In the electrifying world of sports card collecting, a name like Michael Jordan is sacrosanct, synonymous with both legendary play on the court and colossal demand off it. While the 1986 Fleer rookie card is often treated with the reverence of a holy relic, there’s another card quietly working its way up the ranks like a determined underdog. Enter the unsung hero: the 1989 Fleer #21, a card that’s not the rookie, not the king, but perhaps the cunning prince of the Michael Jordan card dynasty.
While the 1986 Fleer card might be the subject of countless odes and feverish bids at auction houses, the 1989 Fleer has gradually built its own little realm of admiration among collectors. Perhaps it’s the allure of an infamous legend captured during the pinnacle of his career, or maybe it’s the card’s ability to grow in value without causing financial palpitations for its owners. Either way, what this card lacks in theatrical allure, it certainly makes up for with steady gains and accessibility.
Back in the simpler days of 2021, collectors with a discerning eye could snatch a PSA 10 of this overlooked gem for a modest $1,001. Fast forward to the summer of 2025, and the market reveals a quiet appreciation — as that same card taps at the $1,200 mark, reflecting a respectable 20% ascent. This isn’t the kind of news that unleashes gavel-banging frenzies at Christie’s, but in the savvy and shrewd world of collecting, it’s ample enough to coax knowing nods and satisfied smirks.
Now, before one clutches their pearls at the thought of abundance dousing desirability, consider the numbers: PSA reports approximately 1,240 PSA 10s and more than 11,000 PSA 9s in circulation. Sounds like a party, right? But if you think that means they’ll be on every street corner, you’re sorely mistaken. Demand remains solid. Collectors have wizened up to the fact that assembling a cherished Jordan collection doesn’t necessitate refinancing your home.
Even the raw copies, those unobtrusive slices of cardboard joy, have flipped the script. In 2022, they could be spotted as a six-dollar-each skirmish, the card equivalent of cinema popcorn. But these days, you’ll need at least twenty smackers to join the club. Yes, that’s over triple the cost for a straightforward, no-thrills card that once languished in neglect. It’s akin to discovering your grandma’s unfussy fruitcake is now a Michelin-starred recipe.
So, why the belated affection? Speculated culprits are multiple: escalating grading fees pushing enthusiasts toward pre-slabbed cards, a wave of sentimental nostalgia from aficionandos reliving the late ’80s basketball zeitgeist, and let’s not forget the sheer practicality of obtaining a Jordan masterpiece without making your bank account wince.
The 1989 Fleer #21 card travels a different path from its ostentatious counterparts. No flashy dunk ‘mid-air or radiant holographic borders are necessary. Instead, it’s Michael Jordan manifested in his electrifying prime, immortalized during the zenith of Bulls-mania. As the discerning collector’s preference, it’s about the long play, the unpretentious win — just like Jordan himself, who needed no rookie title to enshrine his prowess on the court. A sovereign stopper he was, and an adaptive card this remains.
For those exploring beyond celebrity-chased memorabilia and seeking foliage among the forest of Jordan cards, here lies an opportunity for notable growth. The 1989 Fleer speaks a whispering promise of value, offering a reasonable ticket to the Michael Jordan legacy. After all, in a hobby overwhelmed by skyrocketing prices and peak competing fads, who doesn’t yearn for a card capable of both increasing in notability and reigning affordably?
So, when you’re scanning the terrain for value with a horizon of prolonged potential, this humble token from the annals of basketball’s golden days merits a deliberate reconsideration. As Michael Jordan didn’t need to drape the rookie status to soar above the realm of athletics, his quieter 1989 Fleer does just fine basking in unpretentious but promising gains. In a world that loves big fish stories, sometimes the quieter tales make the most rewarding collections.
