quietly warming up on the sidelines, ready to make its entrance onto the collectors’ main stage—the 1989 Fleer #21 Michael Jordan card.
While hobbyists tend to focus their desires (and often eye-watering amounts of cash) on the coveted rookie card, the 1989 Fleer #21 card, often considered the rookie card’s overlooked cousin, is making its mark. Steady and unsung, it’s increasingly attracting those with an astute eye and more modest budgets—slowly but surely climbing the value ladder one rung at a time.
Back in 2021, a Gem Mint PSA 10 of this card, though demure in tone, was in fact trading for approximately $1,001. Fast forward to the sun-drenched month of June 2025, and that very piece of cardboard artistry now commands around $1,200. A 20% increase might not set the world alight in terms of splashy numbers and headline-grabbing arcs, but in the realm of collectibles, steady and dependable growth can often eclipse the fleeting excitement of short-lived booms.
The data underlining this growth trend is compelling. According to PSA’s records, roughly 1,240 copies have been graded at a perfect 10, with north of 11,000 scoring a near-top-notch 9. While these volumes might sound abundant, demand has shown no signs of waning. It’s as if collectors have finally cottoned on to the notion that a Jordan card can hold immense value without needing multiple zeroes post-comma in its price tag.
Interestingly, the narrative for raw copies of this card is unfolding at a particularly brisk and riveting pace. In the not-so-distant past—think 2022—one could acquire a raw version of the card for the modest sum of six dollars. The present-day story, however, is quite different as that same ungraded beauty now has a going rate of about twenty American bucks. That’s three-fold growth, an accolade not achieved because of a rare promo label or eye-catching inserts, but simply owing to the card’s solid foundation as a base-era Jordan.
This raises the million-dollar, or perhaps twenty-dollar question: why the increased affection for this particular entry in the Fleer series now? The answer lies in a trifecta of influences: the already high grading fees escalating even further, gently nudging collectors towards the safety of cards already encapsulated and graded; a pervasive sense of nostalgia that enshrouds the entire late ‘80s basketball scene; and the economic reality that many collectors wish to cherish a piece of Jordan magic without putting a stranglehold on their finances.
The 1989 Fleer card may not be the loudest voice in any collector’s gallery. It boasts neither a dramatic on-court action shot like MJ leaping over Ewing, nor does it glimmer with any vaunting gold foil edges. What it does capture is Michael Jordan during his ascendancy—a snapshot crystallized during the seminal rise of Bulls fandom that resonates deeply with aficionados of the era. It represents the thinking collector’s choice.
If you’re on the hunt for cards that offer both value and a long-term upside that promises reward without theatrical risk, then this card presents an excellent candidate for your radar. For Michael Jordan didn’t need the candidacy of rookie status to exert his reign on the court, and in a mirrored fashion, the 1989 Fleer doesn’t need to generate headlines to ensure consistent, reliable market performance.
In a sea of collectors always chasing the next shiny object or groundbreaking headline, the 1989 Fleer Michael Jordan stands out as a titan of quiet potential. Overshadowed for years by its more famous sibling, it now stands poised in the kind of slow-burning spotlight that’s bound to attract collectors with an eye for history, value, and the uncanny talent of a basketball icon. Whether you’re taking your first step into card collecting or are a seasoned veteran seeking diversification, this card extends its subtle siren call. And who knows? In its understated elegance, the overlooked cousin just might turn out to be the decathlete of your cherished collection.
