In the dazzling realm of sports card collecting, where rookie cards often steal the spotlight with their glitzy price tags and rarified status, there’s a quiet contender steadily climbing the ranks. Overshadowed by its legendary cousin—the 1986 Fleer rookie card (often regarded as the crown jewel)—the 1989 Fleer #21 Michael Jordan card is, quite unexpectedly, carving out its niche in the hearts (and wallets) of collectors.
The 1986 Fleer card, much like the glittering centerpiece of any collection, has become synonymous with collectors’ dreams and financial ambitions. With its legendary status comes a price point that often intimidates the average enthusiast, making it a piece more often admired than acquired. However, lurking just beyond the glitter, the 1989 Fleer offers a subtler, yet no less enticing opportunity.
Let’s travel back to 2021: a mint-condition 1989 Fleer Jordan card, adorned with the sought-after PSA 10 grading, would set a collector back roughly $1,001. Leap ahead to June 2025, and that same exquisite specimen commands $1,200. While a 20% increase might not send shockwaves through the collecting community, it’s impressive for a card that flies under the radar—a testament to its growing reputation among astute collectors.
For those not steeped in the intricate rankings of card grades, a PSA 10 denotes perfection, an unmarred specimen scrutinized by the eyes of knowledgeable graders. With approximately 1,240 PSA 10s available, alongside a sea of over 11,000 PSA 9s, one might assume the market would be flooded. Yet, the demand endures, illustrating a truth that collectors are beginning to embrace: not every must-have Jordan card needs to carry an eye-watering price.
In a curious twist, raw, ungraded copies of the 1989 Fleer have experienced a meteoric rise. A casual scroll through 2022 would reveal these raw beauties nestled snugly within a measly $6 price range. Fast forward to today, and they demand a rather commendable $20. This represents more than just a fleeting market trend; it’s an appreciation more commonly reserved for rarer odds and ends—here reached by a card once overlooked.
But what, precisely, has fueled this newfound fandom? The reasons are myriad. Firstly, rising grading fees have nudged collectors to opt for cards already enshrined in the protective embrace of a slab. It’s also a sentimental nod to the warm glow of late ’80s basketball nostalgia, an era when Michael Jordan had the world at his feet and the Bulls mania swept across the globe. In this context, the 1989 Fleer taps into a longing to own a genuine piece of basketball history without requiring a homeowner’s budget.
The beauty of the 1989 Fleer lies not in its brash colors or gimmicky designs—no flashy slam dunks over Ewing, no ostentatious gold foil edges. Instead, it features Jordan in his prime, devoid of overly dramatic embellishments. It hails from the glorious ascension of Bulls mania, resonating with those who appreciate a purist’s focus on performance rather than pizzazz. Thus, it evolves into the thinking collector’s choice—an investment in timeless excellence rather than temporal trends.
For collectors in search of a blend of value and promise, or simply a refreshing departure from the mainstream stars of collectible sports ephemera, this card presents an avenue worth exploring. Michael Jordan didn’t require a rookie stamp to trounce his adversaries on the hardwood, and his 1989 Fleer card doesn’t need the limelight to reward a savvy collector’s bet.
In the end, it’s a card that symbolizes subtler values and serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best investments don’t necessarily scream for attention—they earn it, quietly yet confidently, as they ascend the ranks of a collector’s most cherished assets.
